Shih Tzu Dog: Breed Standard and Description, Photos, and Price

The Shih Tzu is an incredibly beautiful small dog of the legendary Tibetan breed, which has remained popular for thousands of years. For a long time, this breed was kept exclusively in imperial palaces. Exporting Shih Tzus outside the country was strictly prohibited. Over time, the influence of tradition faded, and these sweet and wonderful companions began to live among European nobility. No one remains indifferent to this dog's playful nature, intelligent eyes, and luxurious coat. This is why the Shih Tzu remains popular today.

Shih Tzu breed description and photos

There are many legends about the Shih Tzu. Tibet is considered the homeland of dogs., where Tibetan lamas and yogis dwell in the mountains. According to one legend, the breed was beloved by Buddha and accompanied him on his journeys throughout the world. At the right time, the small domestic dog could transform into a huge lion, and Buddha would then ride it.

According to another legend, the Shih Tzu bears a strong resemblance to the king of beasts, Tang Sing, who could change his size, transform into mist or cloud, and travel great distances. His power was so great that seven dragons fell from the sky at the mere roar of a lion.

Breed standard

This very elegant, small, and agile dog is distinguished by its short muzzle and thick, long, and straight coat. The hair on the bridge of the nose grows sideways and upwards, which is why the dog is often called the "Chrysanthemum."

The main requirements of the standard include:

1. Weight from 4.5 kg to 7.2 kg. There are dogs weighing less than 4.5 kg.
2. The height at the withers for males is from 20 to 28 cm. Females are shorter.
3. The head is small in size and broad and rounded.
4. The unusualness of the breed is emphasized by the convex forehead with a sharp transition to the muzzle.
5. The wide-set, round, dark-colored eyes give the dog a surprising seriousness.
6. The ears hang down and lie close to the head.

Standard-compliant dogs move proudly and swiftly, graceful and free.

Description of wool

The Shih Tzu's entire body is covered with long, thick, and coarse fur. It falls onto the pet's face, resulting in a mustache and beard.

The beautifully flowing, silky coat resembles luxurious hair. It grows very quickly, so the pet is often trimmed, and the bangs are pinned back. For shows, the bangs are created into beautiful, distinctive hairstyles that can resemble a ponytail. To prevent the dog from getting tangled in the fur or stepping on its own bangs, they are trimmed periodically and brushed weekly.

The coat color can be:

• chocolate;
• creamy;
• red-haired;
• golden;
• black;
• white.

The breed particularly values ​​a combination of two or three acceptable shades, as well as white markings on the tip of the tail and forehead.

Shih Tzu personality

Very beautiful, more like toy dogs have a very unusual characterThey don't single out a specific owner, sharing their love among all the household members. The breed doesn't like being alone, so it follows its owner everywhere. Even if the pet is sleeping, at the slightest rustle, it's ready to jump up and run after its owner wherever they go. Thanks to this affection, Shih Tzus make wonderful companions and friends.

The breed has a strong build, which allows it to carry quite a lot of weight. Despite this, the dog's affectionate nature he is not allowed to be a security guard.

A small pet can be a house dog, and walking it is not necessary. Since dogs are easily trained, they can be taught to use a litter box or use a newspaper. However, you shouldn't deprive them of walks entirely. It is recommended to take them for walks at least twice a week, running around the yard or playing active games.

Shih Tzus aren't good companions for small children, as they view children as equals and play frantically with them. These energetic and playful dogs can run and play tirelessly for long periods of time.

The breed is considered silent, but some specimens begin to bark, whine and cry from an early age, especially if left alone at home.

Care Features

Almost all care for Shih Tzu consists of combing the dog's fur and bathing itBrush your pet as often as necessary to prevent mats. Dogs begin to shed at approximately 10-12 months of age. During this time, brushing should be done more frequently. The shedding period lasts approximately three weeks.

