Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu : BREED BOX Country: China Size: 10-16lb (5-7kg), 10-11in (25-27cm) Temperament: Active and alert, playful Grooming: Regular grooming required Recognition: FCI, AKC, ANKC, CKC, KC(UK), NZKC

The happy and affectionate Shih Tzu makes a charming house pet and that is his sole reason for being. Blessed with an outgoing, friendly disposition, these Toy dogs are sweet and playful but they can stand up for themselves when necessary. “Shih Tzu” means lion and these little dogs do have a proud carriage like a king. Their long, flowing double coat makes them easily recognizable.

Breed History

The Shih Tzu is an ancient breed. They have been prized by Chinese royalty as house pets for over a thousand years. They may have been developed by crossing the Lhasa Apso or the Tibetan Mountain dog with the Pekingese at one time. Recent DNA evidence has shown that the Shih Tzu is actually one of the most ancient dog breeds.

Information about the Shih Tzu dates back to 624 AD in documents, paintings and other objects of art.

The Shih Tzu was almost completely wiped out in China during the Chinese Revolution. Seven males and seven females were said to have been saved and today all Shih Tzus can be traced back to one of them.

The first dogs of the breed were imported into Europe in 1930. The Shih Tzu were originally thought to be “Apsos” when they arrived in England but were later ruled to be a separate breed. The Shih Tzu Kennel Club of England was formed in 1935 and the breed was admitted to the AKC Stud Book in 1969.

The breed is sometimes called the Chrysanthemum dog due to their round face and the way their hair grows in all directions.

Appearance

In appearance the Shih Tzu is a Toy dog with a short muzzle. They are a brachycephalic breed. They have big, deep dark eyes. They have a long, soft double coat which, when cared for properly, flows to the floor. The Shih Tzu usually has a long fall of hair on their head which is kept up in a top knot. Shih Tzu typically stand about 10 1/2 inches tall at the withers and weigh between 10 and 16 pounds. The dogs have drop ears with long fur and a heavily furred tail that is carried curled over their backs. The coat may be of any color though some white is often seen in the coat. Dogs are a little longer than tall. The Shih Tzu should carry himself with a “distinctly arrogant carriage” according to the breed standard. The breed has an underbite.

In The Home

The Shih Tzu is sweet, loving and devoted. They are very playful and gentle dogs as you would expect from a dog that has been bred to be a house pet for over a thousand years. They are able to stand up for themselves when necessary, however. They may appear arrogant but this trait rarely comes out in their personality.

When it comes to training there is no reason why a Shih Tzu cannot be trained. They have sometimes been ranked low on scales of dog intelligence but this is usually because these tests are judged by obedience trainers looking for dogs who are more like Border Collies. Dogs which have not been bred for work or to perform obedience usually score lower. With the proper training and positive reinforcement there is no reason why you can’t train a Shih Tzu.

Shih Tzu, as with all Toy dogs, do need plenty of socialization as young puppies so they will develop good manners as adult dogs. Take your Shih Tzu places, encourage strangers to pet your puppy, and introduce your Shih Tzu puppy to other friendly dogs who are leashed. This will help build his confidence and teach him how to respond to people and other pets. Socialization can also prevent problems such as separation anxiety, nuisance barking and other bad behaviors.

Care

The Shih Tzu’s long, beautiful coat does require frequent grooming to look good. You will probably need to brush your dog a couple of times per day to keep this kind of coat in proper shape. You will also need to bathe and condition the coat frequently. Some people prefer to keep the coat trimmed in a puppy clip. You can talk to a professional pet groomer to find out how often you will need to bring your dog in for grooming.

The Shih Tzu is considered to have a hypoallergenic coat. They do shed but not as much as most other dogs. This makes them a good choice for people with allergies.

You should also clean your dog’s ears regularly to avoid ear infections and trim his nails regularly.

Like all dogs, the Shih Tzu is prone to certain health problems. You should talk to a breeder to find out what kind of health testing they do. Health testing for the parents can often help avoid some health problems in the offspring. Some of the health problems that may be found in some Shih Tzu include portosystemic shunt of the liver (liver shunt) and hip dysplasia. As a brachycephalic breed, the Shih Tzu may also have some breathing difficulties in hot or humid weather. Do be careful with your dog in these weather conditions. You will also need to take extra care of your dog if you ever intend to fly on a plane with him.

You should be aware that there are a number of people who breed very tiny Shih Tzu. They may advertise them as teacups, toy, pint-size, pocket, imperial, Chinese imperial dog, miniature, and so on but all of these very small Shih Tzu have been rejected by the American Shih Tzu Club. Some of these very small dogs may have additional health issues and may not live a very long life.

Where to Find a Shih Tzu

The AKC parent breed club for the Shih Tzu in the United States is the American Shih Tzu Club. You can contact them for information about Shih Tzu breeders and more information about the breed. The club also keeps information about Shih Tzu rescue throughout the United States.

You can also try looking for a Shih Tzu in your local shelter. Rescue people try to remove every Shih Tzu they hear about from shelters so they won’t be euthanized but it’s always possible there could be a Shih Tzu in a shelter. Talk to the people at your local shelter and let them know that you’re looking for a Shih Tzu.

• Ideal Owners: Anyone
• Color: Any
• Life Expectancy: 14-16 years
• Other Names: Chrysanthemum Dog

Shih Tzu Reviews

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