1. Dog 'Shih Tzu'
As the name suggests, the Shih Tzu is a Chinese dog. It is commonly believed that the breed was developed over a long period of time by crossing the Lhasa Apso from Tibet with Pekingese, specifically for the Chinese imperial court. The reason for specifically creating the Shih Tzu was probably to produce a breed that looked more like a lion, which is a symbol of Chinese culture. A good Shih Tzu has a beautiful appearance with long, golden-brown and white hair. Unlike other breeds, there is no specific color set for the Shih Tzu.
Colors. However, there are also completely black, entirely golden, or white with only black on their faces. Additionally, there are Shih Tzu with gray, wine, or brown mixed in their coat, making them very diverse in terms of color when compared to other breeds. There is no restriction on color when it comes to purebred Shih Tzu. It would be hasty to doubt that your Shih Tzu is not a purebred because of its color.
However, it is said that the more white fur on the forehead, the more favorable genetics it has inherited. Additionally, while it is difficult to generalize, Shih Tzu with a stronger coat pattern tend to be larger and more active. The most commonly seen Gold and White Shih Tzu tend to be smaller in size and more docile, like a cat.
Compared to other dog breeds, Shih Tzu has a unique personality and strong characteristics. From the perspective of the person raising it, the advantages and disadvantages of Shih Tzu are also very different from other breeds.
The Shih Tzu breed is known to be one of the most affectionate among all dog breeds. They are also considered to be one of the least aggressive and least barking breeds. Their gentle nature is not just limited to the lower level of aggression among dogs, but it is almost as if they are a different species altogether. They are usually not aggressive unless they are mixed with other breeds.
In addition to their affectionate personality, Shih Tzu's also have the advantage of not shedding much. Although they do not shed as little as a poodle, they are considered to be one of the breeds with minimal shedding among long-haired breeds. Additionally, Shih Tzu's are known for not having the typical protruding snout of a dog, which makes them look more human-like. In this way, Shih Tzu's are still dogs but are more similar to other species, and are great for families to raise.
So far, it seems that the Shih Tzu is a great breed for families to raise, however, it also has its drawbacks. Shih Tzu's are known for being stubborn, making them difficult to train. They have a reputation for being difficult to train even in basic potty training, and they can also be poop eaters. These issues can often be lifelong and difficult to change, making them a challenge to raise with traditional methods of pet care. Additionally, Shih Tzu's can be demanding and do not show much affection towards their owners, but they can be overly friendly to strangers, which can cause confusion and disappointment in the owner.
If you expect a Shih Tzu to be a cuddly lapdog without prior knowledge, you may be disappointed by its personality and fail to form an attachment. They are also known to not show pain as much as other small breeds and may not express discomfort, and as a result, may not be taken to the vet until their illness is severe or neglected. They also require regular maintenance of their eyes and nose. As they age, their tendency to not show pain can lead to more health problems than other small breeds and require regular vet checkups and responsible care.
Shih Tzu's have the perception of being dumb, but in reality, many people find them to be clever with quick wits. However, they can be very stubborn and unresponsive, which leads to the misconception of them being dumb.
Aside from being stubborn, Shih Tzu's are not demanding or opportunistic towards their owners and do not use them for their own gain. Instead, they will endure discomfort in order to not cause inconvenience to their owner, and they almost never get angry with their owners, regardless of the circumstances. They also do not bark much in response to external stimuli, making them a breed that does not require their owner to be embarrassed in front of their neighbors. They are also relatively non-aggressive and non-proactive, they are not like other dogs in terms of aggression and proactivity. However, they do not like their owners to constantly tell them what to do.
2.Appearance
- Shih Tzu's, like other Chinese breeds, have short snouts and large eyes. Due to their physical structure, they are especially good at snorting, and some may even boast a loud snort like that of a person. Some Shih Tzu's also have a tendency to raise their hindquarters in the air and lay down in a stretched out position. When showing affection, they may rub their face or body against a person like a cat, and their bodies are also very flexible. They also eat food in small bites and sometimes like to lay in a box. They resemble Persian and Highland Fold cats in some ways.
