Shih Tzu Behaviors

Shih Tzu behavior, playful and alert
This is Max, a playful and alert (and let's not leave out, incredibly handsome)
1-year-old Shih Tzu; photo courtesy of Jim Fleming

Overview

If you have a Shih Tzu, you may be curious if their behaviors are normal for this breed. Or, perhaps your little guy or gal is displaying a behavior that you'd like to correct. And if you are considering adding a Shih Tzu to your family, you may be wondering what sort of behaviors to expect. 

This article will cover everything you want to know about Shih Tzu behaviors and habits, including a summary of an extensive survey that shows issues reported by pet parents. And of course, we will dive into tips, advice, and training to correct possible problems seen with puppies and adults alike.  

In This Article:

Shih Tzu Behavior Statistics: To learn about the most reported behavioral issues per a survey of 2700+ Shih Tzu owners to see where your little guy or gal ranks alongside their friends.

Further Reading for Specific Shih Tzu Behaviors: Detailed articles on 15+ behavioral topics.

Behaviors per Breed Generalizations of Top Kennel Clubs

A huge plus with toy breeds like the Shih Tzu that have a history of serving as close companions is that certain behaviors and traits are inbred. These are positive qualities that have been honed and developed over hundreds of years. 


While there are always exceptions and it is true that nature vs nurture plays a role (meaning that how a dog is raised, treated, and trained will affect their behavior), it can be said with a good degree of confidence what to expect. These are worldwide top kennel club generalizations of expected behavior:

The Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) lists the Shih Tzu's behavior and temperament as being: Intelligent, active and alert. Friendly and independent.

The KC (Kennel Club of the UK) gives the Shih Tzu's characteristics as: Intelligent, active and alert.

The Canadian Kennel Club describes personality as: Outgoing, affectionate, happy and friendly and activity level as alert and lively. 

And the American Kennel Club (AKC) lists the Shih Tzu's temperament as being: Affectionate, playful, outgoing. 

In the AKC breed standard, expected behavior is mentioned several times with, "lively, alert toy dog", "Expression: Warm, sweet, wide-eyed, friendly and trusting", and "Temperament: As the sole purpose of the Shih Tzu is that of a companion and house pet, it is essential that its temperament be outgoing, happy, affectionate, friendly and trusting towards all."

Breed Positives, Generalized

Generally speaking, the Shih Tzu is considered to be a loving, loyal, alert, active, and animated dog. Most are super playful and full of personality. They are expressive, so you usually do not need to wonder what you're little guy or gal is feeling. 

Shih Tzu dogs are family-oriented, relish attention, and usually like to be very involved with family life. Many are happy when taken along to run errands, partaking in outings, or even joining in activities like hiking or boating. However, they also value personal space and may find excessive cuddling overwhelming.

Excelling at reading people and environments, Shih Tzu dogs are great ideal therapy dogs. They typically respond poorly to chaos, yelling, or physical discipline. Clear rules and loving leadership bring out their best behavior.

Having other dogs is usually not an issue, as Shih Tzu generally get along well with canines of all sizes (both those in the household and those that they may see outside the home). Though, if your Shih Tzu is particularly close and clingy, it may be best to limit other pets. Also, having a Shih Tzu and a cat may work out in some cases, though this should be tested well before the decision to mix the two. 

Breed Negatives, Generalized

It should be noted that every Shih Tzu is a unique individual, so there are no negative behaviors that are seen across the board. Rather, these may occur as standalone issues. 
The Shih Tzu breed is known for being a bit stubborn and with somewhat of an independent streak.  This is a combination that can keep you on your toes. And this usually means that close attention to training must be done and rules should be set in place at a young age. If not, your Shih Tzu may try to rule over you and that can lead to all kinds of behavioral issues. 
As with many toy breeds, a Shih Tzu may not be the best choice for households with young toddlers, though the majority of Shih Tzu get along very well with children that are a bit older. 
Some Shih Tzu can show jealousy and there are cases of a Shih Tzu being aggressive toward another household dog due to acting territorial. And, while rare, there are also instances of Shih Tzu dogs behaving aggressively toward their humans with growling, snapping, or even (very rarely) biting which may need to be addressed with the help of a professional trainer.  
Shih Tzu dog being very funny
Ghibli, at 2 years old, being super silly. 
You're not alone if you can't figure out how he's not falling off the sofa.
Photo courtesy of Sarah Wilby

Energy Level by Age

Puppy Stage:


Shih Tzu puppies are bundles of energy and curiosity. In the puppy stage, which lasts until about one year old, these little dogs are incredibly lively, often in short bursts. Their playfulness is marked by a desire to explore everything around them, from chasing a rolling ball to playful tugs with their favorite toys.


