Shih Tzu Friends: Abby and Juno’s Adventure in the Park

Abby and her new best friend Juno are becoming inseparable as the days go by. They do everything together. When Abby eats, Juno comes along and stays by her side. When Abby sleeps, Juno is right next to her and keeps watch over her. They also love to play outside when it’s the weekend, and they look forward to it every week as good Shih Tzu friends.

One lovely Saturday afternoon in the Spring, Abby’s owners decide to go for a walk in the park. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and Abby and Juno are excited to finally play outdoors and see what they can find.

In the park, Abby’s owners lay down a picnic blanket in a cool patch in the shade. They have some treats for Abby too, and even though she knows that Juno is not a real dog, she still likes to share her doggie treats with her.

After lunch, the Shih Tzu friends Abby and Juno decide to do some exploring. The park is huge and they can’t wait to find things to play with. They roll around in the grass and dip their toes in the little pond. A burst of color catches Abby’s eye and she spots a big patch of Spring flowers that are starting to bloom. Abby loves flowers, and she admires all their beautiful colors: pink, violet, white, orange and yellow.

Suddenly, something moves between the flowers. Abby sees six little legs crawling up the leaves. A grasshopper! Because Juno has never seen a grasshopper before, Abby shows her this little guy and explains who he is. Abby is pleased that Juno is as excited as she is, and they decide to play a game of hide and seek with him.

The grasshopper leaps away and Abby and Juno look around to try and spot him. “Hmm, maybe it’s not such a good idea to play hide and seek with such a little creature?” they think. Just as they start to give up on finding him, he leaps onto a flower right next to Abby. Gotcha!

Now it’s Abby and Juno’s turn to hide. They run towards a big tree and crouch down low behind its huge trunk. Abby whispers to Juno that they have to be very quiet and still otherwise the grasshopper will find them. But the grasshopper is very quick and finds them in no time. Better luck next time Abby and Juno!

The sun starts to set, covering the park in a warm, golden light. Abby’s owners start packing up the picnic gear and Abby and Juno make their way back. These two Shih Tzu friends had a great day exploring and running around, and they can’t wait to do it again tomorrow.

FAQ’s

How big are Shih Tzu?
The Shih Tzu is a snugly built little animal with a solid, sound structure. It stands from about 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulders and should weigh from 9 to 16 pounds. Its body length is slightly greater than its height, and it should be physically proportional all over, not too short or too small, but a true miniature breed dog. In movement, it moves with effortless, smooth strides, showing good drive and reach, with the head and tail held high, giving away its ancient royal bloodline.

Where does the Shih Tzu come from, and why was the breed developed?
The Shih Tzu lineage is hotly debated; however, one theory is that the Shih Tzu descended from a cross between the Pekingese and Lhasa Apso breeds. This cross breed that would eventually become Shih Tzus, were favourites of the Chinese royals and so prized that, for years, the Chinese refused to sell, trade, or give any away.

The first dogs of the breed were imported into Europe in 1930 and were classified by the Kennel Club as “Apsos”. The first European standard for the breed was written in England in 1935 by the Shih Tzu Club, and the dogs were categorised again as Shih Tzu. The breed is now recognized by all of the major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world.

How is Shih Tzu pronounced, and what does it mean?
The most common and incorrect pronunciation of Shih Tzu is: Sh*t Zoo however, that isn’t actually how the little lion breed is supposed to be announced. According to the American Shih Tzu Club, the official and publicly confirmed pronunciation of Shih Tzu is: “Sheed-zoo."

The name comes from the Chinese language word for "lion" because this kind of dog was bred to resemble "the lion, as in traditional oriental art". Interestingly they are also known by another name tied to their European introduction. The Shih Tzu is sometimes called the Chrysanthemum Dog, a nickname that describes the way the hair on their face grows out in all directions. They look like a flower with a nose for the centre.

For more than one Shih Tzu, do you say Shih Tzus?
The age-old question, it is Shih Tzu or Shih Tzus? When writing or saying the plural of Shih Tzu, it is a common mistake for a person to write or say Shih Tzus, as one would think this is the normal way to put the dog in their plural form, and in fact, it is so common that I wouldn’t be surprised if we have even made such a slip up in this very article. However, the correct way to say Shih Tzus is Shih Tzu, due it being an irregular noun, allowing the plural of Shih Tzu can be Shih Tzu, just like ‘fish and fish’. With two or more Shih Tzu, there does not need to be an ‘s’.

What colours do Shih Tzus come in?
The Shih Tzu is a breed that can be found in an array of colours and with a variety of markings. It's common for owners to not know for sure what colour their Shih Tzu is. Sometimes a puppy may be referred to as an unofficial colour that is not recognized by the AKC, or another kennel club, through which the pup is registered. And in other cases, there can be some confusion when the colour listed on the papers does not seem to match what is seen. In addition to this, it's common for Shih Tzu dogs to change colour as they grow and mature, meaning that your little snowball of joy may turn sooty in their old age.

How much attention does a Shih Tzu need?
Despite their small stature, Shih Tzu are relatively active dogs. Puppies can be extremely hyper and adults are most content when given opportunities to release stored-up energy and be out and about. Without regular moderate exercise, a Shih Tzu can start to feel pent up and frustrated. This can manifest as behaviours such as excessive barking or destructive chewing.

Aim to take your little guy or gal for a minimum of two 20 to 30-minute walks per day, along with sessions of play like fetch to meet exercise requirements for this breed. If so, this will allow your Shih Tzu to enjoy being inside at home, able to relax beside you (or at your feet) and with a calmer disposition.

Do Shih Tzu get along with other pets?
In general, the Shih Tzu gets along quite well with other dogs, large and small. Shih Tzu rarely suffer from the ‘short leg syndrome’ common in small dogs, and more often than not, are simply little bundle of love.

However, every dog has their own personality, and it will depend on how well your dog as well as the other dogs have been socialized. Overall the Shih Tzu breed is calm and very playful and enjoys a variety of canine friends. But keep in mind each dog has their unique personality and circumstances. To say they will all behave exactly the same isn’t very realistic.

How do I provide the best care for a Shih Tzu?
Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Watch their diet, make sure they get plenty of exercise, regularly brush their teeth and coat, and call a veterinary clinic or pet emergency hospital when something seems unusual.

It is also a good idea to create a routine for your Shih Tzu to lessen their anxiety and ensure they live a happy and calm life. Build their routine care into your schedule to help your Shih Tzu live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during their lifetime. Most importantly a proper diet and exercise routine is key to the long-term health of your pet.