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Shih Tzu Breed
The Shih Tzu originated in Tibet; records show the Dalai Lama presented the emperor of China with several puppies of the breed in 1653.
Shih Tzus have a place in Buddhist mythology. The name may be variously translated and alluded to as “Lion Dog” or “Beauty’s Dog” (in the latter case referencing one of the proverbial “Four Beauties” of ancient China).
Before the Communist takeover, the breed was only reserved for the imperial family and high-ranking officials.
Shih Tzus were introduced to Europe in the 1930s and recognized as a breed in Britain shortly after. The American Kennel Club issued this distinction in 1969.
The Shih Tzu review: spirited, friendly, engaging
The Shih Tzu is one of the oldest, millennia-old dwarf breeds, an energetic companion toy dog with long satin hair. Good-natured, compliant, skillful, full of intelligence, they are distinguished by a strong sense of affection, a balanced character, and a proud appearance.
The hair on the bridge of the nose grows up and to the sides, making the snout resemble a flower bud; this has earned the baby breed its “Chrysanthemum Dog” definition.
Shih Tzus don’t have proper fur; their hair resembles humans’ and can grow quite lengthy. These ever-flowing waves of luxury are a distinctive feature of this posh breed. A long strand may be allowed to partly obscure the bridge of the nose; the mustache and beard are long.
These dogs are naturally sociable, calm, and don’t show fear in distress. One needn’t put too much effort into socializing a Shih Tzu puppy; still, don’t delay teaching your new pal good doggy manners.
STs are independent-minded and stubborn; the end result is that even though your little Lion Dog perfectly understands the command, it may not be in a hurry at all to execute it.
Everything Shih Tzu: breed characteristics in brief
Fun to own, hairy Chinese dogs are among the favorites with the US public. Authentic American-bred Shih Tzus are widely bred and offered at reasonable estimates.
This toy dog has a plethora of highly attractive attributes. The Lion Dog shares these common physical and behavioral traits:
- It will stand up to 11 inches at the withers, weighing 9 to 16 pounds.
- The average life expectancy for this breed is from 10-18 years.
- Of well-balanced temperament and stable psyche, docile Shih Tzus make easy contact. They are attached to all family members and, unusually in the canine world, don’t see one human as the sole master.
- This breed is distrustful of strangers and not particularly fond of children, wary of possible neglect, bullying, and pranks. A good-natured child will find an extremely affectionate friend in this eternal pup, though.
- It’s smart, ingenuous, and easy to train, picking up new commands and tricks in no time like on instinct; no extra mental stimulation is asked for.
- It quickly adapts to changing living conditions; you don’t have to walk the energy-savvy pet every day if you toilet-train the pup for in-house stay.
- Tunes to the mood of the person in charge.
- Gets along fine with other dogs and cats of the household.
- Has a hypoallergenic coat of the human hair type.
What kind of health a Shih Tzu has
Generally quite healthy, Shih Tzu Lion Dogs still may exhibit health conditions to which they are predisposed. This list includes eye anomalies like progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, dryness, inflammation of the cornea, and retinal detachment.
Inflammatory eye diseases include keratoconjunctivitis, where the tear glands cannot produce enough tears, leading to inadequate eye moisture. This results in dryness, regular irritations, and susceptibility to infections.
Along with many other breeds, Shih Tzus are prone to kidney stone disease. In this case, salts in the urinary tract precipitate, leading to the formation of stones in the bladder or kidneys. This can cause irritation, followed by inflammation of the urinary channels.
With dense fur and a short muzzle, the Chinese breed is less tolerant of heat than other dogs.
What health tests are recommended for your Chrysanthemum Dog
Responsible breeders use genetic evaluations for their parent dogs to understand the risks of inherited diseases in the offspring. For Shih Tzu puppies for sale, the following tests are typically conducted:
- Eye exams as described above.
- Patellar luxation evaluation: Shih Tzus are prone to a condition where the kneecap dislocates from its normal position.
- Hip dysplasia screening: Although not as common as in larger breeds, HD can still affect Shih Tzus.
- Brachycephalic syndrome assessment: Due to their short noses, Shih Tzus may be prone to breathing difficulties.
Through these tests, producers gain insights into the health of breeding pairs and make decisions to reduce the risk of passing hereditary conditions and concerns down the line.
Shih Tzu puppy price
One can buy a lovely young Lion Dog for $500-$1,500 on this platform. This significant difference in the price of Shih Tzu puppies is due to the uneven availability of purebred dogs with posh coat designs.
The American public shows steady enough interest in the breed to keep producers expanding business to meet the demand. Accommodating mid-range tags are thus commonly seen. Contact breeders directly to update purchasing conditions. Costlier pups prepared by established kennels are more likely to have robust health profiles.
Buy a Shih Tzu puppy from a breeder
No middlemen on All In Pets means you can buy a Shih Tzu puppy straight from the source at pricing levels easier to digest. One-time sellers opportunistically offering an excessive dog from a planned litter would present budget, enticing evaluations. Mind this may come at a cost of lacking proper guarantees of a pup’s health for a potential owner.
Other than noble lineage, which draws huge premiums, particular coat patterns or hues, age, male or female, kennel ratings, and feedback from past customers all affect totals. The supply/demand ratio in your locality would matter, and add-ons for a safe, speedy delivery may be significant as well.
At any rate, no one ever recorded scarce availability of this wonderful breed. Searching for a “Shih Tzu puppy for sale near me” will not leave you empty-handed.
Not to get lost in the multitude of choices, read buyers’ reviews to get a better idea of a particular producer and their merits.
A high approval rating of a kennel (as opposed to one-off sellers with no track record) may indicate the quality of services provided.
Buying a Shih Tzu puppy from a seasoned breeder ensures comprehensive health guarantees, including thorough veterinary examinations and timely medical procedures done on the pup. Expect valuable guidance on training, care, and specific nutritional needs tailored for the breed.
Set the stage for a promising, fulfilling new chapter in life!