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Shih Tzu – 15 Reasons Why They Are Amazing Doggies!

Published: by Kristin · This post may contain affiliate links

Shih Tzus are among the most popular of all small breeds, and with good reason. With their alert, affectionate, and low maintenance qualities. It's no surprise that Shih Tzus make lovely pets.

In this article, we will be talking about in detail why Shih Tzus are amazing doggies!

#1 Light shedding.

A Shih Tzu wearing her pajamas while sitting on the floor
If you are not a fan of finding dog hair on your clothes, food, bed, and everywhere else, Shih Tzu is a great pet to have! Though they do require frequent brushing, but Shih Tzu owners can rest assured that constant lint rolling will not be required.

#2 Friendly.

a woman holding a Shih Tzu puppy in her arms
Shih Tzus were bred solely as companion animals. As such, Shih Tzus are friendly with new people and are not likely to exhibit aggressive or guarding characteristics.

#3 Affectionate.

A woman lying down on the pavement next to Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus bond very quickly with humans and can often be found resting at the owner’s feet. A Shih Tzu’s purpose in life is to love his or her owner, which makes these doggies great pets for anyone who loves to have a constant companion.

#4 No prey drive.

A Shih Tzu with a ponytail on top of its head while lying down on the pavement pathway at the park
Many dogs, such as dachshund, have high prey drives that can make caring for them difficult. Since Shih Tzus were bred as companions, they do not inherently have a prey drive. It’s a great news for anyone who enjoys going for walks without having to chase or stare down squirrels!

#5 Family doggie.

a girl sitting in the back seat with her Shih Tzu sitting on her lap
Combined with their confidence, lack of prey drive, friendly nature, and affectionate demeanor, Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They do not mind being handled by children, enjoy short bouts of play time, and are loyal to their companions.

#6 Alert.

A freshly groomed Shih Tzu standing on top of the grooming table while tilting its head
Although non-aggressive, Shih Tzus are always aware of their surroundings and are ready to alert their owners of any strange activity they hear or see. Not as good as other small breeds, Shih Tzus still can make their voices heard when the need arises.

#7 Good for apartments.

A Shih Tzu wearing a pink hair tie and pink sweater while snuggled in bed with her unicorn eye mask
Shih Tzus require very little room to roam in order to stay happy and healthy, and are great companions for apartment dwellers! They also bark less than many other toy breeds, which means you will be able to be nice friends with your neighbors!

#8 Do not require a lot of exercise.

A Shih Tzu lying on the grass in the garden
Shih Tzus tired easily and do not have the same high exercise requirements of other breeds. In addition, their short noses can make too much exercising dangerous. So a 15 – 20 minute walk per day is all that a Shih Tzu needs.

#9 Long lifespan.

A Shih Tzu in rabbit costume in the garden
Shih Tzus have a long lifespan of 12 – 16 years, with many individuals living into their 20s. The oldest known living known doggie was a Shih Tzu who lived to be 23 years old!

#10 Adaptable.

A Shih Tzu leaning towards the window in the car
Shih Tzus are great pets because they are highly adaptable. They are able to take on any changes that a family makes throughout the years.

#11 Their name means “Little Lion”.

A Shih Tzu with long fur standing on top of the grooming table
The Mandarin phrase “Shih Tzu” translates to little lion.

#12 They are silly.

A Shih Tzu wearing glasses while lying on the bed with its face is on top of the books
With confidence, Shih Tzu are some of the most silly and funny creatures!

#13 They are an old breed.

A long haired Shih Tzu with a pink ribbon tie on top of its head while standing on the large rock
Nobody knows exactly how old the Shih Tzu is, although it existed at least as far back as 624 CE (we know this because of its presence in art from the era). For some reasons, it’s difficult to determine when and how exactly it originated, though experts have some ideas. One popular theory says, the breed was started in Tibet by Buddhist monks and eventually made its way to China.

#14 They have long and silky hair.

A Shih Tzu with a long hair on its ears sitting on top of the grooming table
The hair of a Shih Tzu is truly something to envy. Show doggies can be seen sporting stylish long hair that drags on the floor like a dress's train. This particular hairstyle is very hard to keep up, so most shih tzu owners opt to keep their dog’s hair in a short style.

#15 … And come in lots of colors.

three Shih Tzu sleeping on the floor
The Shih Tzu comes in 14 different colors and three different markings.
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