Shih Tzu Dog Characteristics

Shih tzus are cute, affectionate, adorable little lap dogs that are well suited for a busy family with older children, or an older couple looking for a new companion. These energetic little dogs can be traced back to art work from the Tang Dynasty, which ruled China from 618 to 907 A.D. There are many characteristics that make the shih tzu a very unique and fascinating dog.

  1. Temperament

    • Most shih tzus are friendly, happy, loving dogs who enjoy nothing more than being around people, especially their owners. For the most part, the need to be around their owners makes it necessary to keep the shitz tzu indoors most of the time. This is not a dog to left outside for hours at a time, as he or she will not enjoy this solitude. Shih tzus were originally bred as dogs of the nobility, and can have an air of superiority that can translate into arrogance and a sense of pride that makes the dog believe he or she is above rules or taking orders. This can make shih tzus difficult to train.

    Appearance

    • Shih tzus are noble dogs that have a long, flowing double coat that comes in different color variations, but generally will contain either gold, red, brindle, blue, white, or black in its two-colored or tri-colored coat. The fur can be kept long or cut short into several different styles during the summer months. According to the American Kennel Club, a shih tzu will be no taller than 11 inches, but no shorter than 8 inches, and the weight will be proportional to its size--generally 9 to 16 pounds. Shih tzus are brachiocephalic, which means they have a pushed in face and this face will sport deep, thoughtful eyes with a happy expression to match its outgoing personality.

    Health Issues

    • With a good diet and regular exercise, a shih tzu will normally live around 15 years. The biggest problem shih tzus face are with the eyes and nose, such as tearing, and vision problems that result from a lack of oxygen entering the cornea. Another issue can be an eye condition called distichiasis, which causes redness, inflammation and tearing. Distichiasis occurs when the eyelashes or the shih tzu are abnormally placed in relation to the eyelid. Many shih tzus may also suffer from renal dysplasia, which is a genetic illness of the kidneys. Any issues concerning your shih tzu should be discussed with your veterinarian.