How Do You Spell Shih Tzu?

If you are wondering how do you spell Shih Tzu, the correct spelling is Shih Tzu—two separate words: S-h-i-h T-z-u. The unusual spelling is easy to forget because the breed name comes from Chinese rather than English, and its pronunciation does not perfectly match what many English speakers expect from the letters. You may see incorrect versions such as “Shitzu,” “Shihzu,” “Shit Tzu,” or phonetic spellings based on how the name sounds, but Shih Tzu is the standard form used for the dog breed. The name is pronounced approximately “shee tsoo,” with the second syllable beginning with a ts sound. The breed’s name is historically associated with the Chinese word for lion, which is why the Shih Tzu is commonly known as the “lion dog.” Below, you will find the correct spelling, pronunciation, meaning, and the most common mistakes so you can write and say the breed’s name confidently.

Table of Contents

1. The correct spelling
2. Common misspellings and the correct form
3. Pronunciation and spelling
4. What does Shih Tzu mean?
5. Quick spelling answers
6. Final Thoughts

The Correct Spelling

The correct spelling of the breed name is:

Shih Tzu

Letter by letter, you can spell Shih Tzu as:

S-H-I-H — T-Z-U

There are two separate words, and both are normally capitalized when referring to the breed by its proper name.

So, if someone asks how to spell Shih Tzu dog, the simplest answer is:

Shih Tzu

Not:

• Shitzu
• Shihzu
• Shit Tzu
• Shihtzu
• Shih Zoo
• Shitzoo
• Shih Tsu

These alternative forms are understandable because people often hear the breed’s name before seeing it written.

The Shih Tzu has a long history as a companion breed. If you want to understand where the unusual name comes from, our guide to the shih tzu origin explains the breed’s historical background in more detail.

You can also explore the broader shih tzu Breed Information section for information about appearance, temperament, history, and care.

An Easy Way to Remember the Spelling

Break the breed’s name into two pieces:

Shih + Tzu

For the first word:

S-H-I-H

For the second:

T-Z-U

The part people most commonly forget is the final H in “Shih” or the Z in “Tzu.”

A simple memory pattern is:

SHIH | TZU

Once you remember that the breed name always contains two separate parts, it becomes much easier to spell correctly.

Common Misspellings and the Correct Form

Because the name is unfamiliar to many English speakers, spelling variations are extremely common.

Some mistakes come from joining the two words together. Others happen because people spell the name according to the way they think it sounds.

Here are some of the forms you may encounter:

Common Form	Correct?	Correct Form
Shih Tzu	Yes	Shih Tzu
Shitzu	No	Shih Tzu
Shihtzu	No	Shih Tzu
Shihzu	No	Shih Tzu
Shih Tsu	No	Shih Tzu
Shitzoo	No	Shih Tzu
Shih Zoo	No	Shih Tzu
Shit Zoo	No	Shih Tzu

If you are searching online, Google may still understand many of these misspellings and show results for Shih Tzus. That does not make the alternative spelling correct.

The recognized dog breed name remains Shih Tzu.

One Word, Extra Letters, and Phonetic Spellings

A particularly common error is writing the breed as one word:

Shihtzu

This happens naturally because the name is usually spoken quickly and sounds like a single unit.

However, the standard spelling uses two words:

Shih Tzu

Another common mistake is Shih Tsu.

That version is very close, but the second word needs a Z:

Tzu, not Tsu.

Phonetic versions such as “shee zoo” or “sheet zoo” may help someone understand approximately how the breed is pronounced, but they should not replace the official spelling in normal writing.

For example:

Incorrect: I have a Shihtzu puppy.
Correct: I have a Shih Tzu puppy.

Incorrect: She owns two Shih Tsu dogs.
Correct: She owns two Shih Tzus.

If you are learning about the breed after finally getting the spelling right, these shih tzu facts cover many of its most recognizable characteristics.

Pronunciation and Spelling

Knowing the correct spelling does not necessarily tell you how to pronounce Shih Tzu.

In English, the name is commonly pronounced approximately:

“shee tsoo”

The first part sounds like “she” with a long ee sound.

The second begins with a ts sound and ends with “oo.”

A simple phonetic spelling is:

SHEE TSOO

The Cambridge Dictionary pronunciation of Shih Tzu gives the UK pronunciation as /ˌʃiː ˈtsuː/ and the US pronunciation as /ˈʃiː ˌtsuː/.

How to Say Shih Tzu Step by Step

Try saying it in two parts.

Step 1: Say “shee”

Pronounce Shih approximately like:

shee

Use the long ee sound heard in words such as “see.”

