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The Tibetan Lion Dog (Shih Tzu)

Snoop Dog — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:58:38 +0000

The earliest ?Lion Dog? in Tibet had long hair, were small in size and similar to the Maltese in type. As Tibet and China exchanged traditions and beliefs of culture and religion, the exchange of dogs became a two-way affair as well. The Chinese definitely interbred their small dogs, which were of many varieties, with the Tibetans with long hair, and the people of Tibet no doubt interbred their small dog with those from the Chinese people.

The outcome of this interbreeding eventually became the Shih Tzu. The Chinese called the Shih Tzu ?Tibetan Lion Dog.? The Apso was also involved with the interbreeding practices. The Tibetans called the Apso, ?ApsoSeng Kyi? or ?Apso Lion Dog.?

The Chinese tried to retain the characteristics they admired, which was the unnaturally short face and broad head, the wide barrel-like chest and the low-to-the-ground look.

The Tibetans, however, could not hold these same characteristics because of the climate and environment of their land. Tibet is an area of high altitudes. The very short face with restricted nasal development (which incidentally gives many Shih Tzu lovers a great pain to deal with at times) and the heavy body and short legs of the Chinese Shih Tzu would be at a disadvantage in these conditions. They could not breathe and survive in the high altitudes of Tibet. The Lhasa Apso could survive in Tibet. The Tibetans produced a dog slightly modified from the Chinese dog of a similar ancestry which was the Lhasa Apso.

The Tibetan Terrier (also involved in the exchanges between Tibet and China) is probably closes to the basic canine with a long head, compact and natural in conformation. Then comes the Apso, which begins to show the influence of some of the Chinese type. This influence resulted in a smaller dog, shorter on leg than the terrier relative, shorter nose than the terrier, and the teeth and jaw formation revealed a shortening of the face. The eyes are more frontally placed.

The eyes of the Shih Tzu have always been one of its most valued signature characteristics. I have never met a Shih Tzu that did not have a warm expression that radiated through its eyes. Some Shih Tzu has this characteristic greater than others. They are almost human-like.

When comparing the Shih Tzu to the Apso, one can see the most distinct Chinese characteristics. I have had Shih Tzu that look as if you are absolutely looking right at a Chinese in person. I am amazed at how the Chinese accomplished this. It truly was a work of art, as they did not breed according to pedigree as we do. They bred according to a picture of their minds of what they wanted the Shih Tzu to look like. Most of the time, their goal was to create the Shih Tzu to resemble what they thought a Lion should look like, and they apparently also, created Shih Tzu to resemble themselves in the face.

Smallness must have been fashionable and something of a status symbol in both the Apso and the Shih Tzu as well as the Pekingese. The Pekingese were also involved in the interbreedings to reduce size.

It should be noted here, however, that this article addresses the history and development of the Shih Tzu breed. The American Shih Tzu Club?s Code of Ethics clearly states it is against their rules, ethics, standards to breed our present day Shih Tzu with any other breed. It must be understood that this article is not an endorsement of any kind of practice that is against the rules and regulations of The American Shih Tzu Club or the American Kennel Club. This is an article regarding the history and development of our Shih Tzu.

Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu Breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Shih Tzu Postpartum Care

Snoop Dog — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:00:43 +0000

Whelping a litter Shih Tzu puppies can sometimes be physically and emotionally exhausting for both you and the Shih Tzu matron. Before you take your well deserved rest, be certain the Shih Tzu matron and Shih Tzu puppies are comfortable, each Shih Tzu puppy has nursed well, the heat lamp is not too close, and the heating pad is not turned up too high. At this time it is crucial to maintain proper environmental temperatures. Newborn Shih Tzu puppies are incapable of controlling their own body temperatures. Chilling to any degree leaves newborn Shih Tzu puppies susceptible to infectious disease. Room temperature should be maintained at about 85 degrees Fahrenheit for at least their first few days.

Initially offer your Shih Tzu dam only soft, messy-type foods and supplements of a high quality milk replacement added to her food. I like using Pedigree Lamb and Rice canned formula with Just Born milk replacement powder sprinkled on top or mixed within.

