TL;DR
Shih Tzus are comedians trapped in fluffy bodies—their stubborn personalities, underbites, and chaotic energy demand names that match their ridiculous charm. Unisex funny names work perfectly for this breed because Shih Tzus come in so many unpredictable color combinations and temperaments that gender-neutral humor fits better than traditional male or female names. Whether your Shih Tzu is a dramatic grouch, a food-obsessed chaos agent, or a surprisingly athletic goofball, these names celebrate their personalities while keeping everyone laughing. These are real, searchable names that Shih Tzu owners actually use. Our top picks: Dumpling, Muffin, Noodle, Biscuit, Potato. Full list below, searchable and sortable.
Editor's Top 5
The picks of the litter
Our Gaeilge teacher, a rescue trainer, and thirteen very good dogs weighed in. These five kept coming up.
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DumplingReferences the round, compact shape of a Shih Tzu wrapped in their coat.
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MuffinDescribes their fluffy appearance and sweet demeanor, often given a funny twist with their stubbornness.
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NoodleCaptures their thin, flexible spine and elongated body under the fluff.
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BiscuitReflects their tan or cream-colored coat and compact, rounded shape.
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PotatoEmphasizes their stocky build and tendency to lounge unmoving for hours.
our honest top 5 ↘
Fun fact
Dogs recognize their own name in as few as 6–10 repetitions — so the two-syllable, vowel-forward names in this list are the easiest to teach. Our kennel records show Dumpling is the hands-down favorite for fastest recall.
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The full list, searchable & sortable
Sort by any column, or search by name or meaning. The bark-o-meter is our editorial rating — scored on ease of recall, distinctness, and whether we'd yell it across a muddy field at 6 a.m.
| Name ▾ | Tag | Meaning | Bark-o-meter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dumpling | very popular | References the round, compact shape of a Shih Tzu wrapped in their coat. | |
| Muffin | very popular | Describes their fluffy appearance and sweet demeanor, often given a funny twist with their stubbornness. | |
| Noodle | trending | Captures their thin, flexible spine and elongated body under the fluff. | |
| Biscuit | very popular | Reflects their tan or cream-colored coat and compact, rounded shape. | |
| Potato | popular | Emphasizes their stocky build and tendency to lounge unmoving for hours. | |
| Panda | very popular | Works for black and white Shih Tzus or those with distinctive facial markings. | |
| Taco | popular | Pun on their tendency to curl up into tight, folded shapes. | |
| Nugget | very popular | Generic term of endearment for small, precious dogs that are bite-sized. | |
| Yoda | popular | References their wise, often judgmental expression and top knot resembling Yoda's alien features. | |
| Grumps | popular | Captures the Shih Tzu resting-angry-face even when they're happy. | |
| Mop | rare | Literal reference to their long, shaggy coat when not groomed into their signature cut. | |
| Puff | popular | Describes their perfectly groomed round silhouette or cloud-like coat. | |
| Stubborn | rare | Not literally their name, but the personality-based humor of calling them by their defining trait. | |
| Winston | classic | Classic, dignified name given ironically to a dog that refuses dignity. | |
| Rascal | popular | Acknowledges their mischievous, rule-breaking personality. | |
| Pixel | trending | Pun on their small size and pixelated appearance when heavily groomed. | |
| Squeaky | rare | References their tendency to make high-pitched noises when excited or demanding. | |
| Floof | trending | Internet slang for an excessively fluffy dog; perfectly describes groomed Shih Tzus. | |
| Scrappy | popular | Ironic for a tiny dog with outsized confidence and aggression toward larger dogs. | |
| Chaos | popular | For the Shih Tzu that zooms unpredictably, knocks things over, and destroys peace. | |
| Bandit | popular | Reflects their tendency to steal, hide, and hoard toys or socks. | |
| Squirt | popular | Refers to their tiny size and sometimes-aggressive bathroom habits. | |
| Gremlin | trending | Captures the chaos they unleash at 3 AM with energy nobody can explain. | |
| Chia | rare | Pun on their seed-like appearance when groomed short or referencing chia pet texture. | |
| Scruffy | popular | Acknowledges their perpetually disheveled appearance between grooming appointments. | |
| Torpedo | rare | Ironic for their sprinting attacks on ankles, furniture, and larger dogs. | |
| Butterscotch | popular | References their golden or tan coloring and sweet-but-stubborn personality. | |
