How to Take Care of a Shih Tzu

Co-authored by Nicole Larocco-Skeehan

Last Updated: January 12, 2023 References Approved

Shih Tzu are descended from royal Chinese dogs and were originally bred to be great companions.^{[1]
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Research source} While they may look regal and delicate, they are actually lively, energetic, and fun dogs that can be a great family pet. In order to bring a Shih Tzu into your family and have it thrive, you will need to take care of its coat, its behavior, and its health on a regular basis.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Grooming a Shih Tzu

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Bathe and brush your dog. There is no set frequency and over-bathing can dry out the skin and coat. Around once a month is considered a good compromise, with some dogs needing bathing more frequently and others less — depending on how dirty your dog gets. You will also need to brush or comb their hair at least once daily in order to prevent matting of the fur.
- Shih Tzu have a coat of hair, not fur. This means that their coat will not shed. Just like human hair, Shih Tzu hair needs to be taken care of or it will become a knotted mess.
- Pay particular attention to the hair around your dog's eyes. If you leave their hair long, you will need to tie the hair around their eyes up.^{[2]
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  Research source} This will help to keep the hair out of their eyes and out of their food and water dishes.
2
Trim the dog's hair regularly. Because Shih Tzu don't shed, their hair can grow very, very long. Take the time to have your dog's hair cut so that it does not become unmanageable. If you are not showing your Shih Tzu, consider giving it a short "puppy" cut, instead of the classic long show coat for ease of care.^{[3]
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- Pay particular attention to the dog's eye area but be careful when using scissors around your them! It's important to trim the hair around their eyes so that your dog's eyes stay clean and so that they can see but it can be difficult to keep them still enough. Just take your time and be cautious. You may even want to recruit a helper to hold your pup still.
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Take your Shih Tzu to a professional groomer if you can't take care of the dog's grooming yourself. Shih Tzu should be groomed at least every two or three weeks for optimal health. If you like to groom your Shih Tzu yourself but can't do it every other week, try taking your pup to the groomers in between times you do it yourself.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Training a Shih Tzu

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Socialize your Shih Tzu. Let it meet other dogs from a very early point in its life. Doing this allows your dog to become more social and also lets it experience life outside the house.
- Take your dog to town now and then so it doesn't become scared of cars, lights, noises, and other people. Also expose them early to other things that can rile up small dogs, such as skateboards and bicycles. The more they see and interact with a variety of life experiences, the more comfortable they should be.
2
Train your Shih Tzu in basic obedience skills. They can have a 'holier than thou' attitude, which makes it a bit tougher to train them. Use treats to help train them. Be patient, and stay consistent.
- In particular Shih Tzus are notorious for having house breaking problems. Use positive reinforcement, not punishment, and stay patient with your dog.
3
Get your dog a teething ring if it's a puppy. This breed tends to chew a lot in their early years, but with proper training, you can stop the habit.
- Remember that no matter what, your Shih Tzu will bite in the early stages. It's completely normal, but don't let him/her get used to it!

