Shih Tzu
the most adorable dogs
Shih Tzu are highly intelligent dogs, and despite not being a working dog, still operate on a similar mentality. If they don’t get the mental stimulation they need, they’ll make their own work–usually with projects you won’t like, such as digging and chewing. Obedience training and interactive dog toys are good ways to give a dog a brain workout, as are dog sports and careers, such as agility and search and rescue.
Some breeds are independent and aloof, even if they’ve been raised by the same person since puppyhood; others bond closely to one person and are indifferent to everyone else; and some shower the whole family with affection. Breed isn’t the only factor that goes into affection levels; dogs who were raised inside a home with people around feel more comfortable with humans and bond more easily.
It’s recommended that Shih Tzus have owners who can spend most of their time at home because they do best in social settings and enjoy being at your feet or by your side. They’re energetic and friendly. Humans of all ages can get along with them, and so can other dogs and animals if correct introductions are made.
Crate training is arguably the easiest way to potty train a young Shih Tzu puppy. The main theory behind this is that a puppy will not, if he can at all help it, defecate in his sleeping area. So, if you have a crate that is just big enough for him to comfortably sleep in, then he will have no space to “do his business” and will learn to depend upon you to take him to where he can.
If you are thinking about getting a Shih Tzu puppy or currently have a barker, you may be curious to know if this breed, in general, is known for being barkers or ‘yappers’, as some would say. Training your Shih Tzu to not bark takes patience, but it can be achieved if you are willing to set consistent rules for your pup and make sure they follow them.
Potty training a Shih Tzu puppy takes time and patience. Potty training will consist of teaching him to tell you when he needs to go outside to go potty or showing him a place in the house where he could go such as a litter box or a pee pad, or even artificial pee-pee grass within your home because he’s small.
Biting is a normal part of play and exploration for most pups, but generally, this type of biting isn’t hard enough to break the skin. It’s important to learn your dog’s body language. Dogs that are play-biting will look relaxed, while dogs that are aggressive will look stiff and may even show their teeth.
On average, Shih Tzus will have around 3 puppies in each litter usually, however it’s not unusual for older Shih Tzus to have larger litters after their first time, with up to 5 or 6 puppies. This is quite larger dog breeds, for example, German Shepherds can have 8 puppies on average, and even medium sized dogs like Beagles will average 6 puppies in each litter.
Many people consider Shih Tzu dogs to be a non-shedding dog breed, and that they are “hypoallergenic dogs”. The Shih Tzu is indeed a great pet choice for allergy sufferers, but to say they are a non-shedding dog breed isn’t entirely accurate. The Shih Tzu is among the few breeds whose coat is made up of hair (like people) instead of fur, but they will shed their hair daily, just as people do.
Shih Tzu’s need around 70 minutes of exercise a day and because they’re small dogs, it’s best to split up their daily walks into 2 or 3 outings. Don’t forget that playing with your pup is also exercise, so make sure you schedule in some rest time, so they don’t become too tired or overstimulated. After all, who doesn’t feel better after a good sleep?
The quintessential Shih Tzu unique smile is thanks to their undershot bite. A Shih Tzu’s lower jaw is just wider than the upper jaw, so their upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth when their mouth is closed. This gives the Shih Tzu their adorable smile, and in order to keep this smile in the best condition possible, it is recommended to brush their teeth regularly.
Shih Tzu eyes are prone to infection, injury, and disease, but unless your puppy has inherited a known ocular disease, many problems can be avoided. Most Shih Tzu eye problems can be prevented through scrupulous attention. Unlike brushing and bathing, eye care is easy and quick, but should be done daily, by brushing out any debris and ensuring their surrounding fur is clean.
Bred solely to be pets, Shih Tzus are affectionate, happy, outgoing house dogs who love nothing more than to follow their people from room to room. Since ancient times, they’ve made themselves comfortable on the laps of Shih Tzu owners from all walks of life, even being renowned as the pets of emperors!
