- Shih Tzu
The name “Shih Tzu” means little lion, but there is nothing ferocious about this dog breed. The breed was bred solely to be companions. Shih Tzus are affectionate, sociable family dogs that love nothing more than to follow their owners from room to room. Since ancient times, they have made themselves comfortable on the laps of all walks of life, even emperors! They make excellent pets that get along well with other animals and children.
- Country of Origin : China
- Height at withers : male: 20 – 28 cm, female: 20 – 28 cm
- Weight : female: 4 – 7.2 kg, male: 4 – 7.2 kg
- Lifespan : 10-16 years
- Use : companion dog
Buying a Shih Tzu puppy is a responsible and important act that you need to think carefully about before doing. This is especially true for those people who are going to become truly responsible dog breeders. The question of choice should be approached carefully and without haste, comparing your own habits, daily routine and the nature of the chosen breed. When the future owner has decided on the breed, a new dilemma arises: how to find a bona fide breeder? Here you need to be extremely careful not to become a prematurely disappointed dog owner.
Buying a Shih Tzu puppy is a very exciting event, because you can say that a new family member will appear. To ensure that the event does not overshadow anything, it is worth taking a responsible approach to choosing a breeder. There are no bad dog breeds; you can simply run into an unscrupulous breeder for whom money comes first. The future owner is at great risk of buying an animal that has a lot of health problems. It is for this reason that you need, first of all, to get to know the breeder well, read reviews about him and the like.
Introduction
This project is a unified electronic database of Shih Tzu dogs, created as a convenient tool for both fans of the breed and breeders of this breed.
The pages of our electronic catalog of the Shih Tzu breed contain data not only on living Shih Tzu dogs, but also information about dogs that are the ancestors of our dogs (photos, show results, ratings, titles, exhibition descriptions, information about descendants , littermates, dates of birth and death, information about place of birth, breeders and owners of dogs). You can find all the necessary information on the Shih Tzu dog you are interested in, use convenient functions for creating pedigrees for future puppies, calculate the possibility of inbreeding, make a pair, look at the descendants of a particular dog, etc.
The public availability of the database and the ability to enter the most complete information directly by owners and breeders of Shih Tzu dogs allow them to demonstrate their pets as widely as possible to a wide range of interested parties both in our country and abroad.
We very much count on the active participation of all owners of Shih Tzu dogs in filling out the electronic catalogue. We hope that our database will be constantly updated and expanded.
Our Shih Tzu breed database has five main sections:
The catalog is an electronic database of the Shih Tzu breed open to all visitors.
Exhibitions – a section created for quick entry and presentation of the results of held exhibitions in combination with database data.
Kennels – here you can find information about current and existing Shih Tzu kennels both in our country and abroad.
Judges – a section in which you will find information about the experts who examined Shih Tzu dogs.
Statistics – a section in which a number of statistics are presented based on the information that has already been entered into our database (exhibitions, breeding activities, etc.).
For all questions, including technical issues, you can contact
Possible diseases
The breed has good health, strong immunity and a long life expectancy. Sometimes 15 years is not an age for a Shih Tzu. These small dogs can handle the heat well, and in winter they don’t need to be dressed in overalls to go for a walk. The general recommendations are simple: if you notice that your dog is not acting as usual, contact your veterinarian. Supervise your Shih Tzu when they drink water. Due to the position of their nose, water can block their breathing.
Shih Tzu dogs are predisposed to the following diseases:
- Cataract
- Atopy
- Urolithiasis disease
- Ulceration of the cornea of the eye
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Tracheal collapse
- Kidney disease (underdevelopment of the kidney)
- Chronic heart valve disease
- Ventricular septal defect
- Perianal gland adenoma
- Entropion (inversion of the eyelid)
- Distichiasis (extra eyelashes).
Kindley Glance Pearl Placer
Dog kennel Papillon kennel "Peperuda".
