Shih Tzu Care

A small dog breed, the Shih Tzu is a mix breed of the Chinese Lhasa Apso and Pekingese dog breed. It has a history of royalty and loyalty. The dog was a favorite of the Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi of Tibet. In 1861, after coming to power, these dogs were bred to be the ideal companions that were alert and eager to please. However, after the death of the Empress, these dogs lost their appeal and many were killed by the new regime.

In the early 1930s, the breeds were imported to England and Scandinavia and then to America and Canada. These dogs were pampered by the Empress and therefore, these dogs want to be the center of attention wherever they go. They are lap dogs and will spend hours in company of their owners. These small dogs are sturdy and turn out to be good apartment dogs. Caring for the dog is not very difficult.

Information
Shih Tzu belongs to the Toy and Herding group of dog breeds. They are small, compact and lively dogs. These lovable small dogs stand up to 11 inches at the shoulders and weigh about 9 to 16 pounds.

The dog is a barker and will bark constantly on seeing a stranger, thus, making them excellent watchdogs. They are also very friendly, sociable dogs and can be kept along with other pets. They are good family pets and not suitable for very young children. They cannot tolerate teasing and mishandling by young children. Also this dog likes to be the center of attention and may get jealous if one pays more attention to an infant. However, they are non-aggressive and turn out to be excellent companions for older children. They are fun-loving and you will find them romping around with children.

This dog breed can be found in various different colors and color combinations, black, black and white, gray and white, red and white, or pure gold. The white blaze or a white tip at the tail are highly prized dogs. Let us now look at some simple and easy Shiz Tzu care tips.

Tips
The most important part of caring for your dog is its coat. You need to take good care of its long coat as it gets matted easily. You need to brush the coat regularly to avoid the tangles and mats. When you are planning a dog grooming session, you need to follow some steps to make it an easy process for you and your dog. First you need to lay the dog on his side in a comfortable area. Then spray the coat with a detangling conditioner.

Now, brush the coat gently in long smooth strokes. You should start from the underside and work up to the side to the back in layers. Work out all knots with your fingers and you need to be patient. Do not rip through the knots as you may hurt your dog.

After brushing his side, start brushing the stomach area. Remove the knots from the armpits, with your finger. If they are difficult to remove you may clip them off or need to visit a professional groomer. Once you finish this part, you need to make him stand and run a metal comb through the coat. Make sure all the knots are removed and then use a slicker brush.

If you have decided to keep the coat long, then you should gather all the hair around the eyes and tie it in a rubber band at the top of this head. Part the hair with a rat tail comb from the eye corner back across the ears. Then move right across the head to the opposite side. Tie a knot with a rubber band, not too tight and not too loose.

Carefully and slowly, comb the dog's face. Brush away from the eyes and comb only his mustache and beard. Make sure you give him his favorite dog treat after the grooming session for his good and patient dog behavior.

How to Care for Puppies
You have brought home a hair ball that has brought along a lot of fun and happiness to your family. But, you are caught up with one question, how to care for Shih Tzu puppies. Caring for puppies is very easy if you know what to do and what to expect. These puppies need a lot of attention and time from their owner or they get depressed. The puppies are just like a human baby. Their brains develop as they grow and do not understand anything initially. They need proper dog training to be able to function the way you expect them to.

You need to teach them firm commands like 'no', 'stop that', etc. It has been observed that they respond faster to the sound of 'ee'. Therefore, make sure you choose something with 'e' in name. You should feed the puppy the same food given by the seller. Their digestive system is not fully developed and they cannot get used to a change in diet abruptly. Make sure you inquire about the dog food fed to them before you bring them home from a dog shelter, pet store, dog breeder, dog rescue unit or even a friend. You should provide fresh water to the puppy at all times to keep them hydrated. Brush their coats daily as it may get tangled and cause hot spots and irritation to their soft, sensitive skin. Follow the tips mentioned above while grooming the puppies. You should clean their face every day with a damp cloth and remove any food particles around the mouth. Also, remove any residue around the eyes as their eyes are prone to dog eye infections.

Bathing is a part of the ritual and you should give them a wash every 4 to 6 weeks. Use a shampoo for long hair and rinse out the shampoo completely to avoid dog skin problems. Clip the toe nails every month either at home or take the puppies to a professional groomer. You should visit a professional groomer every 2 to 6 months depending on its hair length. Take your puppies to a veterinarian regularly to keep away dog health problems. Make sure you give the required dog vaccines to keep away dog illnesses.

Make sure you take your dogs outdoors and provide them with plenty of exercises. Take your dogs for walks of about 15 minutes every day. This dog lives for about 15 years or even more. They suffer from some hereditary diseases of the ear, eyes and respiratory problems therefore, regular vet check-ups should be maintained.

The Shih Tzu is an intelligent and stubborn dog and needs an owner who is firm with dog obedience rules. With persistent, consistent and gentle dog training, they learn all the tricks of the trade easily. It is an excellent choice for a first time dog owner and the best companion for those who wish to share love and affection.