Breed Details
Breed Characteristics
Adaptability
Affectionate
flat Friendly
Barking Tendencies
Cat Friendly
Child Friendly
Dog Friendly
Excercise Needs
Grooming
Health Issues
intelligence operation
Energy Level
Shedding Level
Social Needs
Stranger Friendly
Territorial
Trainability
Watchdog Instincts
The compact Shih Tzu is the ideal canine comrade . Originally breed for royal line in China , this little guy rope still consider himself a prince among dogs . A true sweetie , his purpose in life-time is to love and be loved . Playful and mischievous , he will slip your shoes .
Once the prized lap dog of Chinese emperors , the Shih Tzu does n’t see any reason to accept the slightest reduction in position . But his laying claim that the worldly concern revolves around him seldom come up with haughtiness or aggressiveness . The Shih Tzu is , somewhat inexplicably given his willingness to be spoiled , one of the sweeter of toy breeds and one of the more pop , too .
Shih Tzus do not hold , hunt , or burrow into the earth , although they may retrieve balls for you to throw again . They are bred to do one thing , and they do it well : They are companion hot dog who give sexual love to the world and pluck it back in . They ’re an in - your - lick kind of click .
Intelligent dogs , Shih Tzu like learning . They are good in obedience classes and can do great at agility and obeisance competitor . They may take a minuscule more time during education , and housebreaking can be a trouble that requires perception and consistency on your closing .
A Shih Tzu should get a poor pass daily , but if you ca n’t , most will be content with using the furniture as a caterpillar track course of instruction .
Colors in the stock are gilded and white , red and white , black masquerade gold , solid blood-red , ignominious and white , strong black , solid liver , liver and white , gloomy and white , brindle and snowy , and silver and white .
Aterrific flat dogwho does equally well in mansions and farm , he will adapt to whatever living arrangement you provide .
Other Quick Facts
TheHistoryof Shih Tzus
Little is known about the source of the Shih Tzu , but inherited testing tells us that he is one of the more ancient breeds in cosmos . It ’s thought that he originate in Tibet , cover by Tibetan genus Lama to be a lilliputian reproduction of a lion , which is link up with Buddhist mythology . The smallest of the Tibetan breeds , he is remark for his intemperate coating and tag that curve over the back . The Shih Tzu serve as associate and watchdog to the monks in the lamaseries .
The glad and entertaining little dogs were fence by myth . One belief held that they were embodiment of mischievous home deity ; another that they carried the souls of lamas who had not yet achieve nirvana , the transcendence of human desire .
The genus Lama salute the dogs as tribute to Chinese ruler , and it was at the Chinese purple court that they receive the name Shih Tzu , mean “ little lion ” or “ Leo dog . ” The Chinese also gave the Shih Tzu another name — chrysanthemum cad — because the hair on the face grows in all commission like the petal of the flower .
In China , the Shih Tzu was bred to have a stylized appearance . A fanciful “ formula ” for the stock ’s creation reads “ a dash of social lion , several teaspoons of rabbit , a couple of ounces of domesticated cat , one part royal court jester , a dash of ballerina , a pinch of old human ( Chinese ) , a scrap of beggar , a tablespoon of scalawag , one part babe seal , a dah of teddy bear , and the residual dogs of Tibetan and Taiwanese pedigree . ”
After the end of regal formula in China , the little hotdog might have disappeared , reject as a monitor of bygone days , but luckily some of them had been face to foreigners , in especial General Douglas and Lady Brownrigg . They and others pick out some of the dogs to England . All modern Shih Tzu fall from only fourteen dogs .
World War II interrupted the breed ’s development in England , but it survived and then thrived in the 1950s and 1960s . TheAmerican Kennel Clubrecognized the stock in 1969 . Today the Shih Tzu is pop for his patriotic , gentle , pollyannaish attitude . He grade 10th among the breeds registered by the AKC , a position that has carry steadfast for a decennary .
