|
Shih Tzu Dog
The size of a Shih Tzu dog is normally between 9 to 16 pounds. The standard allows a wide range of weight. The Shih Tzu is a very strongly built dog. The coat also comes in a wide variety of colors. Any shade from absolute black to black and white, gray and white, gold and white or pure gold are recognized as official Shih Tzu dog colors. The coat is slightly wavy and has an underlayer. This beautiful coat requires constant care that envolves daily grooming to prevent matting and tangling. The daily coat grooming may be as long as 20 minutes a day.
The FCI standard requirements for height are 10.5 inches maximum with the ideal weight being 10 to 18 pounds. The standard emphasizes the fact that the type and breed characteristics are more important than weight and height, thus allowing some flexibility for breeders.
If you decided that Shih Tzu is the right breed for you, it is time to start attending dog shows and talking to Shih Tzu breeders. You also need to decide whether you need a pet-quality Shih Tzu dog, a show dog or a dog for breeding. There are some differences between male Shih Tzu and female Shih Tzu in size and temeperament. Buying a Shih Tzu puppy has some obvious benefits, but an adult Shih Tzu might be a better choice if you have small children in your family. In this case you should buy a Shih Tzu puppy of at least four months of age that would be able to defend himself from children who like rough play.
If you want a show dog, remember that six months is the earliest age for the breeder to select a show prospect from a litter, and nobody, even an experienced breeder and exhibitor can predict with 100 percent accuracy that a particular puppy will excell in the show ring.
You also should be prepared to deal with some Shih Tzu breed specific ailments:
- bones development problems
- nose defects
- sensitivity to heat
- mouth hereditary defects
- eye infections
- bleeding disorders
- respiratory problems
- thyroid gland mulfunctions
- eye ulcers
It is extremely important to buy your Shih Tzu dog or puppy from a reputable Shih Tzu breeder, not from a pet store or a puppy mill. A good source for primary characteristics of a reputable breeder can be found on many web sites.
|
|
|
|