Shih Tzu 101: Their Story & All You Need to Know

If supreme cuteness had a face, it would be a Shih Tzu! This dog breed is the epitome of love, affection, and ultra cuteness. Known for their mischief, they get away with everything that they do because of that endearing face. While the Shih Tzu is a small dog, they are relatively solid dogs for their size. They are popular owing to their love and affection for children. Winsome and delightful are just a few words to describe the breed Shih Tzu. Since this is a toy breed, they mature only at the age of 10 months (just like all other toy breeds). These hardy dogs live up to 14-15 years of age. With a luxurious coat that looks even better with their long, straight hair, the Shih Tzu is beautiful to look at. If you live in an apartment and are looking for a dog who likes to be indoors then Shih Tzu would be the best choice!

The Story

The popular Shih Tzu originated in Tibet in the 7th Century. During that time, the Shih Tzu must have been the smallest of Lhasa Apsos over there. Here is a fun fact, the Shih Tzu was given as gift to Chinese emperors. There are opinions that they have been crossed with the Pekingese in order to shorten their faces. The main idea was to develop smaller Lhasa type dogs that could also be lap dogs.

The name Shih Tzu translates as ‘Lion Dog’ in Chinese. However, this is a cause of confusion as the term ‘Lion Dog’ is also used to denote the Pekingese. Since this breed was popular amongst Chinese emperors, this breed made its way to England when the British arrived. They were given as gifts to them as well. They were then further transported to the United States of America. It was when the Communist takeover happened in China that most of the native stock of this breed was wiped out.

The main purpose of developing the Shih Tzu as a breed was to have companion dogs that live up to their main aim, these dogs live to provide you with delightful company and sit on your lap - exuding love.

What’s a Shih Tzu Breed Like?

Temperament

Happy temperament and Shih Tzu go hand in hand. In fact, they are known for their happy and friendly nature. Shih Tzus get along very well with people of all ages, especially children. They are great lap dogs and bask in the company of their humans. It is very rare that you will find a Shih Tzu who is snappy or does not like you. They love engaging with humans and are extremely friendly.

Since this breed is known to have short muzzles, they are not aggressive chewers, but they do enjoy digging. Some may even be largely invested in nuisance barking. All in all, Shih Tzus love their owners and enjoy being together. They may get lonely if left alone for a long time.

Features

The Shih Tzu is a toy breed with a long and luxurious coat that sweeps the floor. This breed does not allow anyone to ignore them. They love being with their owners and enjoy sitting in your lap. They live up to the purpose for which they were bred- to be a friendly companion to their humans.

Not only is the Shih Tzu extremely friendly, but they are also highly adaptable. Suited for the city life and to live in apartments, this breed is the perfect choice if you want a happy, loving and small pet who enjoys the indoors. Since they have a long coat, this breed requires daily brushing. All you need to do is use a good quality wire brush with flexible pins. So, when you brush, make sure that you layer the hair and reach the skin. They need a bath every two to three weeks - after all those long hairs need attention and care.

An important point to keep in mind is that the eyes of the Shih Tzu get irritated very easily as their hair tends to go into their eyes. To prevent this, you must keep the hair over the eyes tied in a top knot or keep them trimmed in a proper manner.

Colours

Any permissible colour.

Overall Health

The Shih Tzu is a strong and sturdy breed. They live up to 12 to 14 years if given proper care. However, like all of us, they are prone to certain health conditions. Since they have long coats, this breed is not too comfortable in the summer season. They are also not good swimmers. While most of this breed is healthy, they tend to fall prey to problems such as hip dysplasia and patellar luxation (a kind of slipped kneecap). They also tend to get certain eye anomalies such as cataract and progressive retinal atrophy. This is why it is important to keep their hair out of their eyes and take them for regular vet checkups.

When to Visit the Vet?

As a responsible pet parent, it is your duty to take your Shih Tzu for regular vet checkups. You must be up to date with their vaccinations as well, especially when they are in puppyhood. If you notice your dog exhibiting any unusual symptoms, take it to the vet immediately.

Upon reaching a senior age, you will need to take your Shih Tzu to the vet every six months to get them checked for eye problems or even hip dysplasia or any other age-related problem.

Grooming

Since the Shih Tzu has long-haired coats they need to be brushed regularly to prevent matting. You also need to make sure that the long hair does not go into the eyes of your Shih Tzu. This can cause irritation and eye infections. It is advised that you tie the hair on the top (just above the eyes) in a top knot or keep it trimmed to a short length. If you feel that you do not have time to take care of your Shih Tzus long coat, then you can take them to professional groomers to get a proper trim. It is also important to trim their nails and keep their ears clean.

Book a pet grooming appointment for your furry and let them get pampered like royalty.