The Shih Tzu is a sturdy, lively, alert toy dog with long flowing double coat. Befitting his noble Chinese ancestry as a highly valued, prized companion and palace pet, the Shih Tzu is proud of bearing, has a distinctively arrogant carriage with head well up and tail curved over the back. Although there has always been considerable size variation, the Shih Tzu must be compact, solid, carrying good weight and substance.
Even though a toy dog, the Shih Tzu must be subject to the same requirements of soundness and structure prescribed for all breeds, and any deviation from the ideal described in the standard should be penalized to the extent of the deviation. Structural faults common to all breeds are as undesirable in the Shih Tzu as in any other breed, regardless of whether or not such faults are specifically mentioned in the standard.
Top
We want the very best for our puppies so we feed Nutro Ultra with Holistic ingredients and Nutrional benefits with no synthetic preservatives.
The ingredient listing is unlike any other food you can buy. It's all about health. We are committed to using the finest, costliest holistic ingredients, highly digestible proteins, added vitamins and minerals and specialized nutrients found in Ultra. We never use chicken by-products (which may contain heads, feet, intestines), ground corn or grain sorghum. And no synthetic preservatives like BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, propyl gallate or chemicals such as sodium hexametaphosphate. Ultra is a whole new category of dog food...not just holistic...not just the latest science...not just more nutrition...Ultra Holistic Nutrition. Click here for more information.
BLADES & TOOLS
COAT & GROOM TIPS
The soft coat of this breed requires regular grooming to keep it from matting. The coat should be shiny, fine, soft and silky. Over the body it should be long. There are some trimming touches applied to this breed, like the tips of ears and evening feet hair for a neat appearance. Banding hair keeping from laying in the face of the dog is common.
To prevent water from entering ears be sure to place cotton balls in the ears. If the pet has white areas using a whitening shampoo or rinse on those areas.
Be sure to fluff-dry the Shih-Tzu. It's important to to groom the ears afterward to improve their neat appearance.
Wash the haircoat with a light touch to maintain optimum silkiness. Allow the shampoo to dissolve dirt and grime.
If you plan to show your puppy, you must first deal with a reputable breeder. The puppy's pedigree should include one or more champions in the first and second generation. You should be familiar with the breed and breed standard so you can know what qualities to look for in your puppy. The breeder's observations and recommendations also are invaluable aids in selecting your future champion.If you consider an older puppy, be sure that the puppy has been properly socialized with people and not isolated in a kennel without substantial daily human contact.
Meet the Parents Because puppies are a combination of genes inherited from both of their parents, they will reflect the qualities and temperament of their sire and dam. When visiting a litter of pups, spend time with the dam and observe her behavior with her puppies, the breeder and strangers. The sire should also be observed if on premises. There are a lot of scams on the Internet, and when buying a dog please do not go off a picture alone on dam and sire. Have the breeder show you a copy of pedigree showing ownership. Anyone can take a picture of a dog and say this is sire and this is the dam. Please be careful.
Did you know that the Shih-Tzu breed has been around since 1000BC, but the first Shih-Tzu were imported into the United States from England in the 1930's, many of them by military personnel who had become familiar with the breed while stationed in England or Scandinavia. Before 1952 the Shih-Tzu imports were registered with American Kennel Club and shown and breed as Lhasa Apsos because the AKC did not recognize the Shih-Tzu as a separate breed. The Shih-Tzu was finally recognized as it's own class in 1955.
The Beauty behind the Beauty Beautiful dog with long hair, what a mess you say? Not at all. On contrary to popular belief the Shih-Tzu is a Hypo-Allergenic dog. They really do not shed at all. They have a dander like the Maltese which makes them very desirable for people who have allergies or people who just don't want dog hair all over their floors and couch.