Whether Shih Tzus are smart depends entirely on how you measure canine intelligence. If intelligence means blindly retrieving a ball twenty times on command, the Shih Tzu will quickly disappoint you. But if intelligence means navigating household dynamics, reading human emotions, and problem-solving for comfort, the Shih Tzu is remarkably perceptive.
Quick Answer: Yes, in their own way. Stanley Coren’s well-known ranking of obedience intelligence puts the Shih Tzu 70th of 138 breeds, which reflects an independent streak more than a lack of brains. Many owners find they respond best to positive reinforcement.
The Three Dimensions of Canine Intelligence
In his book The Intelligence of Dogs, neuropsychologist Dr. Stanley Coren divided canine cognitive capabilities into three primary categories:
- Instinctive Intelligence: What a dog was specifically bred to do (such as herding, pointing, guarding, or vermin hunting).
- Adaptive Intelligence: A dog’s ability to solve problems on their own, learn from past experiences, and adapt to novel environments.
- Working and Obedience Intelligence: The speed with which a dog learns human commands and their willingness to execute them consistently.
Most popular intelligence rankings focus almost exclusively on working and obedience intelligence. Because Shih Tzus were bred for centuries in Chinese imperial palaces strictly as companion animals and lap warmers—not for herding sheep or retrieving waterfowl—they possess no innate instinct to obey repetitive human drills.
Where the Shih Tzu Ranks: Stanley Coren’s Hierarchy
On Coren’s working obedience scale, the Shih Tzu ranks 70th out of 138 evaluated breeds, categorizing them in the “Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence” tier:
Coren’s book describes this tier with figures for repetitions and first-time obedience. We could not open a primary copy to check them, so we do not repeat them here. The ranking measures obedience to commands, not overall intelligence.
This does not reflect a lack of cognitive processing power. Rather, it reflects an independent, self-directed mindset. A Border Collie or Golden Retriever derives intrinsic psychological satisfaction from serving a handler; a Shih Tzu evaluates commands through a lens of self-interest: “What’s in it for me?” Without high-value motivation, they simply choose to ignore the cue.
Adaptive and Emotional Intelligence: Where Shih Tzus Excel
While their working obedience scores are modest, the Shih Tzu’s adaptive and social intelligence is exceptional:
1. Reading Human Body Language and Emotion
Shih Tzus were bred as companions, and many owners describe them as closely attuned to their family’s moods. This is owner experience, not a measured result.
2. Environmental Problem Solving
Many owners report that their Shih Tzus find clever ways to get comfortable, such as nudging doors or arranging blankets. These are anecdotes, not research findings.
The “Stubborn” Myth: Training a Shih Tzu Successfully
Shih Tzus are frequently labeled as stubborn, hardheaded, or difficult to train—particularly when housebreaking. Harsh methods such as yelling or leash jerks are best avoided with any dog. Reward-based training is the usual advice.
To train a Shih Tzu effectively, try these practical tips:
- High-Value Reinforcement: Use tiny, vet-approved treats, and count them in your dog’s daily food. Some dogs ignore plain kibble.
- Micro-Sessions: Keep sessions short and end while your dog is still keen.
- Patience During Housebreaking: Many owners find house training a Shih Tzu slow. Use a regular routine, frequent trips outside, and plenty of praise and treats when your dog goes in the right place. Ask your vet if progress stalls.
Cooperative Care: Training for Grooming and Handling
Because the Shih Tzu requires lifelong professional coat maintenance, mental conditioning and cooperative care training are essential parts of puppyhood education. Puppies must be systematically desensitized to clippers, scissors, high-velocity dryers, and grooming tables.
When preparing your dog for home grooming or salon visits, review our hair length dog grooming blade chart to understand the equipment, blade types, and safety lengths used by groomers, allowing you to train your dog to remain calm around vibrating clippers and grooming shears.
Cognitive Milestones Across Life Stages
A Shih Tzu’s mental capacity and learning readiness evolve as they grow from puppyhood into their senior years. Consult our Shih Tzu age in human years calculator to map your dog’s chronological age against human cognitive stages:
- Early Puppyhood (8–16 Weeks): The primary socialization window. Exposure to diverse sounds, surfaces, people, and gentle handling cements foundational confidence.
- Adolescence (6–12 Months): Boundary testing and selective hearing. Consistent boundary enforcement is critical.
- Mature Adulthood (2–8 Years): Peak adaptive problem-solving and emotional stability.
- Senior Years (9+ Years): Cognitive decline or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) can manifest as pacing, night-time vocalization, and memory lapses. Ask your vet about changes in an older dog, and keep up gentle mental games.
Enrichment and Mental Stimulation
A bored Shih Tzu can channel their intelligence into destructive behaviors such as carpet chewing or nuisance barking. Keep their mind sharp with targeted enrichment:
- Snuffle Mats and Scent Games: Hiding small treats inside fleece snuffle mats taps into their natural foraging instincts, providing calming mental stimulation.
- Level 1 and 2 Puzzle Toys: Sliding-tile and cup-lifting food puzzles challenge toy breeds to use both nose and paws to solve spatial puzzles.
- Trick Training: Teaching fun, low-pressure novel behaviors (such as “spin,” “wave,” or “touch”) keeps your dog busy and builds your bond.
Veterinary Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. For breed information see the American Kennel Club (AKC). Sudden behavioral changes—such as abrupt house soiling, aggression, confusion, or disorientation—can stem from underlying neurological or systemic medical conditions (such as liver shunts, thyroid disorders, or cognitive dysfunction), so talk to your vet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Shih Tzus so difficult to potty train?
Many owners find Shih Tzus slow to house train, and small dogs can need more frequent trips outside. We found no primary source for the reasons. A steady routine and positive reinforcement help; talk to your vet if progress stalls.
Can you teach an old Shih Tzu new tricks?
Absolutely. Yes, older dogs can still learn. Short, gentle trick sessions give them something to do. If your older dog seems confused, talk to your vet.
Are male or female Shih Tzus smarter?
We found no source showing a difference in ability between male and female Shih Tzus. Individual personality, early socialization, and the consistency of the owner’s positive reinforcement training methods are the decisive factors.
