The history of the Shih Tzu dog breed spans more than hundreds of years and finds it very beginnings in China. Today, the dogs are still trusted companions of millions of families with young children because of the same reasons they were once the favored canine choice of imperial ladies-in-waiting and royalty.

It is believed that the origins of Shih Tzus go back nearly 3,000 years when the country of Tibet gifted the dogs to the Imperial palace of China. There are many historical reports that talk about "under table" dogs who ate up the scraps and kept their keepers (usually eunuchs who oversaw many of the Imperial household functions) of anything or anyone approaching the castle.

The appearance of Shih Tzus resembles that of a lion, which also suggests they hailed from further west. Today, the breed of Shih Tzus is also known largely due to the efforts of the last Imperial Empress of China. For some 50 years, until the early part of the 20th century, she ruled the vast empire which was comparable to the modern China of today.

During this time, the Empress also enacted a breeding program to create the perfect lineage of Shih Tzus, Pugs and Pekinese as well. Detailed accounts that been maintained for many years, contain vivid descriptions and breeding notations. Though it is believed that some of the eunuchs who actually physically cared for the dogs cross bred them, the results were a surprisingly varied line of Shih Tzus. It was in this process that three distinctive sub-breeds within the larger Shih Tzu breed, would eventually emerge.

When the pressures of Europe and modernization took effect, the results eventually forced out what had been an unpopular regime, the Shih Tzus were taken from the palaces by the overthrown Imperial family and recently ousted eunuchs. During this time period, many of the dogs were exported out of China.

With the dawning of the early 20th century, the breed suffered hard times and was nearly wiped out, they are believed to have become extinct in China. It is believed that only around 11 dogs were able to escape to the west. In locations throughout western Europe, breeding began in the 1930's through the 1950's, this resulted in millions of dogs being produced and replenishing of the breed. Because of this significant rise in population, the Shih Tzu breed is somewhat likely to have congenital health issues.

It is interesting to note that Shih Tzus in the United Kingdom are mostly descended from a single cross breed with a straight-legged Pekinese during the 1930's. As a result of this, most of the Shih Tzus in the UK are a little bit taller than others found all over the world. Other than this fact, it is a living tribute to the Empress as to how much variation is still in existence today, in the various coat color combinations still witnessed in the breed.

Though somewhat noisy, Shih Tzus are still great at keeping a household alerted to anyone approaching. Furthermore, Shih Tzus were selected to be docile and easy to handle. Because they were bred exclusively to form close bonds with human beings, Shih Tzus are extremely loving and happy to follow you around all day long.

Miniature dogs are smaller types of the dog family. They are commonly called toy dogs because of their small size. Learn more on some of the most popular miniature dogs.

Many people all over the world own dogs for different reasons. They are considered as man's best friend. There are so many breeds of dogs with different characteristics and abilities.

Miniature dogs are the most popular nowadays among the types of dogs because they are easier to take care. Miniature dogs or sometimes called toy dogs are basically smaller types of dogs than the regular ones.

Many miniature dog owners feel the greater advantages of owning small dogs. For starters, smaller dogs do not consume as much food as compared to bigger dogs. Toy dogs also do not require too much space in their house or backyard. These dogs can easily adapt to owners who live in small apartments as they do not require too much exercise.

Though these dogs are small in size, they have strong and distinct personality. They are also ideal pets for younger children and a good playmate.

If you are interested in owning a miniature dog as your pet, it is important for you to understand that these dogs have special characteristics and needs. For example, the elderly would be more inclined to gentle and affectionate dogs for companion. Some would prefer the kind they could bring with them when hunting. Your lifestyle and personality should be considered when choosing what breed to get. You should also consider your financial capability in terms of providing the necessary food and grooming also.

Many breed of miniature dogs have an excellent intelligence just like the Shetland Sheepdogs. Some are good for dog shows while others are ideal as watchdogs.

Here are some of the most favorite miniature dogs of many pet lovers.

