An ancient companion breed bred for one job: sitting in a lap and being loved. Small, sturdy, and built for apartment life. Come find the puppy that's already looking for you.
Health-tested parents. Home-ready at 8 to 10 weeks.
Right now
Each one is raised underfoot in a family home, not a back room, so they come to you confident and already comfortable with people and kids.
9 weeks
Goofy and food-motivated. Follows you from the kitchen to the couch and back.
Lotus Gate Shih Tzus, Ohio
8 weeks
Raised together, still glued to each other, ready to bond just as hard to you.
Willow Creek Kennel, Indiana
10 weeks
Calm and cuddly from day one. The lap dog other lap dogs aspire to be.
Maple Row Shih Tzus, Pennsylvania
Why a Shih Tzu
Three things people fall for, every single time.
Shih Tzus trace back over a thousand years to Tibet and the imperial courts of China, where they were bred for one purpose: to be a companion. No herding instinct, no hunting drive, just a dog built to sit in a lap and pay attention to you.
At 9 to 16 pounds, a Shih Tzu fits an apartment without giving up personality. They are affectionate with kids, generally easygoing with other pets, and don't need miles of daily exercise to be content.
The long, flowing double coat is the breed's signature look, and it needs regular brushing to stay tangle-free. Many owners keep a shorter "puppy cut" for easier upkeep. Their flat face also means a little extra care in heat, more on that on the care page.
Allergic to dogs?
Shih Tzus have hair, not fur, and shed very little, which is why they're often called hypoallergenic. Lower is not zero, and it varies person to person, but a lot of allergy sufferers who reacted to other dogs do fine around a Shih Tzu.
Read the Full ExplainerLife with a Shih Tzu
Give them a lap, a short walk, and a soft bed, and a Shih Tzu makes itself at home within days.
Browse available puppies from health-tested Shih Tzu lines and start a conversation with the family raising them.
See Available Puppies Raise Shih Tzus yourself? List your program here.