Knowing Shih Tzu Dogs

Everyone loves to have his or her own pet. Pets that could take away their stress after work and whom they can play with.

A couple of the most common characteristics a person likes to see in his or her pet is to be cute and cuddly. Characteristics that you can find at one look on a Shih Tzu dog breed.

It is said that this breed of dog came from the Pekingese and Lhasa Apso dog breeds. Shih Tzu's originated in Tibet where they were kept as a sacred dog on temples, guarded and well taken care of by court eunuchs. They were given to the Emperors of China as a tribute of great honor during the Manchu dynasty (17th century). During this century, pairs of Shih Tzu's were presented to eminent visitors as a symbol of good will and good luck.

Shih Tzu's are a short-legged dog breed. They stand about 10 inches tall and weighs about 18 lbs. They normally have hanging ears, short muzzle, and heavily haired tail.

These breed of toy dogs have several colors on their coat, some of which forms like a beard as it fall over their eyes. DNA analysis confirm that Shih Tzu is one of the oldest breeds of dog, it is also known as Chinese/Tibetan Lion Dog or Chrysanthemum dog because of its face that looks like a flower. After spreading from China and Tibet, these "little temple dogs" found their way towards Ireland, Scandinavia, England and then to America in the late 1930's and are now all over the world.

Those who plan to have a low maintenance pet should choose another breed because this breed needs more care than other breeds. The most delicate part of a Shih Tzu's body is the area around their eyes that needs gentle cleaning every day with cotton and warm water.

Their faces should always be clean as well as their ears. Shih Tzus fit well in cold climates, which you can easily figure out because of their thick coat. They are sensitive to high temperature and could easily die. Their coats need daily brushing to avoid tangles, though you can also cut their hair short for less maintenance.

Personality is the strongest characteristic of this dog breed. They are friendly and non-aggressive, which makes them a perfect friend not only for adults but for children as well. Most Shih Tzus have plenty of stamina and love outdoors where they could exercise and play. The outgoing personality of Shih Tzus also makes them a good companion to other breeds of dog.

As a people oriented dog, Shih Tzus love being loved by the people around them. They are not the type of dog that hunts, protects, pulls, tracks or attacks others because they are more into loving their masters, playing, sleeping and eating.

Though there are times Shih Tzus act like clowns, this dog breed is very intelligent. You can train them alone, or with the help of a dog trainer, basic commands such as sit, stay, down, heel and how to respond to the word "no" could save you from tons of trouble later. Shih Tzu's are adaptable. The people around them and the environment they live in molds their personality and that makes your pet a mirror of you or your family's character as well.