How to choose a Shih Tzu puppy?

The Shih Tzu is an extroverted dog that is covered with beautiful long hair all over its body. The fur flows in strands even over the face, forming a chic mustache. The dog is a chrysanthemum, these are the associations this breed evoked among breeders. Despite their beauty, Shih Tzus are infinitely sociable and love people very much. Shih Tzus are mischievous and cheerful, very trusting. Gentle dogs, sweet both in appearance and character, are always excellent companions. If you handle them with care, the dog will be a very grateful friend.

Breed card

Famous names of the breed: chrysanthemum dog, Buddha dog, lion dog
FCI breed number: 208
Standard on the FCI website (English): link
Height at withers: males - up to 27 cm, females - up to 25 cm
Weight of an adult dog: males - 4-8 kg, females - 4-7 kg
Color options: all colors are allowed. White spots on the tip of the tail are desirable
Life expectancy: 10 – 15 years and longer
Puppy cost: from 150 to 700 dollars
Size: 1 of 5
Learning ability: 1 out of 5
Attitude towards children: 5 out of 5
Shedding intensity: 1 out of 5
Protective and guard qualities: 1 out of 5

Video “All about the Shih Tzu breed”

In this video you will hear interesting facts about the Shih Tzu breed.

Characteristic

FCI breed standard: 208

The Shih Tzu dog is small in size and looks like a soft toy. The fur is very long. It has no unpleasant odors at all, which distinguishes it from other dogs. Under the long strands of fur there is a thick undercoat. Therefore, the Shih Tzu dog is not afraid of temperature changes towards cold weather. The dog has a lion's character. She seems arrogant and proud. But in fact, the Shih Tzu has a hard time with the lack of attention to her. But she is never intrusive. This beauty will hang around nearby, as soon as you look at her, she immediately begins to demonstrate her beauty and her affection for her owner in every possible way.

Height, weight, color of an adult dog

The height of an adult animal does not exceed 27 cm, and the weight is within the limits: 4-8 kg. The color can be completely white or black, white and gold, black and white, white and red, any combination of red and gold.

Puppy weight by month

At birth, a Shih Tzu puppy weighs about 200 grams.
At one month the dog's weight should be 1 kilogram
At 2 months already 2 kilograms
At six months the puppy reaches a weight of 6 kg

And it can reach its adult weight after a year of life

average life expectancy

Buddha's dog is a long-liver. With good nutrition and care, she can live up to 20 years. The average lifespan is 10-15 years.

Allergenicity

For people with allergies, a Shih Tzu dog is not the best choice. Perhaps this is the only restriction when you should not have a dog of this particular breed.

Shih Tzu: breed characteristics, description and life expectancy

Characteristics and breed standard

It is imperative to study the description of the Shih Tzu breed if you want to become the owner of this four-legged friend. For those who live in an apartment, this dog will be the best choice: he does not need daily physical activity, and he feels much more comfortable at home. It is not difficult to train him to the tray. In general, this variety has many advantages. But in order to choose a true representative of the species, you need to understand what characteristics you should pay attention to first of all, what is the difference between a real Shih Tzu and a dog that will not be allowed into exhibitions.

The Tibetan Shih Tzu breed standard includes the following mandatory points:

The dog's head has a round shape, the muzzle is smooth, without elongation. As a rule, such a pet has a pronounced thick mustache, and also has a beard and a characteristic bite;
The dog's eyes are large and round. The shade depends on the color of the coat;
The ears hang down and fit tightly to the head. At the same time, they are covered with thick hair;
the body has a rectangular shape, the back is straight, the puppy’s weight is small;
The dog’s limbs are quite short, but at the same time very strong;
A representative of this breed is characterized by a high tail, which is covered with thick hair;
The Shih Tzu puppy has thick, long hair that does not frizz. The breed standard does not provide for one characteristic color, however, in most cases, preference is given to a dog that has white strands on its tail and muzzle.

Similar article: Rules for cutting a Shih Tzu at home

Expressive appearance and compact size are not the only advantages and features of the breed. However, many people prefer such dogs precisely because they do not need a lot of space in the apartment, and it is also not necessary to devote time to taking them out into the fresh air. Another key point: such a pet is always very clean.

Brief history of the breed

There is a legend, according to it, Buddha was always accompanied by a small dog on his travels. If necessary to protect the owner, she turned into a huge lion. Buddha could ride on this lion. Since then, it has been believed that this small dog was a Shih Tzu.

A beautiful legend, but in fact, the origin of the Shih Tzu comes from Tibet. A truly Chinese dog was once presented to the emperor, but he was so delighted with it that he forbade breeding it outside the palace. She became exclusively the dog of the imperial family. Where the Shih Tzu came to Tibet is not clear.

It arrived in Europe already in the 20th century, as several individuals were presented to the Norwegian ambassador. He returned home and started producing a new breed for everyone.

The first described breed standard appeared closer to the middle of the 20th century.

