FUN FACTS FOR SHIH-TZUS
SHIH-TZU PERSONALITY
JAMES E. MUMFORD DESCRIBED THE BREED IN AN AMERICAN SHIH-TZU MAGAZINE, GIVING A PICTURE OF
THE VERSATILE CHARACTER OF THE SHIH-TZU :
" NOBODY KNOWS HOW THE ANCIENT ENUCHS MANAGED TO MIX TOGETHER.....
A DASH OF LION, SEVERAL TEASPOONS OF RABBIT, A COUPLE OF ONCES OF DOMESTIC CAT, ONE PART COURT JESTER, A DASH OF BALLERINA, A PINCH OF OLD MAN (CHINESE), A BIT OF A BEGGAR, A TABLESPOON OF MONKEY, ONE PART BABY SEAL, A DASH OF TEDDY BEAR AND THE REST-DOGS OF TIBETAN AND CHINESE ORIGIN."
THE SHIH-TZU IS USUALLY CALM AND GENTLE. THEY CAN HOWEVER BE PLAYFULL AND FIESTY AT TIMES. THE BREED TYPICALLY MAKES A GOOD CHILDRENS PET. OF COURSE, AS WITH EVERY ANIMAL, THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS YOU CAN FIND THE OCCASIONAL "GUARD DOG" OR "LAZY LUCY" IN A LITTER. ALTHOUGH HE IS GENERALLY OUTGOING AND FRIENDLY, THE SHIH-TZU DEFINITY HAS AN ATTITUDE THAT CRIES TO BE SPOILED.IF YOU NEED HELP IN REALIZING THIS FACT, THE DOG WILL STEER YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH HIS SELF-ASSURANCE THAT HE SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE A KING. SHIH-TZUS ARE INTELLIGENT, AND CAN BE TRAINED FOR OBEDIENCE COMPETITION AND FOR GOOD MANERS AROUND THE HOME. THEY CAN BE STUBBORN, SO PERSISTANCE AND CONSISTANCY ARE DEFINITE PLUSSES IN TRAING METHODS. PUNISHMENT MAKES THIS DOG SHUT DOWN, SO TRAINING SHOULD BE LOW-KEY AND MOTIVATIONAL.
HOWEVER, POORLY BRED DOGS OF THE BREED CAN BE EXCITABLE,NOISY, AND SNAPPY.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Physicality
The AKC Shih Tzu breed standard calls for the dog to have a short snout, large eyes, a slight underbite,
and a tail that waves above its torso.
The ideal Shih Tzu height at withers is 9 to 10 1/2 inches. The dog should stand no less than 8 inches nor more than 11 inches tall. The Shih Tzu should never be so high stationed as to appear leggy, nor so low stationed as to appear dumpy or squatty. The weight of mature dogs should be between 9 to 16 pounds.Regardless of size or gender, the Shih Tzu should always be solid and compact, and
carry good weight and substance.
SHIH-TZUS ARE STURDY, FRIENDLY, LIVELY YET ALERT SMALL DOGS. THEY HAVE A FLOWING DOUBLE COAT WITH A VARIETY OF COLORS. THIER HAIR CAN BE STYLED IN A SHORT, SOMERTIME CUT, OR A LONG WELL-GROOMED COAT LIKE THAT USED IN CONFIRMATION SHOWS. (IT IS BEST TO HAVE LONGER HAIR IN THE COLDER WEATHER).
THIS BREED'S HAIR GROWS CONTINUOSLY.
BECAUSE SHIH-TZUS HAVE HAIR AND NOT FUR, THEY DO NOT SHED. THEY ARE ONE OF THE FEW BREEDS SUGGESTED AS HYPOALLERGENIT.
THE SHIH-TU IS EASY TO CARE FOR. MOST SHIH-TZUS ENJOY EXERCISING OUTDOORS AND WHEN
EXCERCIZED REGULARLY, HAVE PLENTY OF STAMINA.MOST ENJOY A LONG WALK, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE
QUITE HAPPY TO RUN AROUND THE HOUSE.
THIS BREED OF DOG IS VERY SENSITIVE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES. THEY ARE BRACHYCEPHALIC (SNUB NOSED) TYPE BREED. THAT IS WHY AIRLINES WON'T SHIP THESE DOGS IN WEATHER OVER 75 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
THE NAME SHIH-TZU
THE CHINESE PRONUNCIATION OF THIS NAME IS APPROXIMENTLY LIKE"SHER" OF SHERBERT, FOLLOWED BY
"DDS" OF ADDS. THE MEANING OF THIS NAME WAS ORIGINALLY "LION DOG" BECUASE THIS VARIETY OF
DOG WAS BRED TO RESEMBLE A MINIATURE LION. THE SHIH-TZU IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE TEDDY BEAR
DOG AND CHRYSANTHEMUM DOG.
The Buddhist religion, its philosophy and lion symbolism were partly responsible for the high respect given to the Lion Dogs
in the Forbidden City Known as Ab-bah Go---dogs owned by the revered ones or ones of royal status--
Shih Tzu were accredited with a number of characteristics comparable to those of Buddha.
FOREHEAD--a white mark on the forehead was perceived as the energy center, the third eye or sixth chakra...symbolic of the
trinity, oneness of mind, universalism, salvation for all, and the three mystical areas (body, mouth, and mind). Positive qualities
were believed to exude from the Shih Tzu: intuition, optimism, and vision.
