Shih Tzu

History of the breed

China is considered the official homeland of the breed. According to one version, Tibetan monks were the first to breed long-haired dogs. However, stubborn hermits did not want to sell their pets to anyone, which is why the ancestors of modern shih tzus could not get deep into the continent and settled in the Celestial Empire. According to ancient manuscripts, the first shaggy puppy was presented to the Chinese emperor by the Dalai Lama himself in 1653.

In China, unusual dogs were immediately raised to a cult, labeling them as court pets. The imperial family was declared the owner of all animal rights, which brought Shih Tzu a lot of privileges, but made them recluses. It became unrealistic to see these fuzzies anywhere other than the chambers of the Chinese ruler, since unauthorized sale and theft of "monarch property" were punishable by death.

After the Communist Party came to power, the attitude towards the breed changed dramatically. Supporters of the new regime perceived decorative dogs as part of the hated monarchical past and began to mercilessly exterminate them. This arrangement turned out to be in the hands of European breeders, who had long dreamed of getting to know the mysterious imperial favorites better. Taking advantage of the confusion that reigned in the Middle Kingdom, shaken by conflicts, the Europeans began to export shih tzu from it. The first "lion cubs" were taken out in the period from 1930 to 1932 to England and Norway. About a dozen more animals left China between 1932 and 1959. As for the breeders of the New World, the dogs came to them only after the Second World War, as war trophies.

Chinese fuzzies began to gain popularity among tribal specialists and ordinary people already in the 30s of the XX century. For example, in 1933, the first shih tzu lovers club opened in the UK. In America, a similar organization began its work in 1959. In 1948, a standard of appearance was developed and approved for "chrysanthemum dogs", and in 1969, the favorites of Chinese grandees received the status of an independent breed.

Why shih tzu?

From Chinese, the word "shih tzu" translates as "lion cub". The breed owes its name to an ancient legend that tells about a tiny dog ha-pa, who accompanied the Buddha on his travels. In case of danger, the brave animal turned into a lion and stood up to protect the spiritual master.

Video: Shih Tzu

Appearance of shih tzu

A few kilograms of pure charm – this is about how you can characterize the appearance of these glamorous hairy men. The height of an average shih tzu reaches 27 cm at the withers, and its weight ranges between 4.5 and 8.5 kg, so when trying to embrace a dog, be prepared for the fact that an airy, at first glance, creation will actually not be such an easy burden.

With a cursory inspection, the "lion cub" is easily confused with another famous "Tibetan" – Lhasa apso, who has the same strong physique, but differs in more impressive dimensions. Some scientists put forward versions about the relationship of both breeds, but since it is not possible to track the process of their development over the years, guesses remain guesses.

Head

The skull is quite large, rounded, with a steep stop. The muzzle is of a shortened type (about 2.5 cm), wide, in the shape of a square. Since all shih tzus are brachycephalic, they may have difficulty breathing on hot and stuffy days.

Jaws

For "lion dogs", a tick-like type of bite is typical. In addition, a slight snack is allowed by the standard. The jaws of the representatives of this breed are wide, slightly weighted.

Nose

The back of the nose is elongated in a straight line or slightly turned up. The lobe is located on the same level with the edge of the lower eyelid and is colored black or chocolate. The nostrils are open, with a rather wide neckline.

Eyes

Rounded, but without excessive bulge. They are widely spaced, the whites of the eyes are not visible. The shade of the iris is preferably dark, but for shih tzus with brown, as well as chocolate-spotted coat color, an exception is allowed. Such dogs may have relatively light eyes.

Ears

Hanging, large, planted just below the level of the crown. The ear cloth is long, hidden under abundant flowing hair.

Neck

Elegant, moderately long, with an elegant curve that allows the shih tzu to keep his head proudly raised.

Housing

Straight back with a tight, strong loin. The chest is of sufficient width, deep and noticeably lowered.

Limbs

The front legs are straight, short, with excellent musculature. The shoulders are strong, bent back. The hind limbs are muscular, with strong bones and rounded massive hips. Paws are strong, oval-shaped, with dense, elastic pads.

