There has been a strong opinion in shih tzu history that the Tibetan Lion Dog is the result of a cross between the Lhasa Terrier and the Pekingese, which occurred out of the mixing of the two breeds in Tibet and China.

The dogs of each country had been taken to the other from time to time by tribute envoys and officials. The cross in Tibet, that had been taken out of that country by way of India, has been called the Apso, while the cross in Peking has been called the Tibetan Poodle or Lion Dog. The Tibetan cross probably had more of the Lhassa Terrier in it, while the Chinese cross has more of the Pekingese.

Shih Tzu Management:

Be cautious about the dangers of dampness and violent temperature changes when it comes to the living quarters for your shih tzu. With a heritage of luxurious living in the palaces of the Orient, the domesticated dogs of today for the most part share the lovely homes of their owners in our affluent society but still must be protected against sudden change in temperature or weather conditions, particularly true with puppies.

The Shih Tzu is a rugged little dog, it is sheer folly for a dog to sleep indoors by the stove, fireplace, or beneath a comforter on his master’s bed one night, and then be expected to spend the next night outdoors in a dog house or in a drafty garage. Shih Tzu do have a way of choosing their own beds, and it will probably be the same as yours!

Probably about the most important of all aspects in the care and health of your Shih Tzu is diet! My Shih Tzu have thrived better on HealthyPetNet Life’s Abundance. Fresh water available at all times is also a diet essential. Be careful about the extras you choose to feed your dog. Try to be certain that everything he eats is safe and nutritious. Again, I recommend using HealthyPetNet treats, the dental cookies, the skin and coat bar, the Porky Puffs, etc. As a breeder, I recommend and prescribe the diet I prefer using for my own dogs and that has worked best for me. I cannot say enough good about HealthyPetNet Products. I can’t imagine anyone not liking them after once trying them. Yet…..I do realize other breeders will have their own recommendations. And, as always, your own personal vet should be included in your final decision about your shih tzu’s diet.

The capacity and size of the individual shih tzu determines the amount of food he/she should consume each day. Labels on the food itself give good guidelines to follow. For my puppies before they leave home, I keep food out at all times. This can change, according to the new owner’s preferences. A healthy dog should eat the approximate same amount every day, and will be in good flesh without going to fat. Table scraps are out of the question. Never feed your shih tzu table scraps. Shih Tzu are acustomed to the best and it seems this part of their heritage never fades away. Feed your Shih Tzu the very best of Premium Dog Food. HealthyPetNet Life’s Abundance is my choice.

A Legend of Shih Tzu Management:

The Chinese tell a story of Ch’en, of the town of Chiang Chou as an illustration of the perfectly brought up household. Ch’en not only preserved harmony among the 700 members of his family but also had the family dogs so well trained that, if one was late for dinner, the other 99 waited for him!

No explanation was given of how this was accomplished and the stories are legend, of course, but another Chinese sage, Chang Kung-i of Shantung, provided a clue……..questioned by a T’ang Emperor how he kept nine branches of the family together, Chang gave an answer often quoted in China, by writing one word a hundred times – - jen-mai, meaning patience or forbearance.

The stories being legend, there is nothing to prove that the Ch’en family dogs, if they even existed, were Shih Tzu Kou. Such tales do draw attention to the fact that the Shih Tzu can be trained in obedience since they are highly intelligent, remarkably responsive, and unusually quick to learn.

Training a Shih Tzu does call for patience, however, since a common trait of the Shih Tzu is a strong self- willed streak. This fact has been noted down through history by many Shih Tzu Fanciers. One leading dog trainer in the United States spoke of the breed with extreme admiration, but emphasized, with a smile…….that they could occasionally be very stubborn.

So….keep that in mind when training your Shih Tzu, and remember, none of us are without downfalls. The Shih Tzu with all its other wonderful qualities far outweighs this one aspect of their personalities. Try praising your shih tzu during training with HealthyPetNet Porky Puffs (a favorite treat of my shih tzu). They go CRAZY for HealthyPetNet Porky Puffs.

