Shih Tzus are true companion dogs. Bred for centuries to be man’s best friend, it’s no wonder that Shih Tzu puppies are among the most popular of tiny breeds.
Remember that you can get just about any kind of dog, including Shih Tzu puppies, from shelters and rescues. You can also try DogTime’s adoption page that lets you search for adoptable dogs by breed and zip code. Adopt! Don’t shop!
Are you thinking about bringing a Shih Tzu puppy into your life? Read on to see what to expect!
1. Their Name Isn’t Pronounced Like A Swear Word
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Although this has nothing to do with the breed’s sweet temperament, their proud stance, or their unbelievable loyalty, we think your new furry friend would like you to pronounce their breed name correctly.
It is pronounced “Sheed Zoo,” which roughly translates to “Lion” in Chinese.
The Shih Tzu was bred as early as the fourteenth century to be a companion and lapdog to royalty in China. So they’re far too dignified to tolerate curse words.
2. They’ll Have One Coat, Then Two
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The Shih Tzu has a luxurious double coat that consists of a rougher outer coat and a soft inner coat. Your Shih Tzu puppy will have one soft, manageable coat until around the age of seven months when the second one will start to grow in.
Grooming won’t be too difficult in the early stages, but prepare for regular grooming once your Shih Tzu puppy grows up.
3. They’ll Be At Home Anywhere, As Long As They’re With You
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Shih Tzu puppies are very adaptable when it comes to living spaces. Whether you live in a micro studio apartment or the sprawling countryside, this pup will love their home, as long as they’re with you.
Again, Shih Tzu puppies were bred specifically for companionship. They are no good at hunting or herding, but they are great at loving their human.
Be sure to give your Shih Tzu puppy lots of one-on one-attention to build a strong, beautiful relationship.
4. They’ll Be Courteous To Strangers, Even Ones Who Can Accidentally Hurt Them
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Shih Tzu puppies are easily one of the most cordial types of pups out there. They generally get along with their human’s human friends, children, and other dogs and cats.
If you have a larger animal in the house already or rambunctious kids, be sure to monitor them while they play with your Shih Tzu puppy. Shih Tzu puppies can be as small as two and a half pounds at eight weeks, so they are incredibly delicate.
Fortunately, Shih Tzu puppies grow quickly and can reach their adult size of ten to 16 pounds as early as seven months.
5. Their Adorable Faces Can Lead To Breathing Issues
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One of the most lovable parts of a Shih Tzu puppy is their cute, smushed face. This face shape has the ability to send any human into cuteness overload mode, but it can also lead to some issues down the line for your puppy.
Snoring and wheezing can occur during sleep and be nothing more than a new part of your nighttime soundtrack, while issues as serious as heat stroke can occur because of this brachycephalic face shape.
Be sure to keep your Shih Tzu’s intense sun-bathing to a limit during hot summer months, and grab yourself some ear plugs if you feel like adorable soft snores are not your jam.
Would you adopt a Shih Tzu puppy? What other facts should people know about these cute, little dogs? Let us know in the comments below!