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Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a charming and affectionate breed that traces its roots to ancient China, where it was cherished as a companion to royalty. With their magnificent coats and adorably expressive faces, Shih Tzus have become beloved family pets across the globe. If you are looking to welcome a small dog that is both playful and loving, this breed may be a perfect fit for your home, especially if you have young children, as they thrive in family environments. Their friendly disposition also extends to other dogs and even cats, making them a well-rounded choice for multi-pet households.
Despite their playful nature, Shih Tzus possess a moderate energy level, making them ideal for apartment living. Daily walks and playtime will keep their spirits high and their hearts happy. They adore human company and thrive on affection, often snuggling up for quality time with their owners. Responsible grooming is essential, as their luxurious coats require weekly maintenance to keep them looking their best. While they may shed slightly more than some other breeds, the Shih Tzu's friendly nature and love for family make this small investment in care well worth it.
In terms of trainability, Shih Tzus are reasonably intelligent and eager to please, which means that with some persistence and positive reinforcement, they can learn a variety of commands and tricks. However, their occasional stubbornness does require some patience during training sessions. With a tendency to bark, they can make excellent watchdogs, alerting you to any commotion without being overly aggressive. If you are considering a Shih Tzu and reside in Petland Lake St. Louis & Fenton, MO, you will find that these little companions bring joy, warmth, and a delightful presence to every home.
Shih Tzu loosely translates to ‘Little Lion’ in Mandarin. Ironically, it was named after its looks because there is absolutely no fierceness to this adorable dog breed. From the laps of emperors in ancient China to the hearts of its present-day owners, Shih Tzus have always been leaders in the hall of fame for canine companionship. Discover more about our Shih Tzu puppies for sale below!
History
Shih Tzus originate from honorable backgrounds in China, where they were bred as palace pets. They are among the fourteen oldest dog breeds in the world, and Chinese archaeologists have dated their uncovered bones to around 8000BC. They are rumored to have initiated initially from Tibet and were introduced to Chinese monarchs by Tibetan Monks as gifts.
Other sources say the Shih Tzu is a crossbreed of the Lhasa Apso and Pekingese dog breeds. China or ancient Tibet, the Shih Tzu has proven itself worthy of adoration across generations. From 618 to 995AD, the dog breed is continuously referenced in art, paintings, sculptures, and letters.
The first offshore record of Shih Tzus comes from the 19th century, where a certain woman known as Lady Brownrigg took a pair of Shih Tzus from Peking to England to start her kennel. They made their debut presence in the US in 1960 after Maureen Murdock, along with her nephew, Philip Prince, imported the breed. Since then, Shih Tzus have been officially recognized and registered in top global Dog Clubs. They come in black, grey, gold, liver, brindle, white or red coats.
Temperament
Shih Tzus are naturally friendly dogs. However, without early socialization, they can be timorous. They are at their best around family or anyone giving them love and attention. A Shih Tzu is made to love. They don’t chase small animals or guard, but this doesn’t mean they won’t bark at strangers. They will alert you as soon as they sense something is amiss. This dog can get stubborn and requires early training so they can grow to be disciplined and healthy dogs.
Environment
If you are a small apartment owner, then the Shih Tzu is perfect for you. They do not do well in outdoor kennels but enjoy playing in yards and gardens. They love the indoors and will always warm up to you or sit on your lap. They get pretty attached – and fast!
During hot seasons, their flat noses make them very prone to heatstroke. This is because their inhaled air does not cool in their lungs as fast as it would in dogs with longer muzzles. The possibility of your Shih Tzu catching heatstroke is minimal in well-ventilated and air-conditioned rooms.
Exercise
As small dogs, Shih Tzus are satisfied with daily short strolls. They don’t need a lot of exercise. Owners have reported that their Shih Tzus like to think they are birds, so don’t be startled if you see your dog audaciously leaping from sofa to sofa. Make sure your house is dog-proof as this breed is highly prone to internal injury due to its delicate size.
Grooming
No doubt, grooming a Shih Tzu is demanding. Their coats matt easily and must be daily to prevent hair knotting. If you cannot meet the grooming requirements your Shih Tzu has, you could cut the coat short. This takes away all the luxurious beauty but curtails your dog’s grooming needs.
They should be bathed at least once a week. Be careful when trimming their nails as they contain blood vessels and could hurt! You don’t want your dog running away every time you bring the clippers out. Dental care is critical in small dog breeds. Regularly, brush their teeth with a soft toothbrush and clean their ears with damp wool balls to minimize infections.
Our Shih Tzu puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. USDA licensed commercial breeders account for less than 20% of all breeders in the country.
The unregulated breeders who are selling outside of the USDA regulations and without a license are what we consider to be “Puppy Mills.” We are committed to offering Shih Tzu puppies who will grow up to become important members of your family. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell.
FAQs
Yes. They only lose hair when bathed or when their coat is combed.
The Shih Tzu is an all-round friendly dog but is better with more mature children who have been taught to handle it well.
A Shih Tzu snorts and snores because of its short snout.
With treats and rewards, a Shih Tzu is fun to train. They are, however, mischievous, and the trainer needs to be firm if any training is to be done at all.
Shih Tzus are pet-friendly and very accommodating of other pets.
No. Their luxurious coat requires daily brushing, and the services of a professional groomer need to be employed if the owner can’t keep up with the demands.
Shih Tzus eat a cup of high-quality dry food daily with clean water.
Due to their brachycephalic (flat snout) features, Shih Tzus will have minor difficulty breathing in poorly-ventilated environments.
The Shih Tzu has a lifespan of ten to eighteen years.
Shih Tzus weigh eight to eighteen pounds (four to eight kilograms).
A Shih Tzu in your home is a small bit of ancient Chinese royalty. These graceful dogs will make you feel noble and will never leave your side
