Shih Tzu

Two shih tzu dogs lying on the floor

Where Did The Shih Tzu Come From?

The Shih Tzu is a very old Chinese and Tibetan dog breed. Historical information says that the Shih Tzu was originally bred in China to be a member of the imperial household. The Shih Tzu’s job was to bark and alert Chinese royalty when someone came into the room. Now Shihtzus are treasured pets. Shih Tzu dogs is characterized by their long, flowing double coats. Regular grooming is an absolute must for Shih Tzus to keep their coats clean and tangle free.

Shih Tzu are members of the toy group, and are very small. Shih Tzus are considered to be hypoallergenic pets because they do not shed or release a lot of dander. The ideal shih tzu should be no taller than 11 inches at the shoulder.

Shih Tzu puppies can have a lot of energy and may be a bit wild but that will subside as they get older. Shih -Tzu puppies make great holiday gifts for children. Shih Tzus are good family pets because they are loyal and crave human attention. It can be hard to train Shihtzu puppies but they need to be trained while they are young.

Where Can I Get A Shih Tzu?

If you want an older Shih Tzu adoption from a Shih Tzu rescue is a great option. Usually adoption costs less than buying a puppy from a Shih Tzu breeder and the dog will already be vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and house trained. Even though they are popular family pets, many Shih Tzus end up in a rescue when their owners decide they don’t have the time or energy to properly care for them. You also might want to become a Shih Tzu foster parent and help rescue dogs find new homes.

Shih Tzus have specific grooming and medial needs that must be taken care of to keep your Shih Tzu in good health. If you don’t want to deal with a puppy that has a lot of energy, adopting from a rescue may be best for you. If you have your heart set on a Shih Tzu puppy you can find hundreds of Shih Tzu or Shih Tzu and Bichon breeders online that will have descriptions and pictures of Shih Tzus they have for sale on their websites. A reliable Shih Tzu breeder can provide a wealth of information on how to care for your Shih Tzu. If you are looking for a Shih Tzu breeder in Michigan, an Internet search is a great place to start.