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Shih Tzu
A small, long-coated companion bred purely for the lap — friendly, calm and fond of everyone.
How to spot it
A small, solid dog 20–28 cm tall and 4–7.5 kg, with a long, flowing double coat, a short muzzle and large dark eyes. Pet dogs are often kept in a short "puppy clip".
Temperament
Affectionate, outgoing and happy — bred over centuries as a palace companion, it simply wants to be with people and is good with children and other pets. Not a guard dog.
Exercise & training
Needs only light exercise — a short walk and indoor play. It can be a little stubborn about house-training but responds to patient, reward-based methods.
Grooming & care
The long coat mats quickly and needs daily brushing, or a regular clip to keep it short and easy. Keep the hair out of the eyes and the face clean. As a flat-faced breed it overheats easily, so keep it cool.
Health & lifespan
Around 10–16 years. Watch for eye problems, breathing issues from the short muzzle, and dental disease.
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