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Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu is one very attractive small dog was kept as a companion and watch dog in the Chinese imperial courts. It’s often confused with the Tibetan Lhasa Apso.
Origin: The Shih Tzu is named after a curious animal featured in Chinese mythology, the Lion Dog. Buddhists in China revered the lion, and the little dogs were given similar respect. The ancestors of the breed originated in Tibet, and may have been related to the Lhasa Apso. These found their way to China centuries ago, as gifts of goodwill from the Tibetan monasteries to the Chinese emperors. The Shih Tzu was introduce to Britain and America in the 1930s, and for a short time was classed with the Lhasa Apsos. Since its recognition as separate breed, more and more people have become aware of this delightful dog.
Temperament: Bred primarily as a pet, the Shih Tzu is naturally affectionate and vitality towards people of all ages. It is intelligent and will not thrive on its own, rapidly becoming bored under these circumstances.
Grooming: The long coat demands daily care to keep its good looks, otherwise the hair will become badly tangled and will then be painful to unravel. Use bristle brush. Keep the long top-knot of hair away from the eyes by means of a bow. Regular check on the ears for any sign of infection. The hair around the mouth will also have to be cleaned should it become soiled with food.
Exercise: Shih Tzu requires very moderate and gentle exercise. They are perfectly content with regular short walks, and are unlikely to stray far away when off the leash.
Physical appearance of the Shih Tzu
Head: Broad, with abundant long hair on crown and muzzle. Muzzle short and square, but not wrinkled.
Nose: Black.
Eyes: Dark brown, rounded and quite large.
Ears: Lard and pendant. Hidden by a thick layer of long coat.
Coat: Very long, thick and slightly wavy. All colors permissible but those with white markings on the forehead and tail tips are most favored.
Body: Long, level back and wide chest.
Tail: Set high and heavily plumed over back.
Height: 26 cm / 10 in.
Weight: 5 to 7 kg / 10 to 16 lb
Mar 2nd 2007
11:32 PM
Is there a naturally shorthaired breed of the Shih Tzu?
Mar 3rd 2007
1:02 AM
Hi Rachelle,
Simply put it, no. What you see here are pictures of Shih Tzu puppies. Owners of Shih Tzu have two options, either to let the coat grow to its full length or have the groomer to do a puppy clip quarterly.
Either option, owners still have to groom (brush) the dog’s coat every other day.
Hope this helps!
Mar 3rd 2007
7:35 PM
Thanks for the quick response. I have a dilema now. Our family has put a hundred dollar deposit on a puppy who was born Feb.11. The puppies mother and father were there for us to see. The mommy looks like your normal beautiful Shih Tzu with a long beautiful coat. The father looks just like a Shih Tzu but has a short to medium coat.When I asked the breeder about it she said the short haired Shih Tzu is rare but pure bred. That she has never cut his hair,it is natural. When I told her there wasn’t any information on-line about “a short haired” Shih Tzu. She said “They are so rare that I won’t find any info about them. She assured me again that they are pure bred Shih Tzus and they are AKC registered. She is selling the puppies for $350.00 each and will be ready to go to their new home @ 6 weeeks. No shots,de-worming,vet check or nothing is going to be done on her part.Once we take the puppy from her home she is no longer responsible for anything that might happen.We are a military family who just moved up to Alaska. Other dogs are sold for top dollar up here, and hard to come by. Personally, I thought that she was being very honest,being another military wife. Now, I’m not sure what to do. How can the dogs be AKC registered if they are not really a Shih Tzu. What should I do? Any advice? Please help again…..thanx
Mar 4th 2007
12:17 AM
Hi Rachelle,
You post a few interesting questions, and I’d love to answer them all in greater depth. Since this is a comment section, it can be very difficult to read such long text—especially for those who have similar concerns to yours.
If you don’t mind me write a post base around your questions, I’d certainly post it within this week. Since you won’t be “picking up” the pup until 18th, this will give you enough time to ponder over my suggestions and also allowing my readers to contribute their thoughts (but can’t guarantee many will, let’s hope they do.)
Let me know your thoughts and thank you for your comments.
Feb 6th 2008
6:38 PM
To Rachelle Bealer,
I have two Shih Tzus that were born with the short hair fault. They are registered at the AKC - with the fault noted, and cannot have their babies registered.
I hope you bought the dog, I LOVE MINE. Hardly any grooming - and endless comments like, “those are the cutest dogs ever, what kind are they?”
Mar 13th 2008
7:49 AM
Hi, I am a breeder also that has purebred dogs. My bitch will whelp one in every litter it seems of the short coat fault, variety. They are so cute, have all the shih tzu personality, and none of the extensive grooming requirements. Rare but they do occur, and yes they can’t be registered. New owners seem to really love these litttle short haired darlings and I get nothing but loving comments about them.
Mar 13th 2008
7:51 AM
Hi, I am a breeder of shih tzu and have a particular bitch that throws a short coated puppy or two with every litter. Yes it does happen. They have a genetic falt that throws back genetically to ancient times when different chinese breeds were crossed to produce the shih tzu. When they were imported into England they introduced pekeinese into the line also. So it does happen, and they aren’t registerable. I have found that people that purchase these little guys love them dearly as they have all the shih tzu characteristics without all the extensive grooming needs. I can verify this as I also show my shih tzu and it requires at least an hour a day to keep my show dogs in show shape. If I miss a day I pay for it by having to remove matted spots very carefully from the coat so that it doesn’t strip or damage other hair.
Jun 6th 2008
2:03 PM
I LOVE my short haired shih tzu. Their faces are so much cuter when the hair lays flat and you can really see the features.
Jul 3rd 2008
8:51 PM
I have two short-haired Shih Tzus as well.
I always have people ask me what kind of dogs they are — along with the comments, “those are the cutest dogs I have ever seen!”
They are related and were one litter apart!
See them here: http://www.beneful.com/Scrapbooks/Default.aspx?id=573