The shih-tzu is a very active dog, they don’t like just sitting around doing nothing.   This type of dog likes to be outside playing and running around.  The shih-tzu’s coat is long and full, their hair is never curly.  A lot of this type of dog has the hair on the top of their head pulled up in a little bow. 

A shih tzu’s ears are long with long fur hanging off of them.  This dog normally weighs six to nine pounds.  The average height for a shih tzu is eight to eleven inches high.  A lot of grooming is required to keep the dog’s fur from matting and getting tangled.  Their fur must be combed and/or brushed daily.  If you want the grooming to be easier then you can just keep the dog’s fur real short. 

The shih tzu is a very friendly dog, it’s not aggressive at all.  This dog is very good with children and gets along with most other breeds of dogs.   

Their nails should be clipped every week to keep from curling under.  By the time you get you puppy he/she should be used to having them clipped.  The shih tzu needs to be bathed on a weekly basis to help prevent matting and tangles in their fur.

TO groom a shih tzu you need a pin brush and a small comb.  The comb is good for face and head hair.  You’ll also need hair trimmers and a hair dryer.  You need the brush and the small comb to brush/comb the dog’s fur, you need the trimmers for their nails, and you need the hair dryer for after you bath them.