Shih Tzu Care Guide (Australia)

Checked 7 Oct 2026Source: dogsaustralia.org.au

Last updated: 7 Oct 2026

The Shih Tzu is a sturdy, people-focused companion with a long coat and a short muzzle. Its small size and friendly manner can suit apartment life, but daily care is hands-on: the coat tangles readily, the eyes need protection and cleaning, and short-nosed breathing can make heat and strenuous exercise unsafe. Build grooming and calm indoor routines into the day from puppyhood.

Who is a Shih Tzu right for?

A Shih Tzu often suits a household that wants an affectionate companion and has time for coat care and regular contact. Its apartment suitability is 5/5: a compact home can work well when the dog still gets walks, play and company. Shih Tzus are generally friendly, though their independent streak means they may not follow every cue just to please you. Children should learn to handle the dog gently, especially around its eyes and face. A household seeking a dog for distance running, hot-weather hikes or minimal grooming should consider another fit.

What does a Shih Tzu puppy need?

Things to know

• Arrange a new-puppy vet check and ask about vaccination and parasite prevention for your area. Also ask the vet to assess breathing, nostrils, eyes and bite rather than assuming every short muzzle is harmless.
• Practise a few calm seconds of face, paw and ear handling, then reward. The long hair around the eyes and mouth needs to be kept clean, and early handling makes grooming easier later.
• Choose a responsible breeder who can discuss eye and kneecap health in the family line and show any relevant health records. Screening helps inform a decision; it cannot guarantee a puppy will remain healthy.

Food and feeding

Offer a complete puppy food appropriate for the puppy's expected adult size, following its feeding guide and adjusting with your vet as it grows. Shih Tzus have a short, broad muzzle and can have crowded teeth, so check that the puppy can pick up and chew its food comfortably. Keep fresh water available, and ask the vet before changing texture if eating seems difficult.

Training and behaviour

Shih Tzus are alert and intelligent, but also independent. Start name response, toilet habits, gentle lead walking and a settle cue in quiet rooms; use small food rewards and end while the puppy is still engaged. Practise brief separations and resting on a mat, since a companion dog needs to learn that calm time apart is safe. Introduce people, household sounds and calm dogs gradually, without letting greetings become rough around the puppy's eyes.

Health to discuss

Ask the vet about any noisy breathing, repeated gagging, tiring quickly or difficulty settling after mild activity. Short-nosed dogs can have obstructed airflow and heat intolerance; loud snoring or snorting should not automatically be treated as normal. Shih Tzu eyes can be exposed to injury and may become dry or painful. Redness, squinting, discharge or holding an eye shut warrants prompt veterinary advice. The vet can also check the bite and whether baby teeth are being retained, as crowded teeth make oral care important from an early age.

How do you care for an adult Shih Tzu?

Shih Tzus usually do well with comfortable walks, sniffing and indoor play rather than hard, sustained exercise. Take breaks and avoid exertion in warm or humid weather; watch for noisy breathing, heavy panting or slowing down. A short pet clip can make daily coat care easier, while a longer coat needs frequent combing down to the skin, especially around the face, ears, armpits and legs. Keep hair out of the eyes and clean food or tear residue gently; ask a groomer or vet to show you a safe routine.

Check the eyes each day for squinting, redness, cloudiness or discharge, and arrange veterinary care for a painful or suddenly changed eye. Brush the teeth regularly and ask the vet to examine crowded or misaligned teeth. Shih Tzus can also develop luxating patellas, where a kneecap slips out of position; mention skipping, intermittent limping or reluctance to jump at a check-up. Keep body condition steady, since extra weight can add strain to movement and breathing. If breathing is persistently noisy or exercise tolerance changes, have your vet assess the airway rather than trying to solve it with conditioning.

What changes for a senior Shih Tzu?

Senior Shih Tzus may prefer shorter, gentler walks and more rest, but a new reluctance to move or a drop in stamina deserves attention rather than being dismissed as ageing. Keep routine vet reviews and report changes in breathing, eye comfort, chewing, gait or willingness to climb steps. Continue gentle combing or maintain a practical short clip so coat knots do not pull on ageing skin. Check the mouth for discomfort and ask the vet how to manage dental disease or retained teeth. Provide a cool resting place in summer and adjust food to the dog's body condition with veterinary advice.

What's Australia-specific about owning a Shih Tzu?

Australian summer planning matters for a short-muzzled Shih Tzu. Keep the dog in a cool, ventilated space with water and shade, and choose cooler parts of the day for walks; never leave it in a parked car. Humidity and heat can make breathing harder, so stop activity if the dog is struggling and contact a vet urgently for collapse, severe distress or abnormal breathing. On the east coast, ask your vet about paralysis-tick prevention and check the coat after outdoor time, including around the ears, collar, toes and groin. Shih Tzus are not on Australian state restricted-breed lists; council registration and local dog rules still apply. See our Australian guide for local requirements.

Is a Shih Tzu easy to train?

Trainability: Shih Tzus are bright and responsive to friendly attention, but their independent nature means repeating a cue or applying pressure can make them switch off. Reward the behaviour you want and keep household rules consistent.

Time to expect: Name response and simple cues can start at home straight away. Toilet habits, calm grooming and reliable lead manners take steady practice over weeks, with refreshers as the puppy grows; progress varies between dogs.

The catch: Their short muzzle makes hot or breathless training sessions a poor choice, while long facial hair can distract them or cover the eyes. Train in a cool room and keep the face clear enough to see and move comfortably.

Four steps: calm face handling

1. In a cool, quiet room, let the dog sniff the comb or soft cloth and reward calm interest.
2. Touch the cheek briefly, then reward; keep hands away from the eye itself.
3. Build up to a short wipe or a few comb strokes beside the eyes, stopping before the dog pulls away.
4. Repeat on another day and gradually add the muzzle and beard; if the eye looks sore or the dog resists suddenly, stop and ask your vet or groomer for guidance.

What are the pros and cons of a Shih Tzu?

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