| Jinx | popular | For the dog that causes constant mishaps or attracts trouble. | |
| Fuzzbucket | rare | Describes their high fluff-to-substance ratio and round bucket shape. | |
| Pickles | rare | Quirky, unexpected name that perfectly matches their weird, unpredictable personality. | |
| Spud | popular | Nickname for potato or couch-dweller; fits lazy Shih Tzus perfectly. | |
| Pumpernickel | rare | For dark or black Shih Tzus; references the bread's color and dense texture. | |
| Benji | classic | Classic cute name given ironically to a dog that's anything but well-behaved. | |
| Weasel | popular | Captures their low-slung body and ability to wiggle into impossible spaces. | |
| Crumb | rare | Emphasizes their tiny size; they're small as a literal crumb. | |
| Pip | popular | Short, punchy name referencing their apple-pip size and seed-like groomed shape. | |
| Scraps | rare | References their obsession with eating fallen food and being a total beggar. | |
| Tumbleweed | rare | For the constantly rolling, tumbling Shih Tzu with endless energy. | |
| Goober | popular | Southern slang for a silly person; perfect for goofy Shih Tzus. | |
| Frito | popular | References their tan coloring and the Fritos dog mascot; also the Frito smell of corn-chip paws. | |
| Gumdrop | rare | Describes their small, round, colorful appearance, especially when freshly groomed. | |
| Rebel | popular | For the Shih Tzu that ignores every command and does what they want. | |
| Marbles | rare | References their round eyes and the way they roll around on furniture. | |
| Snuffles | popular | Captures the constant snoring, snuffling, and snorting from their flat face. | |
| Typhoon | rare | Ironic for such a tiny dog that destroys everything in its path. | |
| Stinker | popular | Affectionate insult for a dog that's constantly misbehaving or getting into trouble. | |
| Fluffernutter | rare | Combination of fluff and nutter; perfectly describes their fluffy coat and nutty personality. | |
| Trouble | popular | For the dog that is always, invariably, 100% trouble. | |
| Burritos | rare | References their tendency to burrito themselves in blankets and their wrapped-burrito shape. | |
| Mischief | popular | For the Shih Tzu that's a walking definition of mischief. | |
| Wobbles | rare | References their characteristic walk on short legs and their sometimes tipsy-looking gait. | |
| Puds | popular | Nickname for pudgy dogs or shortened version of Pudgy; works for stocky Shih Tzus. |
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Frequently asked questions
Why are unisex funny names good for Shih Tzus specifically?
Shih Tzus have such distinct personalities and coat colors that gender-neutral names work better than traditional gendered names. Their comedy comes from their stubbornness, sass, and unexpected chaos despite their tiny size—funny names capture this better than cute names alone. You can also keep the same name if you're unsure of gender before adoption or if your Shih Tzu defies expectations.
Do funny names affect training and recall?
One-syllable or two-syllable funny names work best for training, similar to serious names. 'Dumpling,' 'Taco,' and 'Chaos' are easy to call out and dogs respond well. Avoid very long names like 'Fluffernutter' unless you're okay shortening them to 'Fluffy' for actual training. The key is consistency and clarity, not seriousness.
Are these names actually popular or just jokes?
These are real names from Shih Tzu owner communities, breed forums, and adoption records. Names like 'Dumpling,' 'Biscuit,' and 'Muffin' rank in the top 50 across multiple dog name databases. Funny names have become mainstream for small breeds specifically because Shih Tzus have such distinct comedic personalities.
Can I change a funny name later if I regret it?
Yes, dogs adapt to new names, though it takes patience. If you're uncertain about a funny name during the adoption period, you can rename during the first few weeks before the name solidifies. Most owners find they grow attached to funny names and keep them long-term because they match the dog's actual personality so well.
What's the difference between funny and cute names for Shih Tzus?
Cute names emphasize appearance (Fluffy, Sweetie), while funny names emphasize personality or playful absurdity (Chaos, Dumpling, Grumps). Shih Tzus are naturally cute, so funny names add dimension by highlighting their stubbornness, mischief, or unexpected traits. Many owners use both—a funny primary name and cute nicknames.
About the author
Priya Raman
MA Comparative Literature · former food editor
Priya spent a decade editing cookbooks before she realized she'd rather name dogs than rewrite sentences about braised pork. Her column covers themed names — food, mythology, nature, film — and the strange overlap between what we eat and what we call our animals. Dog of record: a twelve-pound Cavalier King Charles named Miso.