The Shih Tzu

Habiba Jannat
4 min readOct 26, 2022

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The Shih Tzu is a Tibetan toy dog breed that was bred from the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso.

Shih Tzus are distinguished by their short snout, large round eyes, constantly growing coat, floppy ears, and short and stout posture.

They can adapt well to a variety of situations. They are not the most obedient breed due to their highly independent nature.

Description

Shih Tzus are sturdy little dogs with a small muzzle and large dark brown eyes. The Chinese have called their heads “owl heads” and “lion heads,” and their mouths “frog mouths.” [4] They have a soft, long double coat that tangles and mats easily if not brushed at least once every two or three days. A Shih Tzu should be no taller than 26.7 cm (1012") at the withers and weigh no more than 4.0 to 7.5 kg (9 to 17 lb). Long fur covers the floppy ears, and the heavily furred tail is carried curled over the back. The coat can be any color, though white and grey blazes are common.

To avoid tangles, the traditional long silky coat, which reaches the floor, requires daily brushing. Because of their long coats and fast-growing hair, regular grooming is required and important, which can be costly and should be considered when considering adopting one of this breed. The coat is often clipped short to simplify care, but it still requires daily brushing. The coat must be left in its natural state for conformation showing, with the exception of trimming for neatness around the feet and anus. When the puppy cut is accompanied by a fuller, rounder face, resembling a cute and cuddly stuffed animal, the shorter cut is commonly referred to as a “puppy cut”[6].

Etymology

The name is derived from the Chinese word for “lion,” as this breed of dog was bred to resemble “the lion, as in traditional oriental art.”

[7] (In Chinese, the Pekingese is also known as the “lion dog.”) The Wade-Giles romanization of the Chinese characters “lion” is “Shih Tzu.”

In modern Mandarin, the Shih Tzu is commonly referred to as the “Xi Shi dog”; Xi Shi was regarded as one of ancient China’s most beautiful women. In the 1930s, Shih Tzu were dubbed the Chrysanthemum Dog in England. [8] The Tibetan Lion Dog is another name for the dog, but whether the breed should be called “Tibetan” or “Chinese” is a source of historical and political debate, as the following section explains.

History

According to one theory, the Shih Tzu is descended from a cross between the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso.

[10] The dogs were favorites of the Chinese royals and were so valuable that the Chinese refused to sell, trade, or give any away for years. The first dogs of the breed were imported into Europe (England and Norway) in 1930 and classified as “Apsos” by the Kennel Club. [10] The Shih Tzu Club wrote the first European standard for the breed in England in 1935,[11] and the dogs were reclassified as Shih Tzu. The breed spread throughout Europe and was introduced to the United States after World War II, when returning members of the United States military brought dogs from Europe and Asia. Kennel Club in the Toy Group in 1969. [10] There are fourteen Shih Tzu iterations in the breed’s gene pool today. [12] The Shih Tzu Club of England was established in 1934[13], and the breed was officially recognized by the Kennel Club (UK) on May 7, 1940. None were awarded until 1949, when it became eligible for Challenge Certificates. All of the major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world now recognize the breed. [5] The Fédération Sinologue International also recognizes it for international competition in the Companion and Toy Dog Group, Section 5, Tibetan breeds. [5] In the United States, the Shih Tzu was the 15th most popular breed in 2013, having dropped slightly from 11th in 2012.

Health

Individual Shih Tzu have a number of health issues, some of which are hereditary, which are listed below. The breed’s popularity has allowed for extremely poor breeding in general, resulting in generalized and lifelong diseases, often from a young age.

Cardiovascular Disease Shih Tzus are predisposed to several types of heart disease. The prognosis of the condition depends on when it is diagnosed and the stage of the disease when it is discovered.

Brachycephaly

Brachycephaly Shih Tzu Qualzucht.jpg

Breeding selection increased the skull malformation brachycephaly due to the ideal of beauty regarding the shape of the face. Skin sensitivities such as dermatitis, bumps, and rashes are caused by this short nose. [19]

Eye issues

problems with the eyes Shih Tzus are prone to developing eye problems at any age, but especially as they get older. Most veterinarians will prescribe eye drops to treat any eye irritations. Some dogs suffer from allergies, resulting in excessive discharge around the eyes. Cataracts are known to develop in older Shih Tzus, which can be corrected surgically. If the cataract is not treated, the dog may go blind in the affected eye.

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