A little guide for this breed of which I am the owner myself:
Shih Tzus are beautiful little dogs with abundant hair and eyes that say "love me". They are adorable little charmers who demand to sit on your lap and enjoy your attention.
Pronounced "sheed-zoo" or "sheet-su", their name translates to "little lion", a nod to their Chinese heritage. But they also go by other names like "under the table dog" and "handle dog" because of their unwavering loyalty to their masters.
Essential facts
Every breed of dog is different. So there are some key facts you need to know before buying or adopting a Shih Tzu.
Average life
The average life expectancy of a Shih Tzu is 10 to 18 years. It's longer than the average dog, although that's pretty typical for a small breed. In reality, most Shih Tzus die after 13 happy years.
The oldest Shih Tzu on record died on his 23rd birthday.
Minimum exercise (per day)
Shih Tzus were bred to be housemates, which means they prefer to relax at home rather than take walks.
Ideally, you should take your Shih Tzu for an hour-long walk once a day or spend half an hour indoors playing.
coat length
Shih Tzus are considered long-haired dogs. They are born with down-like fur, which becomes silky and smooth as they reach adulthood.
Some owners like to keep those hairs long to accentuate their pup's beautiful nature, but that means sticking to a strict hair care regimen. If you don't have a daily hair care regimen, those long locks will start to get knotted. This thick fur can be a problem for hot environments because their sleek coats don't allow Shih Tzus to cool off effectively. Your friend will love spending hours sitting by a fan and basking in its breeze.
Surprisingly, the silky coat of Shih Tzus helps them hone, which means they are excellent swimmers! If your pup jumps into a pool, you don't have to worry about his hair pulling him down.
Minimum cost (per month)
On average, you should expect to pay between 60 and 120 €uros per month for the maintenance of your Shih Tzu.
Being a small dog, Shih Tzus don't need a ton of food to survive, so the expected daily costs for your pet will be relatively low. However, Shih Tzus must have a strict hair care routine and they are susceptible to a number of diseases. These illnesses can be treated, but they can add to your monthly vet bill.
The hair maintenance routine can be done on your own, but you may want to hire a professional to maintain the style you love.
Appearance
Shih Tzus are a breed of dogs with a robust structure. There are approximately 14 different colors, including various shades of white, red and black.
Their slight underbite gives these little teddies a unique smile that can put joy on anyone's face!
Cut
Toy breeds are small, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are lap dogs. Many dwarf breeds were bred to be hunting or working dogs. Shih Tzus, on the other hand, have the personality of an apartment dog and they love to snuggle up to you on the sofa.
Average height
The average height of a Shih Tzu is 10 to 25 cm.
Average weight
The average weight of a Shih Tzu is 5 to 9 kilograms, which is about the weight of a 5L paint jump.
Temperament
A dog breed's temperament can give you real insight into your pair's compatibility, so keep your needs in mind before adopting or buying your new pet!
Apartment life
Shih Tzus are perfect apartment dogs because they prefer to spend all their time indoors. They were specifically bred to stay in Chinese palaces, so they won't feel locked behind walls.
Their small size means they won't take up much space, and as long as you give them at least an hour's walk a day, they'll be happy in your living room.
Ideal for new owners
Shih Tzus are a great choice for new dog owners because they love to be taken care of and don't need a lot of exercise.
You need to make it clear that you are the alpha though, as Shih Tzus have an independent side that can lead to bad behavior if left unchecked.
If you keep your Shih Tzu's hair short, you don't have to worry about constant grooming, but as long as you brush his hair daily, you can try to grow it long.
Sensitivity level
Shih Tzus aren't very sensitive, so you can change up their daily routine, bring guests, and listen to loud music without worrying about their reaction. If you have to punish your puppy for bad behavior, he won't come to hate you.
Overall, they have a moderate emotional level, which means you can both control your dog and let him be independent without too much interference.
They don't tolerate being alone
Shih Tzus hate being alone. They always want to be surrounded by friendly faces, whether it's another dog or a human. This is because they need a lot of social interaction.
If you plan to be out of the house often, the Shih Tzu may not be your ideal pet.
Tolerates cold
Due to their luxurious fur, Shih Tzus can tolerate colder temperatures. That said, they wouldn't have much fun in very snowy places.
Tolerates heat
If you live in a hot climate, you may need to cut your Shih Tzu's hair short so that his fur doesn't retain heat. Otherwise, your toy dog will be satisfied with a fan with which he can relax.
Affectionate with family
Shih Tzus are gentle and kind dogs who are genuinely loyal and affectionate to their owners. He enjoys spending time with his family and forms close emotional bonds with at least one person.
They are so affectionate that they are considered therapy dogs for people in need.
children's friend
Although Shih Tzus love affection, they don't like to be picked up or pushed too often. It is therefore not the best pet for young children. If you have a Shih Tzu as a puppy, he can be rambunctious enough to enjoy the company of a young child; however, you must take into account the likely behavior of your child and the fact that the Shih Tzu will become an adult after one year.
friend of other dogs
Shih Tzus are very welcoming towards other dogs! If your family already has dogs, it won't take long for a Shih Tzu to bond with your pets and become affectionate with them. He may start to test his hierarchy in the group, but if all your dogs are calm, he will be too.
Friendly towards strangers
Shih Tzus have no problem with strangers. They prefer their masters to anyone else because of their strong and loyal attachment, but this loyalty does not make them hostile to strangers.
Health and grooming
We've already covered some health and grooming issues that Shih Tzu owners should be aware of, but we haven't gone into detail. This is the part of our article that should help you determine their risk factor.