Shih TzuTemperamentand Personality
Whatever you do , a Shih Tzu is uncoerced to be there with you . He ’s up for anything and is n’t demanding . He ’s not high strung , either , and can make a large companion for a senior . If you ’re doing something everyday like cleaning the refrigerator , he will sit down by and ascertain in solidarity . If you ’re follow television receiver , he ’ll watch too . If you ’re up for shimmer , the Shih Tzu is too . If you ’re banal , he ’ll take a snooze along with you . He does n’t care what you do as long as he ’s doing it with you . Left with toys to wager with , he can think of himself and does n’t mind if you ferment all day as long as you get along home to him and give him some sexual love .
Shih Tzus run to like detent and children . They savour flirt dates and can make cracking therapy dogs . Some like cats and some do n’t — it seems to be entirely an private druthers rather than a breed trait .
He is playful and , on occasion , mischievous . He will steal your skid . He may need you to chase him after he slip them . On the other hand , if he really wants them , he just might bury them . He ’s not above shoot toys from other dogs .
Toy breed can easilybecome picky eaters , but that job is often unintentionally created by people . Do n’t permit your Shih Tzu get away with it . Give him metre to adapt to what he is supposed to eat , as opposed to hurl for your cheesecake .
A Shih Tzu can be stubborn , but it ’s hardly the hallmark of the breed . He may not give breeding the same priority that you do , and it may call for some patience and extra time on your part to fully housebreak him . He can be wondrous at agility , so he can certainly discover to follow bidding . This vibrant minuscule clown is confident and may have a bit too much ego - grandness , but that ’s only to be expected return his imperial background .
Some Shih Tzus canchew too much poppycock , nip off a fleck too often , jump on people , and lick enough to lose pelt . The Shih Tzu feel that he is big and in charge , and he cangrowl to protect his food and toysif he is n’t instruct to make for nicely and share .
Any dog , no matter how sweet or small , can develop objectionable level of barking , chewing , and other undesirable behaviors if he is bored , untrained , or unsupervised . Start training your puppy the twenty-four hours you bring him home . He is adequate to of soaking up everything you’re able to teach him .
What You Need to Know About Shih TzuHealth
The Shih Tzu suffers from many of the wellness job common to petite dogs and has a few particular health problems of his own . Shih Tzus can have teeth that are misaligned or missing . Because their small sassing contribute to tooth crowding , they ’re also prone to periodontal disease and necessitate veritable veterinary dental care . They can also be carry with a cleft lip and/or palate . Like many small detent , their kneecaps can pop out of placement easily — the coarse condition known asluxating patella . Their eyes protrude and can be easy scratch or injured , and their breathing can be full of sniffle and wheeze that sometimes bend into major respiratory problems . Then there ’s renal dysplasia , an inherit term in which the dog ’s kidney do n’t develop usually . This is something a puppy inherits from his parents , so buy puppies only from breeder who screen all their dogs for renal dysplasia . You ’ll need to see documentation that both parents ’ kidney function is normal . Unfortunately , not even normal kidney biopsies in both parent can guarantee puppy wo n’t develop renal dysplasia . Shih Tzu owners call for to observe their puppies carefully for unreasonable thirst , unsuccessful person to advance weight , or signs that they ’re not thrive .
The Shih Tzu is prostrate to several hereditary eye disease , includingcataractsand reform-minded retinal atrophy ( PRA ) . A cataract is an opaque cloudiness that affect the eye lens of the eye . Vision is impact and the effects can range from slender impairment to blindness . cataract can be treated surgically . Progressive retinal wasting ( PRA ) is an inherited disease that lead to sightlessness . Shih Tzus are also prone to dry center , or keratoconjunctivitis sicca — a condition in which inadequate tear product lead to corneal dryness , pain , corneal ulceration , and other complications .
Dogs with bulging eyes , such as the Shih Tzu , are more potential to have an injury to the eyeball that causes the eyeball to bulge out of the orbit , called proptosis . When proptosis occur , blood flow is shorten off , and the lack of O can result in cecity . It is a medical emergency .
ingrowing lash , know as distichiasis , scrape and annoy the eye and can even pit it . Sometimes eyelash hair burst through the eyelid ( ectopic cilia ) . Both of these conditions can create corneal ulcers .
