Shih Tzu Dogs

The Shih Tzu is a happy and attractive little house-pet which adores human company and'hates to be neglected. It is extremely intelligent, arrogant, and looks forward to the long, daily grooming sessions for which time must be allocated if you decide to buy this delightful breed.

Origin and history

The Lhasa Apso was highly prized by the Dalai Lama of Tibet, who would habitually give prized specimens to emperors of China. It is likely that the Chinese may have crossed the Apso with the Pekingese to develop the Shih Tzu. As with the imperial Pekingese, export of the Shih Tzu from China was forbidden, and it was not until the death of Empress Tzu-hsi in 1908 that the little shaggy dogs were smuggled out to Europe,

Shih Tzu Puppies

Good points

• Adores human company
• Affectionate
• Hardy
• Intelligent
• Loves children and other animals
• Suitable for town or country

Take heed

• Best to tie back the topknot with a bo. or your pet could develop eye trouble

Size

Weight 10-181b (4.5-8.2kg); ideally 10-161b (4.5-7.3 kg). Height at the withers not more than 10V2in (26.5cm),

Exercise

Short, regular walks and oll-the-Iead runs.

Shih Tzu Information

General appearance
Very active, lively and alert with a distinctly arrogant carriage, The Shih Tzu is neither a terrier nor a toy dog.

Colour
All colours permissible, but a white blaze on the forehead and a white tip to the tail are highly prized. Dogs with liver markings may have dark liver noses and slightly lighter eyes, Pigmentation on muzzle as unbroken as possible.

Head and skull
Head broad and round, wide between the eyes. Shock-headed with hair falling well over the eyes. Good beard and whiskers; the hair growing upwards on the nose gives a distinctly chrysanthemum-like effect. Muzzle square and short, but not wrinkled like a Pekingese; flat and hairy. Nose black for preference and about 1in (2.5cm) from tip to stop.

Tail
Heavily plumed and curled well over back; carried gaily.

Feet
Firm and well padded. They should look big on account of the wealth of hair.

Shih Tzu Feeding & Grooming

Grooming

Daily brushing with a pure bristle brush, Do not neglect this task or combing out tangles will be painful. Keep the topknot from getting into the eyes and take care that the ears are free of matted hair or other objects.

Feeding

Six-130z (170-369g) of a branded, meaty product with biscuit added in equal part by volume, or 1112 cupfuls of a dry, complete food mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to '/2 cup of hot or cold water.

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