History of the shih tzu dog
The shih tzu has a lot of history in common with the Pekingese dog. Both originate from Buddhist monasteries, where (luckily enough!) they were considered sacred dogs . The shih tzu was an exclusive dog of the Chinese nobility, who had it between cottons. In the 1930s, Shih Tzu dogs came to England. There, people confused them a lot with the Lhasa apso; in fact, at that time, these two dogs were considered the same breed. It was time later when it was decided to start considering them as independent races. Currently, the shih tzu is a very appreciated dog as a domestic pet, as well as being the king of canine beauty contests.
Characteristics of dogs of the shih tzu breed
The shih tzu is a small dog and, as is often the case in dogs with this characteristic, its body is somewhat longer than it is tall. He has a straight back and a deep, broad chest.
The shih tzu’s head is round and wide. It is all covered by its long hair, which gives even more sensation that it is a “big-headed” dog . The hair covers his eyes, which are dark, large and round, typical of small dogs. The ears are hanging on the sides, and when the dog has especially long hair, they visually join with the head. The Shih Tzu’s long hair also gives it a characteristic beard and bushy whiskers. The nose is usually black, but sometimes it is also liver-colored; It depends a bit on the colors of the coat.
The shih tzu’s tail is high and rich in hair, usually carried on the back.
The coat is the most noticeable feature of the shih tzu. It is long, dense and double-layered. It is generally straight, although there are dogs with slightly wavy hair. As for the tonality, the FCI considers that the Shih Tzu’s coat can be of any color, either monocolor or with spots or areas of various colors.
Shih tzu character
The shih tzu is characterized by being a very affectionate, cheerful and sociable dog. In fact, these dogs love dealing with people, they are very playful and vital and are easier to socialize than other breeds, since they are sociable by nature. They tend to get along with other dogs, other pets, and people.
If you live alone, the shih tzu puppies for sale near me is a perfect way to find a friendly dog for you. He likes company, is affectionate, calm and adapts to living in any type of home. Also, of course, it is a great dog for families with or without children, as well as for beginners in dealing with dogs. His character is very nice and his education quite easy. However, they are dogs, as we said, with a character very attached to people; this means that they love being paid attention to and being kept company . Shih Tzus do not handle being alone well, so they are not suitable for people who spend most of the day away from home. In addition, they need certain care, we see them below.
Necessary care of the shih tzu dog
Just by looking at his hair, you can imagine: the shih tzu is a dog that needs daily grooming . Otherwise, his hair gets tangled forming very complicated knots, in addition to accumulating dirt. If desired, you can take your shih tzu to the groomer and ask him to trim his hair a bit, often called a “pet cut,” to make grooming easier. Normally, dogs that participate in dog shows and such activities are left longer, but for pet dogs it is better to leave it shorter. It is more comfortable for both you and the animal.
Don’t believe that the shih tzu is a lapdog either. The truth is that they are dogs that demand good sessions of physical exercise . Although they have an advantage, and that is that being small dogs, part of that exercise (games other than outside walks) can be done inside the home.
As we said, these are dogs that really enjoy feeling part of the family nucleus and that want to live together . They are not appropriate dogs for people who spend little time at home, nor for spending most of the day in a garden or patio. They can go out for a while, but they will want to be mostly inside the house with their beloved family. In case of spending too much time alone, the shih tzu can suffer from separation anxiety and depression.
Training a shih tzu dog
As for training, as always, we recommend that you work when the shih tzu is a puppy . Thus, both socialization and learning of basic rules of conduct will be much easier than when he is an adult , who already has more ingrained customs and a fully formed character. Positive training, based on reward, is the one that gives the best results in shih tzu dogs.
The health of shih tzu dogs
There are no hereditary diseases associated with the Shih Tzu breed , which is a great advantage. But like all dogs, they do have a certain tendency to suffer from some pathologies.