Small dogs are appropriate when we want to have an ideal companion and we live in small places or with difficult areas to walk large dogs. If this is your case, or if you simply have a great love for small canines, Shih Tzus will make you happy with their cute appearance and their antics. Shih Tzu dogs stand out for being loyal, tender and affectionate little friends. Below you will learn more about this breed.
- Small size .
- Weight : Between 4 and 7kg.
- Hair type : Straight and long.
- Character : Playful, Smart, Affectionate, Intelligent, Reckless
- Health : Healthy
- Life expectancy : Between 10 and 16 years.
Let's learn a little about Shih Tzus
The small Shih Tzu are a breed that comes from Tibet , where they were extremely cared for and held as guardians and protectors of the families that cared for them. In Chinese, the name Shih Tzu means " Lion Dog ", which identifies this breed because the intention of the Tibetans was to give them the appearance of a Chinese guardian lion, with the aim of taking care of them and keeping them safe from any evil.
This breed of dog was quite loved in Tibet and its fame spread throughout Europe and America when they began to explore the Asian continent, getting to know not only its culture but these small dogs that attracted their attention.
Shih Tzu Characteristics
Shih Tzus are a small breed of dog that are usually longer than they are tall. The maximum they can measure is between 25 to 30 centimeters in height and their ideal weight is between 4 and 7 kg, depending on sex, although many can reach 10kg . Although they are small dogs, they are still vigorous, so they can feel comfortable both on long walks and on short but fun walks.
The head of the Shih Tzu is round, with quite expressive and splendid black eyes that attract the attention of anyone around them. The face of these magnificent dogs is a little flattened and with a slightly elongated snout, giving that unique touch to the Shih Tzu's head that they often compare to a chrysanthemum flower, thanks to the amount of fur and the shape it takes. For its part, the tail is also made of long and smooth fur, like its entire body, so it needs a lot of attention and care to keep it beautiful. Being long, it can be a cause of disasters, because when the Shih Tzu is very excited he moves it vigorously, even knocking down some objects. However, it is important to keep it the same length and not cut it because, as with all dogs, it is a very sensitive part not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also for the development of our little friend.
The Shih Tzu's coat is what makes it so famous and splendid . We have undoubtedly seen these small canines at some point with their long, smooth fur fluttering in the wind as they walk or run down the street. It is a double coat of hair that can grow immensely, which means that maintaining this type of coat demands a lot from the Shih Tzu owner. 
Their fur can be of different colors, ranging from white, reddish to dark gray and black. The best known and most loved are those white with dark brown, with small black circles around the eyes that resemble a “mask”. There are also many owners who prefer to have their Shih Tzu with short fur, which does not take away at all from the beauty, charisma and loyalty of these beautiful dogs with their owners.
What can we expect from the personality of our Shih Tzu?
There is no breed more proactive than the Shih Tzu, without a doubt it will always be waiting for new activities and new challenges. It is a breed recognized for having active and intelligent specimens , without leaving behind their great loyalty, charisma and friendship with their owners and any other dog around them. Shih Tzus walk with incredible majesty, leaving no doubt that they come from Chinese royalty. But that doesn't mean they don't have a way of being friendly and playful with those around them. Shih Tzus have great intelligence, even becoming manipulators, since they are very insistent and ingenious in getting what they want. It is good to keep them busy with games and tricks that amuse both them and their owners.
Something very important, especially if we live in an urbanization or residential area, is that Shih Tzus are very quiet ; Although they can relate to all the dogs around them, it is very rare for them to bark loudly at any person or animal they see in their environment. On the contrary, they are highly affectionate and love to be surrounded by people who want to give them a lot of affection, as well as other dogs with whom they can share and play. Being a small breed, they are not as energetic as large or more robust breed dogs. Although they can adapt to different types of medium-demand training or long walks. The best thing for Shih Tzus is not to push them to the limit and give them a little exercise to keep them in shape but also keep their energy and vitality at their maximum to continue sharing with everyone around them.
