Instantly recognizable for their short, long bodies, small, squished faces and big brown eyes, the Shih Tzu is believed to have originated in Tibet, where the shaggy little dogs were purportedly kept ... Shih Tzu—meaning “lion” or “little lion”—is a toy breed beloved for their lap dog tendencies and fun-loving personalities. The playful pups are excellent family dogs, but pet parents must be devoted ...

Understanding the Context

The Shih Tzu (UK: / ˌʃiːˈtsuː /, US: / ˈʃiːtsuː /) [1] is a toy dog or pet dog breed originating from Tibet and believed to be bred from the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso. Is the Shih Tzu the right breed for you? Learn more about the Shih Tzu including personality, history, grooming, pictures, videos, and the AKC breed standard. Shih Tzu means “little lion,” but this toy breed was bred to be a companion and has the heart and temperament of a companion dog.

Key Insights

The breed is usually happy, lively, and playful. Shih Tzu, Tibetan toy dog developed from the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso and called in Chinese shih-tzu kou (“lion dog”) for its hairy face and often long flowing hair. Shih Tzus and a variety of smaller and larger pure breed and mixed breed dogs for adoption in South Florida. Find your new forever friend, start your search here. Select by breed, gender, size or even name of the dog you are looking for.

Final Thoughts

Shih Tzu dogs are a small, ancient dog breed derived from Asia. Learn about caring for Shih Tzu puppies and dogs here.