Papillon and Phalene, Yorkshire Terrier. Russia, Moscow Shih Tzu Champion of Russia,
KING FOR ACRO DI CASA CORSINImulti Champion Interchampion - 6 x CACIB, Champions Russia, Champions Moldova, Champions Czechia, Champions Slovakia, Champions Slovenia, 9x BOB, 3x BIG, BIS Waiter champion Imp. Italy | CH ITA Italy | Wenrick´s Traveling in StyleCh CH Canada |
Kendersta´s Annabelle of Tu ChuAM CH USA | ||
Wenrick's Just A CruisinCanada | ||
Italy | ||
SAFFRON SHERHY HI TECKJUNIOR CHAMPION BELARUS, JUNIOR CHAMPION RUSSIA, CHAMPION BELARUS, CHAMPION BREED BELARUS. GRANDEE CHAMPION BELARUS, CHAMPION RUSSIA, CHAMPION UKRAINE, GRANDEE CHAMPION UKRAINE | UNIQE CHACHA BOHEMIA ACRONTERCHAMPION 2x Club champion Champion CZ, SK, PL, CRO before finished Slovenian champion Czech and Club young champion Club winner 2005 4xCACIB, 2x rez.CACIB 5x BOB BIG 3rd place BIS young on show, rez.BIS young BIS puppy 3rd place Czech Republic | |
Czech Republic | ||
Ch. Poland, Ch. Belarus, Ch. Ukraine Poland | ||
JUNIOR CHAMPION BELARUS. 2*CAC Belarus |
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Description of the Shih Tzu breed
Dog kennel Shark Mountain. Shiba Inu, Schipperke, Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Russia, Moscow, Moscow
Attractive pets captivate with their cute appearance. The description of the Shih Tzu presents the animals as cute and cheerful companions. At first glance, the pet may seem arrogant, but this is deceiving. These animals are cheerful and active. When assessing a Shih Tzu, a number of parameters are taken into account: body build, color and other features. An important point is that there are no strict restrictions regarding size, so breeders do not sacrifice appearance. Animals can reach a height of 27 cm, but their weight is in the range of 4.5-8 kg. An interesting feature of the Shih Tzu breed is that the hair on the back of the nose grows vertically.
The well-groomed face of this animal is often compared to a chrysanthemum. Mustaches, sideburns, bangs and fur on the ears stand out in appearance. To maintain the beauty and decorativeness of the animal, it is necessary to carry out regular haircuts. Beginners are interested in how long Shih Tzus live. According to statistics, these dogs live up to 16 years on average. However, there are cases where life expectancy was 20 years.
History of the Shih Tzu breed
The official homeland of this animal is China. Initially, they were bred by monks in Tibet and did not sell the puppies to anyone. In 1653, the Dalai Lama presented a lion dog to the Emperor of China; it became a court pet, the rights to which only the imperial family had the right to keep. After the overthrow of the monarch, the breed began to be exterminated; to avoid this, European breeders exported several representatives.
The first “lion cubs” came to England and Norway in 1932. The breed began to gain popularity among pedigree breeders in the 30s of the 20th century. The first club for lovers of these charmers opened in England in 1933. In America this happened a little later in 1959. The breed standard was approved in 1969 and in the same year the Shih Tzu was developed into an independent breed.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=UWcikwt4UGk%250D
Shih Tzu breed standard
Those dogs that are purchased to participate in exhibitions and competitions must meet certain parameters. The Shih Tzu standard is represented by the following characteristics:
- The head
is large and has a wide forehead line. The transition between forehead and muzzle is sharp. - The teeth
are small, evenly set. The bite is straight, there is a moderate overshot. - The nose
is black, dark brown or deep gray. Wide nostrils stand out - The eyes
are round, expressive and not protruding. The iris is colored dark brown, brown, gray or blue. - The ears
are large, located below the top of the head, but above the eyes. They have a lot of long hair. - The body
is elongated. The height at the withers of the Shih Tzu is less than the length of the back. The neck is medium, the withers are moderately pronounced. - The limbs
are strong, wide, the claws are arched. The pads are convex and durable. - The tail
is thrown over the back. Due to the abundant fur, it seems that the tip is in line with the crown.
