Shih Tzu

A shih tzu (English: /ˈʃiːtsuː/; Chinese: 西施犬; pinyin: xīshī quǎn) is a toy dog breed weighing 5–7.25 kilograms (11.0–16.0 lb) with long silky hair. The exact origins of the breed are unknown, but it is thought to have originated in Tibet and then been developed inChina although various hypotheses exist.

Appearance

The Shih Tzu is a sturdy little dog with a short muzzle and large dark eyes. With a soft and long double coat, it stands no more than 26.7 cm (101⁄2 in.) at the withers and with an ideal weight of 4.5 to 7.3 kg (10 to 16 lbs). Drop ears are covered with long fur, and the heavily furred tail is carried curled over the back. The coat may be of any color, though white and with blazes of grey are frequently seen. The Shih Tzu is slightly longer than tall, and bigger dogs ideally should carry themselves "with distinctly arrogant carriage". A very noticeable feature is the underbite, which is required in the breed standard. The traditional long silky coat, which reaches the floor, requires daily brushing to avoid tangles. Because of their long coat and fast-growing hair, regular grooming is necessary, which may be costly and should be considered when looking forward to having this dog breed. Often the coat is clipped short to simplify care. For conformation showing, the coat must be left in its natural state, though trimming for neatness around the feet and anus is allowed.The shorter cut is typically called a "puppy cut".

Temperament

Although a Shih Tzu's temperament varies from dog to dog, the breed has a personality and temperament that is loyal, affectionate, outgoing, and alert. Training and proper socializing must start at a young age for the Shih Tzu to obey basic commands, for the Shih Tzu is prone to stubbornness when it comes to training. While the Shih Tzu is an excellent watch dog because of its alert and active nature, it was not specifically bred for this purpose. Unlike the Lhasa Apso, which was bred to be a sentinel dog that enjoys high perches and is wary of strangers, the Shih Tzu prefers to be close to its companions and will often offer strangers its affection. Because of its friendly nature, the Shih Tzu tends to interact well with other dogs and with children and adults. Shih Tzu dogs have been observed to get peevish if provoked, so an owner should be mindful when the dog is in the presence of children. Improper training can also result in nipping and biting. Shih Tzu can also become needy and cry if not properly disciplined at the correct age. Shih Tzu make excellent house pets especially if one lives in an apartment or does not have a large garden as they require minimal exercise. Over all, they are friendly and outgoing companions. The Shih Tzu is also a bit stubborn so be sure to train these dogs at a young age. These dogs are clever as well, so be sure to block out any open space ( holes under decks, fences etc.) they are flexible and once again clever and curious so will try to get under these sort of holes.

Weight	Male	4–7.25 kilograms (8.8–16.0 lb)
	Female	4–7.25 kilograms (8.8–16.0 lb)
Height	Male	20–28 centimetres (7.9–11.0 in)
	Female	20–28 centimetres (7.9–11.0 in)
Coat	See Coats section below
Color	All are permissible Gold Dark/Light Brown White Black Black/White Grey Brindle red Blue
Litter size	1-8
Life span	10–16 years

source : wikipedia