Miniature Poodle
Miniature poodles are considered one of the most popular breed in the world. Poodles are very friendly, obedient and intelligent. This type of dog excels in the field of obedience competitions. They are the most common types used for dog shows. They live longer compared to other types of dogs. Poodles need a lot of grooming and regular bath to maintain its hair.

This breed of dog is originally hairy retriever that has been used to protect flock of sheep. The word poodle was derived from a German word puddle. The miniature poodle that we have known today has originated from the standard poodle from Germany.

Shih Tzu
This breed of miniature dog is fun, loving and intelligent. This toy dog would love to be cuddled and adored. This type of dog likes to be groomed daily and walked on regular places. They are also considered as good guard dogs.

If you decide to own a shih tzu, it is important to groom it daily, otherwise its hair would develop tangles. The coat should also be trimmed in order not to hinder with its daily activities. Its furry body is also prone to nits and ticks so make sure it is bathed and shampooed regularly.

The breed of the Shih Tzu is the result of crossed breeding of Pekingese and Lhasa Apso by the Chinese people. During the time of Empress Tzu-his, the exportation of these breed of dogs is not allowed. It was until the death of the Empress that Shih Tzu dogs were smuggled and reached Europe.

Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is another breed of miniature dog. They are basically easy to maintain compared to other types of miniature dogs. It is the smallest dog breed in the whole world.

Its name was taken from a state in Mexico. These dogs are considered sacred for the Incas.

Whatever breed of miniature dogs you chose as your pet, it is important to know enough information with regards to the characteristics, maintenance needs and abilities before deciding on owning one as your pet.

Dog grooming is one of the most important tasks you have to regularly do with your dog. Although, a variety of dogs and each dog breed will differ when it comes to hair coat and as to which process is best for the care of your dog breed's coat. Dogs with short hair should be brushed and dogs that have long haired should be combed cautiously followed by brushing strokes to elicit luster to their hair coat.

Brushing your dog's hair from top to tips all the way down to the skin will invigorate blood circulation to supports growth of skin cells. As a result, this will help release and take out flakes of dander. Daily brushing is still recommended to be the best, but in these chaotic times, brushing more than a few times in a week will aid in keeping the normal dog tidy and hygienic. In some cases, there are dogs that shed and it is vital to habitually groom to aid in the removal of the dog's dead hair. This will also help lessen the amount of dog hair scattered in the house if it's an indoor dog.

It is hard to remove the mats in your dog's hair. Use a one or two teeth comb in attempting to tease the mat. Take the comb and work it all the way through the mat as distant from your dog's skin as you can if combing doesn't work and you were left with no choice but to cut the mat out.

Dogs should be given a bath as rarely as possible. Repeated hair washing takes away all the natural oils they have and affects the coat to dry off and eventually becomes rough. It is best that you use a mild shampoo when it is necessary for you to wash your dog. Below are the steps you have to take in giving bath to your dog:

· Use a tub or basin in giving your dog a bath and make your dog stand inside.

· You have put in cotton in both ears of your dog.

· You can put a few drops of mineral oil to his both eyes.

· Pour water and apply shampoo then lather.

It is recommended that you work on a good lather in giving bath to your dogs. You also have to check the directions indicated on the label regarding the time duration you need to leave the shampoo on your dog if you are used to applying flea/tick shampoo. Wash your dog well once done and towel him dry before he begins to shake and wiggle. Other dogs prefer having a blow dry to make them dry while other dogs prefer towel drying.

As for young puppies, you have to give them time to learn on how to stand while you give them a bath. Specific shampoos for puppies are available in the local market. Commonly known as "puppy shampoos" and considered to be very mild. You have to ensure that your puppies are safe and secure. Sooner or later, your puppy will gain trust from the activity and will enjoy taking his bath.

Dog's nails are also important part of grooming. It is suggested that dog's nails should be cut at least once every two months. Reports say that this is would depend mainly on the frequency and amount of exercise your dog does and the type of exterior looks he walks on. Never use the ordinary scissors in cutting the nails of your dog. There are specifically designed dog nail trimmers that are available on animal stores. One lesson is that you cut your dog's nails just after the pink blood line. If the blood line is not evident due to dark colored nails, the nail cut should be done by cutting the hook-like part of the nail.