Many who decide to buy a puppy are interested in how much a Shih Tzu costs. The price depends on the class:
- Pet
is the best option for home keeping. Such dogs do not participate in exhibitions and breeding. The cost can vary between $15-180. - Breed
- breeding dogs. They do not take part in exhibitions, but if no minor defects are observed, they can produce show-class offspring. The price ranges from $200 to 600. - Show
. The most expensive representatives who take part in competitions. Cost $1-3 thousand.
Shih Tzu character
These dogs are kind, cheerful and easy to get along with. The Shih Tzu breed does not look for one owner among the household members, but distributes love equally. Thanks to their strong nerves, Chinese “lion cubs” react normally to children’s pranks, but this does not apply to manifestations of rudeness and aggression, they will not tolerate this. Shih Tzus are often called pets for retirees.
They do not require long and active walks and feel great on a soft sofa. Shih Tzu dogs are very trusting and easily make contact with strangers. On the one hand, this is touching, and on the other hand, it indicates that their guards are bad. They treat other animals normally and do not start scandals over spheres of influence in the house. However, it is quite in their nature to be jealous of the owner of a new pet.
Shih Tzu colors
The following color variations are allowed in the breeds. The most common remain the following:
- shih tzu black
; - golden white
; - black and white
; - brown
; - ashen
; - cream
; - blue
.
Shih Tzu care and training
Much of the Shih Tzu's charm comes from its gorgeous coat. You need to take care of this magnificence every day. If the dog is accustomed to daily grooming, then the usual 15 minutes a day of grooming should not be a big problem for the owner.
Constant brushing will prevent the coat from becoming tangled. Shih Tzus are usually bathed once a week. You can use hairpins, bows and elastic bands to remove hair from your Shih Tzu's eyes and face.
Some owners prefer to cut their dogs' hair to make grooming easier. It is necessary to trim your Shih Tzu's nails and ears regularly. Shih Tzu eyes are very sensitive, it is important to keep them clean at all times.
Shih Tzus, like other lap dogs, do not need much physical exercise. Short walks outside keep your Shih Tzu in good physical shape. Shih Tzus love to play, so the required activity can be satisfied through games.
Shih Tzus are not supposed to demonstrate working qualities, but they are simply required to know the rules of good manners in the dog world. Even a small dog, without training, can become a source of chaos and unnecessary noise. And for dogs destined for a show career, the ability to behave correctly in the ring is extremely important. The basic rules in training these smart dogs are training in the form of a game, dosing the load (so that the puppy does not get tired) and using rewards as the main method of education.
Kindley Glance Vilnius Blay
Vandebor dog kennel, miniature pinschers kennel. miniature pinscher, miniature pinscher. Russia Moscow
Shih Tzu
Champion of Russia, RKF, CHAMPION OF THE SHI-TZU CLUB OF RUSSIA, INTER CHAMPION OF THE CHAMPION OF RUSSIA, GRAND CHAMPION OF RUSSIA, CHAMPION OF THE SHI-TZU CLUB OF RUSSIA, CHAMPION OF UKRAINE, GRAND CHAMPION OF UKRAINE, CHAMPION OF MOLDAVIAN Imp. Italy | WORLD VICE J.CH., CH.SAN MARINO, CROATIAN, ITALIAN, INTERNATIONAL, BIS PAIR EDS 2010 Italy | Italy |
LARISSA DI CASA CORSINIItaly | ||
Ch. INT.ITA Italy | Italy | |
Italy | ||
SAFFRON SHERHY HI TECKJUNIOR CHAMPION BELARUS, JUNIOR CHAMPION RUSSIA, CHAMPION BELARUS, CHAMPION BREED BELARUS. GRANDEE CHAMPION BELARUS, CHAMPION RUSSIA, CHAMPION UKRAINE, GRANDEE CHAMPION UKRAINE | UNIQE CHACHA BOHEMIA ACRONTERCHAMPION 2x Club champion Champion CZ, SK, PL, CRO before finished Slovenian champion Czech and Club young champion Club winner 2005 4xCACIB, 2x rez.CACIB 5x BOB BIG 3rd place BIS young on show, rez.BIS young BIS puppy 3rd place Czech Republic | |
Czech Republic | ||
Ch. Poland, Ch. Belarus, Ch. Ukraine Poland | ||
JUNIOR CHAMPION BELARUS. 2*CAC Belarus |
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Shih Tzu - price and how to buy correctly
You can purchase a Shi-Tzu from an unregistered breeding, which means without documents, for 5 - 20 thousand rubles. But in this case, you risk getting a puppy with an admixture or hereditary diseases. You can buy a puppy with a known pedigree, but not suitable for breeding (pet class), for 20 thousand rubles.
