What is a Shih Tzu like to live with?

Why do some people call Shih Tzus the worst dog?

Usually because the Shih Tzu won the argument. Telling a Shih Tzu "bad dog" tends to earn you a wagging tail, a round of kisses and a look of injured innocence. Most breeders know of a home where that charm went unchecked until the owner had a chubby dog, never fully housebroken, waking the house at 5 a.m. and so practiced at dodging the brush that it ended up a smelly, matted mess.

That's the Shih Tzu at its worst, and it's really a training story. Be firm when you need to be, and your Shih Tzu will love you just as much once it's well behaved. If you've landed here after a long night with a new puppy, you're in good company, and the sections below take the trickier parts one at a time.

What is a Shih Tzu's temperament like?

Friendly, and happiest wherever its people are. A Shih Tzu exists to be a companion and house pet, which is why it's so outgoing and trusting. The breed is happy, even-tempered and eager to please, with just a touch of arrogance left over from its days as a companion in the Chinese royal court.

Shih Tzus are very affectionate with family, very good with young children and other dogs, and somewhere in the middle with strangers. An aggressive Shih Tzu of either sex is unusual, and boys and girls don't differ in temperament the way they can in many larger breeds.

Are Shih Tzus hard to housetrain?

They have that reputation, and it's earned. Most of the cure depends on you. Don't give the puppy chances to have accidents indoors, go outside with it so you can praise it the moment it goes, and take it out every few hours, above all after it wakes, eats or plays.

Plan on it taking months. Watch a puppy indoors until it has gone at least four to eight weeks without an accident inside, and know that most Shih Tzus aren't completely reliable until about eight to ten months old. Males are often easier to housebreak.

One more habit is better known about ahead of time. Stool eating isn't unusual in the breed, many puppies outgrow it, and the best cure is a potty area kept picked up.

Are Shih Tzus stubborn?

They can be, mostly when they're pushed. Yelling at or physically punishing a Shih Tzu usually just makes it more stubborn, and harsh corrections shouldn't be used with the breed at all. Shih Tzus are such people dogs that praise and rewards work best.

The trick is letting a Shih Tzu believe the idea was its own. A Shih Tzu that thinks it's talking you into a reward will eagerly do what you asked, so teach a new habit a little at a time and reward each step. A short time out works well too, because the breed craves human company and being shut out of the room is a real loss. Shih Tzus lean toward eager to please, which is good news for anyone willing to carry treats.

Do Shih Tzus bark a lot?

A moderate amount. A Shih Tzu barks more than the quietest breeds and far less than the noisiest, and it makes a fair watchdog. As a guard, though, a Shih Tzu would probably give even a burglar a guided tour.

A new puppy may cry and bark at night once it's away from its littermates, and it's best not to reward it. Going in to say quiet or to pet the puppy teaches it that noise brings company, so wait until it's quiet before you let it out, and start with short absences that you stretch out slowly. Make the crate a pleasant den with toys, and set it where your family is during the day and in a bedroom at night, so the puppy feels safe without feeling lonely.

Are Shih Tzus good with kids?

Grown Shih Tzus usually are, and the breed is especially affectionate with children. Puppies need more care. An adult Shih Tzu is sturdy and muscular for its size, but a puppy is small enough to be tripped over or stepped on, and it loves being underfoot. Young children should sit on the floor to play, so a wriggling puppy doesn't have far to fall, keep fingers away from its eyes, and never be left alone with it.

That's why many breeders won't place a young puppy with preschoolers, and a family with very small children may be better suited to an older dog, which is worth a look on our available adults page. Whatever your household looks like, tell us about it when you fill in our puppy application, and we'll talk it through with you. The coat care that comes with all that personality is in our price guide.