The Shih Tzu dog breed is a well known and popular dog breed among dog lovers. The breed’s name literally translates to “Lion Dog” and originated in China. They go by nicknames such as Chinese Lion Dog and Chrysanthemum Dog. Many Shih
Tzu owners are infatuated with the breed’s soft, silky, and long double coat. It gives the breed a unique characteristic that screams luxuriousness. Their face is small, containing a short muzzle. Their eyes are large in comparison to their face but are usually squinted, giving a smaller look to their eyes. Usually the Shih Tzu is dressed up with a bow in their hair, pink for females and blue for males. You can see the bow in this male Shih Tzu with our Shih Tzu dog keychains and a female with these Shih Tzu dog socks. This isn’t the case for all Shih Tzus. Many owners like to give their dog a “puppy” or “sport” cut which shows off the breed’s adorable face and small frame. You can view this style in our Shih Tzu puppy cut dog ornaments or our Shih Tzu dog magnets. If you want your Shih Tzu to have that long, silky coat (often called the “show dog look”) you will need to stay on top of grooming requirements. Shih Tzus are found in dark and light brown, black, white, and sometimes brindle colors. Altogether the Shih Tzu comes in approximately 19 different color combinations. Their build entails a slightly disproportioned square with their length being slightly longer than their height. Their height is roughly 8-11 inches tall with their weight coming in between 10-16 lbs. These Shih Tzu outdoor dog signs display the breeds size and characteristics quite well.
This breed is one of the oldest among dogs. Originally bred in China as a lap dog and foot warmer, the Shih Tzu has been around for over 2,000 years. The Shih Tzu came about during the 1800s after the Pekingese and Lhasa Apso were bred together. At one point, this breed was almost totally wiped out. There were only 7 females and 7 males that remained. It is said that every pure bred Shih Tzu that is alive today can be traced back to one of the 14 Shih Tzus that survived during their near-extinction. The breed is well accepted as a classy yet fun dog. The perfect gift for Shih Tzu dog lovers would be a Shih Tzu dog paper towel holder because they have a classic design, but are still a fun item to keep in your kitchen.
The Shih Tzu has a moderate energy level that doesn’t require much exercise or attention. Daily exercise is required, but the Shih Tzu just needs an active game inside or short walk. This breed is pretty much content wherever it lives, except in extreme cold or hot climates. They are just happy being with others, whether it be family, other dogs, pets, or even strangers. The Shih Tzu may show signs of stubbornness and disobedience from time to time but this breed is not a trouble maker. It just takes a little work for them to understand commands and then it’s smooth sailing!
No major health concerns are seen in this breed. Several minor health concerns such as renal cortical hypoplasia, vWD, portacaval shunt, CHD, and inguinal hernias are seen in Shih Tzus. Portacaval shunt is also referred to as liver shunt. This genetic disorder happens when a dog’s embryonic blood vessel in the liver doesn’t go away once the dog is fully developed and born. This disorder can result in neurological and other problems because it causes blood to bypass the liver, which assists in processing the blood. Shih Tzus typically live 11 to 14 years.