Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus - Puppies - Puppy Care

Photo courtesy of
Jo Wans Kennel

Shih Tzus require considerable grooming. A puppy undergoes a coat change at about 10-12 months old. This is a hard time for Shih Tzu owners. Dead hair is there before you have time to get rid of it, just like the dust that covers a piano immediately after it has been removed. A puppy will always find a place to stain himself with mud. In this case you will have to wash it. Shih Tzus usually do not mind blow-drying. That way your cute little puppy will not run about the house spattering water on you.

There is a wide choice of canine shampoo and grooming equipment a Shih Tzu owner can use. However, bathing should not be too frequent. Otherwise, there is a risk of making the dog's skin too dry by washing out natural skin oils. It is advisable to use a small hair dryer to prevent the dog from shivering after the bath. The Shih Tzu is a very intelligent animal. They are easy to train not only when they are puppies but also when they are full-grown. However, some obedience skills are to be laid at an early age. Well-socialized Shih Tzus display readiness to please its owner and some simple techniques along with acceptable treats will contribute to the success.

Shih Tzus - Puppies - General Information Links

Agility and the Shih Tzu - Includes training, equipment, awards, news, and clubs.

Basic's & Beyond - Home-training program consisting of nine easy to understand lessons for all breeds of dogs and cats.

Best Shot Solutions - Quality pet care products for professionals and pet owners including shampoos and conditioners for every skin type and every pet.

Breed Guide - Find the Shih Tzu breed outline on this page.

Dog Owner's Guide - Interesting information on the Shih Tzu breed.

DogAdvice.com - An extensive resource providing advice on dog behavior and training, breed selector, tips for finding a reputable trainer, dogs and kids information.

Find a Dog Groomer - Includes a map that allows you to locate dog groomers by state.

Good Dog Magazine - Product test reports on over 65 dog foods, plus articles on food, veterinary medicine and nutrition.

Puppy Mill Fighters - Grass roots organization dedicated to educating the public about puppy mills and animal cruelty. Photos, news and stories, listing of events, and links.

Shih Tzu - AKC Breed Standard - American Kennel Club lays down its standards for judging this toy breed. Enjoy trivial information, gather national breed club details.

Shih Tzu - Sign up for a breed-specific email list, read the AKC standard and find show results. Provides general advice on dog care.

Shih Tzus - Puppies - Pictures

Photo courtesy of
Jo Wans Kennel

Shih Tzu Information - Short Shih Tzu profile.

Shih Tzu Puppies - Contains featured breeders and kennel ads.

Shih Tzus - History, appearance and temperament, health issues and puppy care.

Shih Tzus Breed FAQ - Originally bred as temple dogs in Tibet, this breed is now popular toy dogs worldwide. Get advice on selecting and caring for a puppy.

Shih Tzus for Sale - A global network directory of Shih Tzus for sale.

The American Shih Tzu Club - Breed information and club information.

The Shih Tzu - Brief outline of the breed.

The Shih Tzu Description - Contains description of appearance, temperament, facts on health problems, grooming, the breed origin and more.

The Shih Tzu FAQ - Find out everything you wanted to know about this ancient breed.

Shih Tzus - Puppies - Other Shih Tzus sites

Shih Tzus Pictures - Shih Tzus are compact, alert dogs with a friendly irresistible expression. You can often hear the Shih Tzu fanciers claim that this breed is the darling of society. Indeed, who can make a rival to this beautiful dignified pet carrying himself like real royalty! The dog can participate in agility events making use of its physical qualities. However, a place to see it in all its glory is a show ring. Shih Tzus come in all colors and markings and are always ready to boast their long luxurious coats.

According to the standard, the Shih Tzu should stand about 9-10 inches at the shoulder. The dogs that exceed the height of 11 inches or less than 8 inches are disqualified from the show ring. The Shih Tzu has a broad head with large rounded eyes. The eyes are usually dark in color. Excessive eye white is a fault in these dogs. The ears are also large. The breed is characterized by a short muzzle and undershot bite. The tail is set on high.

Shih Tzus Breeders - Shih Tzus seem to have a long history. His beauty and ability to adapt to various conditions played a role in contributing much to the popularity of the breed all over the world. The Shih Tzu comes from China where it was a favorite pet of royal families. There is evidence that Tibetan monks reputed this tiny creature as a holy dog. Its value shows in the fact that they used to present Chinese royalty with these adorable dogs. It is known that these dogs were sometimes given to Emperors of China during the Manchu dynasty as a sign of great honor and respect.

The breed's appearance in America did not go unnoticed. The US fanciers obtained the first Shih Tzus in the late 1930s. The breed gained in popularity very rapidly. In 1955, the AKC included the Shih Tzu into the Miscellaneous class. Individual dogs drew much public attention. One can only imagine what emotions a long coated cute Shih Tzu with a friendly open look used to inspire when walking along the street. It is only natural that very soon, in 1969, Shih Tzus started to enjoy full rights of the Toy Group of breeds. Nowadays, this temple dog with an imperial background and amiable personality is a famous pet and companion. Shih Tzus have come into homes of many owners.

Shih Tzus - Shih Tzus are one of the most adorable breeds of dogs the world has ever known. Its dazzling beauty and appealing temperament pave way to many hearts. The Shih Tzu is very adaptable. It can do perfectly well in a house and on a farm, in an apartment and a back yard. Before buying a dog you should consider all the aspects of owning the Shih Tzu and decide whether it's the right breed for you.

The Shih Tzus is a Toy Dog weighing from 9 to 16 pounds. Its coat can be of different colors and markings. A silky type of coat is easier to groom than a cottony one, which tends to mat. The Shih Tzu enjoys walks and rides as well as lying on pillows doing nothing.

Shih Tzus - Shih Tzus belong to the AKC toy group of dogs. This "chrysanthemum-faced dog" has the hair growing about the face in all directions. Shih Tzus are famous for their luxurious flowing coat. All coat colors are permissible. Shih Tzus are compact, sturdy little dogs. Their round head is rather wide between the eyes. The muzzle is short and square. The well-set neck is flowing into shoulders smoothly. The dog's chest should be rather broad and deep. The Shih Tzu's legs are straight and muscular. The well-padded feet should point straight ahead. The tail is curled over the back of the dog.

The large eyes are round and looking straight ahead. The heavily coated ears are set below crown of skull.

Shih Tzus - Puppies Care

Shih Tzus - Puppies - Puppy Care

Shih Tzus - Puppies - General Information Links

Shih Tzus - Puppies - Other Shih Tzus sites