Shih Tzu: description of the breed, character, feeding and care

Shih Tzu is one of the many small breeds of dogs. This exotic word is translated from the Chinese as "lion", and it is fully consistent with the appearance of these little dogs - their long flowing hair resembles a lion's mane. Another nickname entrenched for the dogs of this breed is “chrysanthemum”. And also in everyday life you can find such variants of the name as shitsu, shiatsu, shitsu. We will tell you more about this breed and the features of its content.

This breed was known in ancient times - images of Shiatsu are found even in the painting of 624 AD. Shih Tzu was revered as wise animals, they were all the time becoming heroes of the legends of Tibet and China. There is a belief that the soul of a Tibetan monk who sinned a lot in his former life, came to earth again in the body of this tiny dog. According to one of the versions of the appearance of the breed, its history began when China was ruled by Wigur (Tang Knu Dynasty). The emperor was presented with a pair of these little dogs from Fu Lin (Byzantium).

According to another theory, the history of this breed originates only in the XVII century. In 1653, the Tibetan Dalai Lama came to the Chinese emperor and presented him with several miniature dogs resembling lions. Then this breed had exceptional status, and kept it only at court.

There is another breed with Tibetan roots - Lhasa Apso. They are larger and heavier, but visually very similar to shih tzu. According to popular belief, they are relatives, that is, they have common ancestors, but because of the too ancient history of these breeds, it is very problematic to trace their family tree.

Here are some interesting facts.

1. “Small chrysanthemums” of these little dogs are called because of the wool that grows on the muzzle in all directions.
2. There is a legend that says shih-tzu is the dog of the Buddha. She accompanied him on his travels, and when it was necessary, she turned to a lion.
3. Until the middle of the 20th century, the breed was banned for ordinary people; it could belong only to members of the imperial family. If a simple person turned her on, then he was threatened with execution.
4. With all its charm, pc-tzu is not a decorative breed. This is a companion dog with intelligence, courageous and resolute. She is able to memorize commands and understand her master well.

The unusualness of these dogs is manifested primarily in the presence of long hair. Consider all the features of Shih Tzu in the detailed description of the breed.

Shih Tzu - short dogs, their height is 27 cm at the withers. With all its weightless form, they are in fact far from "feathers" - the weight of individuals can vary from 4.5 to 8.1 kg, but according to the standard, it is desirable that it be no more than 7.5 kg. The long hair of these little dogs does not curl at all, and they also do not have a fluffy undercoat, so their “hair” looks sleek and showy.

Black puppet eyes of dogs are placed quite far apart. For the muzzle is characterized by abundant vegetation - in addition to the general coverage, there are antennae, beard. The ears of these dogs are set low and hang down. Standard nostrils should be wide open, and the back of the nose should be turned up or straight. In general, looking at the face of a Shih Tzu, it seems that they have a slightly arrogant look.

The structure of the body of dogs of this breed also has its own nuances. Chest shih-tzu lowered, shoulders moved back. Paws are slightly rounded. Dogs hold their tail over their backs, which makes their appearance even more important. The hind legs in the race are well repelled, in general, the gait of the dogs is smooth and somewhat “proud”.

In the nurseries at the courtyards, the first breeding work was carried out on breeding Shih Tzu dogs of different colors. The coloring of golden color or "dress of the sun" was recognized as imperial. Dogs with bright spots on the forehead and tail were considered sanctified by the Buddha. And also one of the first known colors was black, which literally sounded like "too much dark carcass."

Over time, more new colors have appeared, and they are often noted by the jury of the competitions, but the winners of exhibitions usually become carriers of traditional colors. American breeders in the pursuit of new rare colors cross Shih Tzu with representatives of other breeds. For this reason some experts do not recognize them as belonging to this breed, and are called simply “rare design dogs”.

Today, among the variety of colors shih-tzu fur coats emit white with red, gold, blue, black, brown. But there are also doggie blue, cream, silver, black and tiger colors, but they are quite rare.

There are a number of possible defects that reduce the dog's chances of winning the show. These include:

• nose-nose pink;
• insufficiently flat sharp muzzle;
• too long legs;
• curly hair and the complete absence of undercoat;
• bad bite;
• close-set eyes;
• narrow skull.

