The Shih Tzu breed has dogs of small sizes: their height measures from 8 inches and up to 11 inches and their weight varies from 9 pounds up to 16 pounds. The look of the Shih Tzu is extremely beautiful. These dogs are double coated: they have a soft and wooly inside fur covered by a luxuriant long-haired coat on the outside. The owners of the dogs of this breed usually comb the hair on their head into a top knot, in order to keep it from falling into their eyes.
The name of the Shih Tzu dog breed means in chinese the Small Lion and under this chinese name the breed is known all around the world, though its’ origins are in Tibet. The period before the dogs of this breed arrived in China is not documented, so we don’t know much about their ancestors or related to the breeding techniques used by the monks of Tibet, the Shih Tzu dogs beeing for the first time mentioned as the favorite pets of the Emperors of the Manchu Dynasty during the 19th century, period when they flourished in China. They were sent in China by the monks of Tibet, as gifts for the emperors reigning in those times. Their chinese name, the Shih Tzu, meaning in english the Tibetan Lions, is reffering to their resemblance to little lions, because of their brown, long-haired and luxuriant coat. At the end of the World War II, these dogs were brought to the United States by American soldiers, via the Great Britain, where the breed had been imported around 1930. The breed was instantly accepted by people t here because of the breeds’ beauty and friendly attitude.
Why Are the Shih Tzu Dogs Beloved By People All Around The World?
The Shih Tzu is a people’s dog. They are craving for the presence of humans. They are basically dogs who need to be around someone and often become destructive and cranky if left alone for long periods of time. Without making any effort, everybody, people, dog or any other animal, can go along with a Shih Tzu dog, due to their calm and sweet temper. It is however not advisable to leave them around small children lest anyone be harmed.
The Shih Tzu puppies and adult dogs need a lot of grooming since it has two coats of hair – one short undercoat and one sweepingly long. Every day you must comb their hair to prevent tangling or matting. Owners should bath them regularily, but exposure to humid environments can easily get them sick. These dogs begin to lose their teeth starting with their 9th year.
Having short and flat faces, their breathing is troubled by wheezing sounds and they snor loudly. They are prone to obesity and should not be overfed. They tend to become and behave like spoiled brats easily.
The Shih Tzu dogs are difficult to train because of their stubbornness. It is hard to train them at home. Harshness has no effect on their training, you need patience.
These dogs are indoor dogs and they are happy to live in apartments and small-enclosed places. They require only little exercise. However, they love outdoors and enjoy games. There is a lot more to learn about the Shih Tzu dogs. And more about their origin and history can be found on this site.
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The Shih Tzu breed originates in Tibet, but was first documented at the Imperial Court in China, in the 19th century, during the Manchu Dynasty. They are small dogs, up to 11 inches in height and 16 pounds in weight and have two coats, one long-haired luxuriant coat covering the soft and wooly fur. Shih Tzu are indoors dogs, they can be hold in apartments and need little outdoors exercise, but a lot of game playing.
