Shih Tzu: Difference between revisions
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The life span of a Shih Tzu is 10-15 years although some variation from this range is possible. Some health issues common among the breed are portosystemic [[liver shunt]], [[renal dysplasia]], and [[Hip dysplasia (canine)|hip dysplasia]] in standard sizes.<ref name="health">{{cite web | author=bizland | title = All about Shih Tzu | publisher= Shih Tzu Fanciers of Southern CA | url=http://stfsc.bizland.com/health.htm | accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref> In addition, they also can suffer from various eye problems.<ref name="health3">{{cite web | author=Denise M. Lindley | title=Shih Tzu Health Problems: Brachiocephalic Skull Conformation | publisher=Shih Tzu Rescue of Central WI. | year=2007 | url=http://www.shih-tzu-rescue-of-wi.org/CanineHealth/BrachiocephalicSkull.shtml | accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref><ref name="health4">{{cite web | author=Cynthia Smith | title=Shih Tzu Health Problems: Dry Eye (Keratoconjuctivitis Sicca) | publisher=Shih Tzu Rescue of Central WI. | year=2007 | url=http://www.shih-tzu-rescue-of-wi.org/CanineHealth/DryEye.shtml | accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref> Shih Tzus (and many other breeds) may present signs of allergies to red dye #40, and owners should respond to scratching in the absence of fleas by eliminating pet foods that contain this commonly used additive. |
The life span of a Shih Tzu is 10-15 years although some variation from this range is possible. Some health issues common among the breed are portosystemic [[liver shunt]], [[renal dysplasia]], and [[Hip dysplasia (canine)|hip dysplasia]] in standard sizes.<ref name="health">{{cite web | author=bizland | title = All about Shih Tzu | publisher= Shih Tzu Fanciers of Southern CA | url=http://stfsc.bizland.com/health.htm | accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref> In addition, they also can suffer from various eye problems.<ref name="health3">{{cite web | author=Denise M. Lindley | title=Shih Tzu Health Problems: Brachiocephalic Skull Conformation | publisher=Shih Tzu Rescue of Central WI. | year=2007 | url=http://www.shih-tzu-rescue-of-wi.org/CanineHealth/BrachiocephalicSkull.shtml | accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref><ref name="health4">{{cite web | author=Cynthia Smith | title=Shih Tzu Health Problems: Dry Eye (Keratoconjuctivitis Sicca) | publisher=Shih Tzu Rescue of Central WI. | year=2007 | url=http://www.shih-tzu-rescue-of-wi.org/CanineHealth/DryEye.shtml | accessdate = 2007-11-07}}</ref> Shih Tzus (and many other breeds) may present signs of allergies to red dye #40, and owners should respond to scratching in the absence of fleas by eliminating pet foods that contain this commonly used additive. |
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==Care== |
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Revision as of 03:09, 24 December 2008
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2007) |
| Shih Tzu | |||||||||
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 An adult Shih Tzu in full show coat. Most pet Shih Tzus are kept with shorter, more manageable clips. | |||||||||
| Other names | Chinese Lion Dog Chrysanthemum Dog | ||||||||
| Origin | China | ||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||
The Shih Tzu (simplified Chinese: 狮子狗; traditional Chinese: 獅子狗; pinyin: Shīzi Gǒu; Wade–Giles: Shih-tzu Kou; lit. 'Lion Dog'), IPA: [ʂʐ dz] (with "sher" as in "sherbet" and "dz" as in "adz") [1], is a dog breed which originated in China. The name is both singular and plural. The spelling "Shih Tzu", most commonly used for the breed, is according to the Wade-Giles system of romanization. The Shih Tzu is reported to be the oldest and smallest of the Tibetan holy dogs,[citation needed] its vaguely lion-like look being associated with the Tibetan Snowlion. [citation needed] The Shih Tzu therefore also has the nickname "Tibetan temple dog". It is also often known as the "Xi Shi quan" (西施犬), based on the name of Xi Shi, regarded as the most beautiful woman of ancient China[2], and, less often, the Chrysanthemum Dog, because its face looks very much like the flower, and the Chinese or Tibetan Lion Dog.
Health
Temperature sensitivity
Shih Tzu are considered to be brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs. As such, they are very sensitive to high temperatures. This is why many airlines that ship dogs will not accept them for shipment when temperatures at any point on the planned itinerary exceeds 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24°C) [1].
Life span and health issues
The life span of a Shih Tzu is 10-15 years although some variation from this range is possible. Some health issues common among the breed are portosystemic liver shunt, renal dysplasia, and hip dysplasia in standard sizes.[3] In addition, they also can suffer from various eye problems.[4][5] Shih Tzus (and many other breeds) may present signs of allergies to red dye #40, and owners should respond to scratching in the absence of fleas by eliminating pet foods that contain this commonly used additive. T
Care
The Shih Tzu can require more care than some other breeds if the hair is kept at show length; they need daily brushing to avoid tangles. A short haircut, also known as a pet trim or puppy cut, can make this a task taking place every month or so rather than of daily. They also need regular haircuts. A Shih Tzu has two coats of fur, with the bottom coat shedding into the top coat rather than off of the dog entirely; as a result, this breed sheds very little in the conventional sense. With regular brushing and bathing, shedding can be reduced to almost nothing. As they shed so lightly, Shih-Tzu are considered to be one of the breeds more suitable for people with allergies.