This breed requires bathing every three to four weeks and as needed. Never bathe a pet with matted fur. These mats must be combed out. Use a soft bristle brush to do this. Where the brush doesn't reach, untangle the tangled fur by hand. Pay special attention to the area around the ears and neck, as well as the insides of the paws. Mats are most likely to form here. The forelock and whiskers should be combed daily. To keep hair out of the pet's eyes, the forelock can be tied with an elastic band to create a topknot.

To make the Shih Tzu easier to care for, you can cut it short, which will make your pet look very cute. However, clipping is only recommended if the dog won't be participating in shows. Grooming a clipped dog should be the same as for any other short-haired dog.

From puppyhood, Shih Tzus require regular nail trimming, ear cleaning, and eye cleaning. Because the breed's long coat often causes eye problems, they should be examined daily. If a dog's eye has a white spot on the pupil, is cloudy, inflamed, or partially closed, seek immediate veterinary attention.

Shih Tzus are often plagued by external parasites, including fleas and ticks. They're difficult to spot in their long, thick fur, but they can be a nuisance. A single insect can cause the dog to scratch so much that it loses a large amount of fur. These parasites should be removed, and the dog and home treated with mild insecticides.

A pet that is sedentary and rarely walks may be obese, so it's recommended not to overfeed it and to engage in active play. Furthermore, the breed often suffers from periodontitis and ear infections. Therefore, the dog's teeth and ears need to be cleaned regularly. If the animal snores, it most likely has a respiratory problem. In this case, it's recommended to consult a specialist.

Feeding a Shih Tzu

This breed can be fed either natural or commercial food. Many owners believe that commercial food contains various artificial additives, so they prefer natural food. However, a diet based on natural foods should include special nutritional supplements, minerals, and vitamins.

For the first few days, a newly acquired puppy should be fed the same food it was fed when it was with the breeder. Otherwise, the dog will develop digestive problems. New foods are introduced gradually. Each day, the amount of the old food is reduced and the amount of the new food is increased.

The amount of food is determined individually. What the dog eats with appetite will be its normal amount. Excess food is removed. Some pets are very voracious, and can eat anything and everything in large quantities. In this case, you need to determine the norm yourself, observing that your pet doesn't look pregnant after eating. The approximate nutritional norm for an adult Shih Tzu is 3 to 5% of its body weight, and for a puppy, 5-10%.

Until two months of age, puppies of this breed are fed six times a day. Then, until they reach five months of age, the number of feedings is reduced to four to five times a day, and the portion size is increased. A six-month-old puppy is fed three times a day, while a one-year-old and adult dog are fed morning and evening.

Shih Tzu: Choosing a Puppy, Photos, and Price

Before choosing a pet, you should first decide what you want it for. Will you be taking it to shows, or will it simply be your beloved companion? This choice will determine the dog's class and, consequently, its price.

Age and color have virtually no effect on price. The price of a Shih Tzu depends on the class., to which the puppy belongs:

1. Show class – representatives of the breed are bred exclusively for exhibitions. They require careful grooming and specialized training. A puppy of this class can cost up to $2,000.
2. The Brit class is intended specifically for breeding, but can also participate in exhibitions.
3. Pet-class dogs are lap dogs, purely for the soul. They don't participate in shows and are difficult to breed, but they cost only $100-200.

Choosing a puppy, especially for shows, requires great care. Be sure to look at its parents and study its pedigree. The following points need to be clarified with the breeder:

• what food and how often does the baby eat;
• whether he had been vaccinated;
• What documents does the breeder have for the pet?
• How often and what illnesses do his parents have?

It's best to choose an active and inquisitive puppy with a healthy coat. The puppy should be easygoing and non-aggressive toward its new owners.

A puppy's prominent belly indicates that the dog has been improperly fed or is infected with worms. Also, don't choose a dirty and lethargic puppy.

It is best to choose a puppy that will be with your family from the beginning of lifeAn adult dog will take a long time to train and retrain.

Known for their gentleness and obedience, Shih Tzus are surprisingly independent and proud, inquisitive, and playful. They are self-confident and intelligent, yet they also love companionship and bond easily. Therefore, those who want a cheerful and reliable companion in their family should definitely choose a Shih Tzu, keeping in mind that they require special care.