to keep their fur healthy. The shih tzu originated in Tibet, probably back around the 7th century, and they may have simply been the smallest of the Lhasa Apsos there. This breed is also remarkably healthy, and many of the health problems they are prone to developing can be prevented with regular grooming anda good diet. No one really knows when, but at some point, the Shih Tzu left Tibet and became a staple of Chinese imperial palaces. A top knot on a Shih Tzu is typically used when the hair on their head is longer. Their fur does require a lot of grooming, but they are a hypoallergenic breed, making them paw-fect for households that might have allergies. One of the most significant differences between hair and fur is that hair has a slower growth cycle, resulting in less shedding. But the time is significantly reduced. The shih tzu tends to require a large amount of personal attention each day. For instance, you can add a top knot to a teddy bear cut or leave a fluffy tail and head on a summer cut. Meanwhile, it wasnt until after the Second World War that these dogs made it to America. This is a condition where their thyroid doesnt create enough hormones, specifically thyroxine, which helps to maintain a healthy metabolism. Some people will opt to use a de-matting tool, while others will choose to just shave it instead. But at the same time, it isnt uncommon either. This, in turn, actually saved the breed from extinction. Miniature Schnauzers are square-bodied dogs with wiry coats. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. About our Ads. These were dogs for emperors and no one else. Puppy Grooming starts when the pup is still young, yet able to be safely handled. It may be wiser to go with a shorter haircut if your Shih Tzu likes to do these outdoor activities with you. A Shih Tzu is a loving and lively little dog that was bred to be a companion animal, so its no wonder that these toy-sized dogs make fantastic pets. Although uncommon, some Shih Tzus may develop hypothyroidism. The male Afghan hound stands some 27 inches tall, the female about 25 inches. Its not uncommon for a Shih Tzu to have an underbite or undershot bite, which can make your dog look a little silly. Like most brachycephalic breeds this does make them predisposed to breathing problems. Like human hair, there is a balance between washing too much and not enough. As with most toy breeds, shih tzu are quick to mature, reaching adult size by about 10 months. These are not a breed that can keep up with you on long hikes. Dogs with the correct texture of coat do not mat nearly as much as those with a soft coat. One of the most common complaints amongst Shih Tzus isdermatological issues. The gait is long and swift for such a small dog. This is often treatable but in severe cases, it can be life-threatening. But also adds a little oomph to whichever cut is chosen for them. Any loose hairs they do have also tend to tangle with their fur, stopping it from reaching your floor and furniture. After it had transformed back into a dog, Buddha picked the little pooch up and kissed its forehead in thanks. If you want to minimise grooming time (and maximise your pups cute features) you can consider giving your Shih Tzu a haircut. This may conjure up visions of Pigpen's character in the beloved Charlie Brown cartoons, where a cloud of dust and dirt follow him around wherever he goes. Feeding them a healthy diet to help strengthen their immune system will also help. For all we know, the breed could have existed for even longer! Shih tzu tend to be fairly hardy little dogs and often live to 14 or 15 years of age. One dog named Smokey became the oldest Shih Tzu on record and managed to make it to the grand old age of 23 before crossing the rainbow bridge. Fanciers speculate about crosses with Pekingese to shorten the face as well as selection for the smaller Lhasa-type dogs. With their short muzzles, shih tzu are not big chewers, but they do enjoy digging and some indulge in nuisance barking. This means that the few hairs that do fall off will most often get caught in the undercoat which may require a good brushing to remove them. Promotes healthy brain, eye, muscle & immune system development. Theyre calm and love to cuddle their owners whenever they can, but still have enough energy to make lively playmates. Theyre also quite sturdy looking for such a small dog. These are often treated either with a special diet to help dissolve the stones and prevent their formation or by removing the stones surgically. So daily brushing is needed to remove all that accumulated dirt, so it doesn't track into your home or create matting on your Shih Tzu. As a puppy, a Shih Tzus coat is very fine, soft, and fluffy. However, despite the high demand for grooming, these dogs shed very little and you wont find hair all over the house. This breed has very few behavioural issues, and barking seems to be the most common reason they would visit a trainer or obedience classes. The name shih tzu means "lion