Shih-Tzu Breed Information and Pictures - Tiny Tracks

Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu Breed Information:

Class: Toy Group
Alternate Names: Chrysanthemum Dog, Imperial Shih Tzu
Height: 8 � 11 in. (22 � 28 cm)
Weight: 9-16 lbs (4-7 kg.)
Color: Multi-colored, shades of white, gold, grey, brown and black
Hypoallergenic: Yes

Description & Appearance:

The Shih Tzu is an adorable little dog showing a confident and proud look about them. Its head is cocked high, tail curled back, and their coat is long and flowing. The Shih Tzu has a compact and sturdy body. It�s sweet and charming expression with its large glowing eyes and short snout was originally bred to resemble a lion.

Shih Tzu�s have a double coat, one that is long and wavy, and luxurious. They have a variety of colors and no color is discriminated.

Temperament:

The Shih Tzu is a happy and fun-loving breed. They have a charming character, are attentive and love human affection. They are personable, playful, bright and spunky. They enjoy playing around with other pets, cats or dogs.

Shih Tzu�s are gentle natured and can be a little mischievous. They are good with obedience training and learn tricks easily too. They are generally good with children, but can be snappy if teased.

This breed is intelligent and stubborn which can make an awful combination for housebreaking. You�ll need persistent attention to housebreak them in a timely fashion. Reward for positive behavior, avoid harsh punishment for negative behavior.

Health:

Shih Tzu�s have a predisposition to wheeze and snore. They have healthy appetites and it is important to control how much they eat. With a good diet Shih Tzu�s can live 15 years or better.

Care & Grooming:

This breed is an indoor breed and suited well for apartment life. They get much of their exercise running through the house and battling their toys. At the same time, they�re very active and enjoy traveling with you or taking the occasional walk.

Shih Tzu�s have a double coat, thus grooming is a daily event. A bristle brush is best used to keep the tangles and matting out. With a full head of hair, many owners will tie their hair up with a topknot to keep it out of their eyes. Owners also trim to coat for easier maintenance. The upside with a Shih Tzu�s coat is that with proper grooming, it doesn�t shed and will carry little dander making it an ideal companion for allergy sufferers.

History:

Shih Tzu�s descended from crossing the Tibetan Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese. Originally bred in Tibet, China, they then became popular with imperial rulers during the Qing Dynasty, seventeenth century.

More:

You can also browse the forums for more information about Shih Tzu by owners of this wonderful breed. See the following:

For Shih Tzu discussions, click here.
For Shih Tzu pictures, click here.