Like any breed, Shih Tzu has its own characteristics - both positive and negative. First, we list the advantages of these little dogs:

• unusual funny appearance;
• miniature;
• does not require an active lifestyle of the owner, since she does not need regular power loads and a lot of movements;
• ideal "apartment" dog;
• quickly masters a tray and a bowl as it possesses natural cleanliness;
• does not cause allergies;
• has a balanced and positive character;
• gets along with other pets, even cats;
• easy to train.

The disadvantages of the Shih Tzu breed can rather be attributed to its features, since each breed has its own specifics. Let us note the qualities that we conditionally call minuses:

• from this dog it is impossible to bring up the good watchman;
• needs painstaking care and daily procedures to maintain its appearance;
• can not be alone for a long time;
• very gullible, does not show caution in the address of strangers;
• requires regular visits to the veterinarian to eliminate spinal problems;
• prone to diseases of the respiratory tract, kidneys, heart and eyes;
• suffers from allergies to cleaning products and does not tolerate cigarette smoke;
• hardly adapts to the heat.

The lionly majesty of Shih Tzu makes a dual impression. On the one hand, she pleases the host’s eye and those around her with her special grace and article, but on the other hand, her posture and expression of her muzzle seems arrogant to many. In fact, this dog is very peaceful and treats its owner with great love and all members of the household who surround it in the family. She really suffers in the absence of attention to her person, but never behaves persistently - just shih tzu feels his man and knows the moments when she had better step aside.

If the owner wants to talk with her, then she will understand it at a glance. Her tail, as an "indicator of emotion," immediately begins to wag. The dog will immediately run up to the owner to caress, lick his hands, may even bite a little from excessive feelings, but this is just a manifestation of tenderness.

Since ancient times, these dogs are accustomed to a special relationship. They were discovered royal and imperial chambers, which could not but affect their habits. Shih Tzu are very clean and do not create unnecessary fuss, like many other breeds. Especially their owners like the fact that the “cubs” do not bark too loudly. Their barking can be called pleasant and melodious, it does not irritate the owners and neighbors.

It can rightly be called antistress dog due to its sensitivity to the human mood. She is able to cheer up and calm, when the owner is depressed, bring comfort and peace of mind to the house. The hardy shih tzu can wait patiently until attention is paid to her without giving away her grief from loneliness. At the same time, a dog of this breed is able to stand up for itself if it is offended, but do it with its inherent dignity. These kids are willing to participate in agility, as they are very clever and able to assimilate many teams.

In dealing with children, the chrysanthemum dog is flexible. The balanced character allows her to calmly tolerate pranks and indulgently treat the pranks of the little ones. If children do not just indulge, but also cause shih tzu pain, she will not tolerate and can bite in response. Explain to the child that this little dog is not a toy, and it requires respect for yourself.

It is especially important to talk with the child if a Shih Tzu puppy lives in your house. They have a tiny size, and these rather fragile creatures need to be treated with care. Show your child how to take a puppy correctly, teach him not to squeeze the dog’s stomach in his hands.

Dogs of this breed are often called dogs for pensioners.. This is because they have moderate playfulness, do not tend to run a lot, and if they are not taken for a day or two for a walk, they will safely endure it without any consequences. Shi-tzu will be happy to lie on the sofa with the owner all day and watch TV, or simply lie down on their knees, thinking about something of their own.

The shih-tzu credulity is simply amazing - they see a friend in every oncoming person. Communication is vital for them, they hate loneliness, and if the dog is often left alone, it will negatively affect its psyche - depression and anxiety are possible.

Dogs of this breed and are asking for cute nicknames, but their proud appearance brings a little contradiction in the charming image of the "lion". However, a wide choice of names for “boy” or “girl” allows you to make a choice that matches the tastes of the owner.

Given the eastern roots of the dogs of this ancient breed, the boy can be called Saffron, Barberry or Sherkhan. It is possible to emphasize a good-natured and cheerful disposition by the names Prize, Bumblebee, Butch. European names will be no less suitable option for kids: Gerard, Oliver, Sebastian. The girls of this breed are called Princess, Tiffany, April. Nicknames that emphasize the playful nature of dogs - Drop, Prank.

