Shih Tzu dog information
The name Shih Tzu is pronounced
shee-tzoo
and means Lion Dog in Chinese. The name is believed to originate from
the dog's vague resemblance to the Asian Snowlion, and this breed is
also known as Chrysanthemum Dog since its face looks somewhat like the
flower. The Shih Tzu was developed in Tibet and is one of the oldest and
smallest of the Tibetan holy dogs. It is actually one of the oldest
breeds of dog in the entire world. The Shih Tzu was bred as a pet dog,
not a working dog, and it is believed to hail, at least in part, from
the Tibetan Lhasa Apso and Chinese Pekingnese, but no one knows for
sure. Over the centuries, a tradition developed where the Dalai Lama of
Tibet would send dogs to the Emperor of China and receive dogs or other
gifts in return. This is probably how the Lhasa Apso came to breed with
the Pekingese.
In ancient China, the Shih Tzu could be found next to
the Emperor where it would keep him company and bark if people or
animals approached.
The Shih Tzu was a much guarded national
treasure in China and exporting Shih Tzu dogs was prohibited until China
became a republic in 1912. The first official record of a Shih Tzu
being imported to the United Kingdom dates back to 1931, and the breed
was recognized by The Kennel Club in 1934.
Shih Tzu dog care
Since
the Shih Tzu originates from the Imperial Palace of China, it comes as
no surprise that this breed requires more care than any ordinary peasant
would have time to lavish on it. If you are looking for a low
maintenance dog, the Shih Tzu is not a good choice.
One
essential part of Shih Tzu dog care is naturally to brush its long coat
on a daily basis to avoid tangles. Some owners cut the coat short to
save some time, but if you live in a cold climate you should ideally
allow your Shih Tzu to keep its long coat at least during the winter. In
addition to this, the Shih Tzu is adapted to cool Chinese and Tibetan
conditions and is very sensitive to high temperatures. Being a
snub-nosed dog (brachycephalic), it can suffer from breathing problems
and heat stroke if exposed to high temperatures. Many airlines refuse to
ship Shih Tzu dogs if they suspect that the temperature will exceed 75
degrees F (24 degrees C) at any point during the journey.
Another
important part of good Shih Tzu dog care is to clean the area around the
eyes each day. You can use cotton and some warm water, no soap is
necessary. Some owners claim that giving their dogs chlorine-free water
to drink reduces the amount of eye mucus, but this has not been
scientifically proven.
Just like most other dog breeds, the Shih Tzu dog needs to have its claws cared for on a regular basis.
Unless
the weather is too warm, the Shih Tzu is an energetic dog that will
enjoy regular walks to burn off energy and explore the neighbourhood.
Shih Tzu dog puppy
All
puppies are adorable, but do not settle for the first breed you happen
to come across. A lot of animals end up in shelters every year simply
because their owners did not choose a suitable breed. A Shih Tzu dog
puppy is a great choice if you want to dog that stays comparatively
small and does not need excessive amounts of exercise. (This doesn’t
mean that you can put it in a dog crate and never exercise it at all, it
simply means that it needs less exercise than huge working dogs.) Like
any other small breed, the Shih Tzu does not require large amounts of
food and you will be able to easily fit it into a carrying crate when
you travel. A Shih Tzu dog puppy is however only a good choice if you
are willing to spend time on coat maintenance throughout its entire
life.
Shih Tzu dog training
As mentioned above, the Shih
Tzu was bred to be a house pet and a close companion, and this becomes
very clear when you start training it. It loves human company and will
often love training sessions since it means it gets to spend time with
its owner. Never yell at your Shih Tzu during training, since this will
only serve to frighten it. Despite being a little stubborn at times,
this breed responds extremely well to praise and if you spend enough
time with your dog it will become very devoted to you. Use praise,
affection and perhaps some treats during Shih Tzu dog training and you
will notice much faster improvements than were you to yell and scare the
dog.
Shih Tzu housetraining can start early, but keep in mind
that the puppy can not be expected to control its bladder for an
extended period until 12 weeks of age. Even at this age, it is still a
very young baby and accidents
will happen. This does not
indicate that your dog is stupid or disobedient; it is simply a matter
of physical bladder control. If you catch your dog in the act of
urinating or defecating in an improper place, simply say NO in a firm
voice and bring the dog outside where you want it to go. By saying NO in
a firm voice you can startle your dog into stop what it’s doing.
Remember, there is no need to yell or become upset. One firm NO is
enough. Give your Shih Tzu puppy a lot of praise when it finishes its
business outdoors.
Shih Tzu dog breeding
According to the
American Kennel Club (AKC) American Shih Tzu Club (ASTC), Shih Tzu dog
breeding should strive to develop specimens weighing from 9 to 16 pounds
as adults. According to this Shih Tzu dog breeding standard, the dog
should have a short snout, big eyes and a palm-like tail that waves
above its torso. All coat colours are allowed, the important thing is a
long and flowing double coat. In addition to this, the Shih Tzu should
be sturdy built.
Since the original purpose of the Shih Tzu was
to serve as a companion for the Emperor, it was bred to be an
intelligent, friendly and lively pet dog that loved to spend time with
both its owner and other people. Today, all reputable Shih Tzu breeding
programs strive to keep these temperamental characteristics and create
dogs that are happy, friendly, affectionate, trusting and well
socialized.
Shih Tzu dog breeders
Several health problems
are known to plague Shih Tzu dogs and it is therefore important to
purchase only from Shih Tzu dog breeders that strive to breed out
genetic problems. Reputable Shih Tzu breeders will also make sure that
your dog undergoes a comprehensive veterinary exam prior to purchase.
Common health issues in the Shih Tzu dog breed is portosystemic liver
shunt, hip dysplasia, renal dysplasia and various eye problems. They can
also be allergic to red dye #40, which is present in many types of
commercial dog foods. The most common sign of red dye allergy is
excessive scratching.
Shih Tzu dog price
The Shih Tzu dog
price varies a lot from breeder to breeder. When you compare the Shih
Tzu dog price always check what you actually get for your money. Has the
dog been vet checked, vaccinated and de-wormed? Are the puppies well
socialised? Is this a reputable breeder that strives to breed out
genetic disease and temperamental problems? The life span of a well
cared for Shih Tzu dog is 9-15 years and spending some extra money on
getting a healthy, well socialized specimen is definitely
