Shih Tzu Rescue Dogs & Puppies for Adoption in and around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
No Shih Tzus are listed for adoption or rehoming in and around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole right now.
No Shih Tzus listed in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole right now
That just means none are on the site at the moment, not that the breed is unavailable. New listings arrive from rescues and local owners all the time. Be first in line, or help one find a home.
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Shih Tzus near Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole right now
No Shih Tzus are listed with rescues in or around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole on LocalPetFinder today. See Shih Tzus across England for the wider area.
About Shih Tzus
| Breed group | Utility |
|---|---|
| Size | Small |
| Weight (breed standard) | 4.5 to 8 kg, ideally 4.5 to 7.5 kg |
| Exercise | Up to 1 hour a day |
| Size of home | A flat is big enough |
| Grooming | Every day |
| Coat | Long (listed as not shedding) |
| Lifespan | Over 10 years |
What Shih Tzus are like to live with
The Royal Kennel Club says the Shih Tzu is popularly accepted to have come from China, with an ancestry of Tibetan breeds, and was once known as the "Lhasa Lion dog". It says the first Shih Tzus were shown in England in 1933, and the breed was officially recognised in the 1940s.
Sources (checked 30 September 2026)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Shih Tzu (Weight from the breed standard, also in sources.)
Read the full Shih Tzu guide: health, temperament, costs and UK law →
Breed descriptions are general. Every rescue animal is an individual, so the rescue's own assessment of the animal comes first.
Guides for Shih Tzu adopters in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Every dog adoption guide for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole →
Looking at all small dogs in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
10 dogs listed in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are marked small by their rescue, of every breed and cross. If size matters more than breed, they are all in one place.
Browse small dogs in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole →Shih Tzus in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: your questions
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How many rescue Shih Tzus are available for adoption in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
As of 8 November 2026, no Shih Tzus are listed for adoption in and around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole on LocalPetFinder. Rescues add animals all the time, so this page fills as they list them.
Do Shih Tzus shed?
The Royal Kennel Club lists the Shih Tzu as not shedding, while Dogs Trust describes a long coat with moderate shedding and PDSA calls them "pretty average shedders". Either way, the long coat needs grooming every day. Ask the rescue how this dog's coat is kept and what grooming it is used to.
Can a Shih Tzu live in a flat?
The Royal Kennel Club lists a flat as a big enough home for the Shih Tzu, with a small or medium garden and up to an hour of exercise a day, and PDSA says they are happy in a flat or a large country home as long as they have space to play. Whether a particular dog will settle in a flat is a question for the rescue, who knows the dog.
How much does it cost to adopt a Shih Tzu in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
Each rescue sets its own adoption fee. Dogs Trust charges £300 for a puppy or adult dog in England, Wales and Scotland, and Blue Cross fees start from £235 for dogs aged 8 or over and £335 for dogs aged 1 to 7. The fee usually covers neutering, microchipping and first vaccinations, and each rescue confirms its own fee.
Are there Shih Tzu puppies for sale in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
No. We don't list animals for sale. Every Shih Tzu on this page is with a rescue or rehoming centre. Rescues rehome animals rather than selling them, usually for an adoption fee: for example, Dogs Trust £300, and Blue Cross puppies under six months start from £525. The fee usually goes towards vet work already done, such as neutering, microchipping and first vaccinations. If you searched "shih tzu puppies for sale Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole", the Shih Tzus here are the rescue route: you apply to the rescue and pay its adoption fee, not a sale price. In England, Lucy's Law has meant since 6 April 2020 that puppies under six months can't be sold by a third party such as a pet shop or dealer: you buy direct from the breeder or adopt from a rehoming centre.
Can I get a free Shih Tzu to a good home in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, or one under £500?
Usually not. UK rescues normally ask for an adoption fee, which pays towards neutering, microchipping and vaccinations. Many rescue fees are under £500: Dogs Trust charges £300, and Blue Cross from £235 for dogs aged 8 or over. An animal offered "free to a good home" is usually a private advert rather than a rescue. All dogs in the UK must be microchipped by 8 weeks old, and in England, Wales and Scotland a dog can't pass to a new keeper until it is chipped, so ask to see the microchip details.
Are there Shih Tzu puppies for adoption in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
Not right now: no Shih Tzus are listed in and around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole today, so there are no puppies either. Puppies do get listed, and rescues can tell you much more about an adult's character, so check back.
Is there a Shih Tzu rescue near me in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
This page lists every Shih Tzu with the rescues we list in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and within about 25 miles of it, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole first and then nearest first, each with its town and distance. You can also see Shih Tzus across England. To see what is closest to you, search by postcode with the pet finder on our home page. To hear when one is listed, set up an email alert on this page.
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Need to rehome your Shih Tzu? Read our Shih Tzu rehoming guide →