Shih Tzu

Bred, says the one-line entry, to warm the laps of Chinese emperors — and the modern sheet describes a dog still built for exactly that kind of company.

The temperament sheet

Energy is rated low: a modest daily outing and the Shih Tzu is satisfied, which makes the flat-ok space rating an honest fit rather than a hopeful one. Tolerance for time alone is moderate — this is a companion breed that expects company for most of the day, though a few hours will not undo it.

With children the rating is good, and for first-time owners the answer is yes.

The practical side

Size is small, and shedding is rated low — very little hair leaves the dog. The trade sits in the grooming line, which carries our highest rating: this coat needs a standing routine, attended to regularly and without gaps, and anyone considering the breed should decide up front how that routine will be kept. Barking is moderate: some announcements, no siege.

The dog in front of you

All of the above is breed-level bookkeeping, useful and limited. Individual dogs outrank their breed sheet, and meeting the dog in front of you outranks everything else, including us.