Step 2: Say “tsoo”

Pronounce Tzu approximately:

tsoo

The beginning combines a quick t and s sound.

Step 3: Put Them Together

Now say:

shee-tsoo

Do not let the spelling tempt you into pronouncing the first word exactly like the English word it may resemble.

The spelling and pronunciation make more sense when you remember that the name was not originally an English word.

What Does Shih Tzu Mean?

Another common question after learning the spelling is what does Shih Tzu mean?

The name has Chinese linguistic roots and is associated with the word for lion. This is why breed histories frequently refer to the Shih Tzu as the lion dog.

More precisely, the historical English spelling “Shih Tzu” reflects an older romanization of the Chinese word corresponding to shīzi, meaning “lion.”

You may also encounter the longer Chinese expression often translated as lion dog.

That meaning fits the breed’s history because small companion dogs associated with Chinese imperial culture were linked with representations of lions.

If you are interested in how the breed developed historically, the shih tzu origin guide goes deeper into the Tibetan and Chinese background associated with the modern breed.

Does “Tzu” Mean Dog?

A common explanation online says that “Shih” means lion and “Tzu” means dog.

That is an oversimplification.

It is more accurate to understand Shih Tzu as an older romanized form related to the Chinese word for lion, rather than treating “Shih” and “Tzu” as two English-style words that separately mean “lion” and “dog.”

The full historical phrase associated with “lion dog” contains a separate Chinese word for dog.

For most readers, the useful takeaway is simple:

Shih Tzu is traditionally associated with the meaning “lion dog,” but the breed name itself derives from a Chinese term for lion.

That distinction explains both the unusual spelling and the breed’s familiar lion-dog nickname.

Why Is Shih Tzu So Easy to Misspell?

The main reason is the difference between English spelling habits and the name’s linguistic origin.

Someone who hears “shee tsoo” may reasonably guess:

• She Tzu
• She Zoo
• Shitzu
• Shizu
• Shih Zoo

None looks obviously wrong if you have never seen the name written.

The letter combination Tz is also uncommon at the beginning of English words, making Tzu difficult to remember.

The breed’s popularity creates even more spelling variations because people use the term in:

• Puppy advertisements
• Social-media posts
• Veterinary searches
• Grooming questions
• Dog food searches
• Breed comparisons

Once you know the simple pattern Shih + Tzu, however, the spelling becomes much easier.

If you are researching whether a particular dog truly belongs to the breed rather than merely checking its name, see our guide to identifying a purebred shih tzu.

Quick Spelling Answers

Is “Shih Tzu” one word or two?

Two words: Shih Tzu.

Is “Shitzu” correct?

No; the correct spelling is Shih Tzu.

How do you spell the dog breed Shih Tzu?

Spell it S-H-I-H T-Z-U.

How do you spell Shih Tzu puppy?

Write Shih Tzu puppy.

How do you pronounce Shih Tzu?

It is commonly pronounced approximately “shee tsoo.”

How do you say Shih Tzu in English?

Say it approximately “shee tsoo,” with a quick ts sound at the start of the second syllable.

Is “Shih Tsu” correct?

No; the correct second word is Tzu, with a Z.

Is “Shihtzu” correct?

No; standard usage separates the breed name into Shih Tzu.

What does Shih Tzu mean?

The name derives from a Chinese term for lion and is traditionally associated with the meaning “lion dog.”

What does Shih Tzu mean in Chinese?

It is associated with the Chinese word for lion, while the breed has historically been called a lion dog.

Should Shih Tzu be capitalized?

When writing the formal breed name, Shih Tzu is the clearest standard form.

Is Shih Tzu a breed or a type of dog?

The Shih Tzu is a recognized dog breed, not simply a coat or size variation.

Are there different types of Shih Tzus?

Many informal labels exist, but you can read about what those terms mean in our guide to types of shih tzu.

Final Thoughts

If you came here asking how do you spell Shih Tzu, remember the simple answer: Shih Tzu — S-H-I-H T-Z-U. It is two words, and common forms such as “Shitzu,” “Shihtzu,” “Shih Tsu,” and “Shih Zoo” are misspellings. When speaking the breed name, pronounce it approximately “shee tsoo.”

Its unusual spelling becomes easier to understand once you know the name has Chinese roots and is historically connected with the idea of a lion or “lion dog.” Instead of trying to spell the word purely from its English pronunciation, memorize the two-part pattern Shih + Tzu.

Now that you know how to write and pronounce the name correctly, explore our shih tzu Breed Information section to learn more about the breed.