Shih Tzu Care

The Shih Tzu--one of the most beloved companion breeds on the planet--is known for both its beautiful coat and its warm, friendly temperament. And while this toy-sized breed only requires moderate maintenance overall, some owners don't know too much about how to take care of a Shih Tzu puppy or adult dog. Not to worry: this page is Shih Tzu Care 101. Here you'll find all sorts of Shih Tzu tips, maintenance, and other relevant info.

Below you'll find plenty of details on caring for a Shih Tzu: puppy care and development, exercise needs, diet and nutrition, and more are covered here. For answers to your questions about raising a Shih Tzu, read on!

These dogs are lively and active--but they're also small, so Shih Tzu exercise requirements aren't very extensive. As companion animals, these dogs will fulfill much of their daily activity needs just running around being their social little selves--but they'll still benefit from a couple of short walks and a brief period of play on a daily basis.

Specifically how much exercise does a Shih Tzu need each day? In short, not much. The typical adult will only require about 30 minutes of dedicated activity per day. You can start exercising your Shih Tzu puppy at 2½-3 months by taking it on very short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the pup grows.

A few things to consider with Shih Tzu exercise: first, puppies younger than eight months old shouldn't do too much jumping, running on hard surfaces, or navigating of stairs, as these can injure their still-developing joints and bones. Regardless of age, no Shih Tzu shouldn't be exercised too hard in hot weather. This breed is brachycephalic, meaning it has a short nose that doesn't cool air the way other, longer-nosed dogs can; this makes Shih Tzus prone to heat exhaustion--so owners are advised not to do too much Shih Tzu exercise in sweltering temps. And finally: a leash is recommended when you and your Shih Tzu are out in public. These dogs are quite social, and they also have high prey drives--which means they'll run off in search of new playmates (or to chase interesting critters like birds or squirrels) unless controlled by a leash.

Precautions aside, it's good to exercise your Shih Tzu every single day. Without consistent activity, these enthusiastic little dogs will become unhappy (often characterized by that beautiful Shih Tzu tail hanging down!), disobedient, and overly yappy. Regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind. A few Shih Tzu exercise ideas:

• Walking: Two 15-minute walks per day is a good target
• Fetch: Can be played indoors or out; use the dog's favorite toy
• Hide-and-Seek: Great indoor activity; give the dog a treat when it finds you
• Canine Sports: These dogs can actually excel in agility and obedience trials and other events
• Dog Park: If properly socialized, a Shih Tzu will enjoy the company of other dogs
• Laser Pointer: Your Shih Tzu will go nuts chasing that "little red dot"

When indoors, give your Shih Tzu access to balls and toys so the dog can burn excess energy. It's also good to have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon.

In terms of shedding and drooling, these dogs don't need much care--but for overall grooming they need quite a lot if the Shih Tzu's coat is kept long. Shih Tzu shedding and drooling, though, are both minimal overall.

These dogs have long, silky coats, which don't shed much--except for around 9-10 months of age, when a Shih Tzu is shedding its puppy coat (shorter and fluffy) to grow in its adult coat (long and silky). During this period, wow does Shih Tzu dogs' shed accumulate! Owners will need to brush and comb daily during this time to keep the Shih Tzu dog shedding to a minimum. Once the adult coat is fully grown in, a Shih Tzu is non-shedding, for the most part, so little hair cleanup is necessary. Even so, if owners choose to keep their Shih Tzus' coats long--and some don't, preferring to have the coats clipped short--daily brushing and weekly baths will be required to minimize matting and tangling.

A Shih Tzu practically never drools, though. If your Shih Tzu is drooling excessively, it might be because of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.

Like all breeds, the Shih Tzu diet plan will need to include animal proteins and carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and omega fatty acids--the three Canine Nutrient Groups that help dogs sustain their long-term health. This means the best Shih Tzu dog food is premium dry kibble, as it contains balanced portions of those ingredients. And one premium brand deserves special mention: the Royal Canin Shih Tzu dog food line is specially formulated for this breed. Owners will do well to put this on their Shih Tzu favorite-food list! Royal Canin Shih Tzu Adult, Royal Canin Shih Tzu Junior, and Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy food are designed for the breed at each specific life stage. Not only does the Royal Canin Shih Tzu kibble include healthy ingredients, but the pieces are designed to accommodate the breed's "brachycephalic jaw": it's curved to make it easier for the dog to pick up from the Shih Tzu food bowl.

Ans specifically how much should a Shih Tzu eat each day? Adult breed members will need about a cup of premium dry food per day, divided into two meals. Portions of food for Shih Tzu puppy dogs are a bit smaller: depending on the pup's age, about ¾ cup per day, divided into three meals (not two) until five months old.

For more info about how much to feed a Shih Tzu from puppyhood through maturity, see this Shih Tzu puppy feeding chart:

*--Around this time, transition to adult food by first mixing in a bit of adult formula with the puppy formula. Over the course of a week, with each meal add a little more adult food to the mixture, until the dog is eating it entirely.

If possible, try and stick to the above-listed portions. If constantly overfed (and under-exercised), these dogs will quickly become overweight--and a fat Shih Tzu will have numerous health problems and a shortened lifespan. You can help control the dog's weight by establishing regular feeding and exercise schedules, by not feeding the dog table scraps (and easy on the Shih Tzu treats!), and by not leaving food in the dog's bowl all the time. It's better to put the Shih Tzu food bowl down only at mealtimes, then pick it up a few minutes later.

If you're worried your Shih Tzu is overweight, give the dog this test: run a hand along its side, and if you can't feel any ribs, it's Shih Tzu diet time. Reduce the dog's daily food consumption by one-fourth, and add an extra walk or play period to its daily exercise schedule.

Though opinions may differ, a majority of veterinarians, breeders, and owners agree that the best dog food for a Shih Tzu is premium dry food. This high-quality food, while more expensive and difficult to obtain, provides your Shih Tzu with essential nutrients that cheap dog food simply lacks. Cheap, generic food is not recommended for this breed, as it contains mostly empty "filler" ingredients that are unhealthy, are harder for the dog to digest, and may even shorten its lifespan if eaten on a consistent basis.

Some premium brands that carry the best Shih Tzu food include Royal Canin (which has a breed-specific line of Shih Tzu food), Blue Buffalo, and Taste of the Wild.

As purely a companion breed, a Shih Tzu is not an outside dog, by any stretch. These dogs definitely need to live inside with their people! Be warned, though: Shih Tzus are known for odd habits like wheezing and snoring--an unfortunate side effect of having such a short nose--so owners may have trouble sleeping with the dog in the room. And a Shih Tzu in apartment living is fine, as long as the dog gets an outdoor walk or two each day.

For owners of a Shih Tzu, temperature is an important factor. First: because the breed's short nose doesn't cool the air it breathes very well, a Shih Tzu in hot weather for extended periods is likely to suffer heat stroke. On the other hand, a Shih Tzu in cold weather is okay--but no freezing, icy temps. Those living in colder regions may want to invest in a Shih Tzu winter jacket or two.