Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu dogs, like the Tibetan spaniel They are from Tibet, China. These dogs of oriental origin are beautiful and also very hairy; But don't be fooled, they can be very stubborn. This breed, like the Lhasa ApsoThey are dogs closely linked to Buddhist culture, but they were also used as guard dogs. In this article you will find everything about this little breed. From the physical characteristics and temperament; such as the essential care for these dogs and the uses they had.

Shih Tzu history

The origins of the Shih Tzu lie in Imperial China. The Dalai Lama, who reigned in Tibet, introduced the Emperor of China to the Lhasa Apsos dogs and brought them to the Forbidden City, which is now Beijing. These small dogs were mated with the Pekingese dog that resided there and from these crosses the Shih Tzu finally emerged more than four hundred years ago. It was not known in the West until the 1930s and was first introduced to the United States after about 30 years. The popularity of the Shih Tzu has continued to grow significantly since then.

Physical characteristics of the Shih Tzu

Small Shih Tzu dogs are quite adaptable to any circumstance. They are also quite extroverted, which is why the FCI classifies them within Group 9: Companion dogs. Section 5: Tibetan dogs. Something to note is that it is not a toy dog, but that they are a small breed; this is so since they exceed 5 Kilograms of weight.

Shih Tzu body

The Shih Tzu's body has a rectangular build, solid, short straight legs and firm, round feet. The chest of these dogs is wide and deep. Their back is straight and they have a strong and powerful back. The tail is set high, over the back. Viewed from the side, the length of the tail is equal to that of its skull. The neck of the specimens of this breed is well arched, long enough to carry the head gracefully.

Shih Tzu head

The Shih Tzu's head is round and wide between the eyes. The muzzle is wide, round and flat, without wrinkles. The distance between the truffle and the pronounced stop of these dogs is approximately 2 centimeters. The upper part of the nose should be aligned with the lower eyelids or, failing that, be slightly lower. These dogs have large nostrils and an upturned nose. The hair on the muzzle grows upward, shaping the characteristic chrysanthemum-shaped face, referencing the flower. The Shih Tzu's eyes are dark in color, never bulging, in which the sclera is not distinguished, which is the white part of the eye. The long-bladed ears are set slightly below the crown and hang down. Pincer teeth and in some cases a slight undershot.

How tall is a Shih Tzu?

The Shih Tzu has a height that ranges between 20 centimeters and 30 centimeters, both in males and in females that are in adulthood. The ideal according to the standards of the breed and for those specimens that go to exhibitions is that they do not exceed 26.7 centimeters. The females have a size that ranges between 20 centimeters and 26 centimeters and the males have a height at the withers that is around 24 centimeters and 30 centimeters.

How much does the Shih Tzu weigh?

Ideally, the Shih Tzu should weigh between 4.5 kilograms and 7.3 kilograms, although it is more important that the body is harmonious. For health issues and for issues related to competitions. Beyond what is considered the ideal weight in this breed, it should be noted that Shih Tzus can weigh from 4 kilograms to 10 kilograms. Having a weight, adult males between 6 kilograms and 10 kilograms and adult females between 4 kilograms and 8 kilograms.

What is the Shih Tzu's coat like?

The Shih Tzu's coat is long and thick, with a good undercoat. In no way should the coat of your coat be curly, but cloaks that have soft undulations are allowed.

Shih Tzu colors

All colors are allowed in the Shih Tzu breed. The specimens that have more than one color are common and it is desirable that, in these cases, they present a white band on the forehead and the tip of the tail also white for competitions. Among the most common colors in the breed we can see black, white, liver, liver and white, brown in various shades, brindle and black and white.

Shih Tzu temperament

Tibetan Shih Tzu breed dogs are super complete when it comes to temperament. On the one hand we could say that they are very smart, reckless and brave, loyal and alert dogs; while on the other hand they are very affectionate, extremely cheerful, very playful and friendly. That is why to better understand how is the temperament that these little ones have; We break it down into what their character is and how they behave.

Shih Tzu character

The character of the Shih Tzu is open, ideal for a companion dog. It is an intelligent, serene, friendly and quite sociable dog. Despite his somewhat artificial appearance, he is not a finicky or delicate animal and he is quite hard on himself. It is strongly attached to its master and family, like any companion dog. With his family and his masters he is extremely affectionate, although, despite them he always maintains a certain degree of independence. He does not blindly obey all kinds of orders that are given to him and he is not too attached to his own. He barks very little, although he makes himself heard when something strange happens. It knows how to adapt well to circumstances and can coexist perfectly both in urban residences and rural residences.