TOPKNOT AND FACE-- a symbolic representation of all forms of artistic creativity, mysticism, charm, magical powers, wisdom,
love. The luxurious featherings on the Shih Tzu head and face are symbolic of the rays of the sun and the sacred adumbara flower
that blooms once every 3,000 years.
RUFF--the white neck and front of the Shih Tzu is symbolic of Buddha's swelling cape of dignity. The cape permitted its wearer,
as administrator of the sun, moon, and stars, the privilege of attending to purity, justice, virtue. The Rosary of Kuan Yin- Goddess
of Mercy and Compassion, and the three rings of the Buddha are one the cape.
COAT--or skirt of the Shih Tzu is symbolic of light, strength, and courage. The Buddha's flock must never reject their children,
their parents, those who love them, or those whom they have loved, lest they never reach Nirvana. Buddha-like, the Shih Tzu was
considered the guardian of wisdom so that all may reverse their imperfections.
BACK--a marking may be present in the middle of the back or there may be one that extends from the upper back to the end of
the back or nearly as far as the tip of the tail. This blanket or saddle effect is symbolic of the saddle or blanket upon which Buddha is seated as minister of the sun, moon, stars. It was symbolic of the three vehicles of learning leading to wisdom: discipline,
knowledge, meditation. The Shih Tzu is to carry a rider through the air to realize material gain of wealth and jewels.
TAIL--the heavily plumed tail that forms a graceful arch over the back represents one of the five Royal Insignia attributed to anointed kings and holy men. This umbrella like feature is symbolic of Buddha covering his form, protecting him from worldly imperfections.
FEET--considered reminiscent of the Buddha's shoes, embroidered with jewels, to convey the wearer 100 miles without fatigue and give the wearer the ability to glide across water without wetting the feet.
Understanding Your Dog's Verbal Cues and Body Language
Have you ever wondered why your dog makes those strange muttering sounds at the dinner table? Or why he lays his ears back when confronted with a stranger? Dogs speak to us, but in a different language. Unfortunately, there's no Rosetta Stone DVD to help us learn "dog talk." So, instead, we mustanalyze it ourselves, keeping it in context, avoiding asserting our own interpretation and
remembering that dogs were once wild animals.
The best way to start is to look to the dog's ancestor, the wolf. Wolves live in packs and
dogs do the same with other pets in the household and their humans. There must be a leader of the pack and that leader should be you. And to be an effective canine leader you need to know what your dog is
trying to tell you.
Dogs communicate in many ways with each other, using verbal cues, body language and facial expressions.Communicate with dogs with commands and phrases. Dogs can learn hundreds of human sounds but they can't string them together.Thus,the need for short commands such as "Sit!" and "Come!"
So, to enhance our communication with our canines, we must learn to speak "dog."
Canine Verbal Cues
The Howl
This is an attempt to locate someone, perhaps you or the dog down the street. When you leave forwork,It's very possible your dog howls in an effort to get you back. When one dog starts howling in the neighborhood, usually many others join in - it's sort of like a conference call.
The Growl
This means "back off." You'll see a dog growl when another dog gets interested in his food. Your dog may growl at a stranger he doesn't like or he may growl at you when you try to take his toy away. It's actually a very effective way of communicating and actually signals that you can probably negotiate that toy away.
When a dog is in an aggressive stance and silent, there is the most danger.
The Grunt or Mutter
This is usually to indicate that your dog wants something. It's an interesting sound because it's almost manipulative - your dog knows if he barks, he'll get into trouble but the more subtle "grunt" might get him what he wants. It is also heard when dogs greet other dogs or humans.
The Whimper
Dogs whimper when they're anxious or hurt. Sometimes they figure out that they get attention when they whimper and use this to their advantage.
The Whine
This indicates frustration. They are in a sense "complaining" about somethin
The Bark
There are many different types of barks.
A high pitched bark indicates excitement and happiness.
A low pitched bark indicates aggression and is possibly a threat.
Dogs bark to get attention, to respond to other dogs, to indicate that they're happy, and to alert their human to a problem. Unfortunately, your dog may detect a "problem" that you can't see or hear, such
as a siren miles away or the neighbor's cat hiding in the tree outside the window.
Confident and Relaxed
Stance - erect
Tail - wagging slowly
Ears - pricked up but with a relaxed look
Eyes - small pupils
Mouth - closed or slight parting of lips
Fearful or Anxious
Stance - lowered
Tail - tucked under
Ears - down
Eyes - a wide-eyed look with the whites showing
Mouth - panting
Aggressive
Stance - rigid
Tail - straight up or out behind, very rigid
Ears - pricked up
Eyes - intense, focused stare
Mouth - lips are pulled back and some teeth show
Hackles - this is a line of hair that starts at the base of the neck and runs down the shoulders
It is raised if a dog is feeling aggressive and lowered if he is relaxed.
Relaxed
Stance - lying down or standing without any alertness
Tail - up and wagging or lying naturally
Ears - at their normal state, depending on the breed
Eyes - normal pupil dilation, focused but not staring
Mouth - open and lightly panting or closed
Fear-Aggressive
Stance - dog is pulled into himself
Tail - tucked completely under
Ears - lying down
Eyes - wide-eyed and trouble focusing
Mouth - lips pulled back slightly or heavy panting
