You think you know Shih Tzus. The fluffy lap dogs. The pampered pups with bows in their hair. The breed your grandmother adores.
But here’s the thing. These adorable furballs hide secrets. Wild secrets. Secrets involving wolves, emperors, and near-extinction events that would make a Hollywood screenwriter jealous.
Ready to have your mind blown? Let’s go.
1. They’re One of the Oldest Dog Breeds on Earth
We’re not talking a few hundred years old. We’re talking ancient.
Documentation of Shih Tzus goes back at least 1,000 years. But their ancestry stretches even further. Records show that small “under the table” dogs existed in China as early as 1000 B.C. Some historians trace artwork featuring these dogs to 624 CE.
That means Shih Tzus were around before the Vikings sailed. Before Charlemagne was crowned. Before the Great Wall of China was finished.
Your little lap dog comes from a very long line.
2. They Didn’t Come From China
This surprises everyone.
Yes, we call them Chinese lion dogs. Yes, they lived in Chinese palaces for centuries. But Shih Tzus actually originated in Tibet. Monks in Tibetan monasteries bred them first, then gave them as gifts to Chinese royalty.
So the next time someone asks about your “Chinese dog,” you can correct them. Your pup’s roots go back to the Himalayan mountains.
3. Their Name Means “Little Lion”
Shih Tzu translates to “Little Lion” in Mandarin Chinese. And the name fits perfectly.
Look at that mane. That proud stance. That dignified expression.
The breed was named for its resemblance to the lion, which holds deep significance in Buddhism. The Tibetan Buddhist God of Learning was said to travel with a lion companion. And when monks created these small, lion-like dogs, they weren’t just making pets.
They were making something sacred.
4. They Were Living Hot Water Bottles for Royalty
Here’s a job description you won’t find on LinkedIn.
In the Chinese imperial palace, Shih Tzus served as literal warmers for emperors and empresses. They would settle at their owners’ heels to keep royal feet warm. They slept in the emperor’s bed to pre-heat it before bedtime. Noblewomen carried them tucked inside their robes, using the dogs’ thick coats as portable heating pads.
Every Shih Tzu alive today descends from a long line of professional snugglers. That explains a lot, doesn’t it?
5. Owning One Could Get You Killed
During the Ming and Manchu Dynasties, Shih Tzus belonged exclusively to the royal court. They were bred by palace eunuchs behind closed doors. The dogs rarely saw the outside world.
And if a commoner was caught owning one? Death.
These weren’t just pets. They were symbols of imperial power. Owning one without permission was considered theft from the emperor himself. The punishment fit what they considered a serious crime.
Your fluffy companion comes from genuinely dangerous origins.
6. They’re More Closely Related to Wolves Than Most Dog Breeds
Stop. Read that again.
Your adorable, bow-wearing, treat-begging Shih Tzu shares more DNA with wolves than most other breeds. The only dog group with more wolf DNA is the Nordic spitz family – Huskies, Samoyeds, and Malamutes.
In 2004, researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center tested the genetic data of 414 dogs from 85 different breeds. The results shocked everyone. This tiny lap dog retained more ancient wolf genetics than German Shepherds, Rottweilers, or Dobermans.
Look into those big dark eyes again. Somewhere in there, a wolf is looking back.
7. Every Shih Tzu Alive Today Descends From Just 14 Dogs
This fact should terrify breeders. And it reveals just how close we came to losing the breed entirely.
During China’s Communist Revolution in 1949, Shih Tzus were killed off because of their association with wealth and royalty. The breed essentially disappeared from China. The only surviving dogs were the ones that had been exported to England and Scandinavia decades earlier.
Seven males. Seven females. Just 14 dogs became the foundation for every Shih Tzu alive today. Every single one.
When you look at your Shih Tzu, you’re looking at a survivor’s descendant.
8. They Have a “Buddha’s Kiss” on Their Foreheads
Most Shih Tzus have a little white spot on their foreheads. Breeders and owners call it the “Star of Buddha.” And the legend behind it is wonderful.
According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha traveled with a small dog that resembled a Shih Tzu. One day, robbers surrounded them, planning to attack. The little dog transformed into a fierce lion and chased the thieves away.
Buddha was so grateful that he kissed the dog on its forehead. That kiss left a permanent mark – the white spot that appears on Shih Tzus to this day.
True story? Probably not. Beautiful story? Absolutely.
9. The Markings on Their Backs Supposedly Come From Buddha’s Saddle
The legend doesn’t stop at the forehead.
According to the same tradition, when the little dog transformed into a lion, Buddha would ride on its back. The dark markings you often see on a Shih Tzu’s back represent the saddle Buddha used during these rides.
So your dog isn’t just marked by a divine kiss. It carries the impression of a heavenly saddle too.
Whether you believe the legend or not, it adds a nice layer of mythology to bath time.
10. They’re Called “Chrysanthemum Dogs”
When Shih Tzus first arrived in England during the 1930s, British breeders needed a way to describe their unusual faces.
