Dieter Shih Tzus (2024)

FAQs

What two dogs make up a Shih Tzu? ›

The Shih Tzu (UK: /ˌʃiːˈtsuː/, US: /ˈʃiːtsuː/; Chinese: 西施犬; pinyin: Xī Shī quǎn, literally "Hsi Shih dog") is a toy dog or pet dog breed originating from Tibet and believed to be bred from the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso. They can adapt well to different situations.

Depending on how you measure your Shih Tzu's intelligence, they can rank relatively low or quite high. In Coren's official ranking for obedience and working intelligence, the Shih Tzu ranks 70 out of 79.

Listed in the toy group by the American Kennel Club, the Shih Tzu, called in Chinese shih-tzu kou (“lion dog”; Pinyin shizi gou), is a longhaired, characteristically active and alert little dog standing about 10 inches (25 cm) tall at the withers (between the dog's shoulder blades) and weighing 9 to 16 pounds (4 to 7 ...

As a general rule, Shih Tzus should be groomed every 4 to 6 weeks. That said, every dog and every coat are different. Factors such as the weather (how hot or how cold it is) and how quickly the dog's hair grows will influence how often it needs to be groomed.

The Shih Tzu shares more DNA with wolves than most other breeds. The only breed group with more shared wolf DNA is the Nordic spitz group (Huskies, Samoyeds, and Malamutes).

Breeds like the Shih tzu, Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier, and Maltese are some of the most clingy breeds because they're highly social and crave companionship. Lapdogs tend to be particularly clingy, longing for physical contact and attention from their humans throughout the day.

Your dog may know simple commands like sit and stay, but they may also understand a lot more than you think. Studies show that the average trained dog understands about 165 words, on par with that of a human toddler!

Exercise and Mental Stimulation

Shih Tzus are not highly active dogs, but they still require daily exercise to remain healthy. Short walks and interactive play sessions will cater to their physical needs. Mental stimulation can come from training sessions, puzzle toys, and social interaction.

Bred to be companions Shih Tzus are affectionate, playful and extroverted, although they can be a little stubborn at times! Shih Tzus relish human company and are happiest when they're at your feet or side so are best suited for owners who can be home most of the time.

What is a teddy bear cut on a Shih Tzu? ›

The Teddy Bear Cut is a popular grooming style for Shih Tzu dogs that gives them a cute and cuddly appearance. This cut involves trimming the body hair to a short length while leaving the fur on the head, ears, tail, and legs slightly longer.

A shih tzu should typically be bathed every three weeks to keep its skin and hair healthy to prevent bad smells from developing. What about bathing poodles? Much like a shih tzu, the coat on a poodle is best served by a bath every three weeks.

1. Puppy Cut. Also known as the Summer Cut, this style is a sweet and fairly easy cut for Shih Tzus (especially during hot days). Basically, the hair is trimmed to 1 to 2 inches all over their body, with their facial hair kept a bit longer.

People commonly associate the Shih Tzu with China, but they actually came from China's western neighbor, Tibet, which was a sovereign nation until the 1950s. Tibet likely sent dogs to the Chinese royalty as gifts. The Chinese then bred them with Pekingese or Pugs to create the modern-day Shih Tzu.

The Shih Tzu probably has ancient roots in Tibet as the smaller cousin of the Lhasa Apso, but the breed was developed and perfected in China. The elegant and docile little "lion dog" was highly prized by the Chinese court for centuries, living a life of luxury in the royal palace.

For example, they are close in size, with the Shih Tzu being no less than 8 and no more than 11 inches at the shoulder and the Lhasa Apso being slightly larger, between 10 and 11 inches tall. And Hanson says, “Both are sturdy little dogs carrying good weight and substance for their size, but not overexaggerated.

The Shihpoo, or Shih Tzu-Poodle mix, combines the best traits of its parent breeds into a friendly and playful companion.