Shih-Tzu

These dogs are quite small and their height can grow up to 9 inches. Although some breeders can have Shih Tzu’s who have grown as tall as 101/2 inches but they will never cross the 11 inch line. A full grown dog will weigh between 9 to 16 pounds.In Chinese, Shih Tzu means lion dog but it has no resemblance whatsoever with the lion. The only resemblance would probably be the double coat of hair. The Shih Tzu is a lively and alert dog, which has been a highly prized companion of the Chinese Imperial palace. It has a rounded head with a beard and mustache, a short hairy muzzle, and black nose. The eyes are large and round, this makes them one of the most distinguishable features.

The Shih-Tzu is a very alert dog in spite of the size. They are mostly of a happy temperament and are endowed with a lot of dignity and character. They can be courageous and at the same time arrogant. If you want to train your Shih Tzu, then you will need gallons of patience. They are extremely friendly but come with a steak of stubbornness. They will be good with other pets and children too, so taking it for a walk in the park will not be a tough thing to do unlike most people might think.

Some people believe that the Shih Tzu is a byproduct of breeding Pekingese with the Lhasa Apso but no one is really sure as to how this charming dog was born. Their country of origin is still debatable as some loyalists would say, it belongs to Tibet but then it is recognized to be of Chinese origin.

The Shih Tzu can have various health problems, the prominent ones are connected to the ear, the eye and respiratory organs. They have a habit of snoring, and can be prone to spinal disc diseases caused by their long back and short legs. They can gain weight quickly, so most breeders recommend that they should follow a proper and nutritional diet and not be overfed. Since they are no accustomed to exercise regimes unlike bigger dogs, they can really bloat.

Breeders Domain offers a direct connection to quality, responsible Shih-Tzu Breeders in the United States and Canada. We have an extensive directory of Shih-Tzu Puppies for Sale and Shih-Tzu Breeders. The majority of our Shih-Tzu Breeders offer health guarantees and nationwide shipping of their puppies to approved homes. Breeders Domain is also an excellent source of information about the Shih-Tzu breed, general health concerns and photos of Shih-Tzu puppies and adults.