Since the breed is adapted to a cool climate, letting the coat grow out somewhat for the colder seasons is appropriate, but there is still a substantial difference from a floor-length show coat and a warmer, medium-length winter coat.
Because Shih Tzu noses are small and flat, eating contributes to an unclean face. Once the dog has finished eating, owners often wipe the dog's face with a damp paper towel to remove food remnants. This is another area where the haircut matters; a proper show cut will get more messy (often even requiring the hair to be rubber-banded together for eating efficiently) than other ways of cutting the facial hair.
When they are drinking, it is sometimes necessary to supervise Shih Tzu; water can enter their face-level noses more easily and inhibit breathing. This is why many Shih Tzu are trained to drink from the sort of licker bottles used by hamsters and gerbils. The area around the eyes should be checked each day for mucus buildup and cleaned when needed. Providing the Shih Tzu with bottled water (or water that does not contain chlorine) helps to keep eye mucus to a minimum. Additionally, their nails need to be clipped approximately every month. They can easily injure the ear.
Shih Tzu Crossbreeds and Imperials
A crossbreed is a mixed breed dog with two purebred parents of different breeds. Dogs that traditionally were crossed in this manner in hopes of creating a puppy with desirable qualities from each parent. Of course, any time two different breeds are mixed, there is no way to know which traits will be inherited from each parent. For pet dogs, crosses are done to enhance the marketability of puppies, and are often given cute portmanteau names. Shih Tzu are sometimes crossbred with other toy dogs, creating much-hyped, and very expensive, designer mixed breed dogs as Shih-poo[6] (crossed with a toy Poodle), the "Zuchon" , "Shichon", or "Teddy Bear",[7] (crossed with a Bichon Frisé) and the Pom shih (crossed with a Pomeranian). Shih Tzu may also be crossed with Maltese, (the "Malshi", "Schmaltz", or "Shihtese") and a ShiChi which is a Shih Tzu crossed with a Chihuahua, Shih Tzu have also been known to be crossed with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Shorkie is 1/2 "teacup" Yorkie & 1/2 "Toy sized" Shih Tzu Technically, there is no such thing as a "teacup" yorkie nor a "toy sized" shih tzu. Again, these are terms used by unscrupulous breeders to make the naive public believe runt-sized dogs are desireable.
Imperial shih tzu is another term used by unscrupulous breeders to sell shih tzu that are below healthy standard size. These tiny dogs, often less than 50% of the recommended minimum size, are often prone to very serious health problems and may not live a full life span. Many are created by breeding the runt of one litter to the runt of another litter.
History
Recent DNA analysis confirms that the ancestors of today's Shih Tzu breed are the most ancient dog breeds.[8]
Professor Ludvic von Schulmuth studied canine origins by studying the skeletal remains of dogs found in human settlements as long as ten thousand years ago. The Professor created a genealogical tree of Tibetan dogs that shows the "Gobi Desert Kitchen Midden Dog", a scavenger, evolved into the "Small Soft-Coated Drop-Eared Hunting Dog". From this dog evolved the Tibetan Spaniel, Pekingese, and Japanese Chin. Another branch coming down from the "Kitchen Midden Dog" gave rise to the Papillon and Long-haired Chihuahua and yet another "Kitchen Midden Dog" branch to the Pug and Shih Tzu. [citation needed]
See also
- Companion dog
- Companion Dog Group
- Toy Group
- Non-Sporting Group
- Utility Group
- Foo Dog, dog breeds originating in China that resemble Chinese guardian lions and hence are also called Foo or Fu Dogs or Lion Dogs.
Notes
- ^ NPA chart with IPA equivalents
- ^ Steve Allison. "Shih Tzu". FindOutAboutDogBreeds.com. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
- ^ bizland. "All about Shih Tzu". Shih Tzu Fanciers of Southern CA. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
- ^ Denise M. Lindley (2007). "Shih Tzu Health Problems: Brachiocephalic Skull Conformation". Shih Tzu Rescue of Central WI. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
- ^ Cynthia Smith (2007). "Shih Tzu Health Problems: Dry Eye (Keratoconjuctivitis Sicca)". Shih Tzu Rescue of Central WI. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
- ^ Dog Breed Info Center (2007). "Shih-Poo, Shih Tzu Poodle Hybrid, Shih-Poos". www.dogbreedinfo.com. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
- ^ Dog Breed Info Center (2007). "Zuchon, Shichon, Bichon Shih Tzu Hybrid, Shichons". www.dogbreedinfo.com. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
- ^ Derr, MARK (May 21 2004). "Collie or Pug? Study Finds the Genetic Code". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
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External links
