SHIH TZU

Shih Tzu is a dignified breed due to its royal heritage. Shih Tzu has a very enchanting smile and long glossy hair. They are generous with their family.

History

Shih Tzu is one of the 14 ancient dog breeds, and they emerged in china back in 8000 B.C. Some people believed that Tibetan monks raised this breed for the first time. Maureen Murdock and her nephew brought this breed to the United States. In 1969, Shih Tzu was acknowledged by the American kennel club.

Physical appearance

Shih Tzu usually has a bodyweight of 9 to 16 pounds. They have a height of nine to ten and a half inches. Shih Tzu is a double-coated breed seen in 14 different colors like grey and white, red and white, black and white.

Average lifetime

Shih Tzu can live up to 10 to 18 years. Timely vaccination can prevent disease development in them, thus prolonging their life span.

Temperament

Shih Tzu is very courteous, attentive, and a companionate breed. It is amicable with the family and children and gets comfortable with strangers quickly. Shih Tzu loves to get attention and enjoys being in his owner’s lap.

Susceptible to diseases

Shih Tzu usually has good health and is physically fit. But can be vulnerable to certain diseases. Some are discussed below.

Bladder infection and bladder stones

Bladder stones can develop due to the excessive protein, phosphorus, and magnesium in the diet. A bladder infection can develop due to bacteria and viruses. Blood in urine, difficulty in urination can lead to such infections. So, dog owners should take their canines to the vet for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Eye disease

Shih Tzu is susceptible to certain eye disorders such as proptosis, keratitis, progressive retinal atrophy, and dry eyes. Proptosis is an eye disorder in which the sudden bulging of the eye occurs from eye sockets. Keratitis is a condition that can be due to corneal inflammation. Keratitis can be a cause of blindness and corneal ulcers in Shih Tzu. Progressive retinal atrophy is an eye disorder in which photoreceptor cells get damaged and destroyed with time and can cause blindness in dogs.

Umbilical Hernia

If the Umbilical ring is not entirely closed after birth, it will lead to an umbilical hernia. Surgery is performed to treat the umbilical hernia.

Ear infections

Shih Tzu can be vulnerable to infection by microbes due to their warm ear canal. Ear cleaning avoids any infection in the ears.

Care and grooming

• Daily brushing is necessary to avoid any tangle in the long double coat of Shih Tzu.
• Shih Tzu is susceptible to ear infections, so proper cleaning of the ear is crucial to avoid the accumulation of any dirt and germs. Cutting nails of dogs prevents dirt deposits. Otherwise, digestive problems can occur in your dog.
• Dog owners must clean their faces properly to avoid irritation and itching.