Most Shih Tzu dams are ready for a good meal once whelping is over and the puppies are all settled in nursing well. However, do not worry if she refuses one or two feedings during her first 24 hours of motherhood. Do not expect her to leave her newborn Shih Tzu puppies. If she is too exhausted to eat right after whelping, she will be ready by the next day most usually.

To prevent serious cleanup problems, place four interlocking layers of open newspaper on the floor over heavy plastic film such as that used by painters. Plastic sheeting covered by newspaper saves all flooring, is nonporous, makes any cleanup easy and is inexpensive to purchase.

Use Clorox bleach, ? cup to a gallon of water to disinfect the Shih Tzu whelping box and immediate area. You will need to disinfect daily.

Two days following whelping, offer your Shih Tzu matron soft food mixed with a high quality dog food. I use HealthyPetNet Life?s Abundance and have found it to be the absolute best food for my Shih Tzu.

Your Shih Tzu dam should be seen by a veterinarian for a postpartum examination within 24 hours of whelping. It is not uncommon for a Shih Tzu dam to retain one or more placentas, large amounts of blood and other body fluids in the uterus. It is also possible that she retained one or two Shih Tzu puppies as well. All of these need to be expelled immediately. Retention will predispose the Shih Tzu dam to infection. Many veterinarians will give the oxytocin shot within the first 24 hours of whelping to help her expel any retained fluids, placental material and/or puppies.

Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Pet clothing is offered on the website. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Grooming The Shih Tzu Pet Or Show Dog

Snoop Dog — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:00:41 +0000

The Shih Tzu with its long coat of hair requires regular, careful grooming. It is better to take a little time each day to keep the coat of your Shih Tzu in top shape than to allow it to go almost beyond repair. If you don?t set aside each day to properly groom your Shih Tzu, the coat will take a lot more time and energy to restore to its original luster and length. This is especially true if you are grooming for the show ring.

The first step is to choose a particular spot for grooming your Shih Tzu each time. Choose a spot where the light is good and where your Shih Tzu will have fewest distractions. Keep toys, treats and other distractions away from your Shih Tzu grooming area. Let your Shih Tzu know this is work that is absolutely necessary. Be firm but gentle.

You must groom a Shih Tzu from the skin out to be effective. Your Shih Tzu grooming table should be sturdy and steady to keep your Shih Tzu from becoming nervous on a wabbling table. A ribbed rubber matting is nice on the Shih Tzu grooming table and is easy to keep clean.

Time to groom your Shih Tzu will depend upon how much hair he has, the thickness of the coat and texture. Shih Tzu more heavily coated will of course require more time in grooming.

The correct brush for a Shih Tzu should have pin bristles. Brush your Shih Tzu?s coat in layers from the skin out to the very ends of the hair. Notice how your brush gathers hair. If the brush is gathering hair only on one side as you brush your Shih Tzu you are holding the brush in the wrong position. A Shih Tzu?s coat should be brushed in the direction in which hair is to fall. However, Shih Tzu puppies can benefit from brushing the coat in ever which way to stimulate the skin and hair cells to encourage growth of the permanent coat. Fluff the leg hair on a Shih Tzu puppy for a finishing touch.

Pay special attention to your Shih Tzu?s feet. The feet of a Shih Tzu are usually the first to get dirty and the hardest to get clean. They tend to tangle and mat easier. The hocks and elbows of your Shih Tzu should receive special attention.

If you find a find a bad tangle or mat in your Shih Tzu?s coat, brush away the surrounding hair and take the mat in your hand. Take a little of the mat at a time and shred it gently with your fingers, working it apart. Take your comb and carefully work it out from the ends of the hair first until you get to the skin of your Shih Tzu. Start at the bottom and work toward the body. When the mat has all been separated, brush the broken hairs out until all the remaining hairs are free.

Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Shih Tzu Groom Shop Work Area

Snoop Dog — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:00:33 +0000

When you set up your Shih Tzu Groom Shop work area, have everything close at hand. Leave plenty of space for your work area.

The Grooming Table

Your Shih Tzu Groom Shop grooming table should be in the lightest part of the room. Near a window is an ideal spot for your grooming table. Use a pegboard on the wall nearest your Shih Tzu grooming table. The pegboard should hold almost all your grooming tools. Grooming tools that are within easy reach is most efficient. Put up a shelf to store spray cans and any items you can?t hang from a pegboard. Your Shih Tzu grooming table should be the center of the d?cor. A grooming table with a swinging tray underneath for additional storage of frequently-used tools and products is a most desirable feature.

