Everything You Need To Know About The Shih Tzu

July 16, 2021

About the Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu or chrysanthemum-faced dog (pronounced in the West “sheet-su” or “sher-zer” by the Chinese), is a breed well loved by all. The cute and loving breed is very affectionate to both their fur parents and children. The Shih Tzu was originally bred to spend most of their days inside royal palaces; therefore, require less exercise compared to other smaller breeds. This breed is suitable for small homes, apartments, or houses without a yard. Lastly, this adorable breed enjoys being cute and lounging around with their fur parent making this the ideal breed for new or inexperienced dog owners. Walk your Shih Tzu with class by using this no-pull harness.

Shih Tzu Data

Temperament: Affectionate, Playful, Outgoing

Height: 9-10.5 inches

Weight: 9-16 pounds

Life Expectancy: 10-18 years

Group: Toy Group

History

The adorable Shih Tzu, which means “Lion Dog”, was originally bred by Imperial Breeders for the Chinese Empress Tzu Hsi. The breed originated in Tibet as a crossbreed between a Lhaso Apso and the Pekingese. For hundreds of years (even dating back to 2000 years), the Shih Tzu has lived a life of royalty as a lap dog to powerful Emperors and their families. After the 1930s, the breed was introduced beyond the walls of China and entered other nations.

Holy Shih!

The Shih Tzu is truly a breed bred for nobility. In fact, owning one outside the royal court was deemed illegal and carried an extreme penalty when caught with one. According to an article written by Pedigree about the dog's history shows an account of how revered the dog breed was during the Ming and Manchu Dynasties.

"Called Shih-tzu Kou in traditional Chinese, which literally means “Lion Dog,” the breed’s lion-like facial features were revered in Imperial courts because Buddha was said to have ridden to earth on the back of a lion.

During the Ming and Manchu Dynasties, the little lion dogs were bred and raised by palace eunuchs and were considered the exclusive property of the royal court. They were rarely seen outside the palaces, and anyone caught owning one could be sentenced to death.

These thickly coated Shih Tzus were sometimes carried inside the robes of noble women and were even used as bed warmers and placed at the feet of the emperors and empresses to generate heat."

Source.

Intense, right? If you own a Shih Tzu, you own a breed bred for Chinese royalty.

Grooming

A Shih Tzu with a long coat requires daily brushing. Use a good-quality wire brush with flexible pins, and layer the hair to be sure you reach to the skin. A bath about every three or four weeks will help to keep the coat clean and at its best. Remember to comb the mustache and topknot daily, and gently clean the corner of the eyes with a damp cloth. To protect the Shih Tzu’s eyes from being irritated, the hair on the top of the head should be trimmed short or tied up into a topknot. If you don’t want to have to spend time on your dog’s coat, the Shih Tzu can look adorable when clipped into a “puppy trim” by a professional groomer. Trimming nails and cleaning ears should be part of the Shih Tzu’s grooming routine.