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An intelligent, alert and friendly breed, the
Shih Tzu originated in China in the 1600s as
an Emperor’s court dog. With hair that grows
upward on the nose and face, the breed is
often referred to as the “chrysanthemum dog”.
But don’t make the mistake of thinking this
regal pooch is a lap dog — he is definitely a big
dog in a little dog’s body and will keep up with
the most active of people.
“The Shih Tzu is as lazy as you want it to be
and as active as you want it to be,” Stephen
Thomas of the Shih Tzu Club of NSW says.
A great family breed, the Shih Tzu will get on
with people of all ages and is easy-going around
children. However, Stephen doesn’t recommend
the breed for children younger than fi ve and, as
with all breeds, kids should be supervised at all
times when interacting with dogs.CHARMING CHARACTER
Being an intelligent and eager-to-please
breed, Shih Tzus are easy to train and catch
on very quickly. “They don’t like to do things
repetitively,” Stephen, who has enjoyed more
than 20 years with his beloved Shih Tzus, says.
They also excel at agility and for many years,
one of the top agility champions in the USA
was a Shih Tzu called Omar Playboy.
Stephen says the affectionate Shih Tzu can
be very protective of the home. “They will not
bark at just anything so if they bark, it’s best
to go check it out,” he says. “They have a really
big, deep bark and this alone should scare
away intruders. However, the Shih Tzu is not
aggressive in any way and will probably give
a burglar a tour of the house. I’ve never known
a Shih Tzu that bites.”BREED’S NEEDS
If you like the idea of a small, happy-go-lucky
dog that doubles as a watchdog and have
fallen in love with the Shih Tzu’s silky look,
remember the top coat and head require
considerable care. The long, straight, dense
coat of this breed can reach the floor and it’s
recommended the head hair is tied up so as
not to cover the dog’s face and eyes.
Some owners prefer to have their Shih Tzu’scoat clipped, particularly if they own an older
dog. However, if you would like your Shih Tzu
to keep its long, luxurious coat, you will need
to maintain it in the best possible condition.
This means never missing a daily grooming
session of half an hour to an hour. This should
include combing and brushing, cleaning
around the eyes and checking the ears, with a
dry shampoo or bath added every few weeks.
Show dogs in particular require special
grooming attention. “Show dogs need grooming
of up to two hours a day to keep their hair
beautiful and silky,” Stephen says. “Most show
dogs are kept in an oil preparation to protect
the hair. This way, they can run and roll around
and the dirt will just fall off. However, I suggest
the coats on pets be kept short.”
Although a healthy, hardy and happy breed,
there are some hereditary problems in the Shih
Tzu, but these are generally under control.
“There is some evidence of kidney failure
and there have been cases of hip dysplasia in
very small numbers, but the breeders are doing
a good job,” Stephen says. He adds that to
ensure a healthy dog, potential owners should
only adopt from registered breeders who
regularly screen their stock.Creature feature | PETS
Grooming (long coat):^
Grooming (short coat):^
Size: Small
Lifespan: Up to 19 yearsAt a Glance
For more information on the Shih Tzu
or to contact a local breed club, visit
your state canine council website via
ankc.org.au. New Zealand readers can
visit nzkc.org.nz for information.