Tail

Set high and thrown on his back. Abundantly pubescent with long silky hair.

Wool

Double type, consisting of a long outer hair and a soft undercoat. Ideally, the cover hair should have a straight structure, but wavy varieties are also not considered a serious defect. The head of the shih tzu is decorated with a long, thick "hair", and "mustache" and "beard" stand out on its muzzle. Despite the decent length, the wool does not interfere with the animal's organs of vision, so they see the shih tzu no worse than other dogs.

Color

The standard allows for a variety of shih tzu colors, but the following varieties remain the most common: black, white-blue, golden-white, brindle, black-and-white, brown, red and white-red in a mask, ash, cream, black with tan and blue. For individuals with a spotted "fur coat", it is very desirable to have white markings in the forehead and at the tip of the tail.

Breed Defects

• Pink nose lobe.
• Pointed muzzle.
• Long legs.
• Curly hair, as well as the lack of undercoat.
• Malocclusion.
• Weakly expressed stop.
• Small and close-set eyes with visible whites.
• Narrow skull.

Shih tzu photo

Character of Shih tzu

Shih tzu are friendly, funny and very contact pets. A dog living in a family is not looking for an idol in the person of one of its members, trying to distribute his own affection equally among all the household members. As for the children, these cunning Chinese "lion cubs" will find an approach to them. Philosophically look at the children's mischief Shih Tzu help their strong nerves. However, violence and outright bullying by the younger generation of dogs will not tolerate. So if your baby has made it a rule to pull the pet's tail, get ready for bitten fingers.

Shih tzu puppies are small in size and require careful attitude. Before leaving the dog in the care of a child, give instructions on the rules of behavior. Warn children about the possible consequences of careless handling of an animal and explain to them how to properly take a baby without squeezing his stomach.

Shih tzus are often called dogs for pensioners, which in general is not far from the truth. They are moderately playful, but not hyperactive and will gladly lie on a soft sofa if there is no opportunity to go out for a walk. Dogs consider the owner's knees to be a cozy enough place for themselves. A well-fed and peaceful shih tzu can sit for hours on this improvised "podium", thinking about something of his own.

Another amazing character trait in all respects of "chrysanthemum dogs" is trustfulness. Shih tzu easily make contact even with unfamiliar people, seeing each person as a potential friend. At first glance, such behavior is touching. But it is worth admitting that the watchman of the dog, whose vigilance is easy to put to sleep with one affectionate word, is really no. So, leaving the house and leaving it under the protection of the shih tzu, you can hardly count on the safety of your own property.

Do not think that the whole world for an animal is in its owner. Of course, fluffy babies have a strong attachment to a person, but they don't forget about themselves either. To other pets, dogs are quite peaceful and conflicts over spheres of influence are considered useless. But the shih tzu pet that has recently appeared in the house may well be jealous of its own owner.

For your information: like most popular breeds bred by unscrupulous breeders for the purpose of personal enrichment, shih tzus have "overgrown" with a whole complex of disadvantages. So, for example, among them there may be excessively cowardly, nervous and stubborn individuals with whom it is impossible to build a normal relationship. The only insurance against the purchase of such a pet will be careful monitoring of the market and the choice of a reliable breeding nursery.

Training and education

Shih tzu can adore his own master to maniacality, but this will not prevent him from demonstrating his obstinate temper in the process of training. It is not that the "Buddha's pets" do not like to study, rather they do not see an urgent need for this. Assimilating the given material and learning a dozen commands for shih tzu is not a problem. The difficulty is to arouse the dog's interest in classes.

The only possible training option for representatives of this breed is a game. Attracted by a new type of activity and the insinuating tone of the owner, the pet is able to perform a couple of exercises, especially if a yummy looms somewhere on the horizon. It is worth being prepared for the fact that the bored "lion cub" will interrupt the training at the most interesting place and go on more important matters. Trying to get the dog back and keep it in this case does not make sense. Take a time-out and wait until the animal is in the mood for further study.

