Perky and happy, the shih tzu tends to require a large amount of personal attention. Because it thrives on human company, it can easily become spoiled.
Description
Shih Tzu with a tricolor (black, white, and brown) show coat.
A strong little dog with a short nose and typically big, dark brown eyes, the Shih Tzu is a breed. Chinese people have been referred to as having "lion heads" and "owl heads," respectively, and "frog mouths" for their mouths. They have a soft, lengthy double coat that, if not brushed at least every two or three days, will quickly tangle and mat. A Shih Tzu should weigh between 4.0 and 7.5 kg and reach no taller than 26.7 cm (1012") at the withers (9 to 17 lb). Long fur covers the floppy ears, and a thick tail is carried curled over the back. The coat could be any type.
tint, but it is common to see white and with grey blazes. The underbite, which is required by the breed standard, is a particularly observable characteristic.
To prevent tangles, the customary long, silky coat, which usually reaches the floor, must be brushed every day. Regular grooming is crucial and necessary for this breed's long coat and quickly growing hair, which can be costly and should be considered when thinking about adopting one. The coat is frequently trimmed short to make maintenance easier, although daily brushing is still necessary. The coat must be left in its natural state for conformation displaying, while trimming for neatness around the feet and anus is permitted. The shorter cut is commonly referred to as a "teddy bear" or a "puppy cut".
Etymology
Due to the fact that this breed of dog was raised to resemble "the lion, as in classic eastern art," the name is derived from the Chinese term for "lion."
(In Chinese, the Pekingese breed is also known as "lion dog"). The Wade-Giles romanization of the Chinese character for "lion" is "Shih Tzu."
History
According to one idea, the Pekingese and Lhasa Apso crossed to create the Shih Tzu.
The canines were cherished so highly by the Chinese royal family since they were their favorites that they were never traded, sold, or given away. The Kennel Club designated the first dogs of the breed as "Apsos" when they were transported into Europe (England and Norway) in 1930. The first European standard for the breed was written in England in 1935 by the Shih Tzu Club,and the dogs were categorised again as Shih Tzu. When returning U.S. service personnel brought back dogs from Europe and Asia after World War II, the breed spread throughout Europe and was transferred to the United States.
The American Kennel Club recognized the Shih Tzu in the Toy Group in 1969. There are now fourteen different Shih Tzu breeds in existence. The Shih Tzu Club of England was established in 1934, and on May 7, 1940, the Kennel Club (UK) recognized the breed as a distinct entity. It was not eligible for Challenge Certificates until 1949, at which point they began to be given. All of the significant kennel clubs in the English-speaking world now recognize the breed. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale also recognizes Tibetan breeds for international competition in the Companion and Toy Dog Group, Section 5.In the United States, the Shih Tzu ranked the 15th most popular breed in 2013, falling slightly in popularity
Buddhism and the mythology of Shih Tzus
Most people identify these "lion dogs" with Buddhism and Buddhist mythology. In Mandarin, the name "Shih Tzu" directly translates to "lion," an animal revered in Buddhism. To "fear nothing, and act without delay," as the saying goes, is to be a lion. It is believed that pairs of stone lions or lion dogs that guard palace doors, tombs, temples, and public buildings from evil people and spiritual influences. These stone statues are often called Fu (or Foo) dogs, and it is suggested that these are the lionized form of the Shih Tzu. [
Health
The following list of health conditions has been observed in specific Shih Tzu individuals, some of which are hereditary. Due to the breed's widespread popularity, extremely subpar breeding practices have been tolerated, which has resulted in widespread and lifelong diseases, frequently starting at an early age.
Heart Condition Shih Tzus are predisposed to a variety of heart conditions. Depending on when it is identified and the stage of the disease when it is found, the condition may have a dismal prognosis.