Are Shih tzu's suitable for people with allergies, im asking on behave of a friend.

It greatly depends on what allergies they have, if dust then perhaps the dead skin from a dog will also cause the same reaction, people can be allergic to dog saliva and their urine as well as dead skin. Do these people suffer from skin irritations, sneezing or are they asthmatic?

Yes she is asthmatic. I did suggest a poodle but she likes Shih tzu's.

Well to be honest Shih tzu's are not big shedders, so not inappropriate for astham sufferers, the danger of course is the dander (dead skin) I would recommend a vet visit before they get one to find a good shampoo to help with this, but otherwise they should have a lovely little dog without too much of a risk.

As always with Asthma special care needs to be taken, and some people can be a lot worse than others.:-)

The safest thing might be to spend an afternoon in a breeder's house with lots of Shih Tzu around her before making anymore plans? :)

Very good idea Val, it is very difficult with asthma, my dad had astham but we still had 2 Rough Collies Yet another person may not even take to a poodle, so I would do as Val has suggested to find out for sure. ;-)