🐕Shih Tzu: gear and buying guides

The Shih Tzu is a small companion dog of 4.5 to 8 kg, affectionate and fairly calm, valued for its easy indoor lifestyle. Its long, continuously growing coat and short muzzle require a real grooming budget and gear suited to brachycephalic breeds. It is an ideal flat-dweller, not very sporty but deeply attached to its owners.

Profile : A small dog of 4.5 to 8 kg with a long, continuously growing coat, a short muzzle and moderate energy.

Shih Tzu gear, family by family

• 🍖 Food

  Allow around 80 to 130 g of kibble per day for a fairly sedentary adult of 4.5 to 8 kg. Its short muzzle makes picking up food harder: kibble shaped for brachycephalic breeds and a shallow bowl make mealtimes easier.

• 🧴 Care & grooming

  Daily brushing is essential if the coat is kept long, otherwise painful mats form, and the prominent eyes need regular cleaning with an eye lotion. A groomer visit every six to eight weeks, often charged 40 to 60 €, is standard, with many owners choosing the short puppy cut.

• 🎾 Toys & enrichment

  Not very athletic, the Shih Tzu prefers calm play: soft plush toys, small chew toys and lick mats suit it better than intense ball games. Simple treat dispensers keep its mind sharp without leaving it breathless.

• 🏠 Bedding & habitat

  A soft size-S bed in a temperate room suits it perfectly: heat-sensitive because of its short muzzle, it needs a cool spot in summer, possibly with a cooling mat.

• 🧳 Travel & safety

  Use a harness rather than a collar, as its breathing is already limited by its short muzzle. Avoid travelling in the heat of the day: like all brachycephalic dogs, it is highly vulnerable to heatstroke, and many airlines refuse these breeds in the hold.

• 🧰 Accessories

  Its typical kit includes a size-S harness, a pin brush, a metal comb, eye lotion and bands or a clip to keep the topknot out of its eyes. A slow-feeder bowl can help dogs that eat too fast.

Guides to read

• Which senior dog food should you choose? The complete guideFood

  Protein, phosphorus, joints, palatability: how to choose senior dog food suited to an ageing dog, and how much it costs.

• Large breed dog food: steady growth and a sensitive stomachFood

  Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, kibble size, bloat prevention: how to choose large breed dog food, from puppyhood to adulthood.

• Wet or dry dog food: which should you feed day to day?Food

  Hydration, palatability, budget, tartar: wet or dry dog food, the pros and cons of each option, and why mixed feeding is worth considering.

• Automatic dog feeder: which one should you choose?Food

  Capacity, scheduling, anti-jam mechanism, backup battery: how to choose an automatic dog feeder to match your daily routine.

• Lick mat for dogs: the anti-stress accessory worth adopting?Toys & enrichment

  Why licking soothes, which toppings to use, silicone or rigid plastic: how to choose a lick mat for your dog and use it safely.

• Kong-style stuffable dog toy: how do you pick the right one?Toys & enrichment

  Toughness levels, sizes, filling ideas, freezing: everything you need to choose a Kong-style stuffable toy and keep your dog busy the smart way.

• Dog puzzle toys: brain games worth playingToys & enrichment

  Difficulty levels, materials, mistakes to avoid: how to choose a dog puzzle toy and work your dog's nose without frustrating it.

• Puppy playpen: choosing a secure indoor penBedding & habitat

  Height, materials, floor space, house-training: how to choose a puppy playpen and use it without turning it into a prison.