Shih Tzu Facts
Shih Tzu Facts
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| Interesting Shih Tzu Facts: |
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| Shih Tzu can reach 10.5 inches in height and 10 to 16 pounds of weight. |
| Shih Tzu has long, silky, thick double coat that can be pure white, brown, black, blue, silver or golden-yellow, or bi- or tricolored. Facial hairs grow from the center of the face to the periphery, just like the petals of chrysanthemum - hence the nickname "Chrysanthemum Dog". |
| Shih Tzu has big, rounded head with short muzzle (short nose is responsible for snoring), dark eyes and long, floppy ears. Its limbs are muscular and medium in size, while tail is long and curled above the back. |
| "Shih Tzu" means "Lion Dog" in Chinese. Name refers to the mane-like fur around the face which resembles the mane of a lion. |
| Shih Tzu is known as holy dog among Tibetan monks because it had served as guard dog in Imperial Palace and Tibetan Buddhist temples in the past. |
| Shih Tzu was official dog breed of Ming dynasty which ruled China from 1368 to 1644 AD. Popularity of Shih Tzu in China began to decrease after that period and this breed nearly vanished at the beginning of the Communist era. |
| Shih Tzu is assertive dog that loves to play and spends time with its family. It is suitable for life in the apartment and for families with older children and other pets. Shih Tzu does not require plenty of exercise per day. |
| Shih Tzu is very intelligent, but also very stubborn dog. It responds well to gentle training. |
| Shih Tzu loudly barks when it detects stranger at the doors. Despite cold welcome, it quickly builds friendly bonds with guests. |
| Dalai Lama, Bill Gates, Mariah Carey, Elizabeth Taylor and Frank Sinatra are (or were) fans of Shih Tzu. |
| Shih Tzu has long coat that sheds minimally, but it needs to be combed regularly (at least once per day) to prevent tangling of fur. |
| Shih Tzu belongs to the group of hypoallergenic breeds. It is suitable for people that are allergic to dog's hair. |
| Shih Tzu gives birth from 2 to 6 puppies (4 on average). |
| Shih Tzu can suffer from hypothyroidism, respiratory disorders, hip dysplasia, liver disorders, cancer and epilepsy. |
| Shih Tzu has an average lifespan of 10 to 18 years. |
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