Shih Tzu is a breed of small dog from the toy breed family.  They originated in Tibet and their name translates to “lion dog”.  In America they are called  the  "Chrysanthemum Dog"  because of the color and positioning of their hair around the face. 

 The  Shih Tzu is a proud dog that  once held the attention of the royals in the Chinese court.  They were so revered that they were not let out of the country until the early twentieth century when a pair was taken to England.  It is a popular dog breed for its glamor and arrogant look.

     A Shih Tzu stands only eleven inches high and weigh around fifteen pounds at the most.  It's coat is mostly black with a beard and mustache.  A white blaze on the forehead is preferred by all coat colors are acceptable.  Their eyes are large and dark. 

    The tail curls up over the dogs back like a Pekingese.  Some speculate that the breed may be a cross between a Pekingese and a Lhasa Apso.  The Pekingese was the favorite dog of China at the time.

   Shih Tzu puppies are rambunctious and quite intelligent.  A Shih Tzu can learn from any situation and make the appropriate changes the next time.  They function as watch dogs and take good care of their family.  This happy dog needs people and other animals to socialize with.  

   Shih Tzu’s are so intelligent that they may ignore the owner and decide what they want to do for themselves.  If they sense that an owner is hesitating, they will do just that.  Training from the puppy stage is needed to keep this dog in check and respectful of it's human owner.  Due to their temperament troubles can arise during housebreak training.

  Apartment living is okay for this dog.  They require daily exercise but not too much.  They can tire easily on long walks.  Because they are small, too much food can lead to dog obesity and additional health problems. 

   A family that owns a Shih Tzu will love that they are not prone to shedding.  Children that will respect this dog do well.  Dogs will only take so much poking and prodding before they begin to bite back in defense.  Waiting until the children are older is a wise choice if you are set on adopting this breed.

  Grooming is a daily thing for the Shih Tzu.  The long coat and the undercoat are brushed daily to avoid matting.  The top hair has to be kept out of the dog’s eyes.  A bow to keep it up is preferred but some do clip in a style.  Preferences depend on whether the dog will be a household pet or a show dog.

    The eyes and ears must be kept clean.  Their faces are washed regularly and the dog bathed weekly.  The grooming process can be a time-consuming task for Shih Tzu owners. 

    Families or individuals that want a playful dog can choose a Shih Tzu.  He needs little space to run around and won’t cause massive shedding on the furniture.  Treated well, he will be a life long companion.   

Shih Tzu  $29.99