Sweden - Sverige. Switzerland Suisse. Switzerland Schweiz. United Kingdom. United Arab Emirates English. United States. For Dogs. For Cats. About Hill's. Media Press Releases Media Kit. Other Careers. Pet Care Center. Shih Tzu At a glance. Size: Weight Range : Male: lbs. Female: lbs. Height at Withers: Male: 10 in. Female: 10 in. As with most toy breeds, shih tzu are quick to mature, reaching adult size by about 10 months.
Personality: Shih tzu are renowned for their perky, happy temperaments. Living With: Shih Tzu are very easy to keep and quickly become obese if given too many treats. History: The shih tzu originated in Tibet, probably back around the 7th century, and they may have simply been the smallest of the Lhasa Apsos there. Related Pet Care Articles.
The English cocker spaniel is slightly taller than long. Find more dog breeds and dog care information at Hillspet. The Shih Tzu, when properly trained and cared for, can make a wonderful companion.
Its small size makes this breed ideal for apartments and smaller living spaces. Just be prepared for some snorting and snoring; the Shih Tzu is considered a brachycephalic breed because of its head shape and short, "smooshed" face. Overall, most owners of the breed will tell you that the Shih Tzu is truly a lovable dog breed. Group: Toy. Coat and Color: Long double coat in nearly any color, most commonly in black, white, blue, gold, liver, or combinations.
The name Shih Tzu originates from the Chinese word for "lion" because of the breed's lion-like appearance. Evidence of the Shih Tzu 's ancestors can be traced back to ancient breeds, particularly in Tibet. DNA analysis shows the Shih Tzu, like the Lhasa apso, is a more direct branch from the wolf than many other dog breeds.
The exact origins of the Shih Tzu as a Chinese royal house pet is hazy, with different dates offered over the past 1, years. The breed became known as a noble dog of China, notably as a royal house pet to the Ming Dynasty from the 14th to 17th century.
They were favorites of the Empress T'zu Hsi in the late s. The Shih Tzu has always been a house pet and lap dog, never having been bred for any other known purposes. This differentiates the breed from the Lhasa apso, which served as temple guards. Perhaps this is why the Shih Tzu remains, to this day, one of the most pampered and popular of the toy breeds. Historically, the Chinese royals didn't allow the dog to be traded outside of the nobility.
It wasn't until that the first Shih Tzus were imported into Europe. They then arrived in the U. The Shih Tzu's coat grows continuously. Many owners choose to keep the hair trimmed short, making it appear somewhat curly and fluffy. Others prefer to keep the coat long and luxurious.
Because of this coat type, routine grooming is an absolute necessity. Not sure about food puzzles? Our veterinarian reveals why the payoff for your pet is well worth any extra work. The friendly and inquisitive LaPerm has an easy-care coat that comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Check out our collection of more than videos about pet training, animal behavior, dog and cat breeds and more. Wonder which dog or cat best fits your lifestyle?
Our new tool will narrow down more than breeds for you. If the video doesn't start playing momentarily, please install the latest version of Flash. Shih Tzu. Barbara O'Brien, Animal Photography. Mary Bloom. Tetsu Yamazaki, Animal Photography.
Sally Anne Thompson, Animal Photography. Breed Characteristics Adaptability How easily a dog deals with change. Tendency to enjoy or tolerate other dogs. Amount and frequency of dog hair shedding. Amount of warmth or friendliness displayed. Level of daily activity needed. Preferred amount of interaction with other pets and humans. Factors such as dog size and his tendency to make noise.
Amount of bathing, brushing, even professional grooming needed. Tendency to be welcoming to new people. Breed's level of vocalization. Level of health issues a breed tends to have.
A dog's inclination to be protective of his home, yard or even car. Tendency toward a tolerance for cats and a lower prey drive. A dog's thinking and problem-solving ability not trainability. Level of ease in learning something new and a willingness to try new things. Dogs that tend to be more sturdy, playful and easygoing around children and more tolerant of children's behavior.
How lighthearted and spirited a dog tends to be. A breed that is likely to alert you to the presence of strangers. Adaptability How easily a dog deals with change. Did You Know? The History of Shih Tzus Little is known about the origins of the Shih Tzu, but genetic testing tells us that he is one of the more ancient breeds in existence.