Shih Tzu Care
Shih Tzu dogs are light in weight and have dense, soft and long fur. Despite being a breed that does not usually present serious illnesses until reaching old age, its specimens need essential care to keep them healthy. The Shih Tzu breed is not usually a fan of playing in open spaces, they prefer to enjoy themselves with their owners in small spaces and do so on a daily basis. They also enjoy short walks, especially in the seasons when the temperature is higher.
Reproduction
This issue is of vital importance to this breed, so it should not be taken lightly. Female Shih Tzus can have litters of between 1 and 8 puppies , although there are known cases in which they have had up to 10 puppies in a litter. However, due to its small size, pregnancies with several puppies can be risky for the dog's health. It is also important that both the male and the female are of adequate size, that is, that they are not very small, since this can cause the puppies to be born with malformations. Both the mother and the newborn puppies must be kept in a dry, comfortable and warm place to ensure their healthy development. 
Feeding
Since it is a small breed, it has an excessively fast metabolism and a small stomach, so the space to store food is not very large, consequently it usually burns energy at a very high rate. Motivated to this, they should receive small meals, but with a greater frequency compared to other breeds. The best way to ensure that our Shih Tzu maintains their energy levels is to distribute their intake at different times throughout the day, for example 2 or 3 times in adulthood.
It is also important to guarantee them a type of diet that contains all the nutrients they need, through croquettes that adapt to the size of their mouth. A mini dog food will do. There are specific cases where a certain digestive sensitivity occurs related to the intake of foods that do not correspond to their diet, such as some vegetables or fruits. In conclusion, food is a determining factor in maintaining the well-being of our Shih Tzu .
Bathing and brushing
As we have mentioned, the characteristics of its coat mean that it gets tangled easily, so it is important to brush it daily. Coupled with this, they have bulging eyes that also need daily care and cleaning to avoid infections. His bangs usually fall over his eyes, causing discomfort. For this reason, some owners choose to let their bangs grow and comb them daily, or gather them back into a small bun. However, others prefer to go to the dog groomer regularly in order to keep their growth under control. It is a fundamental task to clean our pet's eyes daily to avoid possible eye pathologies, given that the development of eye diseases is common in the Shih Tzu breed.
An eye ulcer can be caused by scratching or some blow that has gone unnoticed, so at the first sign of discomfort in the eye you should contact the veterinarian. Timely treatment increases the chances of a recovery without sequelae. Eye problems, even those that do not seem so severe, could result in a condition in their vision or even the loss of it, so it is of utmost importance to pay the necessary attention to the eyes of our canines. Bathing and nail cutting are care that should start from the puppy phase. A bathing frequency of once a month is recommended, taking advantage of the opportunity to do a higher level of brushing and then complete drying. Since they are indoor dogs and do not usually wear out their nails by playing in spaces designated for dogs, the most recommended thing is to cut their nails regularly to prevent them from injuring themselves or accidentally harming their owners at times. game or damage an object at home.
Dental health
On the other hand, it is essential to dedicate the necessary time to caring for your teeth. Small breed dogs are usually more exposed to the presence of bacteria in the gums due to plaque accumulation, since they have the same definitive dental structure as the rest of the dogs (42 teeth), however, their jaw is smaller. Because of this, your teeth often spend much of their time wedged in a herringbone pattern, giving bacteria a greater chance to build up and cause dental disease.
In order to prevent this, it is recommended that, starting from the 7th month of life, daily cleaning of their teeth is carried out, with the use of a dog toothbrush and toothpaste. Once our Shih Tzu turns one year old, this routine could be combined with the provision of a daily dental snack that promotes chewing and encourages physical “brushing” on the surface of the teeth. Even on your back teeth, which are usually the most difficult to reach, and where plaque and tartar tend to accumulate most frequently. It is also recommended that the veterinarian check the dental health of our Shih Tzu during regular check-up visits. This breed does not usually have serious hereditary diseases, however, they could present some potential problems such as small nostrils, back problems, snorting (due to their short face and snout), and heart disease with some frequency. These problems can be observed in the first months of life or towards old age. Regardless of the case, an evaluation with the veterinarian is necessary to rule out chronic pathologies or provide the necessary treatment for our Shih Tzu.
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