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Is A Shih Tzu For You?
Ever want to own a pup considered a holy dog? The Shih Tzue is considered the first of the Tibetan holy dogs. It is also considered the smallest version as well. Known as a small lion, it is believed to originate from the region of China.
Ever want to own a pup considered a holy dog? The Shih Tzue is considered the first of the Tibetan holy dogs. It is also considered the smallest version as well. Known as a small lion, it is believed to originate from the region of China.
If ever there was a single name that did a lot of work, it is Shih Tzu. The primary translation is that of small lion as mentioned previously. Certain contexts, however, interpret is as the elemental queen, the singular beautiful woman.
If you haven’t guessed by now, the Shih Tzu is a ladies best friend. It is a small dog exemplified by a beautiful bed of hair and a sometimes fired up attitude. Although short haired versions exist, the typical Shih Tzu is a long haired version.
The hair of the Shih Tzu is unique among the dog species. Simply put, it is not fur as you typically understand it. The hair is more like fine human hair. Shih Tzu do not shed. Their hair falls out over time like us humans.
When you select a Shih Tzu, you are selecting a companion for a good many years. The average life span of a healthy dog is in the eleven to forteen year range with many living two to three years longer.
Health problems for any living animal, including Shih Tzu, are always an issue. Your pup is definitely at risk for certain things. Vision problems are common in Shih Tzu as are hip and liver issues.
There are a couple of things to take into account about the care required by a Shih Tzu before making one your own. The primary issue is their hair. If it is kept natural, it will be long and tangle like mad. You must be committed to brushing it out frequently.
Another issue with Shih Tzu is they are very sensitive to hot temperatures. This is not a dog you want to own if you live in a hot, dry climate like Las Vegas. They dogs easily dehydrate and can expire from heat exhaustion.
Many people equate small dogs with small responsibilities. With its long coat of hair, the Shih Tzu is exactly the opposite. They are great dogs, but make sure you know what you are committing to before buying one.