Shih Tzu Characteristics - Know Your Dog

If you look back on the ancestry of the Shih Tzu, you will not be surprised by the confident and (somewhat) arrogant posture of the breed. This toy dog that has always been a highly valued, prized companion should always carry his head well up, his tail curved well over the back and a level top line.

Size
Even though a large size variation can be seen within the breed, it has been declared the norm for the Shih Tzu to stand between 23 and 25.5 centimeters tall (never less than 20cm, or more than 28cm) and the dog should always be compact, muscular and carrying good weight and substance. A mature dog’s weight is ideally between 4 and 7 kilograms.

General appearance
A Shih Tzu should always appear in perfect proportion. The body should never be stationed too high or too low, making the dog appear ‘leggy’ or ‘dumpy’. It is important that none of its features are exaggerated, but rather, well-balanced.

Head
The head of a Shih Tzu is always broad, round and with a wide space between the eyes. Its size is perfectly proportionate to the body, not too big or too small.

Eyes
The large, round eyes look straight ahead and are dark in colour (ideally, no white should be visible in the eye). The eyes contribute to the warm, friendly and trusting expression that they carry.

Ears and muzzle
The ears are large, hairy and placed just below the crown. The cushioned muzzle is short, square and flat. It is never down turned and is usually no longer than 2.5 centimeters.

The nose, lips and eye rims are usually dark, but lighter coloured Shih Tzus may take exception to this rule. Although a slightly undershot bite with a broad/wide jaw is acceptable (and even a missing tooth or misaligned tooth line!), the teeth and tongue should not be visible when the mouth is closed.

Forequarters
The forequarters of the Shih Tzu comprise of shoulders that flow smoothly from the neck into the body and legs that are well boned, muscular and set slightly apart. The chest is broad and deep and should extend to just below the elbow.

Hindquarters
The hindquarters should be in perfect balance to the forequarters, with complimentary angles. The well-boned, muscular legs are well bent at the joint and appear straight when viewed from the rear. The feet, well padded and firm, point straight ahead.

Color and coat
There is a never-ending list of colours and colour combinations in Shih Tzus, therefore any colour is accepted. All that matters is that the Shih Tzu has a lavish double coat with dense, lengthy, graceful hair.

The Shih Tzu has a character like none other. It is spunky, alert and very courageous, like all dogs in the toy dog group. These pampered pooches are also excellent watchdogs that enjoy barking, but seldom do so without reason. The average life span of a Shih Tzu is 15 years or longer because they do not seem to suffer with any major hereditary health issues.

P.S.
If you want to find out more about the Shih Tzu feel free to opt into my thirteen day mini course. In the course I discuss various issues including training your Shih Tzu, reasons for tearing eyes, choosing your puppy and much more.

Shih Tzu Puppy Training: Socializing your Puppy

Have you ever been at a friend whose dog invites himself to the dining room table, look in your eyes the whole time and beg for food? Or have you seen the dog in the park that growls and barks at everything and everyone going by. Just imagine owning a dog like that. What an absolute nightmare.

Dont take the puppy away from the mother too early
Fortunately you do not have to own a dog like that…. But you have to teach your Shih Tzu certain social skills from a very early age. In fact, it is best if the breeder can start by touching and gently stroking the dogs from the day they are born. This way the puppy will become familiar to the contact of a human being; by the time the puppy open his eyes, he will associate humans with a pleasant experience.

Also do not to take the puppy away from his mother at too young an age, as the mother teaches her puppies social skills they will need later in life. By playing with his siblings a puppy will learn the importance of pack order and bad behavior will also not be tolerated for too long.

A puppy will generally only be with his mother and siblings for a short while, but the training he receives in that period is of vital importance…

At home
Your home is the place where your Shih Tzu puppy will spend most of his time. You and your family therefore play a vital part in his social development. His training will start on the first day he arrives at your home. Your first job is to introduce your puppy to his new home in a manner that will make him feel welcome and put him at ease. Lock your other pets away when the puppy arrives; allow your puppy to explore his new home for a few minutes before you introduce him to your kids or family. If at all possible, introduce the puppy to your family members one at a time. Call in the kids one at a time and allow the kids to gently touch and stroke the puppy and at the same time allow the puppy to sniff the kid. You will find that most Shih Tzu make friends very easily, but it is still important to keep these sessions short otherwise your puppy can feel overwhelmed by all the attention..