A breed-class pet that meets breed standards and is suitable for breeding, but not for exhibitions, costs on average 25-35 thousand. Finally, for the best puppies you will be asked from 50 to several hundred thousand, depending on how good their pedigree is.
It is best to purchase puppies at the age of 1.5-2 months. By this time, the puppy should already have received vaccinations and know the basics of behavior. If you have children, take them with you; the puppy should actively respond to both you and them. If he doesn't show much interest, then either he has health problems or he just doesn't like you.
In any case, it is better to choose another puppy. He should not try to hide or tuck his tail; such actions may indicate admixture of other breeds, because purebred Shih Tzus are distinguished by their courage. It is worth asking about the age of the puppy’s parents and their pedigree.
The puppy should look neat, special attention should be paid to several things:
- The paws should be tight and even, and the gait should be straight;
- The wool is dense and soft, without lumps;
- The eyes are clear and shiny;
- Ears are clean and odorless;
- A bloated abdomen indicates that he has parasites or an incorrect diet, and the dog’s health throughout his life depends on nutrition in the first months.
Drying and combing
While the wool is wet, it can be combed (but experts do not recommend combing dirty wool), starting from the ends and gradually moving up to the roots. All combs that you use to groom your pet must belong only to him: do not lend them to anyone and do not take other people’s tools yourself. Combs live on many bacteria and parasites that can infect your pet.
The final stage of water procedures is wiping and, if necessary, drying with a hairdryer. If you use a hair dryer, make sure that the air stream is not too hot and does not hit the dog's face or ears. Do not overdry the coat, as this will make it weakened and brittle. The final shine of the coat will be given by an antistatic grooming spray (such as is available, for example, in the Grown Royal range) or a fixative with silk particles from Pet Silk.
We advise you to read: Chinese dog breeds
Interesting facts about the Shih Tzu
Since the origin of the breed is lost over the centuries, it has become overgrown with myths. So, in China they say that the first Shih Tzu followed the Buddha during his wanderings. In fact, she was not a dog at all, but a lion enclosed in a small body. If Buddha was in danger, she returned to the form of a lion and dealt with the offenders. Like other legends, this one did not appear out of nowhere, but due to the fact that when a threat to the owner, the Shih Tzu actually shows much greater courage than can be expected from such a small beast.
In Chinese, the name of the breed sounds similar to the word “lion cub”, and together with the legend above, this led to the opinion that it was from this word that it came. But in fact, the name was given in honor of Xi Shi, the legendary Chinese beauty - according to legend, she lived in the 6th century.
Although reliable information about these dogs at the imperial court has only been available since the 17th century, there is also evidence indicating that they lived there before. For example, Marco Polo, who came to China in the 13th century, saw some “small lions” at the court of Kublai Kublai, who conquered China. He noted that these animals were affectionate and gentle - it was quite possible that they were Shih Tzus. Empress Ci Xi loved her Shih Tzus so much that she built a palace especially for them.