Look at a Shih Tzu straight on. The hair grows outward from the nose in all directions. The effect looks exactly like flower petals radiating from a center.
The English thought they looked like chrysanthemums. And the nickname stuck.
Some things are just too perfect not to catch on.
11. They’re NOT Actually Hypoallergenic
This one hurts. Especially if allergies were part of why you chose the breed.
Contrary to popular belief, Shih Tzus are not considered truly hypoallergenic. Yes, they shed less than many breeds. Their hair grows continuously like human hair rather than falling out in seasonal cycles.
But here’s the truth. No dog is 100% hypoallergenic. Shih Tzus still produce dander. They still drool. They still carry allergens on their coats.
If you have severe allergies, spend time with a Shih Tzu before committing. Your sinuses will thank you.
12. They’re Notoriously Difficult to Housebreak
Ask any Shih Tzu owner about their biggest challenge. Most will say the same thing.
Potty training.
These little dogs are famously stubborn about bathroom habits. Experts say it can take 40 to 50 repetitions of a bathroom routine before a Shih Tzu catches on. That’s weeks – sometimes months – of consistent training.
Why? Partly stubbornness. Partly their royal background. For centuries, these dogs had servants cleaning up after them. Why would they rush to change now?
Patience isn’t optional with this breed. It’s required.
13. They’ve Been Beloved by Royalty and Celebrities for Centuries
The celebrity connection didn’t end with Chinese emperors.
Bill Gates owned a Shih Tzu named Ballmer for years. Queen Elizabeth II had one named Choo Choo. Mariah Carey owns two named Bing and Bong. Beyonce has one called Munchie. BTS member J-Hope shares his life with a Shih Tzu named Mickey.
Colin Farrell, Nicole Richie, Geri Halliwell from the Spice Girls – the list goes on.
Something about these little dogs attracts powerful people. Maybe it’s the breed’s imperial history. Maybe it’s those irresistible faces. Either way, you’re in good company.
14. They Nearly Went Extinct Twice
The first crisis came in 1908. The Dowager Empress Cixi supervised a world-renowned breeding program for Shih Tzus, Pekingese, and Pugs. When she died, the program fell apart. It became nearly impossible to get a Shih Tzu, even in China.
The second crisis was worse. During the Communist Revolution, the dogs were killed en masse because they represented wealth and imperial power. Some accounts say royal family members slit their own dogs’ throats before committing suicide, rather than let them fall into communist hands.
The breed survived only because a handful had been exported to Europe years earlier. Those few dogs – just 14 of them – kept the entire breed from disappearing forever.
Every Shih Tzu today is a small miracle.
15. They’re One of the Longest-Living Dog Breeds
Here’s some genuinely good news.
The average Shih Tzu lives between 10 and 16 years. Many reach their mid-teens with proper care. That’s longer than most dogs their size.
And the record holder? A Shih Tzu named Smokey from Florida who lived to 23 years old. Twenty-three. That’s a dog who saw his owner through college, career changes, and everything in between.
Their ancient genetics seem to include some longevity genes too.
16. They’re Brachycephalic and Need Special Care
That adorable smooshed face comes with a cost.
Shih Tzus are brachycephalic, meaning they have shortened skulls and flat faces. This causes compressed breathing passages. They overheat easily. They can struggle in hot or humid weather. They snore. They snort. Some have trouble breathing during exercise.
Research from the UK shows that periodontal disease, anal sac impaction, and ear disorders are common health issues for the breed. Those big beautiful eyes? They’re prone to ulcers, dry eye, and infections.
Love them, but know what you’re signing up for. Air conditioning, regular vet visits, and careful monitoring in summer aren’t optional. They’re part of responsible ownership.
17. They Have “Selective Hearing” and Stubborn Streaks
Every Shih Tzu owner knows this experience.
You call your dog’s name. Nothing. You call again. Still nothing. Then you open a treat bag quietly in the next room, and suddenly your dog appears at your feet in three seconds flat.
Shih Tzus hear what they want to hear.
Surveys of Shih Tzu owners consistently rank “refusing to listen” among the top behavioral challenges. But here’s the flip side. The American Kennel Club describes them as affectionate, playful, and outgoing.
And they’re remarkably adaptable companions. If you’re watching TV, they’ll watch too. If you want to play, they’re ready. If you’re tired, they’ll nap beside you. They don’t care what you do, as long as they’re doing it with you.
That selective hearing? It’s not defiance. It’s personality. Strong personality.
The Bottom Line
Your Shih Tzu isn’t just a cute face.
It’s a wolf cousin. A survivor of near-extinction. A descendant of royal bed-warmers and sacred temple dogs. A breed marked by Buddha himself (according to legend) and beloved by emperors, queens, and pop stars across centuries.
Next time someone dismisses your dog as “just a lap dog,” you’ll have 17 facts ready to change their mind.
And your Shih Tzu? It will probably ignore the whole conversation. Unless you open a treat bag.
Then it’ll be right there.
