Shih Tzu - breed description and dog character

The Shih Tzu legend spans many centuries, dogs are called Tibetan due to the characteristics of their origin. From time immemorial, only wealthy people could afford it, Shih Tzu was often met on the estates of emperors. The number was carefully monitored, any attempts to take pets out of the state were punishable. Over time, traditional influence has become weaker, so the breed began to spread slowly around the world. Initially, dogs were kept by the European nobility, later it became available to ordinary people.

Breed standard

Dogs are called noble, because their whole appearance literally screams about it. Due to their delicacy, shih tzu are classified as royal dogs, which are excellent companions and fit perfectly into the circle of the rich.

1. The breed has a pronounced gender superiority that affects appearance. Males are larger than bitches; they are distinguished by a muscular physique and developed musculoskeletal system.
2. If you adhere to the global standards that are inherent in this breed, it is worth noting the growth of pets. It can fluctuate within 23–28 cm. Moreover, the weight differs by 4.5–8 kg.
3. Particular attention is paid to wool, it is necessarily glossy, flowing down with straight curls. The undercoat is dense, with an oily lubricant near the skin. In external characteristics, dogs are somewhat reminiscent of chrysanthemum.
4. Shih Tzu's tail is high, quite fluffy. The limbs are short compared to the general body. But the muscular framework is well developed, especially in males. The pads are soft, fleshy.
5. According to the standard, slight waviness of the coat at the edges of the hairs is allowed. The body of the dog is stretched, strong, rectangular in shape. Chest developed, slightly lowered between the legs. The back is smooth, flowing smoothly into the developed rounded croup and lower back.
6. The head is wide and round, there is a sharp transition from the frontal part to the muzzle. Widely spaced eyes are a highlight, they are roundish, large, slightly covered by eyebrows and hair.
7. The shade of the eyes depends on the variety of wool color. The square cropped muzzle has no drooping skin, it is taut. Beard and mustache are characteristic features of Shih Tzu, they must be well-groomed.
8. Ears do not stop, fall down and cling to the head. Possess sufficient length, wide. But due to the large amount of hair it is difficult to determine the size and length of the ears for sure.
9. If you adhere to the breed standard, there are no restrictions in terms of color. Shih Tzu can be any color. Very often there are pets with a certain highlighting, that is, light strands are visible throughout the body.

Breed character

1. First of all, it is worth mentioning that dogs of this breed are very mannered. At the first meeting with a stranger, they seem to look down, show suspicion and apprehension. Some may think that the pets of this breed are arrogant, and not in vain. They are reverent only to the owners.
2. Shih Tzu love attention, stroking, they are cared for and cherished. Small fluffy pets are very touchy and do not tolerate neglect. However, even with such a character, pets are famous for their delicacy and pride. They will not be imposed when the owner is busy. Patiently wait for their portion of affection.
3. If you aim to acquire a puppy as a family pet, be prepared to become the owner of a dog with the character of Narcissus. Shih Tzu can get along with other pets, but only if they are side by side with each other since childhood.
4. Many believe that Shih Tzu is an ideal dog for communicating with children. But, despite the small size, they can snap back if the child will pull the tail or strongly imposed. It all depends on the upbringing, but do not allow permissiveness from children in relation to the pet. Also, the breed is jealous, can be offended if it is preferred by someone else.
5. If brought up correctly, the dog will not be aggressive, naughty or too lethargic. The breed presented is famous for its long life. On average, a pet’s age can range from 15 to 19 years. Shih Tzu does not choose one member of the family as the authority, the breed is faithful to all members of the household and loves them equally.
6. Due to its naivety, the breed does not have the qualities of a guard. However, this does not prevent the dog from barking at strangers and, in danger, bite its leg. Some people call little dogs "lion heart." Experts do not advise getting a dog for people who have small children. Shih Tzu will not tolerate bullying.
7. But if the child is already at a conscious age, then such a dog will become for him an ideal ally for games. The breed is not against frolic in nature, the dog will bring a stick or be able to run around the yard for hours. Cheerful, they are extremely sweet.
8. Due to their late maturity, some members of the breed may forever remain “children”. It is especially often observed that representatives of the Shih Tzu family up to 3 years old remain puppies, naive and inquisitive.
9. The main distinguishing feature of the character is sensitivity to the mood of the owner. Shih Tzu literally understands what they want from her. She can read by eyes, intonations, gestures. Therefore, it does not require rigorous education.
10. The dog is not deprived of intelligence, it can easily be trained in basic commands or certain tricks. Since dogs are easily trained, they are bred not only as a family favorite, but also as an exhibition pet.

Training Features

1. In order not to encounter further difficulties, it is necessary to start training on time. When the pet grows up, it can be said that its character will form on its own with minimal intervention. Therefore, if you want to teach a dog certain commands, you need to start from an early age.
2. It is better to conduct such events in a playful manner, so as not to force the dog to do something through force. The team "To me" is studied in a park or other place with a limited territory. The dog is called up by the word and after arrival they are given a treat.
3. If you do not teach your dog elementary commands like "Quiet", then you will come across signs of bad manners in full. The dog will bark for any reason, and barking loud and sonorous can cause inconvenience.
4. If you plunge into the past and study the origin of the breed, they were previously shepherds. For this purpose, the dogs needed to bark to drive cattle. Some habits are fixed in nature of pets. Therefore, if you do not like this, wean.
5. It is necessary to start raising a dog from the early days. It is better to get the recommendations of the breeders before buying a puppy. They will precisely indicate in what order such events are held.
6. From the first days you need to establish that you are a leader, not a dog. Otherwise, the upbringing will be of little use. But at the same time there is no need to shout at the dog, speak measuredly, do not be nervous. Otherwise, Shih Tzu simply ceases to perceive the team.
7. All difficulties arising with raising a dog can be solved by revising the approach. The breed is famous for its susceptibility and sensitivity, so in this case, gingerbread is better than a whip. If you really try, you can teach Shih Tzu circus tricks and other difficult teams.

