A Shih Tzu is a lap dog with confidence. They greet visitors like old friends, settle on the best cushion, and make it very clear when they'd rather not do something. Owners talk about a dog with a sense of humour: the bounce when they were happy, the sideways look when they'd been told off, the flat refusal to walk in the rain.
The name means "lion" in Chinese, and the breed was kept in the Chinese imperial court for centuries before it reached Britain in the 1930s. They were bred purely as companions, so it's no surprise that most Shih Tzus spend their lives as close to their people as they can get.
Each Small Goodbyes portrait comes in oil, watercolour, charcoal, line or pastel, with a free preview before you pay, and is made to order for your Shih Tzu. If a friend has lost their Shih Tzu, see our dog memorial gifts.
| Kennel Club group | Utility |
|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth, UK | 11.1 years (Royal Veterinary College, 2022) |
| Coats you see most | gold and white, black and white, liver and white, brindle, solid colours |
| Styles that suit | watercolour for a long flowing coat; pastel for a puppy cut |
What owners remember
The top knot and the bow, or the fringe that always needed cutting. The underbite and the little teeth. The trip to the groomer, and the proud prance afterwards. The way they got under your feet in the kitchen and then sat, very politely, to be given something. Many owners had theirs for twelve years or more, through a lot of change.
Long coat or puppy cut
Shih Tzus can look like two different dogs depending on the haircut. Some owners kept the long, flowing coat that touched the floor; most kept a short puppy cut for everyday life. Choose the version you remember most, because that's the dog you'll want to see on the wall. If you're unsure, try both in the free preview.
Choosing the photo
The eyes are big and dark and sit in a lot of hair, so choose a photo where the fringe is out of the way or tied up. Daylight helps the coat colours stay true. A photo taken at their level, not from above, gives a portrait that looks them in the eye.
Which style suits a Shih Tzu
Watercolour flows nicely with a long coat and keeps the colours soft. Pastel suits a puppy cut with a teddy-bear face. Oil gives a richer picture for darker coats, like black and white or brindle.
If it has only just happened, the practical side is on our dog memorial portraits page. If you're looking for words, pet loss quotes may help.