Due to their flattened heads, representatives of the breed really do not like hot weather. The air enters the respiratory system too quickly and remains hot, causing the dog to quickly overheat and potentially suffer heatstroke. Therefore, you can’t walk with her in the heat, and it shouldn’t be hot in the apartment either.
Shih Tzu - pros and cons
Affectionate, affectionate, friendly and active dogs with spectacular appearance, wonderful companions - the list of advantages of the Shih Tzu is impressive. If daily walks aren't your thing, Shih Tzus are easy to train to use a litter box. However, keep in mind that a dog's magnificent coat will only be achieved with careful regular grooming. Shih Tzus also do not tolerate lack of attention. Consider whether you will have enough time to communicate with your pet, to do grooming, wrap the fur in curlers if necessary, comb the Shih Tzu's fur and carefully remove tangles.
Caring for a Shih Tzu requires time and effort, but the result is worth it - the luxurious flowing coat, secured with a beautiful topknot hairpin (“tuft”) on the head, the proud posture and smooth movements of your pet, as if dressed in a royal robe, will attract your attention. The fur of the Shih Tzu breed, which came to us from China, is the main asset of these dogs. It flows and shimmers in the light, and is soft and delicate to the touch, like high-quality Chinese silk. Of course, such royal wealth requires royal care.
A complete package of documents for a Shih Tzu puppy
When buying a Shih Tzu puppy from a kennel, you need to carefully check the required list of documents.
Veterinary passport, better than the international standard. This is the main document of the dog, regardless of the breed of the animal. It contains the necessary information about the owner and the pet itself. When purchasing a puppy, the passport must contain notes regarding treatment against parasites, as well as primary vaccination. You need to ask the breeder when the next vaccination is.
The kennel mark, which is usually affixed in the groin area or on the inner surface of the ear. Thanks to the brand, the dog can be accurately identified in various official cynological systems and the Russian Cynological Federation. A Shih Tzu puppy from a proven, legally operating kennel cannot be without a brand. Therefore, if it is missing, there is no need to listen to fairy tales, but feel free to leave; buying from such a dubious place is not recommended. In addition to branding, breeders microchip their dogs, which indicates the high professionalism of the breeder. A pet without a chip cannot travel abroad with its owner, because having a chip is a prerequisite.
The primary document of the pet is the metric of the Shih Tzu puppy, which is necessary for the further process of registering the pedigree. In this document, the following information is indicated: the puppy’s parents, breed, owner and breeder information, gender, date of birth, brand, nickname. The document must be certified by the seals of the kennel, as well as the kennel club. The person responsible for breeding work is required to sign the puppy's certificate. At the top of the document, you can read what canine system the selected breeder uses.
Exterior
According to the current FCI breed standard, published in February 2011, the height at the withers is no more than 27 cm. The Shih Tzu can weigh from 4.5 to 8.1 kg, but up to 7.5 kg is preferable.
The coat is long and dense (does not curl). The undercoat is not frizzy. The length of the coat does not restrict movement. An important parameter is the length of the body (from the withers to the base of the tail), which exceeds the height at the withers.
Color
With a wide range of colors, a white spot on the forehead and a white end of the tail (in multi-colored Shih Tzus) are desirable. It’s great if the white “Buddha mark” stands out on the beard.
The Shih Tzu's coat most often has the following colors:
- white-red and white-gold;
- white-blue and light blue;
- white and red in a mask and red in a mask;
- white and black and black and tan;
- white, brindle and cream;
- gray, black and brown (“liver”).
Completely black specimens are very rare. And the brightest Shih Tzu are considered to be those whose white coat is diluted with vanilla color.
Head
Dark, widely spaced eyes (not protruding) stand out on the rounded head. Dense “vegetation” on the head and face, including a beard and mustache, does not interfere with the dog’s ability to see well.
Large ears, covered with abundant hair, are set below the line of the crown and hang down. Dog breeders believe that the Shih Tzu's face (square and flat) has a rather arrogant appearance.
