Shih tzu original purpose
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Shih Tzu Breed Guide: Characteristics, History & Care
Although the name means “little lion” in Mandarin, the playful Shih Tzu is far from a fighter. Originally bred for royalty in China, these cute dogs are born companions whose purpose in life is to love and be loved.
Read on to learn more about Shih Tzu’s temperament, history, training, care requirements, and figure out whether this regal breed is the right choice for your family.
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Pro Tip: If you’re contemplating a new, four-legged family member, you should consider the value of pet insurance — no matter what breed you bring home. While there are several health conditions genetically linked to Shih Tzus, accidents can happen anytime, anywhere, leading to unexpected vet bills that could cost up to $5,000 without coverage protection.
Shih Tzu characteristics
Physical appearance
On average, the weight of a full-grown Shih Tzu is between nine and 16 pounds, with a height of eight to 11 inches. This means the breed falls into the toy-sized category, which is smaller than medium-, large-, and giant-
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Shih Tzu
Since the average Shih Tzu stands less than a foot tall, you might think it would be easy to overlook these little dogs. But that’s not the case at all! These pups have big personalities that ensure they are the center of attention! Shih Tzus love to be around people and have a way of becoming part of the family. Take Georgie, a Shih Tzu who worked as a service dog for an autistic boy named Alex. The two quickly bonded and were inseparable since the day they met. Alex’s parents even credited Georgie with helping their son learn to speak. Of course, this kind of close companionship is typical of Shih Tzus, who have been prized house pets for over a thousand years. The breed dates all the way back to ancient China, where royal families treasured the little lion-like dogs! Shih Tzu: Lion Dog is a narrative treat for dog lovers that includes fun, real-life stories about these little pups while also recounting the breed’s history and its relationship to the animal’s physical characteristics, personality, and suitability as a pet.
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Shih TzuDog breed For topics formerly romanized as Shih-tzu, see Shizi (disambiguation). Dog breed The Shih Tzu (, )[1] is a toy dog or pet dog breed originating from Tibet and believed to be bred from the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso. DescriptionThe Shih Tzu is a sturdy little dog with a small snout and normally has large dark brown eyes. The Chinese have described their head shapes as "owl head" and "lion head", and their mouth as "frog mouths" and their lips as "earthworm lips".[2] They have a soft and long double coat that will tangle and mat easily if not brushed at least every 2 or 3 days. A Shih Tzu should stand no more than 26.7 cm (101⁄2") at the withers and with an ideal weight of 4.0 to 7.5kg (9 to 17 lbs). Their floppy ears are covered with long hair, and their heavily hair-covered tail is carried curled over the back. The coat may be of any color, though white and with blazes of grey are frequently seen. A very noticeable feature is the underbite, which is required in the breed standard.[3] Etymology[eCopyright ©peacafe.pages.dev 2025 |
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