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Known as the small lion, the Shih Tzu is believed to have originated in China. The name is pronounced Shi a zue. An odd tibdbit about the breed is it is believed to be the first in the line of Tibetan holy dogs. The Shih Tzu has inspired many elegant interpretations. The name is first considered to mean small lion as mentioned, but also as a reference to the most beautiful Chinese woman. The Shih Tzu comes in many different forms, but has some general qualities. It is almost always energetic and is very friendly. It is a small dog and has long, flowing hair in its natural state although some owners prefer to keep the hair short. The special historic treatmetn of the Shih Tzu may partially be a result of its hair. It does not shed as normal dogs do because it does not really have fur. The pup's hair is fine and long like humans. When you select a Shih Tzu, you are selecting a companion for a good many years. The average life span of a healthy dog is in the eleven to forteen year range with many living two to three years longer. Every dog breed, unfortunately, has associations with certain health issues and this one is no different. Your pup is generally at risk for hip problems as well as vision issues. Oddly, red dye in pet food can also cause an allergic reaction in Shih Tzu. As mentioned previously, Shih Tzu are noted for their long, flowing hair. If you are going to make one a pet, you need to realize there is a lot of maintenance involved in keeping the hair free of things and untangled. You can plan on brushing it every night. Another issue with Shih Tzu is they are very sensitive to hot temperatures. This is not a dog you want to own if you live in a hot, dry climate like Las Vegas. They dogs easily dehydrate and can expire from heat exhaustion. So, is a Shih Tzu pup in your future? Only you can decide, but they should be high on your list if you are looking for a small, affectionate dog with some pep.
Article Source: http://www.fubrus.com
Aazdak Alisimo provides Shih Tzu information along with other pet information at PetStoreYeti.com.
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