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Shih Tzu
🦁 The solid gold lion dog! They have hair that grows to the floor (if you let it!) and a mustache. They were built for palace life.
⚡ Quick Facts
Size
Small
Weight
9-16 lbs (4-7 kg)
Life Expectancy
10-18 years
Energy Level
Low
Good with Children
Yes
Apartment Friendly
Yes
💖 Personality & Behavior
They know they are royalty! They expect to be carried and pampered. But they are also surprisingly sturdy and playful.
🍖 Food & Treats
Royal feasts only! Just kidding, but they do like good food. Keep their beard clean after eating.
⚠️ General information only - for specific dietary needs, consult a veterinarian
🎾 Play & Activities
Favorite Games & Activities:
- Indoor fetch
- Destroying squeaky toys
- Short walks
- Grooming time
They play hard for 10 minutes then sleep on a silk pillow. They love squeaky toys.
🏡 Living Environment
Any palace will do! Or an apartment. As long as they are with you, they are happy.
✨ Fun Facts
- Name means 'Lion' in Mandarin.
- They were kept by the Ming Dynasty emperors.
- Genetic studies show they are one of the closest breeds to wolves (shocking!).
- They nearly went extinct during the Chinese Communist Revolution.
- Commonly called 'Chrysanthemum Dog' because face hair grows in all directions.
Similar Breeds You Might Like
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Lhasa Apso
Tibetan cousin
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Pekingese
Another Chinese palace dog
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Maltese
Similar hair and role