Description
James Mumsford, American educator and composer described Shih Tzu: "No one knows how old eunuchs managed to mix: a lion, a few teaspoons of rabbit, a couple of ounces of domestic cat, one part of court jester, a little of ballerina, a pinch of the old man, a little of beggar, a tablespoon of monkey, one part of a child, a teddy bear and all the other dogs of Chinese and Tibetan origin."
Shih Tzu are very beautiful, friendly, bright dogs which will not allow anyone to ignore them. It is suitable for apartments in the city and for life on a country farm. He loves children and gets along with other animals.
Thanks to the unique hairstyle Shih Tzu is called a dog-chrysanthemum.
One of the unique characteristics of Shih Tzu is its undershot. His lower jaw is slightly wider than the top, and the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth, but not outside when its mouth is closed.
There are many legends concerning Shih Tzu. It is said Buddha was travelling with a dog similar to the description of the Shih Tzu. As the story goes, one day several robbers attacked Buddha to rob and kill him. The little dog turned into a fierce lion and forced the robbers forced to run away to save the life of Buddha. Then the lion again became a cheerful dog, Buddha took and kissed it. White spot on the heads of many Shih Tzu supposedly marks that place Buddha kissed his faithful friend.
Care
Shih Tzu is pleased with short walks every day. It is not very active dog. It likes to sit on your knees, wander around the house, play with its toys, or run to the door to greet visitors.
Like other lapdog breeds with short muzzles, Shih Tzu is sensitive to heat. It should stay indoors in air-conditioned room in hot days, so as it doesn't suffer from heat stroke.
Although dogs cannot fly, but the owners often say their Shih Tzu think they can. They fearlessly jump out of bed or a chair. Unfortunately, these jumps often cause injuries. Be very careful when you pet carrier Shih Tzu. Keep it safe and do not let him to jump out of your hands or jump from the furniture.
Despite the fact that it is docile and friendly, Shih Tzu needs early socialization and training. As any dog, it can become timid, if it is not properly socialized at a young age. Early socialization helps your puppy to be fully developed.
Long, silky hair of gorgeous Shih Tzu might be black, black and white, gray and white, or red and white. White tip on the tail and a white spot on the forehead are highly valued.
Daily brushing and combing and frequent washing are necessary to keep a neat appearance.
From 10 to 12 months, its hair changes from silky fluff to adult coat.
Cut its nails once a month, and it's necessary to check once a week ears for dirt, redness or the smell, which may indicate an infection. Wipe them weekly with a cotton swab moistened with solution for cleaning ears to prevent problems.
Many of small breeds are prone to dental problems, and Shih Tzu is not an exception. Regular brushing of teeth with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste will help to keep gums and teeth healthy.
Children and other pets
Shih Tzu is a wonderful family pet. It gets along with other dogs and animals. Its docile character makes it a good companion for children. Children should sit on the floor during games with the puppy of Shih Tzu, so there is no risk of pet carrier and fall of the animal. Children also need to learn to keep their fingers away from the protuberant eyes of the Shih Tzu, which might be easily hurt.