Connie Limon publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Coupons for shih tzu puppies and other products are offered to subscribers. Updates of available puppies. Sign up at http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Anyone who owns a shih tzu dog or shih tzu puppy will eventually run into the need to eliminate unwanted habits. While most shih tzu dogs are eager to please their owners and smart enough to do what is asked of them, it is important for the owner to properly communicate just what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable behaviors.

Each type of unacceptable behavior requires its own specific cures, and in most cases the cures will need to be tailored to fit the specific personality of the shih tzu dog. Every breed of dog has its own unique personality characteristics, and every individual within that breed has his or her own unique personality.

Whining, howling and excessive barking: Let?s start with one of the most frequently encountered problem behaviors in both dogs and puppies. While some barking and other vocalizing is perfectly normal, in many cases barking, howling and whining can become problematic. This is particularly important for those living in apartment buildings, or in closely spaced homes. Fielding complaints about barking is not the best way for you and your dog to meet the neighbors.

Some tips of dealing with excessive whining, barking and howling include:

If your shih tzu puppy or shih tzu dog is howling or whining while confined to its crate, immediately take it to its toilet area. Most shih tzu puppies and shih tzu dogs will whine when they need to do their business.

It is important to teach a shih tzu dog or a shih tzu puppy to accept being alone. Many dogs suffer from separation anxiety, and these stressed dogs can exhibit all sorts of destructive and annoying behaviors. It is important to accustom the shih tzu puppy to being left on its own, even when the owner is at home.

Always strive to make the shih tzu puppy or shih tzu dog as comfortable as possible. Always attend to the physical and psychological needs of the dog by providing food, water and toys.

If the shih tzu dog is whining, check for obvious reasons first. Is the water dish empty? Is the shih tzu dog showing signs of illness? Has his or her favorite toy rolled under the furniture? Is the temperature of the room too hot or too cold?

Do not reward the shih tzu puppy or shih tzu dog for whining. If the shih tzu dog whines when left alone, for instance, it would be a mistake to go to the shih tzu dog every time it whines.

After you have ensured that the shih tzu?s physical needs are being met, and that discomfort is not responsible for the whining, do not hesitate to reprimand the shih tzu dog for inappropriate behavior.

Problem Chewing: Puppies naturally chew, and they tend to explore their world using their mouths and teeth. While chewing may be normal, however, it is not acceptable, and it is important to nip any chewing problems in the bud to prevent the chewing shih tzu puppy from growing into a chewing shih tzu dog.

Providing a variety of chew toys is important when teaching a shih tzu puppy what is appropriate to chew and what is not. Providing a variety of attractive chew toys is a good way to keep the shih tzu puppy entertained and to keep his teeth and gums exercised. Scented or flavored toys are great choices for most puppies.

The shih tzu puppy should be encouraged to play with these chosen toys, and the shih tzu puppy should be effusively praised every time he or she plays with or chews these toys.

Another great strategy is to encourage the shih tzu puppy to get a toy every time he or she greets you. Every time the shih tzu puppy greets you or a member of your family, teach him to get one of his toys.

It is also important to exercise good housekeeping techniques when training a shih tzu puppy not to chew on inappropriate items. Keeping the area to which the shih tzu puppy has access free and clean is important. Keeping items out of reach of the shih tzu puppy will go a long way toward discouraging inappropriate chewing. Try to keep the shih tzu puppy?s area free of shoes, trash, and other items, and always make sure that the area has been properly puppy proofed.

If the shih tzu puppy does pick up an inappropriate item like a shoe, distract the shih tzu puppy and quickly replace the item with one of its toys. After the shih tzu puppy has taken the toy, praise it for playing with and chewing that toy.

Try booby trapping items the shih tzu dog should avoid by spraying them with bitter apple, Tabasco sauce or other nasty but non-toxic items.

Connie Limon 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

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

Many types of surfaces can be used in exercise yards. They all have problems to one degree or another. A very common surface covering for a Shih Tzu exercise yard is crushed gravel. It keeps the Shih Tzu out of the mud and is relatively easy to scoop up droppings from the stone. Urine runs through easily, keeping it off the Shih Tzu?s feet. One effective treatment for Shih Tzu gravel exercise yards is applying dry lime. Sprinkle the lime lightly over the entire yard and then wash through the gravel with a hose. Use enough water to ensure that the top surface is free of any residue, and also to ensure that the lime solution reaches the dirt underneath where the parasites are.

