They are referred to as “Dynasty Puppies”. Shih Tzu originated in Tibet and enjoyed a pampered life as it was created long ago in the Chinese Imperial Palace.
They look regal. A great companion dog is the Shih Tzu, also known as the “little lion” and the “chrysanthemum dog”. Dogs are happy, energetic, alert, faithful and caring. The Shih Tzu still loves those who work in her home and even other people and other dogs, with a touch of a stubborn streak.
This toy dog is a favourite pet due to its long silky fur and rounded teddy bear face. The Shih Tzu makes a great companion but a little high maintenance and is a pro in the dog show circuit. The Shih Tzu is unusual because it is both glamorous and athletic as it is a breed. Here are 20 cool things you didn’t know about Tzu Shih.
History
The Shih Tzu on the Tibetan Plateau is thought to have arisen. Tibetan monks were more than likely to have developed the breed. The monks are thought to have given the dogs to Chinese emperors as gifts.
In tapestries over 2000 years old, pictures of Shih Tzu appear. Most possibly, the Buddhist monks bred the dogs to look like small lions, because lions are an important part of Buddhist mythology. Shih Tzu means “Lion Dog” in Chinese. The regal look of the dogs made them famous in the court of the Imperial Chinese.
The little dogs were bred by palace eunuchs and they were called palace pets. People living outside the Imperial Palace were not allowed to own a Shih Tzu during certain dynasties. In the Palace, the Shih Tzu lived a pampered life. They were held in their robes by the Nobel women. Dogs have also been used to heat the beds of royalty.
Until the mid-nineteenth century, the Shih Tzu was not known to be strictly bred. That is when the Dalai Lama introduced a pair of strictly bred Shih Tzus to Empress Tzu Hsi. In England and other parts of Europe, the Chinese Empire gave beautiful little long haired dogs to the aristocracy.
In the late 1930’s, the first Shih Tzus started to arrive in the United States. During the 1940’s and 1950’s, the figures rose significantly. This is due to the fact that, while returning to their families, American soldiers stationed in England took Shih Tzus home with them. During the 1960s, the popularity of the Shih Tzu breed significantly increased. In the United States today, the breed remains very common. The Chinese bloodline is related to all pure-bred Shih Tzus.
Shih Tzu Name
The word Shih Tzu is derived from Shizigou, a Chinese term. This means “lion dog of the sun.” The breed of dog was sometimes called the Little Lion. The Chrysanthemum Dog is another common nickname for Shih Tzu. This is because of the way his nose grows out of his facial hair. This sweet little lap dog has a face that looks like a flower of Chrysanthemum with in the middle a cute little black button nose.
Appearance
The Shih Tzu is a small toy pet breed with a long, silky coat that is exceptional. They’re dogs that are longer than tall. The Shih Tzu average weighs between 9 and 16 pounds and stands between 9 and 10 inches. The dog is small but robust. The Shih Tzu has a brief muzzle and wide black eyes. The ears drop down and are covered with long hair. The dog has a pronounced under bite that is a standard of the breed. The tail of the Shih Tzu is wrapped in dense fur and coils backwards over the body of the dog. The Shih Tzu carries itself with an air of arrogance and distinction, in keeping with its regal lion name.
Shih Tzu Coat
One of the distinguishing features of Shih Tzu is its hair. The hair is silky and long. It also grows rapidly and hits the floor sometimes. As mentioned, the facial hair of the Shih Tzu stretches out of its nose like a flower, so the face of the Shih Tzu looks like a chrysanthemum. The long hair on your body can be wavy or coarse.
The coat comes in a variety of shades, but brown or grey is generally white. Strong white, black, brown, gold, liver, red, silver and blue are some other coat colours. The coat can come in a number of colour combinations and patterns, including black and white, red and white, brindle and tri-color, liver and white. On its shoulders and between its arm pits, the Shih Tzu also has deeper brown pigments. The coat features an undercoat that is warm.
The dog doesn’t shed too much in spite of this. This is not entirely accurate, since dogs are frequently marketed as hypoallergenic. Some people with fur allergies do find that it does not cause issues to be around a Shih Tzu.
Grooming
The Shih Tzu needs regular brushing of its long silky hair and undercoat to prevent the hair from being tangled and knotted.
The hair on the Shih Tzu is rising fast. This suggests that the dog needs periodic brushing, including cutting.
This should be taken into account when buying a Shih Tzu, since it can be expensive. Some owners tend to keep their hair trimmed a little shorter when not showing their Shih Tzu. A “puppy cut” is called this.