Shih Tzu requires careful care, and to preserve its beautiful appearance, you need to perform a number of hygiene procedures.

A couple of times a month, the dog should be washed well with shampoo. Before the procedure, instill the eyes with a special agent that protects them from shampooing. The optimum water temperature is 39 degrees Celsius. Do not forget to shave or unravel all the mats before the dog is in the bath.

Some owners wash their shih tzu after each walk, because they collect a lot of dust and dirt on themselves. Much depends on living conditions and climate: someone near the house has a clean courtyard, someone does not. It is better to bathe a dog in the evening after a walk so that it does not catch a cold outside. After the procedure, blot her hair with a towel, you can also use a hair dryer.

The inner corner of the eye is a place where dirt constantly accumulates in the shih tzu, which means that it needs careful care. In addition, it is necessary to look every day to see if the wool around the eyes does not tangle into balls. At all, Combing dogs of this breed should be daily, using a comb with frequent short teeth.

Shih Tzu ears should be cleaned every week. The hair in the ears can impair the hearing of the dog, so it is better to remove the hairs with tweezers. In order not to provoke inflammation, sprinkle these places with dry boric acid. Washed with 10% solution of hydrogen peroxide hanging ears. It is best to clean the ears as follows:

1. drip peroxide into the auditory canal;
2. make a light massage of the auricle, moving from the head to the tip, the duration of the procedure is less than a minute;
3. then tilt your head in one and in the other side so that the remaining peroxide leaks out;
4. clean dirty liquid can be a cotton swab.

Dental calculus often makes it difficult for the gums to abut against Shih Tzu teeth, which cause them to become inflamed. For the prevention of this common disease, sometimes give your pet apples, crackers or carrots. He will chew on such food with pleasure and remove the harmful plaque from his teeth. You can brush your teeth with a cotton swab, sprinkled with a simple tooth powder without fragrances.

For the prevention of tartar, experts advise shih tzu breeders the following:

1. Tomatoes or unsalted tomato juice should be present in the dog’s diet;
2. You can lubricate the gums with propolis;
3. Useful for dog gums is a mixture of baking soda and 3-5 drops of lemon juice, but it should be applied once a week.

It is desirable to cut the hair in the area of ​​the fingers - this facilitates the pet's hygiene. After the walk, you need to inspect the pads for damage, because during the walk the dog may step on glass fragments, sharp pebbles or other dangerous garbage. The distance between the fingers can also be clogged. If the gum is stuck to the wool, it will not be able to be cleaned - the soiled fur will have to be cut off.

When walking on rocky terrain or asphalt, the claws of a pet will grind off naturally, and there will be no need for a pet pedicure. If you walk mostly on soft ground or grass, then you need to cut the claws. Otherwise, over time, they can break, and this is painful for the pet.

If, due to circumstances, you are not able to give the Shih Tzu dog proper attention, you can simplify care for it with a short haircut. Of course, it is a pity to clean such a long, beautiful wool, but in some situations this is the best way out. In this case, the coat is clipped to the maximum.

Shih tzu model haircuts can be varied. Under the puppy, with panties. An interesting option - a haircut under a teddy bear.The master tries to evenly cut all the wool, making the head as round as possible at the expense of a specially cut wool. Girls usually leave more hair, as with them you can build different hairstyles.

Short hair is usually combed with a massage brush, and long hair - with a comb. There are special koltunorezy that allow you to dramatically fight tangled strands. It is believed that a dog of this breed does not shed.

Dry food is very convenient, so many owners prefer to give it to the dog. In addition, it contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals, so the owner does not need to give additional feeding. If the pet eats natural food, and you want to transfer it to dry food, then do it gradually over a period of two weeks or even a whole month. It is important to follow the recommendations on the volume of servings, which are given on the package. Near the plate there must be a drinking bowl, since such food causes a feeling of thirst in an animal.

Natural food has its advantages, but it is important that the puppy's diet was the same as he was used to in the nursery. When buying a puppy, ask the breeder what kind of food the dog usually ate. This will help to avoid problems with digestion, because new products should be introduced into the Shih Tzu diet gradually.

