shih tzu

noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The two-year-old shih tzu came in as a stray to the Carson Animal Shelter in California where foster parent Jan Vega volunteers. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024 Mega Tjandra carefully clutched Putih, her pet dove, in her hands; Teddy, a shih tzu, sat patiently at the feet of his owner, while Mili was held by hers. Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register, 5 Oct. 2024 The Menards and their pet shih tzu, Cuddles, were reported missing by a friend after the couple missed a church service. Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024 The Menards and their dog, a small shih tzu named Cuddles, were reported missing by a friend, police said. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2024 That ended in 2020, when the shih tzu rescue died, likely age 18. Mark Ellwood, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 July 2024 The husband and wife were confronted at 8 p.m. Wednesday by a man who held a gun on them and demanded their shih tzu puppy, which the husband had recently gifted to his wife, the department wrote on X. Officers identified the suspect’s vehicle. Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 22 July 2024 The sense of connection the actress— who also stars in the latest season of Fargo—feels in her space now is a pleasant respite from the drama that came with moving into the two-bedroom, two-story condo with her husband, Rishi, and their shih tzu Teddy. Mackenzie Schmidt, Peoplemag, 7 June 2024 Indeed, his 11-year-old shih tzu, named D, is the chief treat tester, and frequents Chewy’s office with him. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Chinese (Beijing) shīzi (gǒu), from shīzi lion + gǒu dog

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shih tzu was in 1921

Dictionary Entries Near shih tzu

Cite this Entry

“Shih tzu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shih%20tzu. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on shih tzu

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!