The Shih Tzu has a profuse, long, stiff coat that grows upward on the muzzle and falls over the eyes, giving it the appearance of a chrysanthemum. He has a short muzzle and large, dark, round eyes.

Poil : abundant and does not curl, can range from white to black.

Size (height at the withers): 22 to 27 cm.

Weight : from 4,5 kg to 8 kg.

Classification FCI : N°208.

In 1643, the Dalai Lama presented three of his dogs to the Emperor of China. The Chinese called them “Shih Tzu”, the lion dogs. This ritual between Tibetans and Chinese continued until the beginning of the 1930th century. Its roots are therefore very old, but the breed was developed late, from a cross between Lhassa Apso (one of the five recognized breeds of Tibet) and small Chinese dogs. The first specimens of the breed were brought to Europe in 1953 and the British Kennel Club drew up a standard a few years later. The Société centrale canine officially registered the first litters of Shih Tzu in France in XNUMX.

The Shih Tzu knows how to be lively and alert, but he is peaceful and nonchalant most of the day, because he is in no way a working animal. His main quality is to show off, to show off and amuse those around him. This is what it has been selected for centuries for: to decorate in an original way the most beautiful palaces in China and then in Europe. The Shih Tzu is therefore eminently an indoor and ceremonial dog. But that doesn’t make him a doll for all that! It remains above all an animal with its own character and endowed with sensitivity, like the others.

Most Shih Tzus live between 10 and 16 years old. Their life expectancy calculated by the British Kennel Club is 13 years and 2 months. Shih Tzus die first of old age (20,5% of deaths), heart disease (18,1%), urological disease (15,7%) and cancer (14,5%). (1)

The Shih Tzu is predisposed to juvenile renal dysplasia. This congenital disease prevents the kidneys from developing normally and causes chronic and progressive renal failure, endangering the animal’s life. The clinical signs of this insufficiency are vomiting and diarrhea, bad breath, the formation of gastrointestinal ulcers, tremors and behavioral disturbances. (2)

The Shih Tzu is also affected by musculoskeletal problems which affect many dogs in all breeds: hip dysplasia and luxating patella.

Dermoid, progressive retinal atrophy, prolapse of the nictitating gland … Many eye conditions can affect this breed. The clinical signs are roughly the same: a chronic infection of the cornea. (3)

It should also be noted that the Shih Tzu does not tolerate heat very well.

One or two daily walks and fun in the living room is enough exercise for this little dog. His upbringing will always prove to be fun, but sometimes also frustrating. Always keep in mind that much more is obtained from the Shih Tzu through reward and praise than through punishment. This animal is a charmer… and as such, it requires almost daily brushing of its fur.