Est. 1997 in Burleson, Texas

Heaven sent tiny & imperial Shih Tzus.

Award winning. Featured on National Geographic. The bloodline other breeders chase. Raised by hand in North Texas, and held in His.

Holy Shih Tzu logo: a Shih Tzu held in two hands among the stars

Circling the logo: the angel dogs who started it all

01Lift off

The gold standard in tiny Shih Tzus, for nearly three decades.

Holy Shih Tzu is a family breeder in Burleson, Texas, devoted to one thing: the tiniest, sweetest, most beautifully built Shih Tzus you will ever hold.

Dee and her family have been breeding dogs since the 1980s, when their German Shepherds went to work with law enforcement in New York. In 1997, a Shih Tzu stole their hearts in Texas, and they never looked back. Since then the program has produced two National Champions, landed on National Geographic, and quietly become the foundation behind a lot of the best tiny Shih Tzus in the country.

One of Holy Shih Tzu’s champion Shih Tzus, a long coated gold and white Shih Tzu wearing a blue topknot bow
One of Dee’s champions. Show coat, blue bow and all.
1997Breeding Shih Tzus since
40+Years of breeding experience
2National Champions
1National Geographic feature
02The stars

Every one of them, called by name.

These are a few of the stars of the Holy Shih Tzu program, shown as examples of the size, coat, and sweetness that come out of this house. Tap any pup to see the original photo.

He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.Psalm 147:4
Ask Dee about litters like this
As seen on National Geographic
03Seen around the world

The day National Geographic came to a Shih Tzu wedding.

National Geographic Channel’s documentary series Taboo went looking for the most unusual weddings on Earth. Their episode Weird Weddings (August 5, 2012) included a full, lavish ceremony for two tiny Shih Tzus, complete with an ivory gown, two cakes, and a surprise ending nobody saw coming.

Holy Shih Tzu is proud to be a National Geographic featured breeder.

04The bloodline

The bloodline the others chase.

Spend enough time around tiny Shih Tzus and you keep hearing the same name.

Holy Shih Tzu has been refining tiny and imperial lines since 1997. Dee mentors other breeders, has hosted annual breeder summits, and served as Chairperson of the Texas Licensed Breeder Advisory Committee. The result: many of the programs that come close to this quality were built on dogs that started right here in Burleson.

Shopping around? Ask any tiny Shih Tzu breeder where their foundation dogs came from. Then come straight to the source.
05Look closer

He is in the details, if you look.

Scattered stars look random until you step back and see the shape. A puppy’s first breath. A litter born safe. A family who finds exactly the right pup. We see God’s hands in all of it.

That is also why a portion of every Holy Shih Tzu puppy sale helps fund mission work around the world: rescuing victims of human trafficking, drilling water wells, building orphanages and bringing aid.

ThailandSouth AfricaAlbaniaMexico
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing.Job 12:10
06Your pup

From first message to forever home.

We don’t post puppies on this site. The best ones are spoken for through conversations with Dee, so that is where your journey starts.

Message Dee

Say hello on Facebook Messenger. Tell her about your home and the pup you are dreaming of.

Hear what’s coming

Dee will share current and upcoming litters, expected sizes, colors and timing.

Find your match

Ask anything. Dee takes the time to pair the right puppy with the right family.

Welcome home

Your little blessing joins the family, and you join a long line of very happy Holy Shih Tzu people.

07Questions

Questions from fellow travelers.

Where is Holy Shih Tzu located?

Holy Shih Tzu is a licensed Shih Tzu breeder in Burleson, Texas, in Johnson County just south of Fort Worth. Families come from all over the Dallas Fort Worth area, including Fort Worth, Mansfield, Arlington, Crowley, Joshua and Cleburne, and from well beyond Texas.

Do you have Shih Tzu puppies available right now?

This website shows the quality of the Holy Shih Tzu program rather than a live puppy list. For current and upcoming litters, message Dee on Facebook Messenger or call or text 817.657.6360. She will tell you what is available, what is coming, and what fits your family.

How do I contact Holy Shih Tzu?

The fastest way is Facebook Messenger with Dee. You can also call or text 817.657.6360 or email saveyourbacon@aol.com.

What is an imperial Shih Tzu?

Imperial is a name breeders use for Shih Tzus bred to mature smaller than the official breed standard, which calls for 9 to 16 pounds. It is not a separate breed. A well bred imperial or tiny Shih Tzu is still a true Shih Tzu, just in a smaller package. Our full guide covers sizes, care and what to look for.

How big will a tiny Shih Tzu puppy get?

Adult size comes mostly from the parents and grandparents. Ask Dee about the sizes in a specific litter's line. She has been breeding toward tiny and imperial sizes since 1997 and can give you an honest expectation.

Was Holy Shih Tzu really on National Geographic?

Yes. Holy Shih Tzu is a National Geographic featured breeder. National Geographic Channel's documentary series Taboo featured a lavish wedding for two tiny Shih Tzus in its episode Weird Weddings, which premiered August 5, 2012. Read the full story on our National Geographic page.

See all questions

Ready to meet your little blessing?

Every Holy Shih Tzu puppy starts with a conversation. Message Dee to hear about current and upcoming litters, sizes, colors and timing.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.” James 1:17

Ask Dee about current litters