It is probable that this dog is of Tibetan and Chinese origin, having been developed in Tibet in the 1600s, where it was considered a holy animal. It is accepted as one of the oldest dog breeds on record. The modern Shih Tzu was developed in China in the late 19th Century, when the Dowager Empress Cixi ruled the kingdom.
With double layered, full, dense, and lush hair, the Shih Tzu’s coat grows long and straight, past the feet. The Shih Tzu sheds very little, making it one of the best dog breeds for people who have light allergies to fur, or for people who just prefer not to clean up a lot of hair.
Regular grooming is a requirement with this breed because of this characteristic; the hair will get tangled and matted quickly as it gets longer. The ears and tail are full and long, with the tail hair fluffing out in a feathery plume that curves over the back.
In recent years, pet parents have started taking Shih Tzus off their laps and into dog sports, training them for obedience, rally, and agility competitions. They make great family pets who get along with other animals and even children, so long as kids know how to gently handle and play with a small pup.
They Shih Tzu also has a history of being more than just a simple pet as well. When they were being developed by the Dowager Empress Cixi in the Qing Dynasty, the dogs were regarded as protectors of the palace, the instinct for barking at strangers was undoubtedly honed during this time. In fact, the Shih Tzu is still a highly recommended watch dog because of its quick and vocal reaction to strangers.
The Shih Tzu personality is enormously appealing, and even grudging dog observers find it hard to resist this breed. The Shih Tzu simply doesn’t allow anyone to ignore them. The were bred to be a friendly companion—they don’t hunt, herd, or guard—and that’s what they are. They love nothing more than to meet and greet friends and strangers alike. Count on a Shih Tzu to make friends wherever they go.
Not only is this member of the family good-natured and friendly, they’re highly adaptable. They’re as well suited to apartments in the city as to life on a country farm. They love children and get along with other animals.
However, although the Shih Tzu is a sturdy dog, their small size puts them at a disadvantage. Adults should always supervise interactions between children and dogs, and this is especially important for the Shih Tzu, to prevent them from accidentally getting hurt during rough play.
If you’re looking for a small best buddy who who can adapt to apartment living, join you on the couch for cuddles, and shower you with unconditional love, this may be the dog for you!
The Shih Tzu is a small dog with quite unpredictable eating behaviour. As compared to various other toy breeds, this breed eats a large amount of food. Some Shih Tzu dogs are fussy eaters while others can eat with an open heart. It is very important to feed your dog quality meals to make sure that your dog stays in shape and lives a long and healthy life as your cute little companion.
Keep in mind that if you overfeed your Shih Tzu, they will gain weight regardless of the quality of food! If you’re worried that you may have been overfeeding your Shih Tzu, then try examining their abdomen. It should tuck in towards their body. If your Shih Tzu has a bit of a belly instead, they are likely overweight.
Like all other dogs, these dogs also require a good amount of protein for healthy growth. Chicken meal, chicken, turkey, and eggs are the major sources of lean protein for a Tzu. Fish is also an important constituent of healthy meal for these dogs , with it being a good source of protein and healthy fats.
Sweet potatoes, oats, rice, and barley can be healthy sources of carbohydrates which are required by Shih Tzus. Veggies can be given to meet the requirement of minerals and vitamins. It’s recommended that you feed your Shih Tzu at least three times a day when they are of adult age. If they are still a puppy, they may require 4-6 meals a day.
Shih Tzu’s are known for their longevity as they live on average anywhere from 10-16 years. Even though they are traditionally a pretty healthy dog breed, Shih Tzu’s are prone to a few health issues. It is important to understand these issues so that you can look out for symptoms and help keep your pup healthy.
The Shih Tzu suffers from most of the health problems common to tiny dogs and have a few particular health problems, but overall, is a fairly healthy breed. Shih Tzus have a small mouth, which means their teeth are frequently misaligned or missing. They’re also very prone to periodontal disease and require regular veterinary dental care.