It is necessary to educate shih tzu, like all dogs, from the first days of appearance in the house. The puppy must recognize the authority of the owner, obey the feeding regime and know his place. Representatives of this breed experience certain difficulties with the toilet. To teach a shih tzu to use a tray or at least a diaper, you will have to make enough effort. However, you should not abandon what you started halfway: "chrysanthemum dogs" are far from stupid, they just need a little more time to overcome their own willfulness.

Maintenance and care

Shih tzus do not suffer from being imprisoned in four walls: if the owner were nearby, but the food in the bowl would appear in a timely manner. As for the conditions of detention, there will have to be a little trouble. Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the skull (the same brachycephaly) these charming little hairs are very sensitive to temperature conditions. Hot weather for shih tzu is no less disastrous than cold and drafts. Accordingly, it is necessary to place the pet's bed away from open doors, heating batteries and air conditioners.

Walking

Shih Tzu is not averse to walking with you to the nearest supermarket or park, but only if the weather is good. In the cold and slush, the pet will sit at home with great pleasure, surrounded by his favorite toys. If for some reason the promenade had to be skipped, the dog will not be offended and will find something to occupy himself with. It is allowed to take shih tzu puppies outside from the age of 8 months. Walks are usually started after sleeping and eating, so that the dog has the opportunity to go to the toilet outside the house. And remember: representatives of this breed are walked exclusively on a leash.

Hygiene

If a shih tzu lives in your house, there is no doubt: you know exactly what to do in your free time. Increased attention is required first of all by the dog's coat, which, among representatives of this breed, tends to stall. It is necessary to comb the shih tzu daily. If you miss a day or two, a catastrophe, of course, will not happen, but the outer gloss of your "chrysanthemum" will fade slightly. It is better to wind the clean combed hair of the future exhibition participant on papillotes: this way it will get dirty and tangled less. Be sure to buy hair oil and apply it to clean strands, then roll them into flagella.

Comb the shih tzu's fur in the direction of hair growth, starting from the hind legs. The tangled areas are disassembled by hand, and the tangles are cut off. It is best to use a massage brush made of bristles or a metal comb. For half-year-old individuals, the hair on the head is collected in a ponytail and secured with a hairpin or elastic band. After the shih tzu has eaten, his "mustache" and "beard" must be wiped with a clean cloth, as food particles often get stuck in them.

They wash the "companions of the Buddha" a couple of times a month. To do this, the shampoo is diluted with water and the resulting substance is applied to the wool. A balm to facilitate combing is also used in a diluted form. After the hair is washed, it is soaked with a towel and dried with a hairdryer.

Important: before bathing, the shih tzu must be carefully combed, disassembling the tangled areas of wool and removing the tangles. Otherwise, after washing, the dog will have to be cut, since water will only aggravate the situation by knocking the hair into "icicles".

Every day it is necessary to inspect the animal's eyes and remove the fur framing the eyelids to the sides. In the presence of inflammation, the eyelids and eyes are washed with a solution of boric acid. The same boric acid, but already in powder, will help to remove tear grooves on the wool under the lower eyelids. If the pet constantly squints or rubs his eyes, this is a reason to be wary, and the appearance of a white dot on the pupil and clouding of the eyeball signal that it's time to take the dog to the vet clinic.

Shih Tzu ear care standard: inspection + cleaning. If the hair has grown too profusely in the ear funnel, they can be partially removed so that the air inside circulates more freely. The paws of the animal will also require their portion of attention. Long hairs on them should be trimmed, and the pads themselves should be lubricated with a nourishing cream to avoid the appearance of cracks. It's great if the pet got to a pedantic owner who will brush his teeth daily and monitor their health. In cases where the owner does not have time for regular cleaning, you can try to do with crackers, bones or tomato juice, which are considered a good prevention of tartar.

Shih Tzu haircut

If your pet does not claim championship titles or you just do not want to bother with daily combing, the shih tzu can be trimmed for a puppy or a teddy bear. The wool of shorn individuals does not fall off so actively, in addition, the skin under it breathes and the animal does not suffer from overheating (especially important in the summer). You will still have to comb the shih tzu after that, but now this procedure will take less time.