The nose is usually black or brown (for animals with brown coats). The nostrils are wide open: narrowed ones are considered a fault. The bridge of the nose is slightly upturned or straight.
The jaws are wide with a straight/pincer bite. Proud carriage of the head is possible due to the proportional and harmoniously curved neck.
Body and limbs
The straight back is reinforced by a strong lumbar region. The dog's chest is well lowered, the shoulders are noticeably laid back. The limbs are round in shape (both hind and front) strong, muscular and covered with long hair.
In motion, the animal maintains an arrogant posture, demonstrating a particularly smooth running, in which the hind legs give a good push, and the front legs come forward.
History of the origin of the Shih Tzu
It is not established exactly when the breed originated, but there are several versions. According to one of them, Shih Tzu were found in Tibet even before the advent of our era, according to another, they were brought there from Byzantium in the 9th century. In any case, the reliable history of these dogs began in Tibet.
Possession of this dog without permission was punishable by execution. Therefore, they remained the privilege of the imperial court of China and remote Tibet until the last century. The animals were brought to Europe in the 1930s. The emperor deigned to give the Norwegian ambassador one Shih Tzu, and he decided, if such an opportunity existed, to purchase several more males for breeding.
The enterprise was a success, and soon Shih Tzus began to spread throughout Europe, where their possession was also at first considered a sign of a noble and wealthy person. It should be noted that despite the antiquity of the breed, it has still changed a little over these centuries.
Although under most emperors it was considered necessary to maintain its purity, under some, attempts were made to crossbreed with dogs of other breeds to further refine its appearance. First of all, in order to get even more luxuriant fur and make the nose shorter.
However, most of these experiments seem to have failed. As it was found out through genetic research, the Shih Tzu is one of the breeds closest to wolves. This indicates its antiquity, as well as the fact that it did not appear as a result of selection. Finally, genetic proximity to natural ancestors indicates that the Shih Tzu has changed quite little over all the centuries of its existence.
History of the breed (Origin)
The breed has a long and very difficult history. Shih Tzus originate from Tibet, but the formation and development of the breed took place in China, where Shih Tzus lived in imperial palaces. According to legends, the Shih Tzu accompanied the Buddha on his travels, sometimes turning into a lion so that the Buddha could rest while traveling on the back of a powerful beast. The first name of the breed is lion dog, and in Chinese “Shih Tzu” means “lion”.
According to one version, the ancestors of the breed were the Lhasa Apso and Pekingese; according to another, the Shih Tzu originated from Tibetan terriers. Shih Tzu came to Europe in the 30s of the 20th century and quickly gained popularity. The first club of breed lovers was created in 1933, and the first standard was approved in 1948.
Shih Tzu Kennels
Nurseries | Federation | City |
Hola Nursery | OANKOO/RKK | Pskov |
Kennel AI LOVE FORTUNA | OANKOO/Fauna | Eagle |
Kennel ISLAY | RFLS | Moscow |
Kennel ALLINS BRIGHT | RFSS | Vladivostok |
Kennel AMULET DIAMOND | OANKOO/Fauna | Novouralsk |
Nursery Belovezhskaya Pushcha | OANKOO/Fauna | Zelenograd |
Nursery Wagnerlich | RFSS | Podolsk |
Nursery Gift Lucky | OANKOO/RKK | Karavaevo |
Kennel Jiya Lan | RFLS | Eagle |
Kennel Iz Grand Leoniki | OANKOO/RKK | Penza |
Kennel IZ KAMELOT | RFSS | Ekaterinburg |
Nursery From the Ob Valley | RFSS | Novosibirsk |
Nursery Irinhaus | RFSS | Mound |
Nursery KYSYL SULUS | RFLS | Ulyanovsk |
Nursery Luben Land | RFSS | Samara |
Nursery Malakhovsky | RFLS | Moscow |