Like other brachycranial ( short - headed ) breeds , Shih Tzus can have respiratory result because of the shape of their head , face , and air duct . Some brachycranial dogs have an obstructer in their upper airways that makes it punishing for the dogs to breathe . This by no way indicates that every flat - present dog will have these issues . grave problem can be treated surgically .
The Shih Tzu ’s tooth come in a bit later than other breeds ’ , and they often fall out in the beginning . Shih Tzus can have underbites ( or “ undershot jaw ” ) in which the lower jaw extends past the upper jaw , resulting in trauma to the chewing gum and malocclusion of the teeth . They are also prone to periodontic disease and should have their tooth brushed daily .
The breeder should show you write documentation that both the puppy ’s parents have hadOrthopedic Foundation for Animals ( OFA)patella ( kneecap ) rating , as well as eye clearances from the Canine Eye Registration Foundation ( CERF ) .
measured breeders screen their breeding dogs for genetic disease and multiply only the healthiest , but sometimes Mother Nature has other ideas and a puppy evolve one of these diseases despite honest breeding practice . advance in veterinary medicine imply that in most cases the dogs can still live high - timber lives if they develop genetical disease .
The Basics of Shih TzuGrooming
Is it the Shih Tzu ’s flowing ignition lock of amber and white that made you fall in love with him ? The Chinese emperor butterfly probably had an entire army of servants who did nothing but ransack their dog , because even one twenty-four hours without groom and that pelage can become a tangled mess . Keeping your Shih Tzu beautiful andfree of matsand skin problems often requires steady professional grooming as well as day-by-day combing at home . creature you ’ll need include a wire pin brushing and a stainless steel comb with fine and coarse dentition .
Many Shih Tzu puppies who are approaching a year old tend to change coat . During this period they shed so profusely that you would n’t call up it possible if you did n’t see it . Keep brushing daily , if not more often , through the change . Thankfully this is a short - term consideration that hold up only about 3 workweek .
The coating is easier to manage for after it changes . How much you require to brush or comb a Shih Tzu depends greatly on the grain of his special coat . Some necessitate daily care , and some need it only once a week . A softer coat gets matted more promptly — even more so if it is thick . A dirty coat will also mat speedily .
bath your Shih Tzuas often as you like , but be trusted to ransack out any tangles before you bathe him . They will tighten up when they get wet . Blow - prohibitionist the coat thoroughly to keep your Shih Tzu from getting chilled .
Comb the moustache and topknot daily . A pup will have enough hair for a topknot when he is about 5 month old . Use a rubber-base paint band sold at dog shows or good pet provision computer memory to tie the topknot . Rubber bands will break the hair .
The rest is basic care . cut the nails as demand , usually every week or two . Clean the inner corners of the eyes daily with a damp washcloth to minimize maculate . To keep the hind terminal uninfected , crop the pelt around the anus . Brush the dentition witha vet - approved pet toothpastefor good overall wellness and smart hint .
Choosing a Shih Tzu Breeder
find a good breeder is a great way to find the right Shih Tzu puppy . A skilful breeder will match you with the ripe puppy and conduct all the health certifications necessary to block out out potential gentic problems .
Look for a Shih Tzu breeder who understands the history and disposition of these detent . They should be able-bodied to answer you head and choose a pup that is right for your lifestyle . In proceeds , a high - lineament breeder will ask you questions in return to ensure you may provide a good life for the dog and wish for them in the long condition .
TheAmerican Shih Tzu Clubis a good place to start your search for a responsible stock breeder . await for a stock breeder who abide by the baseball club ’s computer code of ethics , which does not permit the sales agreement of puppy through brokers , vendue , or commercial-grade dealer such as pet stores . Breeders should betray puppies with written declaration guaranteeing they ’ll take back the hot dog at any time during their life if the owner become unable to keep them , and with written documentation that both their puppy ’ parent ( and if possible , his other penny-pinching relatives ) have at a lower limit had their knees and center try and certified by the appropriate health organizations .