What You Need to Know About Shih Tzu Health All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems, just as all people have the potential to inherit a particular disease. Finding a Shih Tzu Whether you want to go with a breeder or get your dog from a shelter or rescue, here are some things to keep in mind.
Choosing a Shih Tzu Breeder Finding a good breeder is a great way to find the right puppy. Adopting a Dog From a Shih Tzu Rescue or Shelter There are many great options available if you want to adopt a dog from an animal shelter or breed rescue organization.
Use the Web Sites like Petfinder. Key Questions to Ask You now know the things to discuss with a breeder, but there are also questions you should discuss with shelter or rescue group staff or volunteers before you bring home a pup.
These include: What is his energy level? How is he around other animals? How does he respond to shelter workers, visitors, and children? What is his personality like? What is his age? Is he housetrained? Has he ever bitten or hurt anyone that they know of? Are there any known health issues? Join the Conversation Like this article? Have a point of view to share? Let us know! Find a Veterinarian Near Watch the Latest Vetstreet Videos Check out our collection of more than videos about pet training, animal behavior, dog and cat breeds and more.
Featured Video Meet the Italian Greyhound If the video doesn't start playing momentarily, please install the latest version of Flash. You need JavaScript enabled to view this video. Select Dog or Cat. Because the breed has an undershot jaw, they can also have missing or misaligned teeth. With a shih tzu puppy, you may deal with a lot of snuffles, snorts, and loud snoring as she teethes.
As she gets older, she may suffer from reverse sneezing—a wheezing sound made when she's overly excited— gulp her food too quickly , or encounter an allergen. Her prominent eyes can also give her trouble, including cataracts , progressive retinal atrophy , retinal detachment, and corneal dryness.
Eyes can also become inflamed from excessive air exposure due to improperly closing eyelids. Reach out to your vet right away if you notice any issues with your shih tzu's eyes. Digging into the history of the shih tzu is like taking a mini lesson in east Asian history. According to the Shih Tzu Club , this breed dates back at least 1, years, with records of "under the table" dogs appearing in China all the way back to 8, B.
It's believed they were originally bred in Tibet—some say by Tibetan monks—and the tiny dogs were sent to the Chinese emperors as gifts. It's believed the Chinese then bred them with Pekingese and pugs or Lhasa apsos to create the shih tzu we know today.
Other legends abound when it comes to shih tzus' royal heritage. It's reported that in the 13th century Marco Polo discovered that Mongolian Emperor Kublai Khan kept small "lion" dogs, believed to be shih tzus, with trained hunting lions to keep them calm.
It's worth noting that Pekingese is also called "lion dog" in Chinese. There are records of the Chinese royal family keeping shih tzu-like dogs during the Ming Dynasty — as well. In , the shih tzu gained even more status thanks to Empress Dowager Cixi of China. She had a true love for animals and spent much time breeding them. During her reign, it's said she was gifted, by the Dalai Lama, a pair of spectacular shih tzus who lived in their own palace and were trained to sit up and wave when the Empress arrived.
When Empress Cixi died in , shih tzu breeding came nearly to a halt, almost causing extinction. Shih tzus were long hidden behind palace walls and only really introduced beyond Asia—first in England and Ireland—in the late s and early s. The breed made its way to the U. Shih Tzu Breed Photo. The shih tzu is a born companion who loves to sit on anyone's lap. A regal, ancient breed, the shih tzu is a lively charmer. Read on to learn more about living with the majestic breed.
Breed Group Group Breed Group herding hound hybrid non-sporting none sporting terrier toy working. Dog Size Size Dog Size extra large lbs.
Other Traits Traits Other Traits apartment-friendly cold weather tolerant easy to groom easy to train good for first-time pet owners good hiking companion high potential for weight gain high prey drive highly territorial hot weather tolerant hypoallergenic loves water low prey drive prone to health issues requires lots of grooming strong loyalty tendencies tendency to chew tolerates being alone.
Temperament Temperament Temperament aggressive aloof anxious friendly gentle outgoing playful protective timid willful.
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