- Although it is a long-haired breed, Shih Tzu's hair doesn't shed as much as breeds like Pomeranian-Pomchis, Chihuahua and etc. They do require regular grooming to maintain their coat and prevent matting. If not groomed properly, their hair can become matted and tangled. This can cause discomfort and even depression for the dog. It is not recommended to shave the coat as it can cause stress to the animal.
- The hair of a shih tzu is not straight but it sheds less. Allergies to dog hair are not caused by the hair itself but by the dander, which is why shih tzu is often recommended as a hypoallergenic breed for people with allergies.
- The Shih Tzu's face is covered with hair that blooms like a chrysanthemum when they are around 3 months old, which is why they are called "chrysanthemum dogs." However, as they grow, the hair around their face gradually falls out and their appearance changes when they reach adulthood.
3.Personality
Although their personalities can vary from being introverted to extroverted, as a breed, they are generally docile and do not bark excessively, making them suitable for first-time owners. They can adapt well to apartment or townhouse living and are also suitable for people who often leave their homes alone. They tolerate being alone well and do not excessively bark.
- They are also known for having a strong sense of self-esteem and do not like to express themselves or reveal their emotions through barking. They may occasionally bark when they are hungry
- Shih tzu are very lazy. Unlike other dogs that jump and run when their owner comes home, Shih tzu will just casually come over and wag their tail a few times before returning to their lazy state. They can also be prone to obesity due to their lack of activity, so proper diet control is necessary from a young age. They have a high appetite and are known to be gluttonous among breeds.
- Shih Tzu's are relatively low in intelligence and this is often attributed to their lazy nature. But It's not 100% True. Intelligence in dogs is simply how well they can follow commands. Therefore, it is not that they are really dumb, but more that they are lazy or lack obedience, making them appear less intelligent. Shih Tzu's love to be comfortable and do not like to take risks or try new things. They are not likely to do anything dangerous, and if they are on a walk and their legs hurt, they will not move. They also have a tendency to ignore their owners on walks and will only move if they are hungry or in pain. They are also very stubborn and can be demanding of their owners.
- Shih Tzus really love people. While other dogs commonly show aggressive behavior towards strangers, such as barking and growling, Shih Tzus often approach unfamiliar people with no caution and are very friendly. They usually don't bark or bite strangers, instead they wag their tail and lick them. Shih Tzus enjoy being cute to people and think that strangers will think they are cute as well, so they intentionally act in a playful manner or even run to strangers to show affection.
Unlike other breeds, Shih Tzus are not good at guarding their homes. They don't bark or growl at strangers, so keeping watch is difficult for them. When the delivery man comes, it's normal for them to be excited and run to greet them, and it's not uncommon for them to even follow the delivery person out of the house.
However, the problem is that Shih Tzu's behavior of showing affection to everyone can make their owners very sad. When owners see their Shih Tzu, who usually shows no affection to them, acting affectionate towards strangers for the first time, they feel deep betrayal and disappointment. This is particularly true for owners who raise their young Shih Tzu inside their homes, and when they take them out for the first time to the vet or for a walk, they see their young Shih Tzu running to strangers and acting excited. This can be a shock for first-time Shih Tzu owners. - Shih Tzu is a breed of dog that is generally considered to be a good choice for families with young children. Because animals typically judge others based on their size, larger breeds of dogs may pose a danger to children if they get excited or aggressive. Smaller breeds, on the other hand, can often be prone to jealousy and may not tolerate the presence of a child who is receiving a lot of attention. However, Shih Tzu is a relatively safe breed that does not have strong jealousy and also has weak teeth, which makes it less likely to accidentally bite a child. But, even though it is a relatively safe breed, it is important to be cautious. in Canada, there have been cases of mall employees Attacked By Shih tzu in.
"Dealing with animals is stressful for the animals themselves if the people handling them do not know how to do so properly. This is why when adopting a dog or cat, many ask if the family has children. However, raising a pet with children can lower the level of allergies. The personalities of dogs also vary greatly from individual to individual, so it is not advisable to adopt a Shih Tzu beacuse of the reason that this wiki is saying that shihtzu is gentle breed."