plural shih tzu also shih tzus
often capitalized S&T
: any of an old Chinese breed of toy dogs that have a square short unwrinkled muzzle, short muscular legs, and a long dense flowing coat
Examples of shih tzu in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Upgrades to her home’s insulation and vents finally enabled her and her 13-year-old shih tzu, SugarBabe, to relax at a comfortable indoor temperature without skimping on her medication.
—
The Arizona Republic, 31 July 2023
Coco and Luna's 10 in 1 Multivitamin for Dogs is an excellent choice for shih tzu owners.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 13 July 2023
With regular use, your shih tzu can experience less pain, greater mobility, and an overall better quality of life.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 13 July 2023
On their third date, Matt met Rei’s beloved shih tzu, Rara, and their fate was sealed.
—Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2023
The pit bull bit the woman’s hand and the shih tzu’s hind quarters.
—Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 27 Mar. 2021
There has never been—knock on all wood—a bite, not even when that territorial shih tzu on Fawn Street broke away from its owner and chased us off the block with a shrill, honestly quite aggressive, warning.
—Hazlitt, 20 Dec. 2022
Max Goes to the Dogs, in which the shih tzu/cocker spaniel/poodle mix heads to doggy day care and learns the joys of learning and playing with new friends.
—Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 7 Oct. 2022
Avalos, 68, had just a few bruises from that day in November 2020 and found her Chihuahua Juanita and shih tzu-poodle Max hiding safely in their dog house.
—Rachel Urangastaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2022
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The Arizona Republic, 31 July 2023
Coco and Luna's 10 in 1 Multivitamin for Dogs is an excellent choice for shih tzu owners.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 13 July 2023
With regular use, your shih tzu can experience less pain, greater mobility, and an overall better quality of life.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 13 July 2023
On their third date, Matt met Rei’s beloved shih tzu, Rara, and their fate was sealed.
—Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2023
The pit bull bit the woman’s hand and the shih tzu’s hind quarters.
—Bob Sandrick, cleveland, 27 Mar. 2021
There has never been—knock on all wood—a bite, not even when that territorial shih tzu on Fawn Street broke away from its owner and chased us off the block with a shrill, honestly quite aggressive, warning.
—Hazlitt, 20 Dec. 2022
Max Goes to the Dogs, in which the shih tzu/cocker spaniel/poodle mix heads to doggy day care and learns the joys of learning and playing with new friends.
—Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 7 Oct. 2022
Avalos, 68, had just a few bruises from that day in November 2020 and found her Chihuahua Juanita and shih tzu-poodle Max hiding safely in their dog house.
—Rachel Urangastaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shih tzu.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Chinese (Beijing) shīzi (gǒu), from shīzi lion + gǒu dog
First Known Use
1921, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Shih tzu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shih%20tzu. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shih tzu
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