During this stage, their energy is not just physical but also mental, as they are rapidly learning about their environment and how to interact with it. It's essential for owners to provide ample opportunities for play and socialization, as well as regular, but not overly strenuous, exercise to help them burn off this energy and develop properly.

Adult Stage:


As an adult, typically from one to about ten years of age, a Shih Tzu's energy levels become more balanced. They still enjoy a good play session and require regular exercise, but their bursts of energy are less frenetic and more predictable. Adult Shih Tzus often develop a routine that includes periods of activity and rest. They enjoy walks, light play, and interactive games that keep their minds engaged.


This is also the stage where their personality is fully developed, so their play style might be more reflective of their individual character. For pet parents, it's essential to establish a regular routine of physical and mentally engaging activities to maintain their Shih Tzu's health and well-being. 

Senior Stage:


In their senior years, starting around the age of ten, Shih Tzu dogs noticeably slow down. Their energy levels decrease, and they may require less physical activity. However, it's crucial to keep them moderately active to maintain their health and mobility. Short, gentle walks and light play are suitable for a senior Shih Tzu.


They may spend more time resting and may not be as enthusiastic about long play sessions. Owners should be mindful of their aging Shih Tzu's physical limitations and adjust activities accordingly. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian are essential during this stage to monitor their health and manage any age-related conditions effectively.

Shih Tzu Behavior Statistics 

Though generalizations can be helpful, one of the best ways to know if your Shih Tzu's behavior is similar to others or to prepare for what you can expect if you will be bringing home a new Shih Tzu puppy, is to know what current owners have to say about their dog's behavior. 

To this end, let's take a look at a survey AllShihTzu conducted in 2017. Note that the full survey results can be found in AllShihTzu's GIANT Book of Shih Tzu Care. 
We sent out a comprehensive online survey that had a total of 2,749 respondents. Of these, 68% of participants were in the US, 13% in the UK, 7% in Canada, and the remaining 12% in various other countries. 

The number of male to female Shih Tzu were almost equal, with just slightly more males (54%) than females (46%). The ages of the Shih Tzu were 40% young adult (1 to 3-years-old), 34% adult (4 to 8-years-old), 13% puppy (under 1-year-old), and 12% senior (9+ years).
One of the questions we asked was, "What was the biggest challenge you’ve had with your Shih Tzu?", and the answers are as follows:
  • Housebreaking 16% 
  • Separation anxiety 12%
  • Eating issues 11%  
  • Refusing to listen to me 10%
  • No challenges that I can think of 9%
  • Other 8%
  • Barking 8%
  • Getting along with other dogs outside the house 6%
  • Nipping at me or others 5%
  • Destructive chewing 5%
  • Getting along with visitors 3%
  • Hating the car 3%
  • Refusing to go for walks/exercise 2%
  • Getting along with other pets 2%
Top behavioral issue: As you can see, the top reported challenge was housebreaking, which is technically a training issue. 
A range of behavior-related issues are seen next: with 12% of Shih Tzu displaying some level of separation anxiety, 11% having an eating issue (being picky or having a poor appetite were the most reported problems), 10% were currently refusing to listen to their owner, 8% were having other issues not listed as options (more ahead), and 8% were having barking problems.  

Reported less frequently, other notable behaviors seen included 6% having issues with dogs outside the household, 5% nipping at their owners, and 5% displaying destructive chewing problems. 

Rare issues: Just 3% of Shih Tzu dogs were reported to have issues with visitors and had an apparent hatred for being the car. Just 2% outright refused to exercise and 2% did not get along with other pets in the home. 

Other reported issues: The survey contained an optional comment box for respondents to further explain the 'other' option, and the top issues manually entered included chewing, scratching, eating feces, digging, acting fearful or afraid (commonly in reaction to thunder), and jumping up. 

Further Reading for Specific Shih Tzu Behaviors

Acting Strange. Normal vs abnormal behavior. The top reasons for a Shih Tzu starting to act oddly. If your little guy or gal's behavior is puzzling, this is the place to start: Shih Tzu is Acting Strange.

Aggressive toward Another Dog in the House. Though rare, occasionally a Shih Tzu may respond badly to the presence of another dog living under the same room. So, while you expected your Shih Tzu to have a best friend, it's anything but that. Follow these guidelines: Shih Tzu is Aggressive toward Another Dog in the Home.

Always Hungry. If your Shih Tzu seems to have a bottomless stomach and no amount of food is enough, this article will help get things back on track: Shih Tzu is Always Hungry.

Barking. This refers to excessive barking. If a Shih Tzu is very vocal, this can be a tricky issue to resolve. Triggers may include other dogs or visitors to the home, but some Shih Tzu bark at seemingly nothing. There are some steps you can take to train your puppy or dog to quiet down: Shih Tzu Barking Issues. 