Shih Tzu behavior

The Shih Tzu is very well behaved and usually gets along well with the other animals in the house. Both as cats and other domestic animals, as with other dogs, with whom he maintains an excellent relationship, whether or not they are of the same breed. He also gets along well with children. He is reserved with strangers and is not friendly with everyone. Usually when he doesn't know someone he stays distant.

General Shih Tzu care

Although the care for this breed of dog is not very difficult, it is important to highlight a quality diet and special care for the hair is the most advisable. Therefore, we made this article so that you can know what are the basic care that a Shih Tzu dog needs.

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How to brush a Shih Tzu?

The beauty in the Shih Tzu only becomes apparent when the coat is perfectly cared for and this requires a lot of work. A fundamental aspect to consider for those who want to adopt a Shih Tzu in their family. In order for our Shih Tzu to look perfectly, his hair must be brushed from the skin down every day so that it does not get tangled. The long hair on the head can be annoying, so it is usually tied up with a ribbon or elastic on many occasions. The eyes and ears should be checked frequently and the beard and mustache combed daily, which must be checked that there are no remains of food in it. If you know that you will not have the time or desire to dedicate so much care, it is advisable to choose a dog of another breed that requires fewer treatments. In general, it must be taken to a dog groomer every two months or so to have its coat trimmed and polished. Likewise, it must be taken into account that by doing this the characteristic features of the breed are lost. But it is also always better to lose some features than to have a neglected dog with a coat full of knots. It is quite difficult to keep the coat in good condition for a show, but it is still a frequent participant in dog shows.

How to train a Shih Tzu?

The Shih Tzu is a dog that is not one of the simplest to train. He may be a bit stubborn on several occasions, but he can learn a great deal from training in which his trainer or master is firm and clear. He does not obey blindly and does not receive harsh words well, so it is highly recommended to use a reward system to encourage him in his learning.

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Recommended exercise for a Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu requires a normal amount of exercise. Although it adapts easily to different lifestyles, it is recommended that between walks and games you keep moving at least one or two hours a day. It can accompany the master on long walks without getting tired, and it also fits well in quieter, home-loving families. On hot days, he prefers to find a quiet place where there is shade. Do not overdo it on very hot days.

Food for the Shih Tzu

One of the main questions that we can ask ourselves due to the size of these dogs is: What do you feed a Shih Tzu? It is important and highly recommended to know that after 10 months of life this breed is already an adult dog. Change the diet if they give dog food or dry food. It is necessary to be able to accompany the growth of the dog with a good balanced diet between nutrients and carbohydrates; This will give you a better development in terms of muscles, bones and a strong and healthy hair growth. With two servings of food a day, either homemade food or kibble for dogs, the dog will be able to grow properly. In any case, it is important that the proportion and number of times the dog eats in the day is determined by the veterinarian. He will do it based on age, weight and the amount of exercise that this little boy does during the week.

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Shih Tzu health and diseases

Although these beautiful furry puppies are in good health, many times it is possible to find diseases or health problems typical of the Shih Tzu breed. Some of them are hypothyroidism, hip and kidney dysplasia, allergies, dry eye, progressive retinal atrophy and obesity. So it is important to attend the animal health specialist from time to time, to verify that your canine does not suffer from any of these anomalies.

How long does a Shih Tzu live?

Los Shih Tzu son perros que gozan una buena calidad de vida durante toda su vida. لعبة روليت مجانا La esperanza de vida que tienen estos canes oscila entre los 10 a 16 años de edad aproximadamente. Hay que tener en cuenta que esto va a depender mucho de los cuidados esenciales que le demos al can y la comida que se le proporcione. Además es importante chequear la salud del animal cada cierto tiempo con un veterinario, siempre es aconsejable minimamente 1 vez al año.

Shih Tzu uses

The Shih Tzu is a good family and companion dog, functions that they have fulfilled both now and originally. They are not dogs that tend to excel in dog sports.

Urban life

Es una raza muy testaruda con un comportamiento decisivo y extrovertido. A pesar del tamaño reducido es un perro con una gran personalidad sobre todo si se adquiere desde cachorro, ya que resultará muy receptivo hacia sus dueños creando un fuerte vinculo con ellos. Es probable que esto sea debido a que ha crecido siempre rodeado de gente y siendo una verdadera raza de perro de compañía, está bien adaptado para ser una mascota familiar. Disfrutará en zonas urbanas donde mantener a una gran camada no será una idea muy práctica. العاب سباق الخيل El único posible inconveniente para mantener es el tiempo que has de dedicar al cuidado de su abundante pelaje para evitar que se enrede. El pelo de la cabeza normalmente va recogido.