Shih Tzus are small dogs known for small breeds, flat-faced (brachycephalic), sensitive skin, a tendency to gain weight and low energy. Finding the right dog crate means matching your dog's specific traits — not just grabbing whatever's popular. We ranked every major dog crate option by how well it fits a Shih Tzu's build and needs, then narrowed it to the 6 picks below.
by Midwest Homes for Pets
Our top pick for Shih Tzus: it proportioned for dogs 12-20 lbs, which lines up with what this breed needs most. At $40.99, it balances quality and value better than anything else we ranked.
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by Sweetcrispy
Best for Weight Control among our Shih Tzus picks. This one stands out because it 42-inch size fits breeds up to 90 lbs.
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by Petmate
Best for Sensitive Skin among our Shih Tzus picks. This one stands out because it airline-friendly design for travel.
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by Midwest Homes for Pets
A strong contender for Shih Tzus: it foldable wire design sets up without tools. Worth considering if our top picks don't fit your situation.
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by Amazon Basics
A strong contender for Shih Tzus: it two doors for flexible placement. Worth considering if our top picks don't fit your situation.
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by ZOMISIA
A strong contender for Shih Tzus: it steel foldable design — no tools required. Worth considering if our top picks don't fit your situation.
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Size & weight capacity for your breed — why it matters for any dog, and especially for Shih Tzus.
Crate type (wire, plastic, heavy-duty, soft) — why it matters for any dog, and especially for Shih Tzus.
Portability & foldability — why it matters for any dog, and especially for Shih Tzus.
Security (lock type, escape-proof) — why it matters for any dog, and especially for Shih Tzus.
Ease of cleaning (removable tray) — why it matters for any dog, and especially for Shih Tzus.
For Shih Tzus specifically, prioritize options that address small breeds and flat-faced (brachycephalic) — these are the traits most likely to make or break your choice.
Focus on how each option matches Shih Tzu traits like small breeds, flat-faced (brachycephalic), sensitive skin. The picks above are ranked by that exact fit.
We scored every product by how many of its suited-for traits overlap with the Shih Tzu's breed traits, then broke ties by aggregate rating and review volume. All recommendations are unsponsored opinions.
Not always — but breed traits (size, digestion, energy, joints) make some options clearly better than others. Our ranking surfaces the options that fit Shih Tzus best, even when the product itself isn't marketed by breed.