Are Shih Tzus good in hot weather?

How Shih Tzus handle the heat

The cooling problem

Shih Tzus are brachycephalic, meaning their short muzzle leaves little internal surface for panting to cool the blood. In warm weather this is a serious limitation, not a quirk, and it is why flat-faced breeds are massively over-represented in vet heatstroke cases every summer.

Practical summer management

Shift walks to early morning and late evening, and skip them entirely on the hottest days. Carry water on every outing, provide deep shade in the garden, and give access to cool floors indoors. The pavement test is simple: press the back of your hand to the ground for seven seconds, and if it is too hot for your hand it is too hot for paws.

Never leave any dog in a parked car, conservatory, or caravan, even briefly and even with a window open. Interior temperatures climb to lethal levels within minutes.

Exercise in warm weather

Shih Tzus have modest exercise needs, which makes summer easier to manage. It is straightforward to shift their activity into the cooler hours without leaving them under-exercised.

Personality and summer walks

Bred purely as a companion. The Shih Tzu lives to be with people and is perfectly happy in a flat.

Affectionate dogs want to stay close to their owner even in the heat, following them from room to room rather than settling alone on the coolest floor available. Outgoing dogs will keep approaching people and other dogs at the park even in high heat, and that constant engagement leaves less time settled quietly in the shade. A playful dog can be coaxed into another round of fetch even while overheating, since the drive to keep playing does not come with a built-in instinct to stop and rest.

Heat, training and behaviour

Teaching a dog to settle in the shade

Shih Tzus take more consistent work to teach a settle command, so on hot days it often falls to the owner to physically manage where the dog rests rather than relying on a cue alone.

Barking and restlessness in a heatwave

Shih Tzus bark a moderate amount day to day, and that can increase during a heatwave if the dog is uncomfortable and unable to settle properly.

Family and other pets in a heatwave

Shih Tzus generally do well around children, though hot weather adds a job for parents: making sure excitable play with kids in the garden does not run on longer than the dog can safely handle. They typically share a house with a cat without issue, and both species tend to gravitate to the same cool spots during a heatwave.

Cost and ageing in hot weather

Shih Tzus typically live 13 to 16 years, and older dogs of any breed regulate heat less efficiently than a fit adult, so senior shih tzus need shorter, cooler outings and closer watching during a heatwave. Insurance for a Shih Tzu in the UK typically costs about £20 to £45 a month, and heatstroke is exactly the kind of sudden, serious vet visit that cover exists for. A Shih Tzu puppy, usually priced around £700 to £1800, overheats more easily than an adult dog as well, since puppies have less developed temperature regulation and tire without always showing it.