
	PETS AND ANIMALS

Shih Tzu Dog Breed

The Shih Tzu originated in Tibet where it was kept in temples as a sacred dog. Occasionally they were given to the emperors of China as a tribute of great honor. In China, those dogs quickly became "little temple dogs". Today the Shih Tzu is small, intelligent, lively and alert. The sole purpose of the Shih Tzu is as a companion and house pet thus he is outgoing, happy, affectionate, friendly and trusting toward everyone. He needs a minimum amount of exercise but the coat does need regular brushing to ensure that it won't tangle.

The Shih Tzu is a member of the Toy breed. They can come in a variety of colors, so when you hear someone refer to a dog as a Parti or a Solid, you now know that they are referring to the Shih Tzu. Originally from Tibet, the Shih Tzu has a height of around 7 inches, and a weight between 9-16 pounds. They are very friendly and make perfect family pets.

Grooming for you Shih Tzu is very important. You should make it a point to clean your Shih Tzu's eyes once a day. Also make sure to brush it thoroughly once a day. Shampoo it once a week with designated cleaners.

Shih Tzu Breed Outline

Country of Origin:	Tibet
FCI Classification:	Group 9 - Companion and Toy Dogs; Tibetan breeds (without working trial)
Utilization:	Companion dog
AKC Classification:	Toy Group
Personality:	Quiet, intelligent, independent, affectionate, playful, and eager to learn.
Size Category:	Small
Height:	9-11 inches at shoulders
Colors:	All colors permissible, white blaze on forehead and white tip on tail highly desirable in parti-colors.
Other Names:	In earlier days it was known as the Chrysanthemum Dog, or the Lhasa Lion Dog
Average Litter Size:	5
Life Span:	9-15 years
Grooming Requirements:	Shih Tzu need daily combing, eye cleaning, weekly bathing and overall professional grooming. His coat is a little softer than the Lhasa Apso. To fashion the Shih Tzu topknot, part the hair from the ear on both sides of the head. Next, gather up in one hand the hair in the middle and slip on a latex band at the base. The band may have to be wrapped around twice to make it secure, but the topknot should not be drawn so tight as to cause the dog discomfort. Finally, a ribbon or barrette may be attached to the latex band, but this point is purely optional.
Shedding:	Moderate
Social skills:	The Shih Tzu gets along with other animals when properly socialized from puppyhood.
Suitability for Children:	Patient with children of all ages if introduced at an early age.
Exercise Needs:	Shih Tzu is happy with house activities but a 20 minutes walk will do good.
Train Ability:	Can be hard to house break, stubborn.
Health & Behavior Issues:	Shih Tzu have several serious health problems. The most common are eye ulcers, knee dislocation, bleeding disorders, heart strokes, kidney disorders and high susceptibility to colds.

Grooming Your Shih Tzu

Grooming a Shih Tzu should be started when he is as young as possible. Initially, just brushing a Shih Tzu puppy holding him in your lap is enough. Follow these early sessions with lots of praise. As your Shih Tzu grows grooming should take place on a table. A grooming table is ideal because the top has rubber matting and can't be scratched. This should start when your Shih Tzu puppy is about three months old.

Grooming of the face should also start as early as possible. Nails should be clipped every week in order to keep them from curling under. Shih Tzu breeders start clipping puppy's nails very early to prevent the puppy from scratching the mother while nursing or harming himself or his littermates. Bathing should be done on a weekly basis too.
Brushing your Shih Tzu is best done when the dog lies on his side. This gives you the chance to make sure that his coat is free from mats. Start by brushing all the hair back with your pin brush. Do not tug or pull. Then spray the coat lightly with a mixture of one part cream rinse and eight parts water in a spray bottle. Pay special attention to the front paws and stomach.

Special care must be taken around the eyes, and the mustache. A small comb should be used around the eyes to remove any accumulation in the hair that could cause tearing. The best way is to hold the head firmly under the chin by holding some hair. Check the eyes: they should be clear with no cloudiness in the pupil.

After you groom the face, start the topknot. Brush the hair on the top of the head away from the eyes. The hair is parted from about the center of each eye and straight up to the middle of the head. Hold the topknot with your one hand and carefully fasten a latex rubber band around it with the other hand. Try not to get the hair tangled in the band and pull the topknot too tight.

Bathing your Shih Tzu should begin only after you brush him thoroughly. If a dog has mats when he is bathed, it will be twice as hard to get a comb through them after bathing. Put a rubber mat on the bottom of the sink to prevent slipping. Put a drop of mineral oil in each eye before you start to wash the dog to sooth any problems due to the soap getting into the eyes during the bath. The drain should be open while washing the dog. While you are washing the dog, keep talking to him to give him assurance. Put some shampoo on your hands and apply it gently on the dog's coat. Do not scrub. Make sure all the parts of the dog are washed well and rinse thoroughly. With a towel, blot the dog's coat, do not rub it. Dry the dog's coat in layers with the dryer while he lies on his side.

After your Shih Tzu is dried, brush the coat again thoroughly to make sure there are no tangles. It should take you about 40 minutes to complete the entire bathing process.

Puppy or Adult Dog?

If you decided that Shih Tzu is the right breed for you, it is time to start attending dog shows and talking to Shih Tzu breeders. You also need to decide whether you need a pet-quality Shih Tzu dog, a show dog or a dog for breeding. There are some differences between male Shih Tzu and female Shih Tzu in size and temperament. Buying a Shih Tzu puppy has some obvious benefits, but an adult Shih Tzu might be a better choice if you have small children in your family. In this case you should buy a Shih Tzu puppy of at least four months of age that would be able to defend himself from children who like rough play.

If you want a show dog, remember that six months is the earliest age for the breeder to select a show prospect from a litter, and nobody, even an experienced breeder and exhibitor can predict with 100 percent accuracy that a particular puppy will excel in the show ring. You also should be prepared to deal with some Shih Tzu breed specific ailments. It is extremely important to buy your Shih Tzu dog or puppy from a reputable Shih Tzu breeder, not from a pet store or a puppy mill. A good source for primary characteristics of a reputable breeder can be found on many web sites.

Housebreaking Your Shih Tzu

Housebreaking is your first training concern and it should begin the moment you bring your Shih Tzu puppy home. Puppies should be taken outdoors after meals, as a full stomach will put pressure on the bladder and colon. The puppy should be encouraged to use the same area for "his business" and he will soon get used to it. Indoors, sheets of newspapers can be used to cover the area where the puppy should relieve himself. These should be placed some distance away from his sleeping and feeding areas, as a puppy will not eliminate where he eats or sleeps.

The puppy should be praised after he has used this particular part of the room. Each positive reinforcement will increase the possibility of his using that area again. You must be patient, tolerant and understanding. Never rub his nose in his excreta, never punish him with your hand. This will make him "hand-shy" and fear you.