Shih Tzu
- Size
- toy
- Height at withers
- 20–27 cm, males20–27 cm, females
- Weight
- 4–7 kg, males4–7 kg, females
- Lifespan
- 10–16 years
- Group
- Apartment friendlyCalmCompanionsSheds little
An editorial estimate, not a measurement.
Suits. Квартира, спокойный дом, пожилые владельцы.
Be aware. Шерсть требует ежедневного расчёсывания или короткой стрижки. Глаза и дыхание — уязвимые места.
Temperament
Спокойный, дружелюбный и не склонный к суете компаньон. Ши-тцу не требует нагрузок, легко живёт в квартире и хорошо переносит городской ритм. Привязан к семье, к чужим приветлив. Упрям в мелочах, но неконфликтен.
Care
Шерсть длинная, без подшёрстка, не линяет — но сваливается быстро: расчёсывать ежедневно, иначе колтуны. Многие владельцы стригут коротко, и это разумно. Глаза крупные и выпуклые, требуют осмотра и защиты. Морда укорочена — плохо переносит жару и физические нагрузки в тепле.
Origin
Тибетско-китайская порода, столетиями жила в императорских дворцах и буддийских монастырях. В Европу попала только в 1930-е годы.
What to watch in this breed
Breed predispositions are not a diagnosis and not a sentence. They are what occurs in this breed more often than in others, and what is worth knowing in advance.
- Keep in mindBrachycephalic airway syndrome
- Snoring, noisy breathing at rest, a bluish tongue, fainting on exercise. This is not “just the breed” and not a cute quirk: the dog is short of air. Excess weight makes breathing worse than anything else, and heat and stuffiness are directly dangerous.
- Keep in mindPoor heat tolerance
- In a Kazakh summer this is the breed’s main risk. Walk early morning and late evening, always carry water, never leave the animal in a car. Signs of overheating: rapid panting with the tongue out, drooling, an unsteady gait. Heatstroke kills in minutes, not hours.
- OccursTear staining
- Because of the shape of the face the tear duct drains poorly, so it stays wet under the eyes and the fur stains. Not dangerous in itself, but a wet fold gets sore. Wipe daily; if the tearing suddenly increases or an eye is squinting, that is a vet visit.
- Keep in mindTeeth
- In small breeds the teeth are crowded, tartar builds early, and teeth are lost by five years old. Look at the gums: redness at the tooth line and bad breath already call for a scale. Brush at home; dry food does not clean teeth, contrary to popular belief.
A predisposition means a probability, not a disease. Most animals of these breeds live their lives without any of it. We do not diagnose: the list is here so you know what to ask your vet at a routine check-up and which signs not to write off as old age.
Weight and lifespan are a guide for the breed, not a standard for your animal. Actual figures depend on the line, care and health.
Where to get one: Shih Tzu breeders
These records are collected by us and marked verified only after a call. Ring ahead: available litters change every week.
Record from open sources; we have not confirmed it by phone.