Instructions
Living with a Shih Tzu
Barking can be a problem if you share an apartment with a shih tzu. The average shih tzu usually only barks when they are excited or if someone enters the property.
Exercise is an important part of maintaining your shih tzu's physical and mental health. Although these dogs are little they were bred to be herding animals and have lots of energy. Be prepared to take long walks with your little dog several times a week.
Don’t get a shih tzu if you have or are planning on having small children. Although the shih tzu is good with children, it does get jealous. The good thing about the shih tzu is that it is it is usually non-aggressive, and the average shih tzu will only display jealousy by way of sulking. Extremally sensitve shih tzus may become depressed and stop eating when a new baby is introduced to the family. If you do have a shih tzu and a new child at the same time, it's important to set aside some time each day to play with the dog, and reassure her that she is still a valued member of your family.
Grooming a Shih Tzu
Be prepared to brush. The shih tzus have lots of hair. Most shih tzu owners find that they spend at least one hour a day brushing their dog’s coat.
Clip your shih tzu. If you're not going to show your shih tzu there is no reason to make him live with long hair. Instead, take him to the dog groomers and have his long hair removed. The best clip for a shih tzu is called a puppy clip. Your freshly clipped dog will be cooler and more comfortable when the hair is gone. An added bonus is that you won’t have to spend as much time grooming him.
Use a warm, wet rag, to clean the inside of your shih tzu’s ears at least once a week. Removing the dirt and wax will help prevent your shih tzu from getting an ear infection.
Training a Shih Tzu
Start taking your shih tzu to dog obedience classes as soon as possible. Don’t worry about her being too young; its never too early for her to learn how to behave herself.
Prepare for the occasional battle of wills. Although they are very intelligent, the shih tzu can also be stubborn. The average shih tzu will adapt an "I'm in charge" attitude when it is first introduced to training.
Be consistent. The thing that hurts a dog’s training the most is when an owner is inconsistent with commands, rewards, and follow through.
Breeds of Shitzus
The Shih Tzu breed gained notoriety when it became the favored breed of China’s Dowager Empress, Tzu Hsi in the mid to late 1800’s. After her death, the little dogs where almost wiped out when her predecessor ordered them executed. The breed survived when Tzu Hsi gave Shih Tzu puppies to people who lived in that county. The Shih tzu where first recognized as a breed in the United States 1969.