Senior confirmed
(RESCUE ONLY) LOVE
(RESCUE ONLY) LOVE is a small female senior Shih Tzu at HESPERIA ANIMAL SHELTER in HESPERIA, CA. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
HESPERIA ANIMAL SHELTER • HESPERIA, CA
Senior Shih Tzu dogs
Senior Shih Tzu dogs for adoption
Meet 113 adoptable senior Shih Tzu dogs (age 7+) from shelters and rescues across the country. Older dogs are often calm, house-trained, and ready to love from day one. Showing 1–30 of 113 below.
Senior Shih Tzus are often overlooked in favor of puppies, yet they're frequently house-trained, settled in temperament, and ready to bond immediately. Because they're fully grown, you already know roughly how big they are and what they're like — making an older Shih Tzu one of the most predictable and rewarding dogs you can welcome home.
Last updated July 12, 2026 at 9:30 AM EDT. Listings refresh automatically, usually every 12 hours.
Available senior Shih Tzu dogs
10+ years
Barney
Wanted: to meet my furever family. Are you looking to open your home to a new pet? Learn more about this pet and others near you looking to find their…
Woodstock Animal Foundation • Lexington, KY
10+ years
Cheeba
Meet Cheeba, a pint-sized queen with a heart full of love and 14 years of wisdom tucked into her fluffy little frame. This darling Shorkie has mastere…
Underdog Rescue MN • St. Louis Park, MN
Senior confirmed
Dumplin
Randolph County Humane Society • Elkins, WV
Senior confirmed
ELSA
I arrived at the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter on 07/10/2026 from Fontana.
Rescued • San Bernardino, CA
10+ years
Tofu
Tofu was found as a stray. She's super sweet, quiet and laidback.
Carolina Animal Rescue And Adoption • Sanford, NC
10+ years
Oreo
Oreo is a lap-loving velcro dog surrendered to the shelter at no fault of her own. She does well on the leash and is about 10 years old, 13 lbs. She i…
Pawfect Match Rescue • Holly Springs, NC
Senior confirmed
10+ years
RALPH
My name is Ralph. I am described as a male, white and gray Shih Tzu mix.
Chicago Animal Care and Control • Chicago, IL
Senior confirmed
10+ years
10+ years
MARTHA
Martha is a senior female Shih Tzu, small in size, currently at Santa Barbara County Animal Services - Lompoc in Lompoc, CA. Senior dogs make wonderfu…
Santa Barbara County Animal Services - Lompoc • Lompoc, CA
Senior confirmed
WAFFLES
My name is Waffles. I am described as a male, white and black Shih Tzu.
Chicago Animal Care and Control • Chicago, IL
10+ years
BINKY
My name is Binky. I am described as a male, white and tan Shih Tzu.
Chicago Animal Care and Control • Chicago, IL
Senior confirmed
DENIM
My name is Denim. I am described as a male, brown and white Shih Tzu.
Chicago Animal Care and Control • Chicago, IL
10+ years
OSO
My name is Oso. I am described as a neutered male, silver and black Shih Tzu.
Chicago Animal Care and Control • Chicago, IL
10+ years
SUNDAE
Meet Sundae! Sundae is a sweet older lady looking for a quiet, retirement home! She can be worried meeting new people and is looking for a home that w…
MSPCA - Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center • Boston, MA
Senior confirmed
Senior confirmed
10+ years
MAX
MAX is a small male Shih Tzu senior at Dallas Animal Services in Dallas, TX. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
Dallas Animal Services • Dallas, TX
10+ years
Ushi
Meet Ushi! 🐾 Ushi is a sweet 14-year-old Shih Tzu/Cavalier mix with a gentle soul and a big heart. He’s in great health and up to date on all his vac…
Love All Animals • Dana Point, CA
10+ years
HAPPY
HAPPY is a male senior Shih Tzu, small in size, located in Long Beach, CA at Long Beach Animal Care Services. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
Long Beach Animal Care Services • Long Beach, CA
Senior confirmed
SHERMAN
Hi there! I am newer to the shelter and the team is still getting to know me!
Lake County Animal Services • Tavares, FL
Senior confirmed
BAILEY
BAILEY is a senior male Shih Tzu, small in size, at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West Valley Animal Care Center in Phoenix, AZ. Senior dogs…
Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West Valley Animal Care Center • Phoenix, AZ
10+ years
SADIE
SADIE is a senior female Shih Tzu, small, at San Antonio Animal Care Services in San Antonio, TX. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
San Antonio Animal Care Services • San Antonio, TX
10+ years
Willie
Wanted: to meet my furever family. Are you looking to open your home to a new pet? Learn more about this pet and others near you looking to find their…
Woodstock Animal Foundation • Lexington, KY
10+ years
Joey
Joey is a 14-year-old male Shih Tzu at Walkers Way Rescue in Cranston, RI. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
Walkers Way Rescue • Cranston, RI
10+ years
Duke
Duke is a 14-year-old male Shih Tzu at Walkers Way Rescue in Cranston, RI. Senior dogs make wonderful companions.
Walkers Way Rescue • Cranston, RI
Senior confirmed
10+ years
ZOEY
ZOEY is a small female Shih Tzu senior located in Houston, TX at the City of Houston, Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care. Senior dogs make wonderful…
City of Houston, Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care • Houston, TX
Senior Shih Tzu dogs by state
Other breeds
Adopting a senior Shih Tzu — FAQ
What counts as a senior dog?
Most shelters and vets consider a dog "senior" around age 7, though large breeds often age sooner and small breeds a little later. Every dog listed here is 7 years or older.
How do I adopt a senior Shih Tzu?
Open a dog's profile to see the shelter or rescue caring for them, then follow the adoption link or contact details to apply directly with that organization.
Are senior Shih Tzu dogs a good fit for first-time adopters?
Often, yes. An older Shih Tzu is usually past the high-energy puppy stage and may already know basic commands, which can make ownership easier to ease into. Each profile and shelter can tell you about that dog's individual personality and needs.
Why adopt a senior dog instead of a puppy?
Senior dogs are calmer, usually house-trained, and let you skip the chewing and sleepless nights — and because they are the hardest to place, adopting one can quite literally save a life that might otherwise run out of time.
Are senior Shih Tzu dogs good with children or other pets?
It depends on the individual dog more than the breed alone. Each dog's profile and the shelter or rescue caring for them can tell you about their history with kids, cats, or other dogs. Senior dogs are often calmer and more predictable than puppies, which can make reading compatibility easier before you commit.
How much does it cost to adopt a senior Shih Tzu?
Adoption fees vary by shelter and rescue, but senior dogs are frequently discounted or even sponsored — because they wait the longest, many organizations offer reduced fees or cover initial vet care. Open a dog's profile and ask the organization directly for their current fee and what it includes.
Can I foster a senior Shih Tzu instead of adopting?
Many shelters and rescues offer a foster program, sometimes with a foster-to-adopt path. Fostering a senior Shih Tzu gets them out of a kennel and into a calm home — which is especially beneficial for older dogs who find shelter life stressful. Ask the organization on any dog's profile whether fostering is an option.
Know a senior dog who needs a home?
Shelters and rescues can list adoptable senior dogs for free.