Begging Behavior. Diving into the reasons why a Shih Tzu may relentlessly beg for your food, more of their own food, or beg to go outside even after just returning for a walk. Step-by-step training tips for both situations: Shih Tzu Begging Behavior.

Body Language. A super-helpful guide that covers all the ways that your Shih Tzu communicates to you with non-verbal body language. Understanding these clues can help you establish a better bond and in turn, provide better care: Shih Tzu Body Language.

Coprophagia (aka eating poop). This is not an uncommon behavior, but it's a terrible habit and should be addressed asap. Read about the 4 reasons why a dog does this and the 5 steps you can take to put a stop to it: Shih Tzu Coprophagia.

Eats Things off the Ground. This includes pebbles, sticks, dirt and other things off the ground. Reasons why a Shih Tzu may display this dangerous behavior and the exact steps to take to stop this: Shih Tzu Eats Rocks and Things off the Ground.

Fearful, Scared. There are some common things that most canines are afraid of, that certainly can affect Shih Tzu dogs, including fireworks and thunderstorms. In addition, other phobias may be going to the groomers, seeing other dogs or even a fear of strangers. We have effective advice for each of these: Shih Tzu Scared Behavior.

Growling. This article offers step-by-step training advice on exactly how to handle aggressive growling with both puppies and adult dogs. Though it is rare with this breed, growling should be addressed asap: Shih Tzu Growling.

Humping. This behavior can be seen with both young pups and older adults, males and females, and though it is more common with un-fixed dogs it can be seen with spayed and neutered dogs. Read why dogs do this and exactly how to respond: Shih Tzu Humping Behavior.

Jumping Up. This article covers the topic of a Shih Tzu having lots of energy and jumping up either on you or other people (visitors or people encountered while out and about). See training tips to address this behavior: Shih Tzu Jumping Up on People.

Licking, Chewing Paws. A complete guide for the reasons a Shih Tzu may lick their paws and easy-to-follow, steps for treating this behavior, along with recommended products to provide relief and healing to the paws: Shih Tzu Licking or Chewing at Their Paws.

Licking, Compulsive Self-Licking. This covers issues with continual self-licking to the paws or other areas of the body. Tops causes and an exact step-by-step guide to addressing this: Shih Tzu Compulsive Self-Licking.

Licking Non-toy Objects. This article discusses the behavior of licking non-toy household items like pillows, table legs, walls and other odd things: Shih Tzu Excessively Licking Non-toy Items.

Licking You or Other People. This dives into the behavior of a Shih Tzu (normally a young pup) that excessively gives puppy kisses to their human. See the reasons why, along with exact training steps to address this: Shih Tzu Keeps Licking You.

Marking, Peeing in the House and Territorial Marking. This can be seen with both females and males and is more common if a dog is not spayed or neutered. See how to address this, with exact training steps: Shih Tzu Territorial Marking.

Nipping and Biting. This refers to nipping that is often seen with puppies. This sort of behavior should be addressed right away before a Shih Tzu matures into a larger dog with bigger teeth: Shih Tzu Nipping and Biting Behavior.

Personality. A look at how the breed standard (AKC, CKC, KC, and FCI) lists expected personality and the poll results of 2700+ Shih Tzu pet parents, regarding personality quirks and traits: Shih Tzu Personality.

Picky Eating. Some Shih Tzu puppies and dogs know exactly what they want to eat, but they'll never tell you! A common issue is revolving taste buds which can lead to barely nibbling at food or outright refusal to eat. This can be worrisome, but is another behavior that can be resolved: Shih Tzu Picky Eating.

Rolls in Feces. This is a disturbing and sometimes puzzling behavior that can be seen with both puppies and adult dogs; see the top reasons why a dog does this and the 5 steps to stopping it: Shih Tzu Rolls Around in Feces.

Separation Anxiety. It's not uncommon for a Shih Tzu to struggle with loneliness, boredom and stress when home by themselves. Feeling isolated can be incredibly distressing. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help your little guy or gal cope better and feel more secure: Shih Tzu Separation Anxiety.

Sleep Habits. Some Shih Tzu love to snooze and other's are always hyper and awake. Read about how much sleep is considered normal for each stage in a Shih Tzu's life. Also tips to helping your puppy or dog get a great night's sleep: Shih Tzu Sleeping Habits.

Stress, Emotional Stress. This is a different topic than separation anxiety and covers stress from a wide range of triggers including a move to a new home, upheaval in the house, loss of a family member and more. Read 12 ways to help your Shih Tzu de-stress during difficult times: Shih Tzu Emotional Stress.

Stubborn Behavior. This breed can cross the line from being independent to being a bit stubborn. See when it's time to step in and exactly what to do: Shih Tzu Stubborn Behavior.