Once your family has met the puppy you can introduce the puppy to the other pets, but I recommend a rest between sessions. Always be present and choose a neutral room. If you choose your pet’s favorite couch to do the introduction, he will see the puppy as a threat and that may lead to aggression and jealousy. You may need the help of another person to do the introduction as the resident dog needs to be on a leash. Be on the lookout for signs of aggressive behavior from either animal and immediately separate the animals when they show any signs of aggression.

The big wide world
Next you need to introduce your puppy to the environment. Take him out for short strolls at first and allow him to explore the environment. He will most likely attract plenty of attention and it is important that you allow him to interact with other people or animals. If he shows any signs of fear talk to him in a gentle voice and assure him everything is going to be alright. He will quickly realize that he has got nothing to be afraid of.

Another option is to take your Shih Tzu to dog training classes. There he has plenty of opportunity to interact with other dogs and people in a controlled environment.
The good news is that Shih Tzu are bred for companionship and that they make friends easily. Your Shih Tzu should have no problem in this regard.

P.S.
If you found this article useful you may also want to subscribe to my free ten day minicourse. On day 9 and 10 of the course I talk more about training a Shih Tzu. Please use the optin box below and to the right to subscribe.

Shih Tzu Grooming

To keep your beautiful companion looking and feeling wonderful, a thorough head-to-tail groom is needed as often as every other day, if not daily. You may find yourself lucky though. Due to the fact that every Shih Tzu’s coat is unique, you may get by with weekly brushing – if the Shih Tzu’s coat is of a texture that does not mat and tangle easily. It doesn’t all have to be hard work! You can make this a time to bond with your Shi Tzu and you may even find it relaxing and pleasurable.

Start Grooming Early
Why not get your Shih Tzu used to grooming from a very early age – this will ease things for you in the future. Your Shih Tzu’s coat will go through a period of change at about 10 – 12 months of age. During this time, matting will occur very easily, but just keep brushing; it will be worth it in the end. This temporary situation will only last 3 – 4 weeks, after which grooming will be a lot easier.

Your Shih Tzu’s Coat and Matting
Maintain a luxurious coat by using a soft brush with flexible pins called a ‘slicker’. It will be best to dampen the hair slightly with a spray bottle filled with warm water and a small amount of cream conditioner. This will curb any unnecessary breakage. Brush the coat out in layers, starting at the tip of the hair and moving up to the root. Work up from the bottom layers using your fingers to break up any tangles that the brush will not go through.

Matting may occur when dead hair drops and becomes entangled in the coat. Dirty coats and specific areas of the Shih Tzu’s coat are more likely to mat…. Around the neck and the ears, the underbelly area, inside the legs and under the footpads. Never rip at a mat; this will only hurt your Shih Tzu and cause breakage. Work through all the mats before attempting to bath or brush your dog.

Trimming Hair
Your Shih Tzu may require trimming every few months to maintain that ‘show dog’ look. Pay special attention to the hairs between the pads of the feet. You may need to trim these, level with the pads, to avoid matting. If tying your Shih Tzu’s hair above its head does not keep all of the hair from the eyes – consider trimming the hair from the eyes to avoid aggravation.

Bathing Your Shih Tzu
It is suggested that you bath your Shih Tzu every month. Have everything readily available before you begin and place a rubber mat under your dog’s feet for firm footing. Using lukewarm water, soap the full coat twice, paying special attention to the legs, which carry the most dirt. Take care not to get soapy water into the dog’s ears and eyes. Mix a capful of conditioner with one quart of warm water and pour this over your Shih Tzu once all the shampoo has been washed away. Rinse well after 3 – 4 minutes.

You can give your Shih Tzu a vinegar rinse to remove any excess shampoo and conditioner, and to deodorize the coat. Use one capful of apple cider vinegar mixed with one quart of warm water.
Swaddle your Shih Tzu in towels for 10 – 15 minutes before blow-drying to lesson the amount of time they spend under the dryer. Now would be an ideal time to trim the Shih Tzu’s toenails. The towels will restrict the dog’s movement, and the nails are softer when they are wet. Be careful not to cut into the quick and tend to dewclaws that do not wear down naturally because they do not touch the ground.