Hair loss
Let's start with the good news. Shih Tzus hardly shed their hair. That means there aren't a lot of hairs to clean up and your home stays clean.
drooling
Again, Shih Tzus hardly drool. If you find that your Shih Tzu drools often, he may have a medical problem. Take him to the vet if you notice excessive drooling.
Grooming
To make sure your Shih Tzu gets used to the amount of grooming he will need, you should introduce him to grooming equipment as soon as possible. As he needs to be combed or brushed daily, he must be accustomed to a hair care routine.
There are three grooming methods, depending on how you want your Shih Tzu to look and what type of coat it is.
The first is to shave his hair close. This will reduce its daily upkeep and help it cool down in the summer; however, that means the Shih Tzu's signature hairstyle will be lost, no big deal, they still have those eyes that tell you love me.
The second and most common method is to use a wire brush with flexible pins to brush their hair daily. We suggest pulling the bristles in sections for easier brushing.
The third option is to hire a professional to groom your Shih Tzu's coat once a month, in addition to daily brushing. This allows regular cleaning of his ears and eyes to reduce infections.
If you want to trim your Shih Tzu's facial hair yourself, we recommend that you wipe his face dry with warm water and a soft cloth, then trim any hair that seems to be causing irritation.
Many people, whether owners or professionals, choose to tie their Shih Tzu's facial hair high in the comb to create a stunning look while preserving their pet's face and especially the eye irritation.
General health
In general, Shih Tzus are healthy dogs, but as with all breeds, there are a few health issues you should be aware of.
Sometimes a Shih Tzu's permanent teeth grow too soon because the baby teeth have not yet fallen out. This is due to the prognathism of their jaw. A trip to the vet to have the milk teeth removed should fix this problem, but don't be surprised if your little dog starts snoring loudly.
As you get older, you may notice that your little dog's eyes are giving him trouble. They may develop cataracts, corneal dryness, progressive retinal atrophy, and retinal detachment. If you find that your companion has eye problems and cannot properly close their eyelids, you should take them to your veterinarian immediately.
If your Shih Tzu gets too excited while eating, he may start to suffer from reverse sneezing, or wheezing. To stop this, you may need to give your dog a bowl with built-in obstacles to slow him down.
Common health issues
The most common health problems relate to the eyes and ears.
Due to their long coat, Shih Tzus can get ear infections. This problem is the most common health problem you are likely to encounter.
Other health issues include hip dysplasia, patella luxation (scientific name for a herniated patella), umbilical hernias, and portosystemic liver shunt (blood vessel abnormality). All of these issues can be treated, so if your dog gets sick, there should be a cure.
Potential for weight gain
Shih Tzus can gain weight quickly, so you need to be careful how much you feed them. If you have noticed slight weight gain in your dog, you should take him for longer walks to burn off those calories. They are very greedy.
Shih Tzus can easily become overweight, so try to avoid snacking on excess food.
Shih Tzu Training Skills
Training is essential for all dog breeds, but each type has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Easy to train
Shih Tzus are easy to train, but they like to display their independence. This means they may refuse to listen if you command them too often. If you are consistent with your training, it should obey your commands.
Intelligence
Shih Tzus aren't very smart, so you'll run into trouble if you want them to learn more complicated tricks. They can know between 80 and 100 repetitions.
Potential to bite
Shih Tzus have a low probability of biting. If your dog bites you, it's usually for a reason. For example, he may be protective of something, he may be in pain, he may be overly excited, or he may feel provoked.
If your Shih Tzu has bitten you, you need to assess the situation and determine what caused this behavior.
Tendency to bark or howl
Shih Tzus love to talk, so expect to have a barker in your home. They like to bark and howl, and they will communicate with you by changing the tone and pitch of their bark.
Different barks mean different things, so try to tune into their voice to decode their language. The main reasons for barking are: to alarm you, to get attention, to say hello, to protect yourself, to be afraid, to be anxious or to behave compulsively.
Story
The Shih Tzu breed is over 1,000 years old, and its heritage can be found in Chinese literature dating back to 8,000 BC. It is believed that Tibetan monks bred these little dogs and gave them as gifts to Chinese emperors, along with Pugs, Pekingese and Lhasa Apsos.
Some reports suggest that Shih Tzus were also known as "lion dogs" and were kept with hunting lions to calm them down.
Shih Tzus really began to gain royal status when Empress Dowager Cixi of China began breeding them in 1861. She loved them so much that she had them trained to sit and wave to her when she entered his palace.
When the empress died in 1908, her mass breeding center came to a halt, and this once-royal pet nearly went extinct.
Costs
The monthly cost of a Shih Tzu is between $60 and $120, but buying a Shih Tzu and caring for it throughout its life can create a sinkhole in your budget.
Shih Tzu puppies usually cost between $700 and $1.800. The first year of ownership comes with training fees and one-time accessory purchases (like dog beds). This means that the first year will probably cost you between $2.000 and $3.000, including monthly food and accessories (like ejection bags).
On average, Shih Tzus live for 13 years, which means the total cost for your Shih Tzu's lifetime will be around $16,000 to $17,000.
Fun facts
It is believed that Buddha traveled with a Shih Tzu. In legend, thieves tried to attack Buddha, but a small dog turned into a lion to scare the bandits away. Buddha was so grateful that he kissed the dog on the head, which is why Shih Tzus tend to have small white spots on their heads.
When the Shih Tzus nearly died out in 1908, a massive effort was made to bring the population back. Seven males and seven females were used to increase the overall population size. It's safe to say that all Shih Tzus alive today can be traced back to one of these 14 dogs.
In the 1940s and 1950s, American soldiers stationed in Europe found comfort in Shih Tzus. When World War II was declared over and soldiers returned home, Shih Tzus gained popularity as calming heroes.