Basic Information To Know About The Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu first appeared in the 17th century with origins dating back as far as 10,000 years, and they were first bred for the main purpose of being companion dogs for the Chinese royal family. A few of their most recognizable features include their playful and affectionate temperament as well as a non-shedding coat that comes in a range of colors - which help make the Shih Tzu a suitable choice as a pure companionship dog for apartment dwellers and even allergy sufferers.

The Shih Tzu is well-known for their playful and affectionate temperament - though sometimes they can become stubborn and develop small dog syndrome if not correctly managed. They are generally trusting with strangers, which along with their size can make them not very suitable as a guard dog.

The Shih Tzu is not known to be highly intelligent - ranking 70th compared to other dogs based on their ability to learn obedience commands. The Shih Tzu is usually compatible with other animals such as other dogs and cats if properly socialized.

Grooming the Shih Tzu is a relatively demanding task - though the effort required varies depending on whether their coat is kept long or short. They require regular brushing every day and complete grooming every 2-3 weeks along with weekly attention for their ears assuming their coat is kept long.

The Shih Tzu enjoys activities such as playing with a favorite toy or running around an off-leash dog park. They have a low to medium level of energy and need to be given daily exercise in the form of short walks to prevent behavior problems.

The Shih Tzu can make the perfect dog for families with older children, seniors or aspiring dog groomers. Though they might be somewhat unsuitable for a guard dog and with younger children, if you are able to meet their high grooming demands and be a little patient in training them then the Shih Tzu could make the ideal dog breed for you.

For more information on Shih Tzu information visit HeartMyDog.com.