For exhibition individuals there is a separate kind of haircut – show. The wool of such animals is shortened slightly, and the hair on the head is braided into a pigtail or knot. A fairly popular type of haircut is "glamour shih tzu". This option is chosen to attract attention to the animal. Dogs trimmed in the style of glamour are pets of celebrities, Instagram bloggers and other lovers of publicity. Usually such a haircut is accompanied by the use of bright accessories and stylish dog outfits that give the shih tzu a resemblance to an expensive toy.

Feeding

Shih tzus consume both natural food and "drying" with equal pleasure, so each owner decides on the type of feeding independently. The diet of an animal treated with a "straight woman" should consist of 20% animal protein (meat, offal). For example, it is useful for a dog to give soups on meat broth, meat and vegetable stew, and also add meat cuts to porridges. Fillets of oceanic fish, fermented dairy products, vegetables, cereals should also be present on the "table" of shih tzu. By the way, about fish: it can be given raw or boiled in combination with vegetables and a spoonful of vegetable oil.

Of the additives designed to "complete" the dog's diet with vitamins and minerals, it is worth mentioning meat-bone meal, powdered eggshells, kelp and fish oil (preferably from salmon). Puppies under 3 months of age should receive daily milk porridge, chicken broth and fruit and vegetable salads seasoned with butter.

Prohibited products:

• potatoes and any kind of legumes;
• pearl barley;
• corn;
• river fish;
• pork;
• raw liver;
• confectionery;
• spicy, spicy and smoked dishes.

From 4 to 6 months, the shih tzu has a change of teeth, so it is better to exclude solid food from his diet during this period of time.

Health and diseases of Shih Tzu

Shih tzu, despite not the most outstanding complexion, enjoy the reputation of strong men. The health of a dog can only be undermined by a heart defect, congenital knee joint subluxation and nephropathy.

Ailments that can also occur in shih tzu:

• urolithiasis;
• alopecia;
• periodontitis;
• cataract;
• ear infections;
• distichiasis;
• heart diseases.

How to choose a puppy

The main difficulty in choosing and buying a shih tzu puppy is the excessive popularity of the breed. In recent decades, everyone has been engaged in breeding "chrysanthemum dogs", so the market is full of mentally unbalanced animals with a defective exterior. Usually would-be breeders sell their wards very cheaply, which is what most buyers bite. However, if your dream is a real purebred shih tzu, it is better to close the topic of cheap puppies from unknown "divorcees" for yourself.

The optimal age for selling animals is 2.5 months. By this time, the breeder is obliged to give the pet the necessary vaccinations and enter information about them in the veterinary passport. It is better to buy future participants of exhibitions (show class) when they have a change of baby teeth, that is, approximately at the age of 6 months. In addition, half–year-old individuals clearly show their exhibition potential - the quality of wool, anatomical features.

Reasons to refuse to buy a shih tzu puppy:

• bloated baby belly;
• inappropriate behavior (sullenness, timidity);
• the puppy tucks his tail, hiding it between his legs;
• haggard appearance of both the baby and his parent.

A mandatory item in the epic called "Choosing the right shih tzu" is checking the living conditions of puppies. Dirty and cramped kennels are unlikely to offer you a healthy animal. It would not be superfluous to ask the breeder how adequately his wards perceive hygiene procedures. In self-respecting nurseries, babies are taught to bathe and comb from an early age. Such animals are not afraid of water and do not throw tantrums during a visit to the groomer.

Photos of shih tzu puppies

How much does shih tzu cost

You can buy a purebred shih tzu pet-class puppy with a brand and a RKF metric for $250 - $300. The price tag for breeding individuals starts from $500 - $600 The prices for the show class remain approximately the same. An exception to the general rule may be animals that are particularly successful in the exterior plan, with a complete absence of external defects, the cost of which usually reaches $1000 - $1200.