The style is called a “teddy bear cut” when the dog is groomed with the puppy cut on the body and a rounder, fuller cut on the face, so the dog will look like a cuddly stuffed animal.
Temperaments
The Shih Tzu is a terrific companion pet. Although temperament can vary from dog to dog, the Shih Tzu is most often an affectionate and faithful companion.
Usually, the dog is outgoing and alert, which can be a perfect attribute for a watch dog. A Shih Tzu is also really adaptable to individuals other than their main partner, but they’re not always a watch dog that great.
The dog generally gets along well with kids, grown-ups, strangers and other pets. Usually, the Shih Tzu is great at communicating with others.
Stubbornness is another trait typical in Shih Tzu. During training sessions, this normally rears its ugly head. Early training and socialisation, as with most dogs, can aid when teaching the Shih Tzu to follow commands.
Health
The Shih Tzu is vulnerable, as with any pure bred dog, to certain health problems. The breed is vulnerable to hypothyroidism, which affects the immune system and metabolism.
At middle age, the disease will strike and cause weight gain, hair loss, loss of muscle and lethargy. It can be treated with medicine administered by a veterinarian. The Shih Tzu is also vulnerable to the disease of the Intervertebral disc, which causes chronic back pain, muscle weakness, and balance loss.
The Shih Tzu is vulnerable to respiratory issues due to its facial form and short nose. With age, the breed is often susceptible to eye irritations. Allergies can cause higher discharge rates. To relieve eye problems, eye drops can be prescribed. If not treated, the dog may develop surgical-requiring cataracts.
The Shih Tzu is vulnerable to heat stroke as well. In hot weather, a dog does not spend much time outside.
It’s safer to keep the dogs indoors during times of excessive heat in cool air conditioning. Hip ear infections, anaemia, hip dysplasia and epilepsy are other health issues linked with Shih Tzu.
Health
Regular health care is essential for the Shih Tzu, along with regular grooming. The Shih Tzu should undergo regular inspections from a veterinarian, as with any pet.
Both vaccines and preventive medicine should be obtained by the dog. Nutritional food should be fed to the Shih Tzu and always have a bowl of fresh water open. The dog usually requires between 1/2 and 1 cup of dry food every day with high nutrients.
Treats should be used sparingly and a special treat should be human food. It is very crucial to pay careful attention to what kind of human food is provided. There are some foods in any dog that may cause severe health issues.
Although the Shih Tzu is content to be a lap dog, it is vital to provide the dog with some light daily exercise, including short daily walks and frequent indoor play.
Standards of breed
The Kennel Clubs of the US and the United Kingdom all accept the breed of Shih Tzu. The breeding standards were set in 1938 in the United States. The American Kennel Club’s standards for the breed of Shih Tzu are straight front legs and muscular hindquarters.
Neither quarter should be short or too long. The head should be round and broad. With wide front-facing eyes, the face is set high and looks up or forward.
They do not exaggerate the neck and body. The shoulders need to be frontal. The bottom bite must be present. The Shih Tzu is known as a breed of toy.
Show Breed
The Shih Tzu is a common dog for shows. Once seen only for appearance, in sports competitions like rally and agility, the breed is now also entered. The Shih Tzu should have its coat left in its natural state when shown.
For neatness, the coat may be trimmed at the feet and around the anus. In the United States and the UK, there are several Shih Tzu groups. In several dog shows, including the National Dog Show and New York City’s Westminster Kennel Club Show, the Shih Tzu competes.
In popular culture, Shih Tzu is well received. The pint-sized, long haired dog was featured in the film, with its sassy attitude and regal good looks.
A Shih Tsu named Miss Agnus competed in a popular dog show in the 2000 mockumentary “Best in Show,” co-written and starring Eugene Levy and co-written and directed by Christopher Guest. In the 2012 dark comedy “Seven Psychopaths” with Colin Farell, a Shih Tzu named Bonny played the part of a Shih Tzu named Bonny.
Housebreaking
Perhaps because of their inherent stubborn behaviour, the Shih Tzu can be a very difficult housebreak dog. It is famously recognised that the breed ignores all preparation.
Dogs prefer to eat more of their own waste than other breeds, too. The secret to housebreaking a Shih Tzu is early training and discipline.
It is a safe idea to keep the dog enclosed in a dog crate when left alone until a Shih Tzu is fully housebroken and until it reaches the age of maturity. Otherwise, your home could become a catastrophe.