Cages

Your cages in the Shih Tzu Groom Shop are best on a wall near your table. The cages, like your other equipment, should be set up for maximum efficiency. You should start your Shih Tzu Groom Shop with a minimum of a unit of four cages. You can add cages as your business increases. With two cage units you should be able to handle as many as ten Shih Tzu per day. If your business grows larger, you can devote a separate room just for cage units. A back room is usually an ideal spot for this.

Bathtub

When you install your tub consider your height. The tub should be installed waist-high for the operator?s comfort. A nice place to store bathing materials is beneath the tub.

The rest of the work area in your Shih Tzu Groom Shop should be planned and organized with an eye toward expansion. As your Shih Tzu Groom Shop business grows, you may need to hire another groomer, or bather, or more helpers. You will need to plan on adding three or more grooming tables.

Don?t forget a comfortable chair for times when one can sit during the day. A separate room for a break area is ideal.

Electrical Power

One of the most important things your Shih Tzu Groom Shop must have is sufficient electrical power. The more power the shop has, the better. Good lighting is a must. Daylight is the best light of all. Lots of windows can provide your Shih Tzu Groom Shop with much daylight and also places to display other for sale items. Regardless of the amount of daylight your shop has, however, you will still need your lights on at all times. Outlets in the right places and sufficient current to support the load are an absolute necessity.

Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Your Shih Tzu Puppy In The Show Ring

Snoop Dog — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:15:08 +0000

Who gets a ribbon? Your Shih Tzu puppy or dog will receive a ribbon if your Shih Tzu puppy or dog places first through fourth position regardless of how many entries there are in each class at a dog show. The ribbons your Shih Tzu puppy or dog wins from the American Kennel Club licensed dog shows has the American Kennel Club seal, name of the show, date and the placement.

If you plan to also breed your new Shih Tzu puppy these ribbons can be very impressive to your prospective buyers. Because of this fact a Shih Tzu puppy registered with the American Kennel Club can be worth more in terms of monetary gain for the owner should the new owner ever decide to re-sell the Shih Tzu puppy or to produce puppies for sale. More often than not, an AKC full registration with full breeding and showing rights will cost a consumer anywhere from $200 on up.

The Classes Color Of Winning Ribbons:

Blue ribbons for first place.
Red ribbons are for second place.
Yellow ribbons are for third place.
White ribbons are for fourth place.
Purple ribbons are Winners Dog or Winners Bitch
Purple and White ribbons are for Reserve Dog and Reserve Bitch
Blue and White ribbons are for Best of Winners
Purple and Gold are for Best of Breed
Red and White ribbons are for Best of Opposite Sex

The Six Group Color Ribbons:

First prize is a blue rosette or ribbon
Second placement is red.
Third placement is yellow.
Fourth placement is white.

The Best In Show Shih Tzu puppy or dog rosette is either red, white and blue, or incorporates the colors used in the show-giving clubs emblem.

How does your Shih Tzu puppy or Shih Tzu dog qualify for championship points? Championship points are based on the popularity of the breed in entries and the number of dogs competing in the classes. Championship points are given for Winners Dog and Winners Bitch. The scale of points can vary in different sections of the country. The scale of points is usually published in the front of each dog show catalog. The points can differ between dogs and bitches at the same show. Additional points are gained by winning Best of Winners, if there are fewer dogs than bitches entered, or vice versa. Points never exceed five at any one show. Championship status is determined by earning a total of fifteen points. The fifteen points must be won under at least three different judges and you must acquire at least two major wins. Three to five point wins is a major. One and two point wins are minor wins. Two major wins must be won under different judges to meet championship requirements.

Dog Show Photographs:

Every show has a professional photographer who is more than happy to take a photograph of your Shih Tzu puppy or dog with the judge, ribbons and trophies, along with you or your handler. These proud remembrances of your Shih Tzu puppy or dog show wins can be framed for display purposes. The photos of your Shih Tzu puppy or dog show wins can also be very impressive to advertise puppies produced from their matings.