History and origin of the Shih Tzu

Chinese beauty dog
There is a legend according to which the Chinese emperor, who ruled in the mid-17th century, was given several representatives of this breed by Tibetan Buddhists. The dog was immediately banned from breeding outside the imperial court.

Sometimes the dog was awarded to noble persons, high-ranking nobles of the emperor. When these cute dogs were found among ordinary people, severe punishment followed, including execution.

There is a version that shih tzu came to Tibet in the 7th century from Byzantium. The Shih Tzu was brought back to Europe in the 30s of the last century by a resident of Norway, who was sent as an ambassador to China. Leiza, that was the name of the baby Shit-su, was given to him as a present. Over time, he managed to acquire a couple more male dogs, and at home he began breeding them. The Shih Tzu breed, new at that time in European territory, quickly became popular.

Interesting! The name of this breed of dog was pronounced differently in different languages: as shiatsu, shisui, shiets, shiutsy, shizi, shield su, schutzi.

Official recognition of the breed took place in 1940, the standard was approved in 1948. The first club appeared in Great Britain 6 years before recognition. Geneticists have proven the origin of this dog breed from crossing the Lhasa Apso with the Pekingese.

Shih Tzu breed standard

Character

Shih Tzus are smart and calm. They are human-like, so obedient that they seem to simply understand human speech. In order for a puppy of this breed to learn to understand you better, you should talk to him from his early days. Shih Tzus quickly learn to understand their owner, they respond to the subtleties of intonation. But they react very painfully to screams and scandal.

Don't try to punish the offending puppy by yelling at him. He will understand everything if you just speak strictly and restrainedly.

Shih Tzus will not rush and bark at cars or strangers passing by. But they love to walk. Therefore, even if your Shih Tzu is trained to go to the litter box, walks will give him incredible pleasure. They do not tolerate loneliness well. They should not be left alone for long. The dog can be very sad.

Learning ability

Shih Tzu dog decoration. She adorns the world with her presence. His charm and devotion are enough to already win the love of her owner. This breed is not intended for duty, following commands or performing tricks. She is aristocratic and graceful.

The Shih Tzu will be happy to walk with you and will not leave a single step. She understands you when you call her. I always don't mind chatting with you. He won't let a stranger in right away. The dog is smart, which compensates for the rating of 1 out of 5 points. It’s not so much about training her as simply establishing a good relationship with her.

Shih Tzu: description of the dog breed with photos, what kind of character, reviews

Description of the breed

The Shih Tzu is a regal dog with long, thick locks of hair. She has a distinctively sweet appearance that makes hearts melt, she is also called the chrysanthemum dog, due to the resemblance of her muzzle and the hair that frames her to a flower.

Appearance and breed standard

A very small dog, the Shih Tzu is slightly larger in length than in height. She has a square muzzle with wide-set eyes. The dog's coat is long and has a double layer. A lion dog should not be more than 27 cm in height at the withers. How much does such a baby weigh? Its weight varies between 4.5-7.3 kg. The lifespan of this breed is 10, sometimes even 20 years.

The Shih Tzu breed standard does not limit the color of mini dogs: it can be almost anything, but most often there are dogs with white and gray hair.

Character

Historically, the mini Shih Tzu breed was bred to be a companion. He just wants to be close to his owner. So you should not expect this dog to be a good guard, hunter or breadwinner, this is absolutely not suitable for its character.

Affection is the main characteristic of this breed, and the family home is the best place on earth for it. The dog, according to reviews from its owners, feels best when it lives among its family, giving and receiving attention. However, the lion dog is not a homebody at all: he is a cheerful and lively dog, and can even bark at those who come to his home. But there is no need to worry: no matter how many guests there are, as soon as they enter the house, it will immediately become interested and, especially, friendly.

Attitude towards children

If upbringing is carried out correctly, then this dog will become a dear friend for kids too. The dog is capable of being very patient with children's carelessness. But the child should also be taught that an animal is not a teddy bear that doesn’t feel anything. You can’t stop giving your pet rest, because he has his own needs and desires. Moreover, since this is a legendary animal, one must show a certain amount of respect for its history.

In general, the dog's attitude towards children is excellent. Even during a walk, the Shih Tzu is so obedient and loyal that you can easily take him for a walk with a child. A dog, even a puppy, of this breed is not inclined to run away from its owner. You can give 5 points out of 5 for the attitude of the Shih Tzu towards children.

Content

Shih Tzus are long-lived and have fairly good health. All their lives, even at a very old age, they continue to be playful, cheerful, eat well, and their character does not deteriorate over the years.

To ensure your pet lives a long and happy life, you need to take care of your eye health. They are wiped with cotton pads moistened with warm boiled water. However, you cannot use one cotton pad for both eyes. You need to wipe the eyes with movements from the outer edge, towards the nose.

Tartar can be a problem for this breed of dog. It must be removed in time.

The Shih Tzu's fur is so thick that even the ear canals are covered with it. “Tangles” form that block air circulation, which gives rise to the development of infections and inflammations. Therefore, the hair inside the ears is cut off. You can pluck them out if you do it especially carefully.

