Shih Tzu: know everything about this dog breed

Flat nose, slightly convex almond-shaped eyes, strong personality: that’s the Shih Tzu! The Shih Tzu is known to be very friendly, not a hunting dog or an athlete, their purpose in life is to love and be loved by their parents and be a great companion dog.

Always ready to receive love, they are very docile and friendly with children and other dogs. They are definitely indoor dogs and are great for apartments because of their small size and don’t need much space to move around, but that doesn’t exclude the need for regular physical activity.

Shih Tzus are very adaptable to different “types of guardians” and will be by your side when you want to go for a walk or take a nap, as they have always done since their creation.

COAT

The coat of the Shih Tzu, if not trimmed, is characterized by long and abundant fur that can be slightly wavy, especially in length.

There are various color variations, but they usually have a white stripe on the front of the head and white fur on the tail as well. We may not notice loose hairs around the house due to how they are arranged, but they also shed at certain times of the year.

If not brushed correctly, tangles can often occur, so many owners end up opting for the puppy cut, which, in addition to making adults look like puppies, is easier to maintain.

As the eyeballs of Shih Tzu dogs are very exposed, in addition to accidents, Shih Tzu dogs need special attention to this area to avoid suffering from keratitis, corneal ulcers, dry eyes, and other injuries.

Grooming of the area should be done weekly, using specific pet products to clean secretions from the corners of the eyes. Regarding the coat, Shih Tzu owners must commit to brushing to prevent the hair from getting ruffled and forming knots that can damage the dog’s skin.

Trimming can be a great ally, as it keeps the hair in place and does not hinder movement due to its length.

Dental hygiene is also important, so brushing should be a habit from an early age. The main skin diseases of Shih Tzu dogs are superficial pyoderma, contact dermatitis, and otitis. Fecal ingestion (habit of ingesting feces) is also extremely common in this breed.

Some experts even believe that it is genetic. Regular visits to the veterinarian are recommended, especially for good follow-up, with feces and urine tests to check kidney function.

Main characteristics:

In most other dog breeds, there are variations in size or “sub-breeds”. However, it does not have variations.

Size:

The dog can reach 25 to 27 centimeters in height and weigh 4 to 8 kg.

Coat:

In relation to its coat, it is quite dense with long hairs, if not shaved, and slightly wavy. All colors are allowed in its coloring, but a white stripe on the frontal region of the head and white hairs at the ends and on the tail are typical signs of the breed. Hair shedding is not a problem for owners.

CBKC breed standard:

On the website of the Brazilian Confederation of Cinophilia, it is possible to find the breed standard.

Temperament:

Of a gentle, friendly, and companionable temperament, the Shih Tzu ends up conquering the whole family in the first days of coexistence and likes short games. During the teething period, it may have the habit of chewing on the wrong things.

It must be taught to be alone during the day from an early age so that it adapts easily. It also has the characteristic of barking little, liking to be held and cuddled. Learns easily to pee and poop in the right place.

Activity level:

Shih Tzu has a low to moderate activity level and requires few walks. The breed adapts well to any space, from a small apartment to houses with a backyard.

Guard activity:

Do not expect family or residence protection from it, it is a dog with low aptitude for that, it can even play with the intruder (lol).

Intelligence and obedience:

Quite independent, the Shih Tzu reacts when and how it wants, that is, it does what it wants to do and not what they want it to do. The breed was ranked 70th in Stanley Coren’s book “The Intelligence of Dogs.” However, this classification takes into account the response to commands, which as we said, is not the strength of this breed.

Shih Tzu: Know everything about this dog breed – Necessary care:

A balanced diet with good quality feed is the best you can do for your Shih Tzu. Daily coat brushing is necessary to prevent hair matting, and monthly trimming can be performed by a qualified professional.

Weekly or biweekly baths with a special shampoo, and remember, care must be taken not to let water get into the ears, as it can cause otitis. If natural nail wear does not occur due to walking on rough floors, nail trimming should be done every 45-90 days. And of course, like every pet dog, they like little bones, treats, cookies, and goodies, give treats to them in moderation.

Shih Tzu’s health:

Special attention should be given to the fur and eyeball of your Shih Tzu, which, being very prominent, can suffer injuries such as keratitis, corneal ulcers, dry eyes, etc. Entropion, that is, a change in the direction of the cilia hairs, may occur more frequently in the breed.

The main dermatological diseases are superficial pyoderma, contact dermatitis, and otitis. Coxofemoral dysplasia, which is a poor fit between the head of the femur and the pelvis, may be more prevalent in this breed.

Coprophagy can be an undesirable habit in this breed. We recommend annual visits to the veterinarian, in addition to vaccinations and periodic exams after seven years of age, such as urine tests, exams to see kidney function, etc.

Dental care is important, so we recommend that they start dental brushing from an early age and when necessary, a periodontal treatment (incorrectly called tartar cleaning).

Did you like the article “Shih Tzu: Know everything about this dog breed”? Then you are ready to adopt a dog of this breed if you have a profile similar to yours. Enjoy the tips!