It is best to feed shih tzu with raw rabbit or poultry, as they are lean and contain a lot of protein. From porridges the most suitable options are rice or buckwheat with the addition of chopped meat. Shi-tzu love and dairy products - kefir, cottage cheese, and sometimes can eat vegetables. Puppies are fed well boiled milk porridge with boiled meat or fish, baby food.

It is useful to give cottage cheese with a small amount of sour cream - it strengthens the skeleton of the animal. In six months, the owners start cooking their four-legged friends for porridge on the water or broth, adding oil to them.

It is necessary to start training an animal in a timely manner so that the already complex nature of the Shih Tzu does not become even more problematic - the dog will bark for no reason, behave like a spoiled, disobedient child. If you manage to find the right approach to the dog, and your training will be like a game, then your favorite will quickly master many commands.

You can not shout at the dog during class, you need to speak in a calm, measured voice. Also, experts do not recommend jumping from one team to another, so that the dog does not get confused. The intelligence of this breed can be assessed as average, but this is quite enough for training teams.

Shih Tzu training course is designed for companion dogs. This breed is not a service, can not become a guard, and natural dignity does not allow her to perform tricky circus tricks. During the training, she will learn to do some pretty simple exercises and execute commands. Do not be surprised if in the middle of an activity a dog suddenly decides to interrupt it - this sometimes happens with this breed.

Shih Tzu can easily master the tray if the owner starts to teach the dog to him from childhood. The dry closet is always put in one place. Its bottom is lined with an absorbent cloth. To accustom the animal to the diaper, you need a little time, but at first you will have to follow it tirelessly.

Usually the desire to go to the toilet occurs in a puppy 15 minutes after eating, a maximum of half an hour. Watching him, you carry him to the tray at the right time. At the first failures you do not need to punish the puppy, you can only express disappointment with intonation.If successful, certainly praise the baby, and give him a snack.

To go on a walk with a doggie, buy him some accessories. Muzzles are used for Shih Tzu extremely rare, but a leash with adjustable length and collar must be in your arsenal. In wet weather, put on a dog such clothes as a raincoat or overalls. They will protect your pet's plush coat from dirt. In general, shi-tzu do not like walking in bad weather, they are more likely to spend the whole day at home, needing a tray.

With a shih-tzu, they walk only on a leash, so that the baby does not suffer from other dogs or falls under the car. They often attract passersby - barely out on the street, these dogs are in the spotlight, and they like it.

According to the owners, shih-tzu are, indeed, comfortable companion dogs, capable of openly showing love for the household, but they are not too intrusive. Apparently, they somehow guess their majestic origin, and this is reflected in their character - they are proud, accurate and have self-esteem. Their cute appearance makes you stroke them again and again. This is a good "anti-stress" breed, which allows its owner rest in her society and recuperate, she does not require constant active games, jogging and other.

People who have already kept different dogs, and can compare them with each other, consider the Shih Tzu "golden mean". Their character is quite balanced, all qualities are expressed in moderation, which is very convenient in everyday life. Adults usually do not bark, if they were brought up in a timely manner - only puppies can do this.

However, most of the owners of the breed believe that care for her can not be called simple, and the character can really become a big dog problem if you do not train it from a puppy age. Poor dogs do not just bark for no reason, they behave arrogantly and treat household members like service personnel. This is because they were not informed in time that they are not the main ones in the house. In special cases, the doggie of this breed can even crap in the apartment, despite a sufficient amount of walking.

Another point that confuses many owners of these little cubs is an aggressive attitude towards other dogs. If the forces are unequal, then the Shih Tzu can suffer greatly from their obstinacy and get slapped. Do not let him engage in conflicts, especially with fighting dogs. In addition, Shi-tzu can be jealous of his owner to other pets, usually it concerns those animals who appeared in the house after him.

Then your dog will behave with dignity both at home and on the street, and will not allow himself to be superfluous. She will show you her love, and you can find a wonderful four-sided friend in her face.

On the features of the Shih Tzu breed, see the video below.