Kennel Melody of Soul | RFLS | Snezhinsk |
Nursery Minimax (MINIMAKS | OANKOO/Fauna | Nizhny Tagil |
Nursery NAGAZI | RFLS | Ekaterinburg |
Nursery Ragsol | RFLS | Moscow |
Kennel RUS LARI'S | RFSS | Yakutsk |
Kennel SAFFRON SHERHI | RFSS | Moscow |
Nursery Sweet Harmful | RFLS | Saint Petersburg |
Nursery Starlit Floret | OANKOO/Elite | Sovetskaya Gavan |
Nursery STEP FORWARD | RFOS | Shadrinsk |
Nursery Sursky souvenir | OANKOO/Elite | Penza |
Kennel TI AI SHI | OANKOO/Elite | Lipetsk |
Kennel FARSHITA PAR | RFSS | Moscow |
Kennel FAIRY KISS | RFSS | Novouralsk |
Kennel Fiktash Dream Line | RFSS | Moscow |
Kennel FLUK STAR'BORY | RFLS | Ekaterinburg |
Kennel French Legend | RFLS | Bykovo |
Kennel Honor Chanteval | RFLS | Moscow |
Nursery SHU-SHAOLIN | RFLS | Ryazan |
Kennel CHIENE DE LUXE | RFSS | Vladivostok |
Kennel EXEN | RFLS | Saint Petersburg |
Source - https://rkf.online/organizations?organization_type=3&active_rkf_user=false&activated=false
For more information, see the official website of the RKF.
Nutrition
There is an unspoken set of rules among breeders regarding feeding their four-legged friend. Firstly, meals are taken strictly according to schedule and only in a specially designated place. Secondly, the food is placed in a bowl and not on the floor.
Thirdly, the volume of portions is controlled; usually this is 5% of the weight of an aged animal and about 10% if we are talking about puppies. Fourthly, the dog should not look either skinny, with a sunken belly, or overfed.
Adult Shih Tzu dogs can eat no more than twice a day. Meals should include fermented milk such as kefir and natural yogurt, as well as porridge. For puppies, cereals cooked with milk, such as oatmeal, are suitable.
The Shih Tzu's coat requires careful care every day.
Dog meat should be boiled a little, and vegetables should be cooked in oil or fish oil. Sea fish is also suitable; boiled eggs are also allowed, but no more than two per week. From three to seven months of age, the dog renews its teeth, so additional calcium-containing vitamins and supplements will be needed. At this time, it is worth keeping the dog away from solid food.
The drinking regime is very important for a Shih Tzu - fresh liquid should not be transferred in a bowl and should be in the dog’s constant field of vision. Like a different breed, these “lion cubs” have their own forbidden list of foods. True, in many ways he is similar to the human “forbidden”.
Fatty, fried, smoked and salty foods are not allowed in the diet; sweets, as well as raw liver and bones are not recommended. You should not give fatty meats and river fish, as well as legumes, as this will cause excessive gas formation.
Shih Tzu asks for food
The dog should not know the taste of potatoes, as well as baked goods, spices and barley. You should definitely forget pasta and corn porridge. In general, food should be at room temperature.
Bathing technology
Mats are a major problem for long-haired dogs. Despite the abundance of products that make it easier to untangle tangles, dealing with a tangled “mane” can cost the owner his nerves, and his pet several tufts of fur. Therefore, be sure to check your pet’s paws, armpits, belly and ears before bathing: this is where mats appear most often.
Try to follow bathing techniques. If you find matted wool, treat it with special detangling sprays. Pet Silk professional cosmetics have proven themselves well. Almost all products of this brand are concentrates and must be diluted with water before use. There are also good products for Shih Tzu coats from Grown Royal, Baldecci and others. Dilute the required amount for your dog in a basin and whip up the foam. Then you need to wet the pet’s fur and apply the resulting foam to it. Massage well-soaped skin and then rinse. This procedure must be repeated twice. If the wool is well washed, you will know this by the characteristic squeaking noise it makes when you run your fingers over it. Water flows from washed fur like dewdrops.