dog" in Chinese, which further confuses the ancestry because lion dog usually denotes the Pekingese. These luscious locks take a lot of looking after though, needing daily grooming and weekly bathing to prevent matting and tangles. While the information contained within this site is periodically updated, no guarantee is given that the information provided in this site is accurate, complete, and/ or up to date. Come and learn about the most common and most rare Shih Tzu colors, Top picks for best dog food for allergies. Some dogs will need washing as often as every week or fortnight. Find foods that contain them, or use an omega 3 supplement. This is because Shih Tzus are quite difficult to train, taking more repetitions of a command before they cotton on. A Shih Tzus fur should be straight and silky, which helps to reduce matting. Shih Tzus are well known to be playful and affectionate pets with cheerful expressions and personalities. And regardless of whether you plan to only leave them occasionally or for a few hours every day, you will still need to put the time and effort into training your pooch that being alone isnt scary and its never for forever. In fact, Shih Tzus shed so little they are often touted as being hypoallergenic dogs. This might reduce brushing time, but it doesnt last too long. Supports controlled bone & joint growth. Their primary function right from the start appears to be acting as delightful company. While it may be funny in a cartoon, in real life, it is quite the opposite. Its quite common for brachycephalic dogs to have an underbite, including breeds like the Shih Tzu andFrench Bulldog. If your Shih Tzu is showing signs of discomfort such as whimpering, a hunched back, or refusing to hold their head high in the characteristic arrogant look, they may have suffered a slipped disc or other spinal injury. They were even especially bred in the palace by eunuchs for the emperors and empresses. But aside from the name, theres nothing ferocious about this pooch. As always if you have any allergies, the best thing to do is to try and spend some time with Shih Tzus to see if they set off your sensitivities. Tendency to Drool: Low Tendency to Snore: Low Tendency to Bark: High Tendency to Dig: Moderate Social/Attention Needs: High, Length: Long Characteristics: Straight Colors: Any color permissible Overall Grooming Needs: High, AKC Classification: Toy UKC Classification: Companion Dog Prevalence: Common. The most common cause of death for Shih Tzus is simply old age, which includes a number of health conditions associated with advanced age. Shih Tzus are great family pets and as a breed have wonderful personalities. They thrive on human company and can easily become spoiled. This is because of how they hold themselves, with their heads held high and noses turned up in the air. Because of this, it is recommended that you do not leave your Shih Tzu alone for extended periods of time. The top knot is paw-haps the most recognisable Shih Tzu haircut. If your pooch has a long coat, you will need to bathe them more often. Since theyre little people-pleasers, they might even learn a few more tricks once they realise how happy it makes you. The difference between the two is that the puppy cut is shorter. An Imperial Shih Tzu is the name given to a dog thats smaller than the breed standard. Like many dogs with a long body and short legs, Shih Tzus can suffer from intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) or more commonly known as slipped discs. Shih tzu do compete in obedience and agility with some success. But for all their history, their origins are a little hazy. This type of haircut is usually reserved for a Shih Tzu that competes in dog shows. Not only are Shih Tzus fantastic fur-iends, their small size and low exercise needs mean they are just as happy living in a flat as they are a large house. Like other terriers, the West Highland White is smart, independent with a slight touch of stubbornness. Shih Tzus are off-square meaning they are longer than they are tall. Friendly, affectionate, lively, cheerful. Also, feeding them a quality diet and supplements will help grow their coat back healthier. A Shih Tzu still looks adorable even with a short haircut, but the real benefit is the time it takes to care for their hair is significantly reduced. Shih Tzus are active little dogs, but they are still only small. A double coat is a thick undercoat beneath a longer, smoother layer on top. Youll need to be patient and persistent to make sure your Shih Tzu learns everything they need to, and stop any stubborn streaks from emerging. Let's take a look at the differences between these three popular Shih Tzu haircuts. The Shih Tzu appearance is usually defined by their long, silky fur that flows around them like an elaborate skirt. Hill's Prescription Dieti/d Stress Canine Rice, Vegetable & Chicken Stew, Select Your Region (opens a modal dialog), 2021 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. Helps keep immune system, joints, heart & kidneys healthy. Obviously, all dogs are still individuals. This long, flowing coat will be sweeping along the ground collecting all kinds of dirt and debris. In fact, the name Shih Tzu means little lion. His faithful Shih Tzu transformed into a lion and scared the bandits away. 