Mary Allen
Shih Tzu: Small & Affectionate Companion
The little Shih Tzu originally comes from Asia, more precisely from Tibet. He was bred there in monasteries as a temple dog. The target was a small, thick-furred, lion-like dog that also guarded the monastery. It is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world.
It’s a story for the little dog to China to the imperial court. It almost went extinct with the end of the empire, but some dogs were brought to Europe and have been bred here since that time.
Incidentally, ancestors include the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso.
How Big & How Heavy Will It Be?
It reaches a maximum size of 27 cm. When fully grown it can weigh around 8 kg.
What Does It Look Like
Its body is elongated and powerfully built. The limbs are very short and strong-boned. Its head is broad and rounded.
Coat, Colors & Care
The topcoat is long and dense, without curls. The undercoat is short and dense. A particularly lush coat of hair can be found on the tail.
All coat colors are represented in this dog breed. A white blaze and a white tail tip are popular and desired.
Grooming this breed is very time-consuming and must be done regularly. Traditionally, hair was not trimmed but grew longer and longer. Due to the high level of care required, dogs are often shorn nowadays, so there is hardly any fur care.
Nature, Temperament
The little dog is very lively, cheerful, alert, and attentive in nature.
The Shih Tzu develops a particularly close relationship with its owner; it is affectionate, affectionate, playful, cuddly, and gentle. Despite this, he is very self-confident and stubborn and likes to try to get his way.
Representatives of this breed are very fond of children and well suited as small family dogs. They like to learn one or the other trick and can be very concentrated. The little lion dog also likes to make friends with other pets and fellow dogs.
Upbringing
As gentle and lovable as these little dogs are, they can also be dominant. That’s why consistent training is very important, even with puppies. He already needs clear rules to which he must adhere. Exceptions are to be avoided.
However, you should remain affectionate while doing so, as Shih Tzu is also very sensitive, and yelling at them may be overly intimidating.
Attitude
Due to its size, it is well suited for housing. Nevertheless, this lively dog also needs regular exercise, preferably in nature.
Life Expectancy
These small Tibetan dogs usually live to be between 10 and 16 years old.