The dog's eyes also require frequent care specifically dog breeds with big stuck out eyes like a Shih Tzu. The big protruding eyes type of dogs has an increased risk of harm and accidental bumps, scratches or bruises. Shih Tzus have a longer face hair that may cause irritation to their eyes. It is also imperative to maintain the hair out of their eyes. Tiny barrettes can help keep the hair out of their eyes. Eye products to relieve mild irritations of the eyes are available in the market. Continuous irritation may cause a chronic infection. If this happens, you should seek a medical advise from a veterinarian.

Likewise, the ears of your dog are very delicate and sensitive. The typical dog's ear infection normally begins with irritation of the inside ear lining. This is the main reason why it is important for you to put on cotton inside their ears to keep the soap and water out during bath time. Other factors that cause irritation are foreign objects, ear mites and excessive earwax. There are dogs that have their ear canals full of hair and need to have the hair removed very gently (remove only a few hairs at a time). There are products available at pet stores that you can get for the ear mite control. If more pain or chronic infections occur, it is recommended to seek you veterinarian's advice.

Moreover, other items you can consider in providing the best grooming for your dog is a Potty litter box which keeps your dog from leaving their pooch anywhere in your house and maintain cleanliness and proper grooming. The potty area should not be just near your carpeted floors inside your house. It may be on near the dirty kitchen or somewhere that does not have any carpet. The good news is that we have potty training systems out in the market which can save you from cleaning their urine or feces every single time they mess up your home.

Porch Potty is the best tool you'd ever need in completing the potty training phase of your dogs. It is the best tool ever invented to aid in teaching your dogs the right way of doing it. It saves you time, money and the hassles of cleaning up your dog's mess! Definitely, this is one tool that will aid you in ensuring proper training for grooming in your dogs.

Though a Shih Tzu is quite smaller than most other dogs at the dog park, your dog would love you to take him or her out for some socializing with other canines. Indeed, this is most important when they are small puppies so that they can grow up without harboring irrational fears of other dogs, new people and strange situations. However, it is very important that you manage such new situations as often as possible while your Shih Tzu is still an impressionable young puppy, otherwise trying such adventures might have a disastrous outcome if attempted in adulthood.

Perhaps the single best reason to make certain your Shih Tzu is a well-socialized as a puppy is to prevent them from developing a habit of fear-biting. Such dogs are not trustworthy because they are so frightened, and being dogs, they lead with their teeth is such situations that are too tense for them to comprehend. Obviously, you will want your Shih Tzu to be a companion that you can take with you in any type of situation.

As a result, there are many things you can do to initiate the dog being in contact with other people. For example, make it a point to take your dog to new places, even it is just a bit new, each day for the first three months you have him or her. This may simply mean taking a new corner at the same park you have always visited, but it is highly important that new smells, new people and new environments are incorporated as much as possible, so that your dog comes to expect new things happening on a regular basis.

Of course, some dogs that encounter your Shih Tzu will not be as nearly mindful of your small dogs limbs and livelihood as you are. It is your duty and responsibility to be somewhat of a tour guide for your dogs first foray into the outside world.

This does not mean that you should pick up your Shih Tzu every time a larger dog approaches. As a matter of fact, this is just about one of the worst things you can do, this just reinforces the mind frame that it is okay to be intimidated and freaked out when a larger dog comes near.

It is a much better idea to manage the encounter by verifying with the other dogs owner to find out if the dog is friendly or not. If not, you can simply guide your Shih Tzu onto another course and walk on the other side of the sidewalk. If the other dog is friendly, allow them to meet and greet each other the way dogs do.

In fact when it comes time to meet other dogs, it is best to let them be as noisy as they want and settle things on their own. Dominance is not something that has to do with the size of a dog, as far as canines are concerned. Though Shih Tzus do not lean towards dominance, males of the breed may sometimes exert dominance over a subordinate dog of any size or breed. Regardless of where your Shih Tzu lands in the canine hierarchy, there will be loud noises, try to not be concerned; it is just dogs learning how to establish a pecking order.

