| The Shih Tzu's traces their origin to Tibet where | | | | overall coat on the body and another shorter and |
| monks, possibly, had been breeding them. Around the | | | | denser for the hair around the face and feet. |
| 17th Century these dogs were brought into Peking | | | | Have the nails checked and cut regularly as these |
| (China) as gifts for the Emperor. They were an instant | | | | dogs tend to grow long nails for lack of exercise and |
| hit with the royalty and so they then become their | | | | a sedentary lifestyle. In case you are not comfortable |
| exclusive property. The tiny animals stayed protected | | | | with the cutting of nails at home, visit your vet |
| by Imperial orders for two long centuries. In the 1930 a | | | | periodically to get the job done. This should be done as |
| pair of these lovable dogs were brought to England | | | | often as necessary. |
| and from there they reached the USA soil in 1969. | | | | People who live with Shih Tzus find these dogs |
| Wherever these dogs went they have conquered | | | | completely adorable. They have a lot of spunk for their |
| hearts. Today, the Shih Tzu is one of the most popular | | | | size and they carry themselves with great dignity and |
| breeds across the globe, both in terms of glamorous | | | | aplomb. This is one reason why many people call them |
| looks and as a companion. | | | | royal dogs. They indeed look like royalty when they |
| The Shih Tzu - owing to its temperament and looks - | | | | move around. |
| has been a lot of other names. For example, for a long | | | | Temperamentally, the Shih Tzu is very warm and |
| time in the Chinese Imperial Palaces these dogs were | | | | happy type of dog. They hanker for attention and hate |
| known as the Lion dog. This could be for two reasons. | | | | it when it is stolen from them. This is one reason why |
| First, it looked like a miniatures lion with all the fluffy hair | | | | these dogs do not live too well with small children, as |
| framing its face and second, it had the demeanor of a | | | | they tend to consider them competition for the |
| king. | | | | owner's love and can become aggressive. |
| The Shih Tzu needs very little from you other than | | | | They are very playful when they are young and seem |
| love. To keep your Shih Tzu happy, allow it to sleep on | | | | to have a mind of their own. You will need to train your |
| your lap, pamper it as often as you can and talk to it all | | | | Shih Tzu very early in life or you could have major |
| the time. Grooming this dog needs special attention | | | | problems in handling it later on when it becomes an |
| because of its long coat. You need to have it brushed | | | | adult. The key to making a Shih Tzu the perfect pet is |
| with a hard brush to prevent matting of hair and | | | | to have them trained very early in their life. Once they |
| remove the dust that accumulates on it. You need two | | | | are trained, you could possibly have the best pet on |
| separate types of combs - one long toothed for the | | | | this earth. |