Shih Tzu – A Tiny Lion of a Dog
The Shih Tzu, commonly confused for the Lhasa Apso, is a very sturdy breed with a large amount of long hair in its double coat.
A very noble and proud looking breed, the Shih Tzu has a strong face with an upward pointed nose, on which its fur grows in a “chrysanthemum” pattern to frame the face. The Shih Tzu’s head is quite round, with a substantial moustache and beard, a short muzzle, and a black nose. A sharp stop is present at the end of the muzzle. Shih Tzus have round eyes that are wide-set, and are typically dark colored with a soft expression. The ears fold over and hang down and are so covered in hair that they sometimes cannot be distinguished form the rest of the head and neck fur. The body is longer than it is high. Some owners prefer to have the Shih Tzu’s dewclaw removed. Just about any color is available in the Shih Tzu, although it is usually preferred if there is white on the tip of the tail and on the forehead. The tail is extremely fluffy, and curls over the dog’s back.
Shih Tzus are very happy, hardy, energetic, and alert by nature. They have a royal elegance about them to the point that they can appear quite arrogant. Though they can be socialized to live well with children, it is best if the children are well behaved around dogs to prevent problems from occurring. Though generally very loyal and quite gentle, it can also take quite a bit of effort to train the Shih Tzu. They require consistency, patience, and a lot of time. Shih Tzus are extremely alert watchdogs, and while they’re noisy while they’re outside watching, they’re typically quite quiet inside the home…unless there is a knock at the door.
Shih Tzus come from a very long line, and were likely a cross between the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso in the sixteenth century. These dogs were treasured in the Imperial Chinese court, and were considered to be so special, that even when trading opened up between China and the West, they prohibited and refused the trade of Shih Tzus for sale or as a gift. The very first pair was brought outside of China to England in 1930. Today it is a very popular breed as a wonderful companion and a very successful show dog.
Shih Tzus, on average, will live to be around fifteen years of age or older. They can be prone to certain eye, ear, and respiratory problems, as well as spinal disc diseases due to their short legs. Sometimes they experience early tooth loss.
