Breed Profile Information, Shih Tzu the Little Lion

Shih Tzu breed profile information -- According the American Kennel Club, the Shih Tzu is one of the most popular dog breeds in America. Shih Tzu makes for a wonderful pet, whether you have a home with a large yard or live in an apartment or other small dwelling. The dogs do not require extensive exercise like large breeds, but still make for excellent watch dogs and companions. The descendant of regal dogs of China, the Shih Tzu makes a loyal and lively friend. 

His name means little lion, but there's nothing fierce about this dog. The Shih Tzu is a lover, not a hunter. Shih Tzus are lively, smart and playful dogs, but like many small dogs, they can become spoiled by their owners who find them too cute to resist. Spoiling your Shih Tzu can lead to behavioral problems like snapping, incessant barking, food aggression or separation anxiety. However, if you train your Shih Tzu and lead him with a firm hand, you will have a well behaved, loyal and loving companion, even with small children. 

Shih Tzu breeds history 

The shih tzu is an ancient breed, with records of a breed resembling the modern shih tzu dating to 1000 B.C. Also known as the lion dog, the shih tzu is likely a mixture of small toy dogs bred by Chinese and Tibetan lamas to resemble lions.

Some believe the breed was developed by Tibetan Monks and given as gifts to Chinese royalty. It is also speculated that the Shih Tzu was developed in China by crossing other breeds with the Lhasa Apso or Pekingese. Regardless of where the breed was developed, Tibet or China, it's clear that the Shih Tzu was a treasured companion from the earliest times. Paintings, art, and writings from the China's Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.) portray small dogs similar to the Shih Tzu. References to the dogs appear again from 990 to 994 A.D. in documents, a few paintings, and carvings.

In the 13th century, Marco Polo reported that the Mongolian Emperor Kubla Khan kept small "lion" dogs with trained hunting lions--not as prey, but to keep the lions calm. Some believe these dogs were the Shih Tzu.

There isn't much mention of the dogs in documents from the 1700s to the early 1900s, but many pieces of art from that period depict small, shaggy, happy dogs. In 1928, the first Shih Tzus, a male and female pair, were brought to England from Peking by Lady Brownrigg, the wife of the quartermaster general of the north China command. In 1933, a Mrs. Hutchins brought a Shih Tzu from China to Ireland; this dog was eventually bred to Lady Brownrigg's. These three dogs formed the foundation of Lady Brownrigg's kennel.

Shih tzu were often bred by imperial rules and given as gifts to visiting dignitaries. The modern shih tzu was given breed recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1969. 

Shih tzus physical information 

Shih tzus stand between 9 and 11 inches tall at the shoulder, weighing no more than 16 lbs. at maturity. Shih tzus are slightly longer than they are tall, making them appear lower to the ground then they actually are. The temperament of the shih tzu should be outgoing and friendly, with no signs of fear or aggression.

One unique characteristic of the Shih Tzu is his undershot bite. His lower jaw is slightly wider than the upper, and the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth, rather than outside, when his mouth is closed.

The shih tzu coat is always soft and flowing, and comes in a wide variety of colors. With exception to liver spotted Shih Tzus, the eyes, lips and nose should all be black. The dogs come in many colors including white, black, silver, liver, red, brindle and blue, including many combination of the above colors.

Shih tzu health issues 

The large, protruding eyes of the shih tzu often suffer injury. Care should always be taken around the dog's eyes. A relatively healthy dog, the shih tzu tends to only suffer from slipped hip and knee caps or renal dysplasia. Renal dysplasia is a genetic defect of the kidneys that can lead to kidney disease and failure. A careful evaluation of the dog's history needs to be taken into consideration to determine the risk the dog may have to renal dysplasia. X-rays can help determine if a shih tzu is at risk for slipped hip or knee problems.

Like many small dogs, the Shih Tzu can fall subject to being overfed and thus gain too much weight, placing more strain on the knees, hips and back. Always follow the prescribed diet for your dog and do not feed table scraps. 

Feeding and care 

It recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day. But note that how much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like people, and they don't all need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference--the better the dog food, the further it will go toward nourishing your dog and the less of it you'll need to shake into your dog's bowl.

While your Shih Tzu doesn't need copious exercise like say, a Golden Retriever, it does need at least one daily walk to keep it fit and healthy. Exercise also helps with mental alertness and staves off boredom. Grooming is also an important consideration. Lack of attention to the coat can lead to terrible skin problems, mats and tangles. To keep your Shih Tzu with a long coat, grooming is a daily activity. You can also opt for the shorter "puppy cut." The eyes and ears will need frequent cleaning and attention as well. 

So this is all about Shih Tzu breed profile information, you may also read about the Doberman breed long history.