Royalty Companions: The Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu breed was originally a dog of the Chinese people. Believe it or not, they were at once considered royalty to this culture. Kept inside as the palace pet; the Shih Tzu was highly valuable. Still today, this special breed carries itself in a high manner. The Shih Tzu prances with their heads held high and their tail curved upwards over their back.

Not much training is needed to instill a sense of pride in this breed. Enjoyable as pets but also very competitive in shows; the Shih Tzu has been paraded in several of the top dog show competitions. The Shih Tzu is definitely a fine pet for a small town house, or for someone looking for a small companion.

The temperament of this breed is calm yet affectionate and playful. They are not too territorial with other dog breeds and are trusting to those around. Many people define the Shih Tzu as the perfect playful animal that barks only when needed and relaxes with the best of breeds. Their sense of danger is keen and they are able to detect noise or alarm their owner if someone is at the door.

This small sized breed usually ranges between ten to twelve pounds and reaches no more than ten inches in height. They have also been bred in recent years to be anywhere from three to five pounds, known as a teacup. This small, compact dog has other special characteristics to its name.

The coat of a Shih Tzu is unique to all. This breed has a double coat and if not kept groomed can grow to great lengths. Most owners interested in keeping the coat at a medium maintenance find grooming every ten weeks to be standard. It is standard to keep the coat short or if interested in higher maintenance can be grown out to full length. If the coat is grown long, it must be kept brushed daily and somehow tied up around the face. The Shih Tzu has large eyes and often the eyes are very irritated if the hair is not kept cut and out of the face.

Trimming must also be done around the feet, belly, and anus to permit movement and allow neatness. The short snout of a Shih Tzu is comparably sizeable to their small trunks, however can, at times, cause complications to breathing. On a cold day, it may be hard for this breed to take in the brisk air and can possibly cause a form of asthma. To help calm the dog