First things first:  Shih Tzus are not dogs!  They are little people in fur coats.  If you
have never had a Shih Tzu as a companion, you may laugh at that statement; but
those of us that have, understand.

The Shih Tzu as we know it today was developed in China during the 17th century
by the royal family.  It is believed that they crossed several Chinese breeds such
as the Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, Pug and perhaps some western imports.  The
emperors and empresses of China bred and kept the Shih Tzus as pets.  Only the
royal family was allowed to own a Shih Tzu.  These little dogs had the run of the
palace and were pampered beyond belief; so, if they act like royalty today, that is
why.

The standard size for the Shih Tzu breed is nine to sixteen pounds.  In the last few
years smaller sizes have become more popular than the standards.  I feel that
those that want the smaller dogs are missing out on one of the most wonderful
qualities that the Shih Tzu possesses.  Shih Tzus love to be cuddled, especially the
males.  When you are cuddling a Shih Tzu of the standard size, they feel like a
human baby.  We woman know what a wonderful feeling that, that is.  There is
definitely something primordial about that feeling.  The tiny ones just don't feel the
same.  Tiny dogs certainly have their place and advantages, but I like my Shih Tzus
between nine and sixteen pounds.  That said, occasionally I do have the smaller
ones for sale.  You will encounter certain terminology associated with the size of
Shih Tzus.  Standards are those between nine and sixteen pounds.  Tinies are
those between six and nine pounds.  Imperials are those between three and six
pounds.  Breeders of the so called Imperials will often keep their puppies until
they are five or six months old to insure that they stay small before they put them
up for sale.  Beware of buying one that is not that old.  I have had puppies that
appeared to be heading for four or five pounds at eight weeks that turn out to be
ten pounds at six months.  I routinely see puppies of Imperial size priced at $3,000
to $5,000; so, beware.

The Shih Tzu is not a delicate dog.  They should feel like a brick when you pick
them up, surprisingly heavy!  They should not have the lightweight body of a
Yorkshire Terrier or a Poodle.  You will sometimes see the term cobby body.  If you
look up the definition of that term, it means brick-like.  The legs should be short,
the body a bit elongated, the face flat, the forehead high and the eyes wide set
with no white showing.

The coat is a wonderful feature of the Shih Tzu.  If you have ever watched the
national dog shows you have seen the long flowing coats that touch the floor.  
These are extremely rare.  All Shih Tzus have longer coats, but few have coats like
the show dogs.  I take the coat seriously into consideration when I pick my dogs
for breeding; however, most people that buy puppies keep their coats cut short.  I
personally like to keep my dogs' coats long.  If you want to keep a long coat, keep
the comb on the coffee table and brush your dog for a few minutes every evening
while they are sitting on your lap.  If you do that you will find that it is not a chore
but a loving gesture that your dog will look forward to.  Shih Tzus have two coats:  
a longer permanent outer coat and a shorter softer undercoat that they will shed
in warmer weather.  You will often read that they do not shed.  That is because you
will not find their hair on your furniture.  That undercoat does shed in warm
weather, but must be combed out.  If you don't comb it out, it will mat.  If you get
behind and the coat gets matted, you do not have to have it all cut off.  There is
what is known as a mat cutting comb that has blades on the back side of the tines
that will cut through the mats.  You, also, can cut through the mats with scissors.  
Cut the mats in a direction that is parallel to the hair, then comb them out.  I do use
a comb and not a brush on my dogs.  If you purchase a puppy that has what is
known as black ticking on the hair, or black tips; once you cut the hair the ticking
is gone and will never come back.

There are mean Shih Tzus, but I have never raised one.  My puppies are raised in
my living room and are picked up, cuddled and kissed from day one.  This really
makes a difference in their eventual personality.  Most Shih Tzus live only to give
and get love.

Shih Tzus come in all colors.  The most common is what is called a parti.  Partis are
the ones that are both a solid color and white.  For a more in depth discussion of
Shih Tzu colors, please see my Colors Page.  Despite the commonality of the partis,
the solids are genetically dominant.  Preference of color and pattern varies from
year to year.  Livers, blues and whites are very rare.  Because they are rare, the
breeder must pay a much higher price for their dogs; of course, that cost will be
passed on to you.

Shih Tzus are very smart.  I am constantly amazed at how many words they
understand.  Yes, they do understand words!  No matter what anyone says!  Being
smart, however, does not translate into easy housebreaking.  Please only use
positive reinforcement when training your Shih Tzu.  If you scold or punish them,
they will retreat into a shell that they may never come out of.  If you give them an
order, they will look at you as if "Who in the ---- do you think you are.  I give the
orders around here."  Shih Tzus were not bred to be house broken.  In China they
had eunuchs that followed them around and cleaned up after them.  Please take
my advice on housebreaking.  First of all, when my puppies are four weeks old, I
put them in a wading pool in my living room.  That wading pool has a bed in it, and
the rest is covered with newspaper or puppy pads.  They will not urinate or
defecate on their bed; therefore, they go on the pad or paper.  By six weeks, I
decrease the area that is covered by paper or pads.  You would be amazed by the
fact that even though there is area that is not covered, they will only go on the pad
or paper.  When they are taken out of the pool, or as usually happens, they figure
out how to get out; they will run clear across the room to go on the pad.  I use the
washable pads.  I have found that the disposable ones are quickly shredded by the
puppies.  After burning up a $300 vacuum trying to clean up all that cotton, I went
to the washable ones.  The washable ones cost about $20 but last for over 350
washes.  They definitely pay for themselves.  When you take your puppy home
he/she will be well on their way to being pad trained.  If you want to train them to
go outside, read carefully and remember what I say.  You must go outside with
them!  Do not think that they will go on their own and return to be let in.  Go
outside with them, and wait until they do what you want.  I still have to do this with
my adults.  Learn to enjoy this time with them.  If you shortcut it, you will have
accidents.  When they do what you want; pick them up; kiss them; tell them they
are wonderful and use a consistent word for what they just did, i.e. pee pee.  
Eventually when you go out with them, and say go pee pee; they will be faster at it.  
You may someday be able to just let them out on their own, but don't plan on it.

If you are planning on crate training your Shih Tzu, please buy a big enough crate
that they can have a bed in the back and room enough for paper or pad and water
and food in the front.  I cannot tell you how many calls or emails that I have gotten
from new puppy parents who bought the size crate that the Vet told them to get
and haven't slept since they brought their puppy home.

I am sure that I have missed some important information.  Please feel free to email
or call me with questions, even if you did not buy your puppy from me.  I will
answer your questions.  If I do not know the answer, I will research it and get back
to you.

God Bless,

Ruthie
About Shih Tzus
My Shih Shih Dogs given
to me by an Okinawan
friend in the 1960s to ward
off the evil spirits from my
home.
Contact Ruthie
Counter