Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially made or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to the dog's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior, and keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

Some dogs gain weight easily, so watch calorie intake and body condition, and check with your vet about any concerns over weight or diet. Treats are useful for training, but too many can lead to excess weight, so keep them modest and learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not.

Puppies need frequent meals, about three or four a day, to lower the risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Meals with enough fat, protein, and complex carbohydrates help, and well-formulated small-breed puppy diets usually provide them. Transition to adult food gradually around 1 year of age, and ask your vet how much to feed.

A dog eating a complete food that meets recognized industry standards usually needs no extra supplementation unless your veterinarian recommends it. Supplements that can support this breed include omega fatty acids, which support the heart, brain, skin, and joints, and your vet may also suggest dental chews to support oral health.

The Shih Tzu's long double coat grows continuously and is prone to tangling and matting, so many owners keep it in a short puppy cut to cut down on grooming. Left uncut, the hair can grow long enough to drag on the ground. A long coat needs daily brushing with a good-quality wire or pin brush, layering the hair to reach the skin so painful mats cannot form. The breed sheds very little and is often called hypoallergenic, though no dog truly is.

Bathe every three or four weeks, at least once a month, to keep the coat clean and sleek. Because long coats are prone to matting and skin irritation, some owners bathe weekly. Contact your veterinarian if you notice changes in the skin such as redness, flakiness, or dryness.

Comb the mustache and topknot daily. Trim the hair on top of the head short or tie it into a topknot so it stays out of the eyes, which can become inflamed if hair rubs against them, and gently clean the corners of the eyes with a damp cloth. The flat face makes the breed prone to tear staining, a reddish-brown pigment at the inner corners that can extend toward the muzzle, so keep the area clean and dry and use a vet-recommended tear stain remover.

Hair can grow inside the ear canals and hold moisture, which can lead to inflammation and infection, so clean the ears routinely with a vet-approved cleaner. If excessive hair is present in the canals, your veterinarian or groomer may recommend removing it.

Trim the nails as part of the routine, and start a daily dental habit early. Brush the teeth every day with a dog-safe toothpaste and brush, and follow your vet's advice on professional cleanings under anesthesia. Contact your veterinarian if the gums look swollen or painful.

Bred as a house companion, the Shih Tzu has modest exercise needs. Short daily walks and indoor playtime suit this small, short-legged dog, which enjoys hide-and-seek, fetch, and exploring at the dog park as long as it stays apart from larger dogs.

Use games and tricks for mental stimulation, and know that many Shih Tzu take happily to agility, competitive obedience, and canine musical freestyle. They are not built for stamina, so keep exercise to short bursts and watch for cues like panting or falling behind that signal a break is due.

Because of their flat-faced anatomy, walk a Shih Tzu on a harness rather than clipping the leash to the collar. Despite the thick coat, the breed is sensitive to cold and should not spend long stretches outside in low temperatures.

Shih Tzu are quick learners but can be stubborn and may repeat behavior that owners reinforce. Shih Tzu respond well to praise and rewards. Avoid harsh corrections. Introduce new behaviors a little at a time, stay firm, and never give in while the dog is misbehaving. If it nips or jumps up, ignore it until it settles, then praise it.

Like many small breeds, the Shih Tzu can be slow to housetrain and prone to barking, so a gentle but consistent approach pays off. A structured program helps them learn basic commands and new tricks.

Start early socialization and puppy classes to help the Shih Tzu grow into a well-mannered companion, and confirm any class uses positive reinforcement. Introduce your puppy to new people, pets, and places early, since good experiences are a key part of socialization. Well-socialized Shih Tzu are friendly with new people and other animals of all ages, which makes them an easy fit for households with children and other pets.