Of course when meeting small children for the very first time, you will have to be more careful than you would with other dogs. Unlike other dogs, small children cannot judge when to stop tugging, pulling, hitting or whatever else they are doing. An unsupervised visit between a Shih Tzu and a small child should not be allowed. Shih Tzus and small children normally become fast friends, however you just need to supervise the situation and exert caution and care.

If there is one thing that drives any dog owner to the brink of insanty, it is excessive barking and Shih Tzu owners are no different. When something gets them riled up, these tiny dogs can really get working up into a frenzy of barking. If the owner is not there to deter it, the noise could go on for long periods of time. By gently training and using positive reinforcement with your Shih Tzu, you should be able to yield great results.

While it is worth your while to have an alert Shih Tzu to warn you when something is not right, until they learn what ordinary means by your direction, there will be a bti of confusion and much noise. When there is something you do not want them to bark at, use a very calm voice and tell them no. When it is appropriate to give praise and let them know not to bark anymore, now that you know what the situation is.

Using reward training is generally preferable over punishment, though sometimes you might need to get your Shih Tzus attention when they are worked up into a barking frenzy, this can best be accomplished by using a clicker or squirting with a water bottle. You make make your own simple noise maker by putting unpopped popcorn or pennies into a tin or aluminum can and sealing it up.

In addition to bark, a Shih Tzu may have the horrible habit of whining when left along for any period of time. Exercising the dog is a good way to curb this behavior, however this amounts to quite a bit of walking throughout the day. Playing fetch with a stick or a ball provides good exercise and some dogs truly love it. Sometimes its hard to make sure your Shih Tzu gets enough exercise daily to curb the bad behavior. Walking about a half-mile should suffice. Having two dogs at once can also solve this dilema, as long as you make it known to the dogs you are the alpha human, you should have no trouble being the boss.

When considering things from a dogs perspective, the actions of humans are not easily understood much of the time. When it comes to behavioral training, you should be a gentle, firm, instructional, loving teacher and leader. You should teach all the members of your family to not startle a dog that is easily driven by fear and adrenaline. This could be something as simple as yelling or people who wear hats, but until a dog understands something is okay, they are going to get themselves all worked up.

Perhaps one of the most concerning tendency in a Shih Tzu is to engage in biting out of fear. This is a common occurrence in smaller dogs than in larger ones, but this type of behavior is most often associated with dogs that have either been poorly socialized as pups or a victim of physical or verbal abuse.

Having your Shih Tzu puppmy meet a wide variety of people, other dogs and situations when they are younger encourages them to be unafraid, especially if you are overly cautious about situations where to dog may be injured. This does not mean you should snatch up your dog on the street when you see a larger dog approaching. It means to ask permission from theh person who owns the dog, whether the dog is friendly or not and simply walking on the opposite side, if this is not the case.

If you show your own fear, your dog will respond and pick up on that fear, because they learn by what they see and experience. Shih Tzus are also very aware and sensitive of their own size. Biting out of fear is also witnessed with fear-induced urinating. Make sure you mind your temper, no matter what the dog has just urinated on, this is instrumental in not making an overly sensitive dog any more frightened.

Thankfully, this also means a Shih Tzu is small enough to simply be physically picked up and put into a crate for a time out to calm down, because this form of behavior is unacceptable. If the dog is very traumatized, it may never be able to overcome it and will always hunger for the attention he or she desires but is to scared to accept. Using soothing words to calm the dog and placing it in a safe place, will be necessary for dogs of this temperament.

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How much exercise should a Shih Tzu usually get?

My 10 weeks old Shih Tzu puppy don't like to go out for walks, although I tried to walk him twice a day. He would walk a few step and just start sleeping on the grass. During the day, my son wanted to play with him, but all he does is belly flops. I thought puppy is usually very playful and energetic. This puppy I have doesn't like to move around at all, is this common for this breed of dog?

i have been reading about shih tzus and yours is a puppy, he would only want to play a little bit and mostly sleep. he'll get better in a few weeks. He only also requires short walks (20-30mins) per day. My shih tzu only started getting energetic about 2 weeks ago and and she's 14 wks old now.. she still sleeps a lot but not as much as before..