Always dry you Shih Tzu using a blow dryer. Gently brush through the coat while drying to separate the hairs, thus speeding up the drying process. Finish the look by parting the hair down the back and putting in a topknot!

If, between washes, you see your Shih Tzu dragging his behind along the ground, check his bottom! It is not uncommon for fecal matter to become caked in the rear hairs. It is not necessary to cut this away. Simply soften the matter with warm running water and wipe it away with a paper towel. As the rear hairs grow longer, they will fall to the sides instead of over the opening of the anus.

General Info:
Pull any excess hair from the ear canals using your fingers. This will stop the hair from matting in the ear canals and cutting off air circulation.
Remove any build up that you see around the eyes and mouth using a damp cloth.
Ask your vet to show you how to express your Shih Tzu’s anal glands, or pay a groomer to do it for you.

Shih Tzu Care Clipping Nails

Clipping your Shih Tzu’s nails is a pretty easy task, once you know a few basic facts.
As the majority of Shih Tzu spend their time indoors, their nails tend to get longer quicker than your average dog, as their nails do not get in touch with gravel, tar and other rough surfaces on a regular basis.

For this reason nail care starts with frequent little walks around the blog. This will get rid of any sharp points and is also good exercise for your dog.

Some people are of the opinion that it is best to place your dog on a high surface as the dog is less likely to jump, but holding your dog on your lap works best.

Nail clipping steps

Start by taking the dog’s paw in your hand.
As soon as the dog is sitting still take the nail clipper and in one swift motion cut the nail. It is always best to use a sharp clipper for this purpose. You can buy a nail clipper at most pet shops and owner will advise you what size to buy. As a general rule the bigger the dog, the bigger the clipper.
Move on to the next nail and repeat the process until all nails are cut.
After you have cut the nail use a file to take care of the rough edges. An emery boar also works well for this purpose.
It is best to have a styptic powder on hand to stop the bleeding in case of an accident. This is available at most pet shops.

Helpful hints

To make nail care easy, it is important to train your dog to sit still. Any sudden movements can lead to mistakes and it will be more difficult to convince your Shih Tzu to come for a nail session once you have hurt the dog.
Be sure to speak to your dog in a gentle voice putting her at ease while you cut the nails.
Be careful not to cut into the vein running down the dog’s nail. It is visible as a darker part running down the centre of the nail.
A good time to cut your dog’s nails is after a bath, as the nails are then generally softer and easier to cut.

How often you cut your dog’s nails will depend on how often your dog participate in activities that naturally shorten her nails, but for the average dog a nail clipping is necessary every four to six weeks. It is best to use your own judgement; as soon as the nails are long a clipping should follow.

There is no need to take your dog to the dog parlor every time she needs her nails cut. With a little bit of exercise you will be able to do the job in no time. If you feel uncomfortable doing this, have a look at a professional for the first few times to see how they do it. Once you have seen the procedure I am sure you will attempt it yourself.

Also see : How to Groom a Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu Care Bathing

Bathing your Shih Tzu should be seen as an enjoyable event for both you and your Shih Tzu. At first there may be a lot of splashing by your dog and this may cause a big mess, but your Shih Tzu will quickly become use to the bathing and may even begin to like the bathing session.

Shih Tzu’s require more frequent bathing sessions than most other dogs, because of their long hair, and the quicker you get your dog use to the bathing sessions the better.

The frequency of bathing will depend on how often your dog spends time outdoors playing in the mud and dirt. Just remember that dogs have natural oils in their hair and should not be bathed too often.
Enough talking, let’s get down to work.

Steps to bath your Shih Tzu
One person can bath a Shih tzu, but two works better. When you are two people one holds the dog, while the other person does the actual washing.

