Discover the Top 13 Adorable and Quirky Fun Facts About Shih Tzu Dogs!

1. Lion Dogs of Ancient China

Once upon a time, in a royal court far, far away, where short legs and squashed faces were the height of cool: the Shih Tzu emerged as a prized breed, intentionally crafted to resemble the enigmatic vibe of a lion, despite their pint-sized proportions and luxuriously coiffed locks.
Source => akc.org

2. High-Maintenance Hairdos

What do Shih Tzus and your aunt's overpriced hairdo have in common? Luxurious, high-maintenance locks that demand to be pampered! But don't go grabbing the curling iron just yet: Shih Tzus have hair instead of fur, which makes them hypoallergenic and great for households with allergy sufferers. However, their fine hair easily picks up debris and requires daily face and eye wiping to prevent staining.
Source => allshihtzu.com

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=> Fun Facts about Dogs

3. Price of Love and Loyalty

Whoever said "you can't buy love" clearly never met a Shih Tzu breeder in ancient China: These royal-pooch-producers were handsomely rewarded with expensive gifts for crafting the cuddliest canine companions, a breed whose name literally means "lion dog" because they descended from regal Nepalese canines valued for their loyalty, lap-warming abilities, and guard dog prowess.
Source => akc.org

4. Stubborn to Superstar Students

Shih Tzus may seem as stubborn as a mule in a "treats only" diet, but it turns out these fluffy canines just crave a bit of tender loving care and variety to unleash their inner Einstein: As facts have it, with the right mix of motivation techniques like treats, praise, or toys, coupled with diverse and short training sessions, our fuzzy companions can catapult into the realm of eager and adoring students, transforming from canine divas into marvelous mentees in no time!
Source => miracleshihtzu.com

5. From Monk Protectors to Couch Companions

From guarding monks' souls to binge-watching Netflix with you on the couch, these furry royalty have done it all: The sacred Shih Tzu breed was once believed to house the souls of fallen monks and was even gifted during weddings for a safe passage from Tibet to China, while the Ming Dynasty saw them living in luxury with notable royalty, only to be nearly eclipsed by the rise of the Pug's popularity in the 19th century – but not before the Dowager Empress Cixi made sure to keep their regal bloodline alive.
Source => akc.org

6. Fashionable, Fabulous Fur

Shih Tzus: the canine embodiment of a high-maintenance diva with a fabulous sense of fashion, impressive hair, and constantly in need of a glam squad appointment. Little do we know: their luxuriously lush coats come in various colors and require thorough grooming to keep them healthy and prevent irritation to their eyes caused by stray hairs.
Source => pawlicy.com

7. Sofa-Lions Turn Sporty Stars

Despite their seemingly royal-esque predisposition to laze around atop fluffy cushions, these little "sofa-Lions" have been spotted out in the wild, sporting more than just designer sweaters: Shih Tzus have proven their impressive athletic abilities by competing in various dog sports, such as obedience, rally, and agility - taking home trophies and wagging tails all the way.
Source => dogtime.com

8. Hypoallergenic Heroes

If you're itching for a furry friend but sneeze at the thought of shedding, the Shih Tzu might just be the hypoallergenic hero you've been searching for in a canine companion: Although no dog is completely hypoallergenic, the Shih Tzu breed produces less dander and sheds less hair than other breeds, making them a more suitable choice for allergy sufferers. Plus, regular grooming and cleaning can help minimize allergens, making cohabitation with these allergy-fighting furballs even more bearable.
Source => canna-pet.com

9. Regal Rapunzel Canines

If Rapunzel had a favorite dog, it would surely be a shih tzu: These regal furballs sport luxurious, long coats that were once so highly prized, the Tang Dynasty in China instituted laws to ensure only royals could own them.
Source => canna-pet.com

10. Pure Black: The Goth Tzu

Attention all goth enthusiasts and pup admirers, we've found the perfect canine companion with an unusually dark hue for you: It turns out that the rarest color for a Shih Tzu is a pure black, singlehandedly stealing the spotlight from its more colorful cousins that come in shades like brown, white, tan, red, blue, yellow, silver, and gray!
Source => everythingshihtzu.com

11. Pint-Sized Bodyguards

Who needs a bodyguard when you've got a pint-sized fuzzball with the heart of a lion? Introducing the captivating canine, defender of their human domain: Shih Tzus were bred to be companion dogs, but their fierce loyalty and protectiveness make them surprisingly fantastic at keeping their owners safe.
Source => dogtime.com

12. Leisurely Walkers

Who let the dogs out... for a walk? Shih Tzu did, but only for a short stroll: Contrary to popular belief, these adorable, fluffy canines only require 2 or 3 leisurely 15-minute walks per day to stay healthy, with the occasional 30 to 40-minute jaunt being well-tolerated but not essential. So ditch those marathon running plans and cozy up to your Shih Tzu for a laid-back walk-and-sniff adventure!
Source => 11pets.com

13. Canine Color Chameleons

Shih Tzus, the canine world's chameleons, must have gotten their knack for color coordination by watching enough episodes of "Project Runway": Coming in a staggering 19 different colors and 4 types of markings or patterns recognized by kennel clubs, these pups are the epitome of unique style, with no guarantee that any two will ever have an outfit déjà vu.
Source => spiritdogtraining.com