Shih Tzus Dogs - Popular Dogs
The Shih Tzu breed dates back to the seventeenth century when the Tibetan Lhasa Apso is thought to have been crossed with the Pekingese. The resulting Shih Tzu dogs quickly became much-loved by the members of the Imperial Chinese Court and they were subsequently bred and revered as their own creation. The Chinese loved and respected their dogs so much that it was not until 1930 that the first pair was allowed to leave China for the United Kingdom. Sixteen years later in 1946 the English Kennel Club finally officially recognised the breed but it wasn’t until 1969 that the American Kennel Club added the breed to their list.
Shih Tzu’s have wonderful individual characters and are always happy and alert. They thrive on human companionship and show an amazing amount of love the people they trust. They can become a little bit arrogant and snappish if they are upset and so are better with older children who are careful and considerate around the dog. Similarly they are very wary of strangers and will bark at people they don’t recognise. This should not be taken as a sign of bad temper though; it is just the breed’s way of protecting their territory.
Shih Tzu’s are stubborn little dogs and so can be difficult to train if training starts in adult life. However puppy training classes and a patient firm owner will result in a well behaved pet. Shih Tzu’s generally interact well with other pets and can be trusted with non-canine animals.
Being so small, Shih Tzus are a great pet for even the smallest of homes. They are happy to play indoors however a daily walk will help to maintain a healthy weight as this breed quickly becomes overweight with no exercise. Some individuals will need encouragement to go out because once they have picked their favourite spot in the house they will lounge to their hearts content if the owner allows them to!
The Shih Tzu’s coat will need daily grooming with a good bristle brush as it has a tendency to become matted very quickly, especially if it is left long. Some owners have the coats clipped to make grooming easier and less time consuming. The top-knot can be tied up or clipped but should not be left down as the long hairs and the dust it attracts can cause infections of the eyes; plus the dog will become irritated by the stray hairs around its face. This breed is not a shedder and so is a good choice for allergy suffers and house-proud families. Ear and eye infections are common in Shih Tzus and so the areas should be kept clean and dry. Shih Tzus are also prone to loosing their teeth at a young age and so regular visits to the vet for a dental check-up are a must. A happy healthy Shih Tzu can live for upwards of 15 years.