Shih Tzu Temperament and Personality
When you think of the ultimate designer lap dog, no doubt the Shih Tzu comes to mind. This elegant dog breed makes an excellent family pet that gets along reasonably well with other pups and children.
The Shih Tzu makes an ideal choice of dog for city living but can do equally well in the country. However, they need adequate attention and care to ensure that you meet all their health needs. Besides this, they have a characteristically exuberant Shih Tzu personality and make the perfect companion dogs.
Read on to learn all about Shi Tzus, their temperament, personality, and care needs to enable you to decide if you want to be a Shih Tzu parent.
What Are Shih Tzus?
Shih Tzus are a small Asian breed bred to be an affectionate house pup. They are an outgoing, confident, and affectionate designer dog breed that gives delightful company.
This ancient breed has a long coat with silky dog hair. The Shih Tzu’s face is flat, and the Shih Tzu’s eyes are large and round, sitting atop a short snout. They are a sturdy dog with floppy ears and a stout posture, making them a favorite for dog sports and American Shih Tzu Club-approved dog shows.
Although these pups are small, they have larger-than-life personalities. They can live for up to 16 years, and although they have some health issues, with the proper care, both the male and female Shih Tzu experience few complications.
Shih Tzus are highly independent fur babies with outgoing, fun, and friendly temperaments. Due to their independent nature, these dogs require early training to avoid becoming obstinate.
The Origin of Shih Tzus
The Shih Tzu dog breed originated in Tibet in the seventh century. They often made gifts to Chinese royalty. Experts believe they are a crossbreed of native Lhasa Apso dogs and Pekingese.
These dogs got their name from the Chinese for “lion dog.” In modern Mandarin, the white Shih Tzu is known as the “Xi Shi dog” in honor of Xi Shi, one of the most beautiful women of the ancient Chinese Empire.
In the 1930s, the British popularized and spread the modern Shih Tzu globally. Shih Tzus are also called Tibetan Lion Dogs as an homage to their origin, but not commonly used due to political sensitivities.
Shih Tzu Owners: What You Should Know
Nutrition
Shih Tzus need a quality, high-protein dog food that includes muscle and organ meats, including liver, heart, and kidneys. They also benefit from raw eggs and, if they can tolerate it, yogurt and other dairy products. Feed Shih Tzu adults thrice a day and puppies four to six times to control your dog’s weight.
Grooming
As these dogs have lovely long coats, you should brush and comb your Shih Tzu’s coat every day. Failure to do so can lead to matting, an extremely painful condition to remedy. Brush daily using a slicker brush with fine bristles to penetrate the coat, detangle surface hair, and remove dirt and debris.
Temperament
Shih Tzus are generally trustworthy dogs around young children, but they cannot tolerate hyperactivity. In addition, children can be rough when playing with dogs, which could injure this tiny breed.
Unfortunately, these dogs have a reputation of being pompous, demanding, and arrogant, but this is not entirely true. They are happy, outgoing, and social dogs and need the proper training to remain balanced and social. Be careful to give them adequate attention in their formative years to avoid separation anxiety later in life.
Health Issues
This breed is susceptible to particular health problems, depending on your dog’s age.
Common health issues include:
- Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS): Like other small dog breeds, the Shih Tzu often develops respiratory issues due to the flat shape of its head and nose. They have narrow upper airways, making it hard for them to breathe.
- Cataracts: Due to their large eyes, Shih Tzus are susceptible to eye problems, including cataracts, particularly if an older dog. This condition is treatable with surgery.
- Ear Infections: This little dog is susceptible to allergies, which cause itching and inflammation in and around the ears.
- Coprophagia: While many dogs eat their feces, Shih Tzus tend to do this more than other breeds. Look out for this behavior in your puppy and adult dog and prevent it by cleaning up poop immediately.
- Hip Dysplasia: Small and toy breeds tend to suffer this hip condition due to their susceptibility to jumping and running injuries.
Exercise
Shih Tzus need approximately one hour of exercise daily, split into 20-minute walk sessions. They also love playing with you, so make sure you give them plenty of playtime when you are at home. In addition, schedule enough rest throughout the day to ensure they do not become too hyperactive or overly tired.
Training Your Shih Tzu Puppy
One of the most difficult things for pet owners to handle when training this breed is house training. However, if you take it one day at a time, use crates, and be consistent, your house pet will eventually get the hang of it.
Toy breeds and other small dogs need a lot of early training to ensure they do not become too headstrong and stubborn. Reputable breeders begin training early, exposing the pup to people and other dogs to avoid behavioral problems in the future.
If you can, take your Shih Tzu to puppy classes to help them develop an even temper and better grow their unique personality. If needed, a professional trainer can help stimulate your fur baby’s intellectual development while avoiding the pitfalls of inadequate training, which promotes that well-known characteristic of Shih Tzu’s stubbornness and pride.
Shih Tzu: Key Breed Points
- Personality: Intelligent, Lively, Active, Outgoing
- Special Breed Characteristics: Designer Lapdog
- Life Expectancy: 10-16 years
- Weight: 9-16 pounds
- Height: 8-11 inches
- Price: $750 to $3,000
Final Word
The Shih Tzu is a popular breed, which will give you years of loving and attentive company.
However, because they are popular, they often fall victim to irresponsible dog breeders and puppy mills. When looking for your Shih Tzu, ensure that you buy a puppy from a certified breeder with good credentials and a traceable history and not just from any pet store. This is important as your beloved pet can develop serious health issues later in life.
At Family Affair Puppies, we are experts at breeding dogs with professionalism, love, and care. We are a reputable breeder providing all parent health clearances and certificates for your Shih Tzu puppies. Call 260-350-4840 today to speak to our experienced professionals if you are thinking of making this majestic breed a part of your family.