{"data":{"slug":"shih-tzu","name":"Shih Tzu","url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/shih-tzu","api_url":"https://techtools.cz/dog-atlas-api/v1/breeds/shih-tzu","also_known_as":["Chrysanthemum Dog","Tibetan Lion Dog","Xi Shi Dog","Lion Dog"],"kind":"breed","extinct":false,"group":{"key":"companion","label":"Companion \u0026 Toy","fci_group":9,"fci_group_name":"Companion and Toy Dogs"},"size":"Small","origin":"China","countries":["People's Republic of China"],"height_cm":{"min":null,"max":26.7},"weight_kg":{"min":4.0,"max":7.5},"life_expectancy_years":{"min":10,"max":16},"temperament":["Affectionate","Outgoing","Playful","Friendly","Alert"],"exercise_level":"Low","wikipedia_views_60d":83392,"summary":"A sturdy little lion dog with a flowing double coat and a sweet, people-loving nature, once treasured by Chinese royalty and now a popular lap companion around the world.","photo":{"url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/photos/shih-tzu-51a10c52cb-1280.webp","small_url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/photos/shih-tzu-51a10c52cb-640.webp","width":426,"height":341,"author":"Canino21","license":"Public domain","license_url":null,"source_url":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shihtzu_%28cropped%29.jpg"},"updated_at":"2026-10-15T13:58:16Z","ratings":{"energy":2,"exercise":2,"grooming":5,"shedding":2,"trainability":3,"barking":2,"kids":4,"other_dogs":4},"coat":"Long, soft double coat that tangles easily","colors":["Any colour","White with grey blaze","Gold and white","Black and white","Liver","Brindle"],"fun_fact":"In 1930s England the Shih Tzu was nicknamed the chrysanthemum dog, because of the way the hair on its face grows out like petals.","sections":{"overview":"The Shih Tzu is a small, sturdy companion dog with a long, silky coat, a short muzzle and big dark eyes. Its name echoes the Chinese word for lion, a nod to the lion-like dogs of traditional art.\n\nBred for centuries to keep people company, it is happiest in the middle of family life. It suits homes of many sizes, but it does need regular brushing and a gentle eye on its breathing in hot weather.","history":"The breed is thought to descend from crosses between the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso, and it was a favourite at the Chinese imperial court, where it was so prized that dogs were rarely given away. Its exact roots, Tibetan or Chinese, are still debated by dog historians.\n\nThe first dogs reached England and Norway in the 1920s and 1930s, and a European standard was written in England in 1935. After World War II, returning soldiers brought dogs to the United States, and the breed has been a household favourite ever since.","appearance":"A compact, slightly longer-than-tall dog standing no more than about 27 cm at the shoulder. The head is broad and round with large dark eyes, a short square muzzle and the required underbite. Ears hang low under long hair, and the plumed tail is carried curled over the back.\n\nThe flowing double coat gives a proud, rather haughty outline, often finished with a topknot tied up out of the eyes.","personality":"The Shih Tzu is cheerful, affectionate and sociable, greeting friends and strangers alike with a wagging tail. It loves laps, games and attention, and usually gets along well with children and other pets.\n\nIt can be a little stubborn, so training works best when kept short, rewarding and fun. It is not a big barker but will announce visitors.","care":"Brush the long coat every day or two to prevent tangles and mats, or keep it clipped in a shorter puppy cut. Wipe the face and eyes daily, and keep hair out of the eyes. Regular dental care and nail trims are important.\n\nExercise needs are modest: a couple of short walks and some indoor play. Avoid strenuous exercise in heat, as flat-faced dogs overheat easily.","health":"Like other short-nosed dogs, Shih Tzus can have breathing difficulties from narrow nostrils and a long soft palate, and they are prone to heat stroke. Eye problems such as ulcers, dry eye, tear staining and cataracts are common. Mitral valve disease, dental crowding and allergies can also occur."},"recognition":{"fci_number":null,"fci_standard_url":null,"akc_url":"https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/shih-tzu/"},"sources":{"wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shih_Tzu","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q39357","wikipedia_revision":1377316371},"profile":{"written_by":"AI model (Claude Sonnet) from the sources above","written_at":"2026-10-15T13:37:30Z"}}}