My brother also has a shih tzu..he just lays there and barely bark, but they're perfectly healthy..the vet says so.. yours can be a different case though..

Pulling on the leash is one of the most common misbehaviors seen on all kinds of dogs. Shih tzu puppies and adult shih tzu alike can often be seen taking their owners for walks, instead of the other way around. Pulling on the leash can be much more than an annoying habit. Leash pulling can lead to escape in the case of a break in the collar or leash, and an out of control, off leash shih tzu can be both destructive and dangerous to itself and to others.

Leash pulling can result from a variety of different things. In some cases, the shih tzu may simply be so excited to go for a walk that he or she is unable to control themselves. In other cases, the shih tzu sees itself as the leader of the pack, and he or she simply takes the "leadership position" at the front of the pack.

If excitement is the motivation for leash pulling, simply giving the shih tzu a few minutes to calm down can often be a big help. Simply stand with the shih tzu on the leash for a couple minutes and let the initial excitement of the upcoming walk pass. After the initial excitement ahs worn off, many shih tzu are willing to walk calmly on their leash.

If the problem is one of control, however, some retraining may be in order. All shih tzu training starts with the owner establishing him or herself as the alpha dog, or pack leader, and without this basic respect and understanding, no effective training can occur. For shih tzu exhibiting these type of control issues, a step back to basic obedience commands is in order. These shih tzu can often be helped through a formal obedience school structure. The dog trainer will of course be sure to train the handler as well as the shih tzu, and any good dog trainer will insist on working with the shih tzu owner as well as the shih tzu.

The basis of teaching the shih tzu to walk calmly on the lead is teaching it to calmly accept the collar and lead. A shih tzu that is bouncing up and down while the collar is being put on will not walk properly. Begin by asking your shih tzu to sit down, and insisting that he sit still while the collar is put on. If the shih tzu begins to get up, or gets up on his own after the collar is on, be sure to sit him back down immediately. Only begin the walk after the shih tzu has sat calmly to have the collar put on, and continued to sit calmly as the leash is attached.

Once the leash is attached, it is important to make the shih tzu walk calmly toward the door. If the shih tzu jumps or surges ahead, gently correct him with a tug of the leash and return him to a sitting position. Make the shih tzu stay, then move on again. Repeat this process until the shih tzu is walking calmly by your side.

Repeat the above process when you reach the door. The shih tzu should not be allowed to surge out of the door, or to pull you through the open door. If the shih tzu begins this behavior, return the shih tzu to the house and make him sit quietly until he can be trusted to walk through the door properly. Starting the walk in control is vital to creating a well mannered shih tzu.

As you begin your walk, it is vital to keep the attention of the shih tzu focused on you at all times. Remember, the shih tzu should look to you for guidance, not take the lead himself. When walking, it is important to stop often. Every time you stop, your shih tzu should stop. Getting into the habit of asking your shih tzu to sit down every time you stop is a good way to keep your shih tzu's attention focused on you. Make sure your shih tzu is looking at you, then move off again. If the shih tzu begins to surge ahead, immediately stop and ask the shih tzu to sit. Repeat this process until the shih tzu is reliability staying at your side. Each time the shih tzu does what you ask him to, be sure to reward him with a treat, a toy or just your praise.

Remember that if your shih tzu pulls on the leash and you continue to walk him anyway, you are inadvertently rewarding that unwanted behavior. Shih Tzu learn whether you are teaching them or not, and learning the wrong things now will make learning the right things later that much harder. It is important to be consistent in your expectations. Every time the shih tzu begins to pull ahead, immediately stop and make the shih tzu sit. Continue to have the shih tzu sit quietly until his focus is solely on you. Then start out again, making sure to immediately stop moving if the shih tzu surges ahead.

About the Author:

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

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Shih Tzu - Training Your Shih Tzu To Not Pull On The Leash