After washing - rinse. The procedure is similar. Dilute the required volume of conditioner in a basin, apply it to the coat and rinse after a 5-minute massage. Pay special attention to the quality of rinsing: the flowing water should become absolutely transparent. After this, you can lightly blot the fur with a towel and allow the dog to shake itself off.
Description of Shih Tzu
This is an ornamental breed, characterized by elegant movements and a friendly disposition. Often these dogs are compared to a chrysanthemum flower, due to the hair growth line on the bridge of the nose. Because of it, the dog's face resembles a beautiful flower bud.
The description of the Shih Tzu dog is similar to the story about other decorative breeds, but has a significant difference. This is a dog with a brave heart that will rush to protect its owner, unafraid of the size of its opponent.
The coat is hard, with a thick undercoat, but soft to the touch. The Chinese Shih Tzu dog breed is classified as long-haired. Breeders especially value individuals with white spots on the forehead or tip of the tail. Their fur should not curl or curl. The dog moves gracefully, during a walk he seems to float like a small fluffy cloud.
This is an animal with a balanced psyche and great love for people. It is slightly capricious, has royal manners, but captivates people with its devotion. This pet is perfect for keeping in a city apartment. It does not require long walks and exhausting hours of active games. The Shih Tzu breed is suitable even for beginners, provided that the pet's coat is carefully cared for.
Main characteristics
With proper care and absence of diseases, a dog can live up to 15 years. The weight of the animal reaches 4-8 kilograms. The size of an adult Shih Tzu dog varies from 25 to 27 centimeters at the withers.
The pet is brought into the house as a companion dog. It is not used for protecting and guarding the home, hunting, or performing official and investigative tasks. Centuries-long proximity to the Chinese nobility and the emperor made the expression of the dog's face slightly arrogant. Despite its decorative appearance and small dimensions, the dog looks noble and has a very exotic appearance.
According to the breed standard, the color of a Shih Tzu can have many variations, but the following are considered the most common:
- cream;
- blue;
- brindle;
- black;
- black and white;
- golden white;
- brown;
- ginger.
Appearance
Characteristics of the Shih Tzu dog breed:
The head is larger than the body, so it appears massive. It is quite wide and short. The eyes are round in shape
Their location is wide. Particular attention in the Shih Tzu standard is paid to the hairline on the nose. Its direction should be vertical, because of this feature the dog is compared to the bud of a chrysanthemum flower
The tuft on the dog's nose does not interfere with the external view. The nose is black; with a brown or beige color, the nose usually has an identical shade. Representatives of this breed have a wide jaw with a straight bite. Their ears are very overgrown, so it is difficult to visually determine their size. They are large and hanging.
The body of the animal resembles a rectangle. According to the standard, the length of the body must exceed the height of the animal at the withers. The dog's tail is covered with hair and curled up.
The physique of this decorative breed is quite strong with powerful muscles and bones. A long beard and mustache grows on the animal's face. He has short straight legs. Among breeders, dogs with a white spot on their head and tail are especially valued.
We wash ourselves correctly: regimen and preparation
First. Follow the regime. Long-haired pets should be washed at least once every 7-10 days. If your pet has a haircut, bathe him once every 2-3 weeks. When bathing, make sure that the skin is well washed: after it is freed from dead cells and begins to breathe better, the hair will grow better.
Second. You need to wash your dog correctly. What does it mean? Consult a specialist about which bath products are right for your dog. You need to select cosmetics according to the type of coat: if it is too soft, in addition to shampoo, you need a balm with protein, ceramides and herbal extracts that increase volume. For dry and brittle hair, you need protein-containing products with vegetable or animal fats (wheat germ, mink, etc.). Some representatives of the Shih Tzu breed have slightly curly hair. Such dogs need rinsing balms that make the coat heavier, thereby straightening it.