Fill a bathtub with lukewarm water. I prefer a bathtub that is deep enough so the dog cannot get out of it, but not so deep that your dog runs the risk of drowning. The use of a non slip mat is advisable and make sure you place the bathtub in an area that can be cleaned or mopped easily.
Test the water with your hands to ensure it is not too warm.
Gently lift your dog into the bathtub and watch your dog’s reaction. There should be no signs of discomfort.
Dilute some dog shampoo in water and gently rub the shampoo into the dog’s coat. It is important to first dilute the shampoo otherwise it will burn your dog.
Wash the whole body and pay particular attention to areas that get dirty quickly, such as the lower legs.
Once the whole body has been washed you can move to the face. Although most dog shampoos are manufactured not to irritate the dog’s eyes, it is still advisable to keep the water/shampoo mixture away from your dog’s eyes.
Use clean water to rinse off your Shih Tzu’s coat. This normally takes two or three attempts before the water running from your dog’s coat is totally clean.
Squeeze any excess water from your dog’s coat before you lift your dog onto a towel to start the drying process.
You can use either a blow-dryer or a towel to dry your dog, just make sure your dog does not get cold and test the hairdryer as hot air will cause a lot of discomfort to your dog.
Some owners also use a tear stain remover and a sponge to get rid of any dirty stains on their dog’s eyes. The application of a conditioner directly after a wash is recommended as this will make your task much easier when you want to remove any tangles.

There are few things that will change the appearance of your dog as quickly as a nice bath and blow-dry; a dog you can be proud of and one you want to lift onto your lap. Congratulations, you have just completed an important step in Shih Tzu Care

P.S.

If you found this information useful please feel free to opt into my free mini-course by using the box on this page. In the minicourse I discuss more ways to groom your Shih tzu.

Shih Tzu Allergies External Causes

Chemicals, shampoos and cleaners

It is not unknown for Shih Tzu to suddenly develop an allergy to a grooming product, their bedding or even the washing powder you use to wash the bedding in. Just like a food allergy, you must begin a process of elimination:

1. Move your dog’s bed into a room that does not have carpets, rugs or heavy drapes.
2. Once you have moved your dog to a carpet free room, bring in a small rug that has not been cleaned, then one that has, using your regular cleaner, then something that has had some of your furniture, polish etc.

I am sure you are getting the picture. It should not take too long to isolate the allergen. As soon as you find and remove the offending substance or product, things should settle down.

Vaccinations

It is also a good idea to monitor your dog for a few days after a vaccination as your dog may be allergic to vaccinations. Symptoms are general lethargy and a slight fever. These symptoms should only last a few hours.

If your pup or dog is going to suffer a rare, severe allergic reaction, she will do so within hours or even minutes of receiving the injection. If she is in perfect health after 24 hours you have no need to worry. If your pup does have a reaction, take her back to the vet who will treat her with antihistamines or steroids.

Hay fever

Many Shih Tzu suffer from pollen allergies or ‘Hay Fever’. This will mean that during the spring and summer, when the pollen count is at its highest, your dog is going to suffer. The first signs of a pollen allergy are often sneezing and face rubbing as though he were trying to remove a veil from his face.

You can go to the vet and get antihistamines, which will relieve the symptoms considerably. If your dog suffers an extreme reaction then your vet may even decide to give him steroids.

Try and make his life more comfortable by keeping him away from open doors and windows, walking him late at night and giving him frequent baths using products containing aloe vera or eucalyptus, which will help sooth irritation. Wash his bedding as often as you can and use that vacuum! Try to get a vacuum with a special or HEPA filter.

House dust

It is quite common for a Shih Tzu to be allergic to house dust. No normal house is totally free from dust but again you must do what you can to make things a little easier. Keep your house as clean as possible.

Conclusion
A vet should check out any extreme behavior, such as those associated with allergies. If every spring and summer you go through the same routine it is still worth taking him along for antihistamines to help relieve the symptoms. Even older Shih Tzu can suddenly have an allergic reaction to pollen or products they have been exposed to for years, so stay alert!

If none of the above works you may want to investigate the other main cause of Shih Tzu Allergies namely food.

Shih Tzu Health: Eight Tips to Choose a Good Vet

Vet’s are well trained and spend years studying for the honour. The majority of vets are animal lovers and will do a good job, but is still advisable to do a bit of research before deciding on a specific vet. Taking the following few points into account will hopefully help you to choose the best Vet for your Shih Tzu.

