Shih Tzu
A Tibetan lion dog that spent centuries in the Chinese court, where it was given rather than sold. The coat grows to the floor if nobody takes scissors to it.
Overview
The Shih Tzu comes from Tibet, where it was bred in monasteries, and was given to the Chinese imperial court where it was developed further. The name means lion dog. The entire modern breed descends from fourteen dogs that survived the fall of the Qing dynasty and the Communist revolution.
UK data gives a life expectancy at birth of 11.05 years, which is the best of any brachycephalic breed in that study by a clear margin.
Temperament
Affectionate, outgoing and thoroughly companionable. Shih Tzu are good with children, friendly with strangers and other dogs, and they were bred for nothing but company for centuries.
They are stubborn and slow to house train, which is the commonest complaint. They are not energetic and they are not guard dogs. They are among the most consistently friendly toy breeds available.
Care and grooming
The long double coat reaches the floor and needs thorough combing every day, plus regular bathing. Many owners keep it in a shorter puppy clip, which is entirely sensible and removes most of the work.
The short muzzle brings airway problems, though less severely than in a Pug. The prominent eyes are vulnerable to ulceration. Intervertebral disc disease and renal dysplasia occur. Heat is a genuine risk.
Living and exercise
Twenty to thirty minutes a day, split, in cool weather.
As with all flat faced breeds, look for a visible muzzle and open nostrils when buying. Ten to eighteen years is a wide range and the upper end is achievable with a well built dog.
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