Description

Shih Tzu, pronounced as Shitsoo, is a breed of small dogs that generally reach the height of around 11 inches and weighs about 16 pounds. These are basically used as companions rather than for activities. Though small in size, these dogs have a well muscled body that is covered in fur. You will find Shih Tzu in various colors that include black, brown, blue, gold, and white. Shih Tzus have a long body and a short muzzle. The color of the nose, eye rims, and lips vary on the basis of their body color. It is generally seen that a Shih Tzu with a brown complexion has brown nose, eye rims, and lips whereas a blue colored one may have those features in blue. The tail of this dog goes above its back. These dogs have a life span of about 16 years. Their eyes are pretty large and have a dark tinge. Quite often, one will see that the hairs on the mouth of these dogs have been given the shape of a moustache.

Coat

Shih Tzus have a coat that is pretty fancy. The outer part of the coat is longer while the undercoat is thick. The coat hairs are straight. Quite often, you will need to tie the hair with a bow to prevent it from covering the face. The well groomed coat gives this dog an elegant look. You will not have any problem as far as hair shedding is concerned. The amount of hair it sheds is negligible. It is believed that the coat of a Shih Tzu is hypoallergenic and will not cause any irritation to people who have any kind of allergy. That is why it is good for families where they have kids or any adult members suffering from allergies.

History

The name Shih Tzu is originally from Mandarin Chinese. In fact, it is a scientifically confirmed fact that the ancestors of Shih Tzu are also the oldest of dog breeds. This dog was quite popular in China during the reign of the Tang Dynasty. But it was the Tibetans who either brought this dog to China or gifted it. Actually, it is a cross between the Tibetan mountain dog and Pekingese. England was introduced to Shih Tzu in the year 1930. This was the time when the Chinese actually imported a pair of these dogs to England as presents to Queen Elizabeth. The AKC or American Kennel Club gave recognition to this breed in the year 1969. It is around this time that this dog became popular in the US. This dog has also featured in various Chinese paintings.

Temperament

Shih Tzus have a very friendly temperament. They are good as companions. They have a happy attitude. They are also quite confident and can carry themselves with attitude. They are smart and intelligent. Their sturdy body makes them very active and agile. Due to their playfulness and lack of aggressiveness, they can be a good companion for your kid. They can gel with the family. They understand and appreciate affection like any other animal. They are good for small or large families. In case you have some other pets, bringing a Shih Tzu can be a good idea as it can get along well with other pets. These dogs need an owner with a strong and confident mind set.

Health

Shih Tzus may suffer from separation anxiety. This behavioral problem can make them aggressive, snappy, and they may also start to bark incessantly. So, try to give it as much companionship as possible. Do not make it feel insecure. You can solve this problem with adequate attention, love and care.
Shih Tzus have a longer spinal cord that may come under stress sometimes. Spinal disc disease is quite common in this breed. You should also take good care of their diet. They can put on weight quite easily. Pay attention to what you are feeding them. Do not feed them more than what they actually need. They may also suffer from periodontal diseases. Brushing their teeth on a regular basis is the best prevention. You should take efforts to keep their teeth healthy.
Shih Tzus may also develop ear infections. Regularly check their ears while grooming them. Clean the ears whenever you find any waxes or dirt. Consult a vet to find out the proper way of cleaning the ears of this dog.
Shih Tzus often snore. So, you may need to consult a vet to take a look at the nasal passage. Wheezing is another respiratory problem that this kind of dogs may suffer from.
Some Shih Tzus may also show signs of other illnesses like hip dysplasia and portosystemic shunt. While the former may attack the hip joints, the latter may create liver related complications.

Grooming

Grooming a Shih Tzu is important. Otherwise, it will be impossible to maintain the show and health of its long hairy coat. Moreover, a regular grooming session will also make sure that your dog stays healthy. You can use a bristle brush in order to groom its coat. Some owners find it preferable to clip the coat. This way, they can keep it to a manageable and short length. You can keep the eye and the face visible by tying or cutting the hair on the forehead.
Ideally, a Shih Tzu’s grooming session should be 15 minutes long. Brush the coat everyday to prevent it from matting. Check and clean the ears to prevent ear infections. Bathe them once every week. You may or may not cut its furs frequently. Actually, if you brush the dog on a regular basis, you can do without clipping for a long time.
In case you want to use a conditioner on the hair of the dog, you should check the brand and type of conditioner with a professional groomer or a vet. The brand may vary from one Shih Tzu to the other.
Do not forget to clean the area around its eyes. Keep this area free of dirt. This should also be a regular activity. The eyes of a Shih Tzu are quite sensitive. Mild dirt can cause irritation or infection. You should also check whether the eyes have any mucus growth around them. In case you find some, clean the area. Take good care of the hygiene aspect of your dog and it will have a healthy life span.

Exercise

As far as workout is concerned, you can involve your Shih Tzu in a game of fetching. Regular exercise will keep it fit and agile. Despite its small size, it is a very active dog that loves to play. You can also give it some toys to play the game of hunting. A fit dog is a happy dog. A good round of exercise will also help you to avoid various behavioral problems. Shih Tzus love to jump around. Thanks to their small size, you can even arrange various games inside the house. In case you have accidentally over fed it once, which you should never do, walking will help it lose the extra fat. Regular exercises will keep it free from weight related problems.

Training

Along with regular exercises, good training will help you control many behavioral and psychological problems of your pet that include separation anxiety among others. While training your dog, you should be firm with it but do not hit it or be rough with it. Be gentle and yet stay confident and firm. Make one thing clear with Shih Tzus that it is humans who are the boss. Once the dog understands that, it will obey you as the leader.
Remember - Shih Tzus are intelligent as well as free spirited dogs. Once they understand that they can rule over, they will not listen to you. Rather, they will force you to do things their way. So, make sure that your dog understands what is acceptable and what is not. Be consistent with the rules. Do not compromise or suddenly change the rules just because you find its face to be cute. If you do so, it can become quite a handful to control and train.
The ideal training period should be 15 minutes long and should be done thrice a day. It must include the timings of house breaking. Many Shih Tzus take time to respond to this particular training. So, start it as soon as possible. You should start the training the moment you bring the dog to your house.
They are clever and intelligent and will understand your commands. Be patient with them and love them a lot. However, there is a thin line between love and spoiling. Avoid the latter. Do not forget to praise its successful response to an instruction. A pat on the back or head will tell it what is expected.
Keep the atmosphere around your dog full of fun and affection. It will learn things quicker. A happy Shih Tzu is an excellent companion and will always keep you entertained.
Shih Tzus are great pets. Gift this dog to someone you love or buy it for yourself.