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Keeping a Shih Tzu Healthy

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Exercise your dog as much as possible. Shih Tzu may be small dogs, but they still need a place to stretch their legs and play. This breed loves to play, so buy (or make) some toys, and make sure to go to the dog park as often as you can.^{[4]
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- Despite their sometimes delicate appearance, Shih Tzus are sturdy dogs and they don't mind getting a little dirty every now and then.
- Remember that dogs who nip and go crazy inside the house may need more exercising outside! Exercise not only helps a dog's body but it can also help their mind.
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Give your Shih Tzu healthy dog food. Keep in mind that some Shih Tzu have allergies or stomach sensitivities. If you try a brand of dog food that doesn't seem to agree with your dog, try changing it. If you continue having problems, check with your vet for a recommendation of a good 'breed specific' brand of food.
3
Take the Shih Tzu to the vet once a year for basic health care. As with any pet, your goal should be for your Shih Tzu to be happy and healthy and your veterinarian is the best person to help you achieve that goal. You need to make sure that your dog's health care needs are taken care of on a regular basis. Important veterinary procedures include, but are not limited to, vaccination, control of internal and external parasites, neutering, and microchipping.
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Look for breed specific health problems. With this breed, frequent vet visits are even more important because they are prove to a variety of unique health issues. This includes hip dysplasia, Von Willebrand disease, and Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia.
- Shih Tzu are prone to eye problems like Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), a group of diseases that attack certain breeds of dogs.^{[5]
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  Research source} It is characterized by the bilateral degeneration of the retina, basically progressive vision loss culminating in blindness. Be alert for the dog bumping into things, not spotting where a toy is, or sudden loss of confidence in novel situations.
- Shih Tzu are also prone to disc problems and back pain. While back problems are genetic in these dogs, as so they can't always be avoided, you should do a few things to limits the possibility of injury. First and foremost, minimize the risk of a slipped disc by not allowing your dog to jump from heights and keep them slim.^{[9]
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  Minimize the risk of a slipped disc by not allowing your dog to jump from heights and keep them slim.} Also, if your dog seems to be in pain take them to the vet. A veterinarian can assess the health of your dog and manage their pain at the very least.
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Try to brush your dog's teeth. Shih Tzu can have issues with their teeth, including missing or misaligned teeth from birth.^{[7]
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Research source} Brushing their teeth when you brush yours is a good idea. Just like humans, they can get gingivitis and plaque build up, leading to infections or tooth loss.^{[8]
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Research source} In the worst cases, they can lose the ability to eat due to mouth infections.
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Remember to take care of your dog's other daily needs. Make sure that there is water out for your pup to drink whenever they get thirsty. Take your dog to the bathroom. Like us, dogs need to go to the bathroom to stay healthy.
- You should also trim your pup's nails every week or two.^{[9]
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Give your Shih Tzu lots of love! Every dog needs love. Pet them and praise them on a regular basis. Even if you just let them sit in your lap while you read or watch TV, it shows them that you care.

Expert Q&A
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Question

What do Shih Tzu puppies need?

Nicole Larocco-Skeehan
Dog Trainer
Nicole Larocco-Skeehan is a Dog Trainer and the Owner of Philly Unleashed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nicole has over 25 years of experience working with animals and currently specializes in group and private dog training and behavior modification. Nicole’s business has been named the "Best of Philadelphia" and she is the author of “The Teaching Dog: Partnering with Dogs for Instruction, Socialization, and Demonstration in Your Training Practice.” She was also on the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers Board of Directors. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Advertising from Robert Morris University.

Nicole Larocco-Skeehan

Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

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A crate is a really helpful and important tool for your puppy—just make sure that's large enough for your pup to stand up, lie down, and turn around in. A crate can act as your puppy's babysitter when you're not able to have eyes on them.
Question

How can I brush my Shih Tzu's teeth?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

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The trick with this is to use a dog toothpaste. These are flavored to taste nice to the dog. Teach the dog to allow you to brush the teeth in stages, starting with licking toothpaste from a finger. Practice handling the dog's mouth, praising him when he behaves. Then rub some toothpaste on the gum, and slowly build up to using a finger-toothbrush to rub the paste over the gums. Once the dog allows this you can start using a dog toothbrush.
Question

How can I train my shih-tzu well?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

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Shih Tzu's have a bit of a reputation for being independently minded when it comes to training! This doesn't mean they can't be trained, simply that you must be patient. Use reward-based methods and train several times a day for short periods of time. A great idea is to do basic "Sit" and "Stay" during the ad break on a TV, that sort of thing.

Warnings

Remember that some dogs think that humans are dogs just like them, and will roughhouse with you as if you were another dog. Dogs naturally play with their mouths-- even with humans.

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Most Shih Tzu love children but the temperament of every dog is different. Be cautious when introducing any dog to children it doesn't know.

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