Breeds / Shih Tzu

Breed guide

Shih Tzu

If you are looking for a small, affectionate, and loyal companion, a Shih Tzu puppy may be the perfect fit for your family. Known for their sweet personalities, beautiful coats, and loving nature, Shih Tzus have been cherished companion dogs for generations. At Furever Love Pets, we raise Shih Tzu puppies in Pennsylvania with care, socialization, and a commitment to helping each puppy find the right family.

At a glance

Breed overview

A small companion breed built for closeness — affectionate, gentle, and happiest right by your side.

Breed groupToy Group

Size9–16 pounds

Height9–10.5 inches

Lifespan10–16 years

TemperamentAffectionate, friendly, gentle

Energy levelLow to moderate

Good with kidsGood

Good with other petsGood

Honest fit check

Is a Shih Tzu right for you?

A great fit if you want…

A companion who wants to be close to you

A family ready for regular grooming

A home that can offer daily attention and interaction

A gentle, indoor-focused companion

Personality

Temperament

The temperament is the biggest reason this breed is so loved.

Affectionate & loyal

Forms strong bonds with family members and loves following their people around the home.

Friendly & people-focused

Enjoys being close to people and included in daily family life.

Gentle

A calm, sweet temperament that suits many types of households.

Homebody

Not a high-energy working dog — happiest curled up nearby or included in the day's routine.

Appearance

Distinctive by design

Small, sturdy build

Long, soft, flowing coat

Charming, expressive face

Adaptable size for many types of homes

Recognized coat colors

Gold

Warm golden shades

White

Solid white or white with markings

Black

Solid black

Liver & White

Reddish-brown and white pattern

Grooming & care

Keeping a Shih Tzu healthy

Regular brushing

The soft, long coat needs frequent brushing to stay clean and comfortable.

Trimming

Regular grooming appointments or consistent at-home coat maintenance keep the coat manageable.

Eye care

Regular eye care is an important part of keeping a Shih Tzu comfortable.

Bathing & nails

Routine bathing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning round out the grooming routine.

Training

Trainability

Patience & structure

Like all puppies, Shih Tzus need patience, structure, and early training.

Early socialization

Helps them become comfortable with people, household sounds, and grooming routines.

Grows into confidence

A well-raised Shih Tzu becomes a sweet, confident companion for many years.

Health considerations

Why responsible breeding matters

Every breed carries its own strengths and its own things to watch, and no honest breeder will tell you otherwise. A family deserves the whole picture before they choose a puppy — not a sales pitch.

We would rather you ask us hard questions than wonder later. Here are the ones worth asking any breeder, including us. You can see each puppy’s parents, and their health testing, on the puppy’s own page.

What health testing do you do on the parents?

Every breeder should be able to answer this plainly and without hesitating. Ask what’s been done, and ask what hasn’t — some evaluations can only be done once a dog is fully grown, and a straight answer about that tells you more than a perfect one.

Can I see the results?

Testing means little if nobody can look at it. A breeder who publishes results, or hands them over when asked, is a breeder who expects you to check.

Can I meet the parents?

The parents show you the temperament and condition your puppy is growing into. Meeting them in the home where the litter is raised tells you things no document can.

What happens if something goes wrong?

Ask what’s guaranteed, for how long, and who picks up the phone in a year. The answer to this question is where good breeders and quick sales part ways.

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