Shih Tzu in India: Temperament, Care and the Right ID Tag

Short version: a Shih Tzu is a friendly, people-loving small dog, about 4 to 7 kg as an adult, that suits flats and families. It needs daily coat care, protection from Indian summer heat, and patience with house training. Put a tag with your phone number on it from the first week, and step up a size as your puppy grows. This page covers what to expect, general feeding principles, what you do and do not need to buy, and which tag fits. It is general information, not veterinary advice, so let your vet set the diet and vaccination plan.

Need the quick version?

• Temperament: affectionate, lively and happy to be near you. Intelligent, but can be stubborn.
• Size: about 4 to 7 kg and 23 to 27 cm tall as an adult.
• Exercise: low to moderate. Short daily walks are usually enough.
• Heat: sensitive. Keep them cool and walk at the coolest hours.
• Grooming: high. Daily brushing and combing.
• Tag: 25mm round for a puppy, then 30mm round as an adult (or a 1.4 inch bone tag once they reach about 5.4 kg).

Temperament: what a Shih Tzu is like to live with

Shih Tzus are companion dogs. They are affectionate and devoted, alert and lively, and they usually do well with families, children and other pets. They may bark at newcomers at first and then quickly make friends. They are intelligent but can be stubborn, so training works best when it is short, consistent and rewarding. Early socialisation matters: a Shih Tzu who meets few people or places as a puppy can turn timid.

House training often takes longer than owners expect. A fixed routine (after meals, after naps, after play) and a lot of patience work better than punishment.

Living with the Indian climate

The short muzzle that gives a Shih Tzu its face also makes it harder for them to cool down. They are sensitive to heat and can overheat quickly. In practice that means:

• Walk early in the morning and late in the evening, not at midday.
• Keep them in a cool room with a fan or air conditioning on hot days, with fresh water always available.
• Never leave them in a parked car or on a hot balcony.
• If you see heavy panting, drooling or weakness, move them somewhere cool and call your vet straight away.

They are otherwise well suited to apartment living, because they are happy with short walks and indoor play.

Coat and grooming

This is the high-maintenance part. A Shih Tzu coat needs brushing and combing every day to stop tangles and mats. Many owners keep the coat trimmed short and visit a groomer every 6 to 8 weeks. Around that, plan on:

• Wiping the face daily, especially around the eyes and folds.
• Checking and cleaning ears weekly.
• Trimming nails about once a month.
• Regular baths, roughly weekly for many owners, with a dog shampoo.

What do they eat? General principles

Your vet or breeder should give you portions for your puppy's age and weight, and this page is not a feeding chart. A few principles hold for most Shih Tzu puppies:

• Feed a complete puppy food made for small breeds, in several small meals a day, then move to two meals a day as an adult.
• Keep the diet consistent. If you change food, do it gradually over about a week.
• Keep treats small. A small dog gains weight easily.
• Never feed chocolate, grapes or raisins, onions, garlic, or anything sweetened with xylitol, and never give cooked bones.

Our free New Puppy Starter Guide has a general routine and feeding outline you can take to your vet.

Health checks worth knowing about

Shih Tzus commonly need attention for their eyes, breathing (because of the short muzzle), teeth, ears, kneecaps and skin. Most of these are easy to manage when caught early, so regular vet visits and a quick daily look at the eyes, teeth and coat are worth the habit. Ask your vet whether a harness is a better fit than a neck collar for your dog.

The right ID tag for a Shih Tzu

Tag size should follow your dog's weight. For a Shih Tzu, that usually works out like this:

• Puppy: a 25mm round tag.
• Adult up to about 5 kg: a 30mm round tag (our size for cats and small dogs).
• Adult from about 5.4 kg: a 30mm round tag, or a 1.4 inch bone tag, which suits pets of about 5.4 to 10 kg.

Two practical points for this breed. First, a long coat can hide a tag completely, so check monthly that it hangs where it can be seen and that the ring is not worn (see our tag care guide). Second, a tag should be light for a small dog, so avoid going bigger than you need. If your dog is on the edge between sizes, size up rather than down, so there is room for the phone number.

What to engrave: one phone number you answer comes first. The pet's name is optional if there is room, and we would leave the home address off. Our pet ID tag guide explains why.

What you need, and what you can skip

You will need:

• An ID tag with a phone number, on a collar or harness that fits properly (two fingers should slide under it).
• A lead, food and water bowls, and a small bed.
• A soft brush and a wide-tooth comb, plus dog shampoo.
• A vet you trust for vaccinations, check-ups, and advice on microchipping.

You can usually skip:

• Heavy clothing. Most of India is warm, and heat is the bigger risk for this breed. A light layer on a cold north Indian winter night is the exception.
• Perfume or cologne for dogs.
• A big pile of toys. A few safe chew toys are plenty.
• Supplements, unless your vet recommends them.

If your Shih Tzu ever goes missing

Small dogs slip out through a gate gap faster than you would expect. Keep two recent photos on your phone, keep the tag readable, and keep our lost pet checklist and its free poster handy.

Ready to order a tag?

• For a dog: Pet ID Tags for Dogs
• Want to see everything: Gifts for Pets

Not sure about size or wording? Send us your dog's weight and the text you want on WhatsApp, and we will tell you what fits before you order.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Shih Tzu a good apartment dog in India?
Yes, for most families. They are happy with short walks and adapt well to apartment living. The main need is keeping them cool in summer.

What size ID tag does a Shih Tzu puppy need?
A 25mm round tag suits a puppy. Move up to a 30mm round tag as they grow, or a 1.4 inch bone tag once they reach about 5.4 kg.

How often does a Shih Tzu need grooming?
Brushing and combing daily, a face wipe daily, and a professional trim about every 6 to 8 weeks if you keep the coat short.

Are Shih Tzus hard to house train?
Often, yes. Expect it to take longer than with some breeds, and keep a steady routine.

Does a Shih Tzu need a harness or a collar?
Ask your vet. Because of the short muzzle, some owners prefer a harness for walks. Either way, the ID tag should be on the collar or harness your dog wears every day.