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Dog Breeds - Shih Tzu |
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It is it is widely believed that the Shih Tzu breed originated in Tibet and is a cross of a Pekingese and a Lhasa Apso. This and many other breeds from the ‘Tibetan Holy Dog’ category were bred to please Imperial rulers of China. The fine-tuning of this breed is credited to “Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi” who owned a world renowned kennel. She had her staff closely monitor family lines and strived to keep the imperial gene pool pure. Unfortunately it is not known if relatives of the imperial Shih Tzu family survived after the communist revolution. Shih Tzu’s came close to extinction during the communist revolution in China when they were slaughtered in large numbers. Breeding in England brought the breed back and they were exported to other countries including the US where they are now a very popular breed. Shih Tzu’s are known by many other names. They are called “Chinese Lion Dog”, for their mane like face. They have also been called “Xi Shi Quan” after "Xi Shi", a women often referred to as the most beautiful women of ancient China. They are also nicknamed “Chrysanthemum Dog” because their faces resemble the flower. Shih Tzu's are relatively active indoors and do not require a yard but should be encourage to stay active since they do have a tendency to become lazy. Owners must be careful not to overfeed this breed as they gain weight easily. Generally Shih Tzu's are somewhat difficult to train but can be trained with a patient and consistent approach. Since they are not as tolerable as some breeds, Shih Tzu's are only suitable for homes with children if the children will be gentle and respectful. They are known to snap if mistreated. Shih Tzu’s require a great deal of grooming. The area surrounding their eyes should be cleaned often to keep them healthy and to avoid infection. If the coat is kept long, frequent brushing is required. Owners may choose to cut their Shih Tzu’s hair shorter to make the grooming process less time-consuming. Their claws must also be cared for regularly. This breed is very sensitive to high temperatures. Shih Tzu's makes a great watchdog and usually get along well with other pets. They truly enjoy the company of humans, and suffer from separation anxiety quite easily.
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