A Shih Tzu should weigh between 9 and 16 pounds , but some breeders produce even smaller cad . Teacup or Imperial Shih Tzus are plainly dogs below the minimum healthy size for the breed . They ’re market as something special , but are plague with health job and often know very scant life . The codification of moral philosophy of the ASTC specifically bars its members from breed undersize dogs or using those terms to discover their puppies .
Before you decide to purchase a puppy , look at whether an adult Shih Tzu might better suit your needs and life-style . An grownup Shih Tzu may already have some grooming and will in all likelihood be less active , destructive , and demanding than a puppy .
Adopting a Shih TzuFrom a Rescue or Shelter
There are many great choice usable if you desire to adopt a Shih Tzu from an animal protection or breed rescue organization . Here is some advice .
utilise on-line resources and apps . land site and apps likePetfinder.comandAdopt-a-Pet.comcan quickly have you research for a Shih Tzu in your field . you may use filters to find your ideal cad and arrange a geographic radius that makes sense.AnimalShelter.orgcan help you come up deliverance groups in your area .
Social sensitive is another great way to potentially find a Shih Tzu for adoption . Dig into Facebook borrowing group or strain group to connect with Shih Tzu buff . Post on your Facebook Thomas Nelson Page , Instagram chronicle , or TikTok that you are looking for a specific breed so that your entire community can keep an eye out .
refer local pet businesses . It ’s not a bad musical theme to mention to vet , dog walkers , frump day care , or groomers that you want to adopt a Shih Tzu frump . When someone has to make the tough conclusion to give up a detent , that soul will often call for her own trusted meshwork for recommendations , so these experts may have leads before a dog winds up in a tax shelter or deliverance .
Search stock - specific rescues . There are rescue groups devoted to specific breed . So , if you ’re looking to adopt a Shih Tzu , see if there are any breed - based groups in your area . TheAmerican Shih Tzu Clubcan serve you find a dog that may be the perfect companion for your folk . you may also search online for other Shih Tzu rescue in your area .
Ask cardinal question . When adopting a Shih Tzu from a shelter or area rescue , it ’s of import to ask question about the dog ’s vigour level , temperament , background , and wellness position . You should also enquire whether the dog is good with other dearie and kids . Make certain you do your research and involve lots of questions before put in an adoption practical program to ensure the unspoiled fit for your family .
Puppy or grownup , a stock breeder leverage or a rescue , take your Shih Tzu to your veterinarian soon after adoption . Your veterinarian will be able to spot problems and will play with you to set up a preventive regimen that will help you invalidate many health issues .
Shih TzuFAQs
Do Shih Tzus shed?
Yes , Shih Tzu dog frump throw away , but not as much as some other stock . Even foresightful - hairy Shih Tzus are minimum shedders . However , Shih Tzu puppies go through a coat change around 1 - yr old and will exuviate quite a lot during this time period , which normally lasts about 3 workweek .
How long do Shih Tzus live?
Shih Tzu dogs have a life expectancy roll from 10 to 16 years , with the median age being 13 years . genetic science , lifestyle , alimentation , body process point , and preventative care can all impact a dog ’s longevity .
How much does a Shih Tzu weigh?
These frankfurter typically weigh between 9 and 16 pound . Some breeders will breed “ teacup ” Shih Tzus that count less , but these firedog tend to have wellness problems and may be more unmanageable to deal for .
Are Shih Tzus hypoallergenic?
Shih Tzu firedog are considered a hypoallergenic click breed because they pour forth less than other breeds and do not produce a wad ofpet dander . However , no wiener is 100 per centum hypoallergenic and detent proprietor with severe allergies should talk to their doctor before bringing home a fresh dog .
Shih TzuPictures
Browse through our gallery of Shih Tzu pictures to get a sense of this playfulness , spirited , and lovable toy dog breed :