1. The vet’s operating hours should fit your schedule. If you work long hours during the week it will be to your advantage if the vet is open over weekends or work after hours during weekdays.

2. A vet that is close to your home is an advantage. In case of an emergency you will be able to get the dog to the vet in the shortest time possible. This can often be the difference between life and death.

3. If you belong to a Shih Tzu club, speak to other members of the club. They will give you honest and free advise, speaking from personal experience. If a lot of members use the services of a specific vet, it can also be to your advantage as the vet will be very familiar with the Shih Tzu breed and the specific diseases that affect the Shih Tzu most.

4. Always pay a visit to the vet’s offices before you take your dog there. The staff should be friendly, the offices should be clean and free from animal hairs or blood and you should feel at ease. Also have a look whether big dogs are allowed to walk around freely. You don’t want your Shih Tzu to be attacked by a bigger dog.

5. Some vets specialize in certain areas. Some may do more work on horses other on birds and some on dogs. You obviously want to find one that often work on small dogs. Ask the vet how familiar he is with the Shih Tzu breed and how many other Shih Tzu patients he has.

6. If you don’t belong to a Shih Tzu club you can also speak to your friends or neighbors and ask them about their experience with their vet. Most will give you an honest opinion, especially if you are on good terms with them.

7. Speak to you vet and ask him about his availability in case of an emergency. If your vet stays far from his practice, it will be more difficult to help your dog in case of an emergency.

8. Ask the vet about his fee structure and compare it to other vets. His fees should be in line with other vets and you should obviously be able to afford his services. Also ask what the fee structure is in case of an emergency.

Good luck in choosing the best vet for your dog. It may also be a good idea to identify a second vet who can act as a backup in case you have an emergency and cannot get hold of your vet.

Shih Tzu Crate Training

There are several techniques people use to house train their puppies, but the crate remains one of the more popular and for good reason.

But before we get to the main reason why a crate is so successful, let’s look at what you want to achieve with house training.

One thing only: your puppy must use the same area to do his business every time. The opposite is also true: the Shih Tzu should not use the wrong area to relieve himself. If you can achieve this the battle is won.

In order to prevent your puppy from using the wrong area you need to watch your dog. The big dilemma is that most people do not have the time to watch their dog the whole time and a crate is a great tool to control your puppy when you cannot watch him.

Now what prevents the puppy from using the crate as a bathroom you may ask? Great question. I am glad you asked.

That brings us to the main reason why crate training is so successful….

All dogs have a natural instinct not to use their own dens as a bathroom. Dogs know it is unsanitary to do so and will hold it in until they are in a position to relief themselves.
Just a word of caution. Even though your puppy may not want to use the crate as a toilet, no dog, and especially a puppy that does not have the bladder control of a fully grown dog, can hold it in forever. For this reason it is important not to leave your puppy in the crate for too long.

And there is of course another reason.

If you leave your puppy in the crate the whole day he will begin to hate it. Remember, a Shih Tzu has been bred for companionship and need more attention than the average dog. Once your dog sees the crate as a sort of jail sentence you will find it much harder to train him in the future. For this reason it is a good idea to put his favorite toy as well as some treats in the crate to keep your puppy occupied and happy.

After a session in the crate you should take your Shih Tzu puppy directly to his potty spot and you should obviously watch your dog to make sure he does not use the wrong area. After a while your puppy will know what area he should use as his bathroom.
Goal achieved.

What if your dog uses the crate as a toilet?
There may be a few reasons and one not to overlook is separation anxiety. Just as some dogs cope better than other when their owners go on leave, so some Shih Tzu will cope better than others when they are left in the crate alone.
Another reason can be that your dog has a urinary infection. Ask your vet to check out your dog.

Click the link to learn more about potty training Shih Tzu puppies using the paper technique.

Potty Training Shih Tzu Puppies - The Paper Training Technique

What is paper training?
It is simply a technique whereby you teach your dog to use newspapers placed at strategic areas inside your home as a toilet area.

Advantages of paper training
Shih Tzu dogs stay indoors most of the time. It therefore goes without saying that it is much preferable for your dog to use newspapers instead of your expensive couch as a toilet area.

