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.
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.