The Shih Tzu is one of the oldest breeds of dog and has its origins in
Asia. With the advent of Buddhism in Tibet in 700 BC, this breed of
ornamental dog was named “The Lion Dog”.
Although not proven, it is believed that the Shih Tzu evolved from the
cross-breeding of the Pekingese and the Tibetan dog, the Lhasa Apso.
These dogs became fashionable during the Shing Dynasty of 1643 – 1912, and
this noble breed was very popular with royalty. Some say Shih Tzus were
bred to sit around the palace of the Chinese Emperor, to alert his royal
highness to the presence of unwanted visitors. It has also been said that
Buddha never went anywhere without a Shih Tzu by his side. The
golden-haired variety were especially highly regarded.
The breed was introduced to England around 1830 and appeared in the USA in
1930. Shih Tzus are thought to have reached Australia during the 1960’s.
Appearance
Characterised by their long, thick and flowing coat, Shih Tzus have a
sturdy build with a strong and proud chest. The colour of the coats can
range from black and white, to gold and shades of brown. The hair is
either trimmed short for a summer coat, or grown very long in the case of
show dogs. They do tend to drop some fur on clothing and furniture if
brushing of the coat isn’t performed daily.
Known for their short snouts and large eyes, a Shih Tzus’s tail also tends
to sit above its torso and wave about in a fan-like manner. The ideal
height for a Shih Tzu is between 20 and 30 centimetres tall, and weighs
between 5 and 8 kilograms.
Personality and Temperament
The Shih Tzu has its origins in royalty and the modern-day breeds haven’t
forgotten this fact. It is not uncommon for the Shih Tzu to consider
itself lord of the house. Coming and going as it pleases. Sleeping
wherever its heart desires. Craving attention on demand. Sulking when they
don’t get their own way. Carrying itself about the place exuding a proud,
and sometimes obstinate, demeanour.
But despite their delusions of grandeur, this toy dog breed is one of the
most loyal and loveable creatures to adorn this earth. They love to be
loved and return this love ten fold! They live for this. They have a
placid and playful temperament for the most part. Wonderful with children.
Great with adults too. The Shih Tzu never quite loses its puppy nature.
They love to play, enjoy being watched and often put on cute little
performances just to gain attention.
They are extremely intelligent and alert little dogs and easy to train. If
a stranger or another animal approaches the house, they will bark out a
warning. Although not likely to tear an intruder limb from limb, a Shih
Tzu will let you know well in advance that someone undesirable is floating
around.
Caring and Grooming
Shih Tzus require more care and attention than your average breed of dog.
As they have thick, dense coats they need to be groomed very regularly.
Your pet should be bathed at least weekly, preferably in warm water with a
gentle shampoo. Their fur should then be towelled off, blow dried and
brushed with a stiff brush. This will keep their coat glossy and unmatted.
Their coats should really be brushed daily.
The eyes need particular attention as mucus tends to build up. A cotton
ball dampened with water is sufficient to gently cleanse around the eyes.
Claws also need to be trimmed every month or so.
If you don’t want your pet to have a long mane and a coat that grows down
to the ground, then frequent hair cutting will be required. Use decent
scissors for this. And if you are not confident, acquire the services of a
professional pet groomer or your local vet.
Health Issues
As shih Tzus have small adenoids, a deformity of the nasal passage, they
can be prone to respiratory problems. It’s also not uncommon for these
dogs to snore because of this deformity. Due to their protruding eyes, the
Shih Tzu is vulnerable to eye irritations and ulcers, which can sometimes
lead to blindness. Unfortunately, this breed is also known to suffer from
liver problems. If your Shih Tzu scratches excessively and there is no
sign of fleas, your pet may be reacting to a common food dye allergy. Red
dye #40 is regularly found in pet foods. Try eliminating pet foods
containing this dye.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of a Shih Tzu can range between 12 to 18 years,
depending on the health of the dog. Some Shih Tzus have been known to live
past 20 years.
About The Author:
Born in Sydney, Australia, Darren G. Burton has been writing for more than
20 years. He has written numerous full length works of fiction and
non-fiction. In addition to his books, he has had many articles and short
stories published in major Australian and international publications.