Disadvantages of paper training
Paper training can prolong the house breaking process. The problem with paper training is that it sends conflicting information to your dog. On the one hand you allow the dog to urinate and defecate on newspapers in the house and on the other hand you instruct your dog to go outside when he wants to do his thing.

How to do paper training

Choose a room with a floor area that is easy to clean. The bathroom is a good start, as the floor has been designed to tolerate wetness from showers and baths very well, but any room with tiles will do.
Place newspapers in the one corner of the room. Make sure you place enough newspaper on the floor to absorb about 100 ml of water without the water seeping through.
Place a bowl of food and a bowl of water on the opposite side of the room. The reason you want to place it in the other side of the room is because dogs have a very strong natural instinct not to use their feeding or sleeping area as a toilet.
When it is about time for your puppy to urinate take the puppy to the room. Encourage the puppy to eat and drink water.
Stay with the puppy until you see signs that your puppy want to do his thing. This includes squatting, sniffing the floor and walking in circles.
If your puppy is not on the newspaper area, gently lift the pup and place him on the newspaper area. At the same time use words to encourage the pup to do his thing like “Wee wee” or “use potty”
Make a big fuss of it when your puppy uses the right area. By doing this your puppy will quickly learn to associate using the correct area with praise. On the other hand if you catch the puppy using the wrong area simply clean it without too much fuss. He will quickly forget about the incident.
When your Shih Tzu puppy uses only the newspapers to relieve himself, you can gradually reduce the size of the newspapers.
It is also a good idea to place newspapers in other areas in your home to test whether your puppy really associates the newspapers with his potty area.

But remember: Paper training is a useful technique, but only that. Your ultimate goal should be to train your dog to go outdoors when he wants to relieve himself. Once your dog is used to peeing inside it is not easy to train him to go outside, but one way to achieve this is to reward your dog so handsomely when he goes outside that he want to go outside the whole time.

Also see shih tzu house training - the amazing crate.

How To Buy Shih Tzu Puppies of Quality

It is important when purchasing a Shih Tzu puppy, to make sure of certain things. Choosing the right pup can eliminate the majority of Shih Tzu Health problems other owners may have.

Yes, you will want to grab the first pup that scampers over to you and licks your face, but it is very important with regards to the pups future life and your responsibility, that you go through a few important points before picking one.

Find a good breeder
First and foremost, before you even spot the lucky pup, is to find an accredited and good breeder with a reasonable reputation. You do not want to bring a sick or unhealthy puppy home, and if you are looking for a pure breed Shih Tzu or Imperial, you want to be sure of the authenticity. Once you have done so, through research or referral, it is time to go out and meet your pup.

Examine the pup
Now, when examining the young pup, be sure to look for various things physically. The Shih Tzu pup should have a sturdy body to begin with. Good bone structure will only really be visible with a trained eye so make sure from your perspective that the young animal doesn’t seem to be uncomfortable in any given position, seated or standing. Secondly, check the coat. A Shih Tzu has a very dense and fine coat; obviously it will not be fully matured at this stage but make sure it is clean and soft to the touch.

Move from the coat and body to the face. Examine the eyes, checking that they are clear, and then the snout and nose to make sure it is mucus free. Check that the pup’s ears are clean and finally, even check the stool of the animal. A healthy puppy will have firm regular stools and will indicate a good digestive system.
Remember, the majority of Shih Tzu Health Problems can be eliminated by choosing the right pup.

Personality
From a personality point of view, the puppy should be lively and energetic. The particular personality will develop and arise as the animal grows older, so at the start don’t be worried if the pup seems a bit shy, because most animals come into their own as they get older.

Paperwork
Also make sure that when you have the pup in your arms, you find some room to carry the paperwork that should accompany the dog. The paperwork should include any medical information or procedures the pup has already had and basically all the general information about your new addition ranging from breeder information to birth weight etc.

Visit your vet
And finally, when you bring your beloved pup back home, be sure to visit your own or local vet, to do a complete check up and to ascertain if there are any inherent health problems, and provide you with possibly additional information about your chosen Shih Tzu.