With a thick, long, double-haired coat, the Shih Tzu is a small but stout dog. It is popular among fans of toy dogs because of this breed's alert, self-assured, lively, and brave temperament. An old breed with a long history of serving as a nobleman's lap dog is the Shih Tzu. Shih Tzus may be excellent companion animals if taught and cared for properly. This breed is perfect for flats and other compact settings because of its small size. Due to its brachycephalic breed classification and short, "smooshed" face, the Shih Tzu is known for snoring and snorting. Shih Tzus are generally regarded as being a very affectionate dog breed, according to the majority of their owners.
Personality
Personality
The Shih Tzu should have a friendly, buoyant, tolerant, and trusting nature because it was raised primarily to be a domestic and family pet. This breed is nice and gentle with youngsters and will show devotion to its family when they treat it well. It should be noted that Shih Tzu can become timid if they are abused, and a dog introduced to young children later in life might not be as tolerant of high-energy play as it would be if it had been nurtured with young children from the beginning. Although impressive, its resilience occasionally manifests as stubbornness.
In spite of this, the Shih Tzu is a kind lapdog in addition to being a vivacious and energetic friend. It enjoys playing and romping around, making everyone smile with its upbeat demeanor, and at the end of the day, it is content to unwind with the family, content and at rest in its own little world.
History
Shih tzus may have just been the smallest Lhasa Apsos in Tibet when they first appeared, maybe in the 7th century. The breed evolved into the canine we know today after being given as presents to Chinese emperors. There have been rumors of Pekingese crossings to shorten the face and selection for the smaller Lhasa-type dogs. Shih Tzu, which translates from Chinese to mean "lion dog," further confounds the origins because the Pekingese is typically associated with the term "lion dog." Shih tzus were raised and bred by Chinese nobility, and when the British arrived, the breed traveled to England and later the United States. Unfortunately, the majority of the local stock was destroyed after China's Communist rule.
Care
Shih Tzu dogs are quite simple to teach and take care of because of their small stature and high level of intelligence. A happy and healthy dog can be yours for years to come if you remember just a few crucial care requirements.
1 - Grooming
A Shih Tzu with a lengthy coat should be brushed every day. Layer the hair on a good-quality wire brush with flexible pins to ensure that you reach the skin. A bath every three to four weeks can help maintain the coat's cleanliness and make it look its best. Don't forget to groom their mustache and topknot every day, and use a wet towel to carefully wipe away any dirt from the corners of their eyes. The hair on top of the head should be cut short or tied up in a topknot to prevent irritation of the Shih Tzu's eyes. The Shih Tzu can look charming when clipped into a "puppy trim" by a professional groomer if you don't want to have to spend time maintaining your dog's coat.
The Shih Tzu should follow a grooming regimen that includes trimming the claws and cleaning the ears.
2 - Exercise
Due to its average activity level, the Shih Tzu has to exercise frequently. Regular walks and enjoyable activities like games may be beneficial for your Shih Tzu in order to keep their minds and bodies engaged. They adapt to apartment life fairly well if given enough time for active play. Shih Tzus, however, will not do well in extremely hot conditions or weather due to their flat features and propensity for heat exhaustion.
3 - Training
Training a Shih Tzu may be both enjoyable and challenging. The breed has a predisposition to convince his owner to give in to him, which might result in an overweight, inadequately housebroken companion who is difficult to groom. Shih Tzu are people dogs, so praise and reward-based training methods are the most effective.Harsh corrections should be avoided with this breed. Never give in to the dog's bad behavior; instead, be firm and gradually teach new behaviors. Ignore him if he jumps up or nips you until he settles down, then compliment him. Early socialization and puppy training sessions are encouraged to help the Shih Tzu grow into a well-mannered, well-adjusted pet.
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4 - Nutrition
A Shih Tzu needs just 1 cup of dry dog food every day because it is a small dog. The precise amount depends on the age, degree of exercise, size, and health condition of the dog. It's critical to keep an eye on your dog's weight and take appropriate measures if you see that he's gaining weight. With the help of your veterinarian, discuss the best nutritional approach.
5 - Health Concerns
The following list of health conditions has been observed in specific Shih Tzu individuals, some of which are inherited. Due to the breed's widespread popularity, severely subpar breeding practices have been tolerated, which has resulted in widespread and lifelong ailments, frequently starting at an early age. Heart Condition Shih Tzus are predisposed to a variety of heart conditions. Depending on when it is identified and the stage of the disease when it is found, the condition may have a dismal prognosis. Brachycephaly, eye issues, hair issues, ear issues, and skin sensitivities.