If you're planning to buy or adopt a Shih Tzu, you've chosen one of the popular toy dog breeds with a regal bearing. This dignified presence, or the way this breed carries itself, is one reason it's also called the Imperial Shih Tzu. It is a good companion pet, with a personality that's friendly to all.
The tests to restore the original function of different dog breeds
There have been conducted tests for dogs, to check if what they were bred for are the expectations they can live up to. These tests include stamina tests, lure tests for sight hounds, water and draft tests, ground tests for terriers, tests for hunting and herding dogs. Dogs that pass the tests assigned to the breed they belong to were judged adequate to expectations associated with their breed.
These test may be fine and well for how certain breeds "perform," but as a set of expectations they do not apply to the toy dog breed, because people expect differently of them. Many toy dog breeds perform well in the job they are expected to do, namely, be great companions, lively pets, and healthy company.
The Shih Tzu personality - treat it like a king
A Shih Tzu is usually friendly to most people, but it also has a princess-like personality - it demands to be spoiled. It has a great sense of self, which is probably why many owners notice this breed is not good with other pets and little kids around. But if the other kids love to comb the Shih Tzu's long, fine coat of hair, that dog will love that kid.
This breed make for reliable watchdogs, being alert to people around them and their owners. If a Shih Tzu is prone to snapping at other people, it may not be of a pure breed or may not have been trained well to avoid excessive barking. A smart dog, the Shih Tzu can be trained, although not as easily as other dogs. A stubborn dog, you must be constantly firm in its training - or it will manipulate you into doing its bidding. Punishment, as a training technique, doesn't always work with this breed, since it can shut down and be less social - or do the complete opposite of what you punished it to avoid doing.
Caring for your Shih Tzu - health problems this breed is prone to develop
Shih Tzu are susceptible to renal dysplasia (a kidney disease), slipped stifles or kneecaps, and its slightly protruding large eyes are prone to injury. Its short muzzle usually has slight wheezing problems. Other than these, everything else is connected with his coat maintenance - poor grooming results in tangles, hot spots, painful mats, skin infections, and to some extent maggot infestation. You need to groom a Shih Tzu every other day, at least. If you can't do that you need to choose another breed.
The tests to restore the original function of different dog breeds
There have been conducted tests for dogs, to check if what they were bred for are the expectations they can live up to. These tests include stamina tests, lure tests for sight hounds, water and draft tests, ground tests for terriers, tests for hunting and herding dogs. Dogs that pass the tests assigned to the breed they belong to were judged adequate to expectations associated with their breed.
These test may be fine and well for how certain breeds "perform," but as a set of expectations they do not apply to the toy dog breed, because people expect differently of them. Many toy dog breeds perform well in the job they are expected to do, namely, be great companions, lively pets, and healthy company.
The Shih Tzu personality - treat it like a king
A Shih Tzu is usually friendly to most people, but it also has a princess-like personality - it demands to be spoiled. It has a great sense of self, which is probably why many owners notice this breed is not good with other pets and little kids around. But if the other kids love to comb the Shih Tzu's long, fine coat of hair, that dog will love that kid.
This breed make for reliable watchdogs, being alert to people around them and their owners. If a Shih Tzu is prone to snapping at other people, it may not be of a pure breed or may not have been trained well to avoid excessive barking. A smart dog, the Shih Tzu can be trained, although not as easily as other dogs. A stubborn dog, you must be constantly firm in its training - or it will manipulate you into doing its bidding. Punishment, as a training technique, doesn't always work with this breed, since it can shut down and be less social - or do the complete opposite of what you punished it to avoid doing.
Caring for your Shih Tzu - health problems this breed is prone to develop
Shih Tzu are susceptible to renal dysplasia (a kidney disease), slipped stifles or kneecaps, and its slightly protruding large eyes are prone to injury. Its short muzzle usually has slight wheezing problems. Other than these, everything else is connected with his coat maintenance - poor grooming results in tangles, hot spots, painful mats, skin infections, and to some extent maggot infestation. You need to groom a Shih Tzu every other day, at least. If you can't do that you need to choose another breed.
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To be sure that the Shih Tzu a breeder may be offering for sale is a genuine one, you need to the check the breeding standard. Puppy mills are after profit and will not usually care about whether the dog bred is healthy or of a good bloodline - these breeders won't care if the Imperial Shih Tzu they sell are unhealthy.
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