Is A Shih Tzu For You?

Known as the small lion, the Shih Tzu is believed to have originated in China. The name is pronounced Shi a zue. An odd tibdbit about the breed is it is believed to be the first in the line of Tibetan holy dogs.

The name of the Shih Tzu is a story unto itself. It literally translates to the lion dog, but is also considered to be a derivative of a version of the term that referred to the most beautiful of women in China.

The Shih Tzu comes in many different forms, but has some general qualities. It is almost always energetic and is very friendly. It is a small dog and has long, flowing hair in its natural state although some owners prefer to keep the hair short.

Speaking of hair, the Shih Tzue is unique among dog species. It does not have fur as we have come to be familiar with on most dogs. Instead, the hair is long and fine like ours. Over time the hair falls out like humans, although male pattern baldness is unknown!

When you select a Shih Tzu, you are selecting a companion for a good many years. The average life span of a healthy dog is in the eleven to forteen year range with many living two to three years longer.

Health problems for any living animal, including Shih Tzu, are always an issue. Your pup is definitely at risk for certain things. Vision problems are common in Shih Tzu as are hip and liver issues.

There are a couple of things to take into account about the care required by a Shih Tzu before making one your own. The primary issue is their hair. If it is kept natural, it will be long and tangle like mad. You must be committed to brushing it out frequently.

Another issue with Shih Tzu is they are very sensitive to hot temperatures. This is not a dog you want to own if you live in a hot, dry climate like Las Vegas. They dogs easily dehydrate and can expire from heat exhaustion.

Shih Tzu can be a good or bad choice as a pet. They are great dogs, but many people fall in love with their long hair looks and buy them without realizing someone has to spend time getting rid of tangles, burrs and the like. Don't make this mistake.