Concrete patio blocks can be used as a substitute for crushed gravel in a Shih Tzu exercise yard. They can even be used in addition to the gravel as a base in which the blocks rest. It is more difficult to pick up droppings from the patio blocks than from the bare gravel, but it can be done.

Another treatment for Shih Tzu exercise yards is to pave the entire surface with concrete. Polish the surface of the concrete while it is drying to have a finish that will be easy to keep clean. However, a polished surface will be too smooth for the Shih Tzu to run on efficiently. A brushed concrete finish is best for the Shih Tzu to run on, but is much more difficult to keep sterilized. A concrete surface can easily be scrubbed down with hot water and soap on a daily basis to help prevent build-up that could cause problems for your Shih Tzu.

One problem with concrete runs for a Shih Tzu exercise yard is that urine does not disappear rapidly enough, which makes it possible for the Shih Tzu to run through it. This quickly accumulates and forms a sticky substance on the Shih Tzu?s feet and the tips of the hair.

Many Shih Tzu kennels maintain a large fenced running area adjacent to the regular individual kennel runs that are covered with grass. The Shih Tzu is able to exercise on a softer material. The grassy areas, however, cannot be used in rainy weather, especially if you keep your Shih Tzu in full coat. Romping Shih Tzu can turn wet grassy areas into a mud field very rapidly. There is also the serious problem of keeping a grass covered area sterilized. Any chemical strong enough to destroy parasites and their eggs would also destroy the grass. In northern areas where there is severe ground freezing during several weeks of the year, the problem is less serious.

Large exercise areas are of great importance for the overall development of the Shih Tzu. For any dog to develop and to maintain the p0roper musculature, he must have a large area in which he can run, play and romp freely.

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. Designer dog clothes are offered on the website. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

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

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.

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

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

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Do not wait too long to start grooming your Shih Tzu. It is hard to make brushing a positive experience if you wait until your Shih Tzu is matted and start by yanking out the mats and tangles. If this becomes necessary, carefully clip out mats, then begin working with your mat-free Shih Tzu to acclimate it to grooming.

When you use scissors to remove mats, snip a few hairs at a time. Be sure you have clearance between the mat and the skin. If your Shih Tzu puppy is too wiggly to do this safely, please seek the help of a professional groomer.

Do not bathe your Shih Tzu puppy too frequently. You will risk drying out its skin and coat. Bathe your Shih Tzu puppy no more than once weekly and every two weeks if possible.

Create a positive association with bath time using the following steps:

1.Let him hop into his bathtub to eat treats you toss on the tub floor (without water in the tub). You can also place him in the tub if he cannot jump into the tube and feed him treats. Provide a nonskid surface on the tub floor.

2.To accustom your Shih Tzu puppy to towels try touching him, then rubbing him with the corner of a towel and feed him a treat. Gradually work up to more vigorous toweling. No water at this time.

3.Introduce the blow-dryer by starting with a handheld pet or human dryer set on low and hold a few feet away from him, turned so it does not blow on him. Feed treats during the process. Gradually bring the dryer closer and start by moving the air across his toes, then his legs. Continue until he is accustomed to the warm air blowing all over his body.

4.While he is standing in the tube, soak a sponge in warm water and dribble it over him. Allow your Shih Tzu puppy to shake it off, and then offer a treat. Gradually work up to turning the faucet on and allow him to stand in the water. Gently begin hosing him with the warm water.

5.Take a small amount of dog shampoo (I strongly recommend using HealthyPetNet shampoos instead of human shampoos). Lather a small part of his body. Rinse. The next time you are at this step, increase the soaping and rinsing until you are bathing the entire dog.

If you will follow these steps slowly, you should be able to teach your Shih Tzu puppy to enjoy his bath time, which will make this very important routine much easier for the both of you.

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. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

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