Shih Tzu

Long-haired golden Shih Tzu

This dog of chinese origin It is a small specimen that conquers everyone with its graceful appearance and good character. The Shih Tzu is named after the Chinese words 'lion dog', as it was bred to resemble a lion, although its size is far from close to the lion.

At present it is a dog that has become very popular in places like England. Its size makes it ideal for any type of home and its behavior ensures the affection of the whole family. These dogs share many traits with the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso and are extremely popular.

History of Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu with short hair

The exact origin of this breed, also known as 'lion dog' or 'chrysanthemum dog'. Apparently there were already similar dogs in the year VII BC from the paintings that have been found. It was introduced to China during the Tang dynasty. In Tibet he was raised as a Buddhist deity, due to his appearance. These dogs were raised in the Forbidden City. During communism, both this and other breeds of domestic dogs were on the verge of extinction, since they were considered a luxury of the upper classes. During the XNUMXth century, these dogs became famous on the European continent, which ensured the continuity of the breed and its spread to other countries. Nowadays it is another popular dog breed throughout the world, which is ideal for small homes due to its size.

Physical characteristics

Shih Tzu

El Shih Tzu dog is small, with a height of about 26 centimeters. It is a bit longer than it is tall and offers a funny look. Its head is small in relation to its body and it has large eyes and a short muzzle. Its ears are small but very hairy, which gives it that little lion look. Its coat is long, both on the face and on the body, so it must be constant care. It has a long tail that curls over the back. Her hair color has many shades of gold, white, and brown.

Dog character

Shih Tzu puppy

The Shih Tzu is an ideal dog for all types of families, which is capable of adapting to all types of environments. You can both enjoy a house with a garden and a small apartment. The dog he has a very good character by its very nature, making it easy to communicate with it. It is a dog that lends itself to play and that usually has a very good mood when it comes to being with his family. He will be a dog that will make us enjoy his company every day. When they are puppies this facet may make them a bit unruly.

It is a smart and awake dog it will not take long to learn the orders. It is a breed that can be a bit stubborn, so we must be patient and above all practice daily with them so that they improve their character. The education of the dog is quite simple, since it learns quickly and is a dog with good character. If we know how to stand firm before his stubbornness from time to time, we will have a very obedient dog.

Shih Tzu puppy

This dog is always alert. Despite being a small dog, it is an animal that is a good guardian. It will warn the family of the presence of strangers and it will be a brave dog that is willing to defend its own. This does not mean that it is an aggressive dog, but it is strong and loyal.

El dog must socialize with other dogs and people. He is a good-natured and sociable dog, but he must still learn to relate. It will be easy for the dog to learn to socialize and be with children and other animals.

Shih Tzu care

Long-haired Shih Tzu

This dog will need specific care especially in the coat. His hair has been growing since he was a puppy. It is a fairly long coat that will need a lot of grooming care. You have to buy a special comb for long hair that does not spoil or break its coat. It should be combed and detangled daily to avoid knots and dreadlocks. Obviously, if the coat is long, we will have to go through more work. Another option is to cut your hair in a hairdresser so that you can style it more easily for a season. When the dog wears long hair, keep it away from his face, as it can bother his eyes.

Their big eyes can cause some problems, so you have to prevent the hair from bothering you. We must clean them if we see that they have dirt and watch them for infections. Their short muzzle is also a problem for them, since they can have problems when it comes to breathing and sometimes they even snore.

Dog health

Shih Tzu puppies

The Shih Tzu dog is an animal who is in pretty good health, since their life expectancy is about 13 years. There are a number of diseases that can occur in the dog, such as entropion, progressive retinal atrophy or hip dysplasia. His floppy ears and a lot of hair can also be a problem that leads him to suffer from otitis.

Su food must be good to take care of its coat and must exercise daily to be a balanced and totally healthy dog. They tend to have a delicate stomach, but with a quality feed they will not have problems when feeding.

Why keep a Shih Tzu at home

Shih Tzu dogs they are charming as soon as you meet them. Their appearance of small stuffed animals makes everyone adore them from the first moment, an impression that is reaffirmed by their good character and playful personality. It is an ideal dog for a house with children, since everyone will enjoy their games. It is a dog that is easy to train and shows great intelligence. Its size makes it the perfect dog for small flats and all types of homes.


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