Shih Tzu – Bred for Love
Is it true? Is the shih tzu bred for love? This little Ewok of a dog?
It’s true. Read what the American Shih Tzu Club has to say:
Every dog has a reason for being. Our reason is strictly to give love. We don’t hunt, pull, track or attack. We just love to be with you. We might bark to let you know someone is at the door, but we will love them once we know they are your friends.
As many of y’all know, my mama has a Shih Tzu, Honey, who was a rescue pup. Mama says that now, after nearly a year, Honey has truly warmed up and is being the loviest dog imaginable. She plays hard, loves her walks, defends Mama from strangers and squirrels, and just loves to be held and cuddled. Honey is a true lap dog. A chunky little lap dog.
Puppy Cut or Long Hair?
Mama’s Shih Tzu has what’s called a Puppy Cut. Shih Tzus have hair rather than fur, meaning that, while it falls out, like human hair, it doesn’t shed, like most other dogs. Also meaning that it just grows and grows and grows unless it is cut, like human hair, so Mama takes Honey to a groomer for a trim periodically. Rather like a mullet, Honey’s hair is business on top, party in the back. Y’all, that just means that her body is buzzed and her tail is a big pouf ball of CUTE. I’m not saying that mullets are cute. Heaven forbid.
Isn’t she a cute little thing? Some of you may be more familiar with the long haired version, all silky and high maintenance. If you’re a high maintenance individual, the kind of person who brushed her Barbies’ hair for hours on end as a child (I never brushed, but I braided endlessly), who dresses your children to the nines and has great fashion sense, then a Shih Tzu might just be your ideal dog, and the standard long, silky hair is the way to go.
Is a Shih Tzu the Dog for Me?
If you’re rough and tumble, out the door, on the go, low maintenance, then the shih tzu might just be your dog. If you like smaller dogs. Though, judging from sweet Honey’s size, they’re small, but super sturdy.
I always assume that people know the history of this breed, but you may not. Shih tzus originate in China as the imperial pet, bred for the royal elite. They were bred for size, temperament and appearance, known as the Lion Dog. I wasn’t aware that lions had under bites, but whatever. Here – take it from the American Shih Tzu Club:
The history of the Tibetan “Lion Dogs” is interwoven with the tenets of Buddhism, which originated in India. The lion was closely associated with Buddhism, but the lion was not indigenous to China, so the Chinese and the Tibetan lamas bred their toy dogs to resemble lions. The Shih Tzu (whose name means “lion”) is reputed to have been the oldest and smallest variety of the Tibetan “holy dogs” and bears some similarity to other Tibetan breeds. For much of the long and illustrious history of China, the breeding of the small “Lion Dog”; was a favorite pastime of succeeding imperial rulers.
So. This isn’t nearly everything you’ll need to know before deciding whether or not the shi tzu is the dog for you. For that I’d recommend the American Shih Tzu Club, or head to the AKC’s Shih Tzu page. OMG – looking at the dog on their page? The weird alien creatures from the old Sesame Street. Just sayin’. Sweet little alien dog. 🙂
Giveaway
If you already have a Shih Tzu, or are thinking of getting one, you’ll need to have the very best treats for your dog. Fortunately, Jones Natural Chews are both all natural and won’t break the bank. In fact, our latest treat is perfect for a Shih Tzu! The Stuffed Hooves offer a delicious chicken mixture, as well as a long lasting gnawing Hoof. To enter to win one for your dog simply click this sentence, leave a comment on the new post, click the giveaway box, then click I Commented! Your Shih Tzu will thank you. And bark. Treat your Shih Tzu to happiness.
Spreading the good chews …
Flea