Care Rules

1. Before you get a puppy, study everything about the breed and its origin.It is very important to equip a cozy "nest" in which the dog can be alone. Buy a soft house with a comfortable pillow.
2. Despite the fact that the coat is long enough, it cannot be said that the breed is difficult to care for. When walking, avoid places where there are thorns that can catch on the coat and form tangles.
3. Regarding the length of time in the fresh air, dogs love this, Shih Tzu is no exception. But there is no need to spend hours on the street in wet weather. This will not please the pet either.
4. You can lose energy at home, just buy a few toys for the dog and play with it regularly. The breed lends itself to being accustomed to the tray, this will come in handy.
5. The main positive feature of the breed is the absence of a pungent dog smell, so the pet is ideal for keeping in apartment conditions. But wool can be everywhere if the dog is not combed daily.
6. Due to its softness, the wool cover quickly knocks into tangles. During washing, use dog shampoos with a conditioning effect. It is also necessary to pin the hair on the forehead with rubber bands and hairpins so that it does not spoil the vision.
7. Dogs do not need to be washed too often, enough once every 2-3 months. In order for the coat to lie as it should, it is dried with a hairdryer and sprayed with a spray that facilitates combing. Dogs of this breed are often taken to groomers to make a beautiful and practical haircut. Take on arms.
8. If the dog does not attend exhibition events, but is kept as a family favorite, it is more advisable to cut it short for the hot season. This will facilitate movement and improve the health of the pet. Because he will be too hot in the sun.
9. You need to care for your eyes, avoiding their tearfulness. Consult with the veterinarian, usually in such cases, he advises every morning to wipe his eyes with a swab dipped in tea leaves. Ears are cleaned as necessary with a special lotion or cotton swabs.

Feeding

1. The choice of diet should be taken with all responsibility. Consider the breed’s tendency to be obese. From this it should be concluded that the feed should contain as little fat as possible. It is also strictly forbidden to give the dog food from the table.
2. Such products are very harmful to the health of the animal. The dog becomes more selective for food. Because of this, accustoming to prepared feeds can be problematic. It is strongly recommended that you immediately accustom your pet to dry food.
3. The advantage of such feeding is that you do not need to constantly cook the dog. This food has a long shelf life, in addition, it contains all the necessary substances. Give preference to trusted manufacturers and only premium products.

Disadvantages and positive qualities of the breed

Minuses

1. Do not forget that any animal requires increased attention, affection and proper care. It is worth noting that the presented breed of dogs does not require special care skills. However, there are positive and negative qualities.
2. Some rules must be observed to make the animal feel comfortable. Before purchasing a puppy, talk with the breeders, experts will talk about some of the subtleties that are worth taking into account.
3. Among the shortcomings, it should be noted that such pets are very trusting and do not have any protective instincts. Unfortunately, the dogs in question do not mention the difference between infants and older children. Therefore, babies are best kept away from the pet.
4. Without fail, the coat needs constant care. Otherwise, tangles will form. It is best to trust the business to professionals and regularly visit special centers for grooming dogs. Such simple procedures will help to avoid the formation of many troubles.
5. When caring for animals, due attention should be paid to the eyes, ears and claws. The latter need to be cut if necessary. It is highly recommended that you take more active walks with your pet. Otherwise, a passive lifestyle will provoke the development of obesity and problems with the skeletal system.
6. Unfortunately, the presented breed of dogs is prone to problems with vision and respiratory system. Often pathologies affect the heart muscle and kidneys. The pet is prone to developing an allergic reaction. Therefore, it is strongly not recommended to smoke in the same room with the dog. Also limit the use of fragrance products.
7. Shih Tzu are particularly sensitive to high temperatures, so long walks under the scorching rays are strictly prohibited. In addition, it is worth considering another fact, pets can not stand long loneliness. The dog simply suffers from a deficit of human attention.
8. If you are going to prepare an animal for an exhibition, it is important to understand that funds cannot be spared for anything. The dog will constantly need expensive procedures. Caring for your pet will be very complicated, so you can not do without the help of specialists. Also don't forget that Shih Tzu is very friendly.

pros

1. Among the positive qualities of the breed in question, we can distinguish the fact that dogs are very clean. Keeping such a dog in the house you will not smell from it. Even without professional procedures, the pet’s hair always looks beautiful and well-groomed.
2. Shih Tzu is very easy to accustom to the tray, so with this important issue you will not have problems. The dog simply does not need frequent physical exertion, it is enough just to go for a walk with it. The pet has a good quick wit and is easy to train.
3. The presented breed is devoid of aggression and gets along well with other pets in the same house. If you haven't had any dogs before, Shih Tzu is great for you. With such a pet you can travel without problems. This breed can easily move.
4. It is worth noting the fact that such a breed can be fully domesticated. That is, with a dog it is not necessary to walk on the street, as it quickly gets used to the tray. This feature of the breed is especially important if an elderly person decides to start a Shih Tzu and he does not have the opportunity to often walk his pet.
5. In other cases, it is necessary to walk with the animal regularly so that no pathologies develop. Shih Tzu are very energetic and they need to waste their stored energy. However, heavy physical training is contraindicated. Dogs have a weak skeletal system and fairly short paws.

It is worth immediately warning that Shih Tzu is far from being for everyone. Such dogs require increased attention to themselves and will not tolerate bullying by small children. The breed needs constant care, inspection and proper feeding. Such pets are prone to various diseases. Unfortunately, nothing can be done about it. Think carefully before acquiring a puppy.

Video: Shih Tzu dog breed