Shih Tzu Puppies for Sale in Ohio

Originally bred for the Chinese emperors, the shih-tzu breed was largely unknown until the 1930s. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the shih-tzu in 1969, and today, it ranks No. 20 out of 193 on the AKC breed popularity list. Shih-tzus are toy dogs, which means they only grow to be about 9 to 10.5 inches tall and usually weigh less than 16 pounds. Shih-tzus have long, flowing coats that come in many colors, with variations of black and white, gray and tan all being popular. Their coats require a lot of brushing and maintenance when kept long, but for the casual, non-show dog, regular clippings at the groomer make things more manageable.

Breed Characteristics

Like many other small dogs, the shih-tzu has a relatively long lifespan, often living well into their late teens. Because of this, proper nutrition is very important, and this breed can suffer from joint issues if their weight gets out of control, which means owners need to be careful about limiting treats and people food. Shih-tzus are known for being funny, easily trainable dogs, and they enjoy learning and performing tricks like standing on their hind legs or turning in circles. While this breed has a decent amount of energy, their small size means most can get along with a short walk around the block or a session of fetch in a fenced-in yard. The shih-tzu is a sociable dog and does well with most people and other animals but needs to be watched around large dogs or small children who may play too rough.

If you’re looking for a small dog that can be a lovable companion, Puppies Online can help you find a shih-tzu puppy for your family.