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Long hair left long and flowing is known as a full coat and is very high maintenance. If you have ever seen a Shih Tzu at a dog show competition, you have most likely seen their long flowing hair gracefully gliding across the floor. The ears are blended into the rounded face for a full look, and the tail is shaped to look like a large cotton puffball. No one disputes that these charming little dogs were intended as companion dogs. The legs and face are left fuller and rounded. Shih Tzus were so highly-regarded amongst the royals that it was prohibited for anyone else to own one. Despite being quite switched-on, these dogs still love to lounge. Speaking of grooming, that is one thing you will need to keep up with. Some Shih Tzus can also inherit eye problems such as Retinal Dysplasia. These cuts also help to keep your dog cool in hot weather. They enjoy training and learning tricks, making them the center of attention. We recommend always talking to your vet before starting a supplement regime. The best haircut is one that a pet parent has the time to maintain. Some dogs can be successfully left alone while an owner is at work, but this will require training and patience to achieve. It is also the highest to maintain haircut as it must be brushed several times a day to keep it clean and avoid tangles. Once they have their mature hair, it should grow at a rate of a half-inch per month. Have you ever seen a dog shake their entire body and saw a lot of fur flying off them? It is where their hair is kept long on the top of their head and secured in a top-knot with a clip. The Puppy cut leaves the hair about a couple inches or shorter all over. Beware of exercising a shih tzu in hot, humid weather with the short muzzle, the breed is prone to heat stroke. Do not count on your shih tzu to guard the house; he would probably welcome a burglar with open paws. Being brachycephalic, be aware that your Shih Tzu is vulnerable to overheating. That means that once upon a time, you could even be killed if you were found owning a Shih Tzu. That blessing marked the little pup, and many Shih Tzus today still have a star of Buddha, a little spot of colour (usually white) on their foreheads where Buddha had kissed his dog centuries ago. Some insist they are directly descended to the dogs from the imperial court. Secure with a clip, a ribbon, or a small elastic band, giving the Shih Tzu a ponytail appearance. Many pups will turn on the charm to win their owners over and get what they want, which can hamper consistent training. They dont do well in hot weather, so take special care tokeep your fur-iend cool in summerto prevent heatstroke and other illnesses. Another reason you may see a lot of short-haired, adult Shih Tzu dogs is because people are often quite busy these days, and some pet parents find it much easier to care for their dogs' hair when it's groomed shorter. They have a big desire to be with people, whether that is sitting on your lap or taking a hike through the park. Despite the fact the Shih Tzu is one of the oldest breeds of dog and beloved by royalty, they were almost wiped out. They were bred to be companions and used as foot warmers after all, so dont be surprised to find your dog lazed across your lap at every possible opportunity. The difference between the two is the head, tail, and legs. However, some pooches have softer fur, which is more prone to knots and mats. All adult purebred Shih Tzu typically have long hair, and when left uncut, the hair would continue to grow to the ground. The Shih Tzu would settle by their owners heels to keep the royal feet warm, and were used as bed warmers. The English cocker spaniel is cheerful, playful and thrives on companionship and being part of the family. Hair is a four-letter word when it comes to the shih tzu. That being said, Shih Tzus are pretty independent. To maintain the Shih Tzu's long flowing coat, the owner must be prepared for serious grooming time. Afghans generally weigh between 50 and 60 pounds. Their snouts are short and give them a bit of a snub-nosed appearance, which is emphasised by their round, dark eyes which are set wide apart. The star isnt the only marking linked to Buddha either. On the other hand, if you dont wash them enough, they might have dirt and other gunk trapped in their hair, and their fur will be more likely to matt. Regular cleaning not only keeps his eyes free from dirt and bacteria, but also helps keep you on top of any changes needing care, Grooming your dog at home is rewarding and is a great way to create a bond between you and your Shih Tzu.
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shih tzu short hair breed