Need for physical activity

You need to make sure your dog doesn't gain weight. Shih Tzus are prone to gaining excess weight. If you notice this in your dog, make its walks more active and reduce the portion of food.

You need to walk your dog not so much for a long time, but actively. Although the Shih Tzu is capable of long hikes, it also loves to play. Even if your dog is trained to go to the litter tray or diaper, then on rainy days, be sure to take him for a walk.

Pregnancy in a Shih Tzu lasts 63 days. All this time the dog is more vulnerable, so make sure that it does not become hypothermic.

Wash your pregnant dog after warm walks. While it is drying, it is better not to take it outside. As a rule - until the next day.

Shih Tzu. About the dog breed: description of the Shih Tzu breed, prices, photos, care

Appearance care

Wool is the pride of a Shih Tzu dog. This dog's hair is similar in structure to human hair. Therefore, when thinking about purchasing this breed, keep in mind that your pet’s coat needs careful care. His fur is a real hairstyle!

It does not get caught in carpets, does not stick to clothes, and does not cover sofas. But this does not mean that it is enough to wipe the dog with a damp sponge to make it clean.

If you have no time or are too lazy to groom your dog, do not adopt this breed. Her beauty is in her “hairstyle”.

You can still get a Shih Tzu dog if you are willing to visit grooming salons frequently, understanding that this is an expensive pleasure.

It’s a rare person who doesn’t want to cuddle a little fluffy Shih Tzu, take him in, or care for him. But if the Shih Tzu is neglected, it is a sad sight. Think about it: are you ready to give your dog a decent life and the necessary care?

A dog with long hair needs to be bathed once a week. A cut one can be bathed a little less often. But if you have a show dog, bathing once every seven days is a strict rule. Since you can’t achieve the proper look with just one wash and combing. To make your dog's hair look alive and filled with vitality, you need to take care of it uninterruptedly.

Shih Tzu shampoo coma requires conditioners and balms. After bathing, do not rub your dog with a towel, otherwise the hair will become tangled and tangled. Wrap it up and start drying it. The head and groin are very sensitive to heat, so be careful when drying these areas.

Do not leave your dog wet after washing! She is at risk of getting sick.

Nutrition

Raw meat is much healthier for your Shih Tzu than boiled meat. It should be added to the feed daily. Mix in bone meal to enrich the food with minerals. Fish is also present in the Shih Tzu's diet. But only sea. River fish is prohibited for this dog. You should absolutely not give your dog beans or pasta. Sweets are also prohibited. Pork and smoked meats are prohibited. And vegetables are very healthy for dogs.

The water should be fresh and in a clean bowl. You shouldn’t just pour milk on your dog. It can be given as part of porridge. Feeding occurs twice a day - morning and evening.

Shih Tzu dog breed - care, nutrition, education

Character and education of the Shih Tzu

Experienced experts, speaking about the Shih Tzu breed, are convinced that these dogs are more reminiscent of humans in character than of their relatives. The dog settles well into the new family, allowing all its members to approach him. As for strangers, the dog will be wary of them, but will not show aggression; rather, it will show its key character traits - arrogance and a certain pride.

Such a mini-dog will not pester its owner if it sees that he is busy with his own business. However, if you ignore your pet for too long, he will become sad. A puppy with black or white color will become a real four-legged companion for you. They have a calm, easy-going character, so there shouldn’t be any problems in the pet’s relationship with its owner.

In addition, such animals become so accustomed to the family that they do not single out one owner for themselves, but treat all household members with equal affection. This is both an advantage and, at the same time, a disadvantage of the breed, since a Shih Tzu will definitely not make a good home guard or family protector - he loves affection and attention too much. Before buying such a puppy, find out who this breed is most suitable for. For example, if you have small children in your home, don't assume they will get along with the dog.

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How to choose and name a Shih Tzu puppy

Kids will want to play and cuddle this doll mini-dog, but his proud nature will not tolerate such mockery. Therefore, conflicts between children and Shih Tzu are not excluded. If your family has older children, a strong friendship between them and the pet is guaranteed. Elderly people should also think about purchasing such a puppy. The thing is that Shih Tzu subtly sense the mood of the owner and always very clearly express their love for him.

Related article: How to choose and name a Shih Tzu puppy

“Shitz” will become not only a loyal friend. This is a very smart dog, which is not too difficult to train even for a beginner. That is why you can start month-by-month training soon after the puppy arrives in your home.

The life expectancy of this dog is about 19 years, so this animal will live quite a long time in its new family.

Difficulties

Summarizing the difficulties of raising a Shih Tzu, it can be noted that:

The dog needs the constant company of its owner
Wool is a difficult point in caring for a dog, as it requires very careful attention.
Ears and eyes, which constantly strive to become overgrown with hair, need to be washed and freed
The dog loves to eat and may gain weight
Supervise when Shih Tzus drink water, the position of their nose risks water getting into their nose

Every dog is special. The description of the breed does not always correspond to the general image. Love your dog with all his personalities and learn to understand him.