Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Shih Tzu – The Best Choice For You

The Shih Tzu breed is a miniature dog that has a very lovable and warm personality. You will find that this dog loves company – whether this is from humans or other pets in the house. A great characteristic of the Shih Tzu's is that they live to please you. There is nothing that this dog would love more than doing something that gives you pleasure. This is why the training of this dog when done with positive reinforcement method, works like magic. At the same time you would find that this dog can be unimaginably stubborn if pushed into doing anything. If you ever want to get anything done from a Shih Tzu, never use anything else other than love and positive rewards.

The Shih Tzu loves to be the center of attraction and hate to share the limelight with anyone. They feel much neglected when children are indulged in their presence. Though they are basically very lovable and calm, they tend to show a tendency of jealousy and latent aggressiveness when attention is shifted from them to anyone else.
The Shih Tzu is a good-looking miniature dog that almost always carries itself with an aristocratic grace. They love to romp about outdoors, but they would be just as happy sleeping on your lap in front of the TV. The temperament of this dog is very sweet and friendly. They do not make too much noise and they accept new additions to the home and family with ease. If you want to ensure that your Shih Tzu grows up to be a good natured and sweet animal, ensure that you get a pure breed. The mixed breeds sometimes tend to be aggressive; especially towards those who inadvertently steal the limelight due to them. They especially resent small children, as their owners would tend to pay them more attention.

Watch out for separation anxiety signs in this dog if you leave it for too long alone. These dogs need your presence and love constantly. Other then this aspect, they are not pretentious about anything.
Shih Tzus are easy to train if you use the right techniques. These dogs can be very proud and stubborn, hence the training should be done only through positive reinforcement. As long as they get pampered and treated to tidbits in reward to their good behavior, the Shih Tzu's will do anything you ask of them. Since the Shih Tzu is very friendly and receptive, many people prefer to train their dogs themselves and find it is not difficult at all. Just be sure use a lot of patience and many treats.

Overall the Shih Tzu breed makes for extremely sweet pets that bring joy and happiness wherever they go. You need to keep one thing in mind when you bring home a Shih Tzu dog – they need your love more than anything else – and if you cannot give it to them by being there for them, it is better to choose another breed of dogs.


TheShih Tzu makes a great pet for anyone who wants a quiet and loyal companion. Are you looking for Shih Tzu information? This article would answer all questions about this wonderful dog.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Shih Tzu: Bred For Friendship

The Shih Tzu dog breed survived a tragic history to become one of the most popular toy breeds around today. Shih Tzu historical information reveals that the breed has roots in royalty.

The Shih Tzu originated as the pampered pet of Tibetan Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi, who bred the dogs prolifically between 1861, when she came into power, and 1908, when she died. Her successor disdained the little dogs and everything they represented. As a result, many dogs were killed after the Empress’s death. Surviving Shih Tzus belonged mostly to foreigners and members of Chinese nobility, who had received the dogs as gifts from the Empress.

The breed first appeared in the United Kingdom during the late 1920s or early 1930s. North American soldiers who got to know the breed in Europe during World War II became fond of the little dogs and brought them back to the United States and Canada.
The Shih Tzu can be characterized as a lap dog with a pleasant personality and an eagerness to please the humans in its life. The dogs were bred for centuries to provide companionship, and they enjoy nothing more than lounging about in the company of humans. Their small size—nine to sixteen pounds—makes them a perfect pet for apartment dwellers and people who like to travel with their dogs.

Sometimes called “Tibetan lion dog,” Shih Tzus were bred to resemble lions, with a flat face, prominent eyes, bowed front legs, and a fearsome facial expression. The breed is also known as the “chrysanthemum dog,” because their wrinkled façade looks a bit like the chrysanthemum flower.

The Shih Tzu’s coat is long and slightly wavy and requires careful daily grooming to prevent mats and tangles. The results are worth the effort, as the dog’s silky coat enhances its elegant appearance.
The Shih Tzu breed has been recognized by the British Kennel Club since 1935 and by the American Kennel Club since 1969, and is a popular favorite at dog shows with its long, flowing coat. Shih Tzus show in the Toy Group, competing against dogs like the Maltese, the Pomeranian, and the Shih Tzu’s cousin, the Pekinese.

The breed is a good family dog, but its strong desire for attention from its master makes it a better choice for families with older children than families with infants. Some Shih Tzus have been known to develop problems with jealousy when living in a home with young children. However, most Shih Tzus are affectionate, friendly and outgoing, and are only to happy to play the role of valued family pet.

The Shih Tzu breed survived a dangerous period in the twentieth century to become the one of the twenty-first century’s most popular dog. The Shih Tzu is the ninth most popular registered breed in the American Kennel Club’s 2006 most popular breed list, and this little dog’s popularity continues to grow.

The Shih Tzu, or Tibetan Lion Dog, is small in stature, but a giant in personality. Its long hair requires diligent grooming, but this dog is well worth the effort. Breeders, libraries, and the Internet are all resources for more Shih Tzu information.

Shih Tzu Info