Shih Tzu Images: A Comprehensive Guide to the Breed

The Shih Tzu is a beloved breed known for its long, flowing coat and outgoing personality. They come in a variety of colors including white, black, brown, gray, and a combination of these colors.

Their distinctive face is one of their most recognizable features, with a flat, black nose and a pair of large, dark eyes. Shih Tzus are a relatively small breed, weighing between 9-16 pounds and standing between 8-11 inches tall.

In terms of grooming, Shih Tzus require regular brushing to prevent matting and tangling of their coat. They also need regular nail trimming and ear cleaning to stay healthy and happy.

Their friendly and outgoing nature makes them a great companion for families and individuals alike, but they can be wary of strangers and may require time to warm up to new people.

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The Shih Tzu is a beloved breed, and for good reason. They're small, typically weighing 9 to 16 pounds.

Their size makes them a great fit for city living or apartments, but they still need regular exercise to stay healthy. Daily walks and playtime are sufficient to keep them happy and healthy.

Shih Tzus are known for their friendly and affectionate nature, making them a great addition to families and other pets. They're also intelligent, but can be stubborn at times.

To keep their long, flowing coats looking their best, regular grooming is a must. This includes regular brushing, bathing, and occasional trimming.

Here's a quick rundown of the Shih Tzu's key characteristics:

With proper care and attention, Shih Tzus can live happy, healthy lives.

The Shih Tzu is a small dog breed that's perfect for apartment living. They typically weigh between 9 to 16 pounds and stand between 9 to 10 inches tall.

Their lifespan is impressive, ranging from 10 to 18 years. This means they'll be by your side for a long time, providing love and companionship.

Shih Tzus are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They get along well with children, other pets, and even seniors.

Their intelligence is high, making them relatively easy to train. However, they do require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of their long coats.

Here's a quick rundown of the breed's characteristics:

Shih Tzus are happy and playful dogs, but they do require attention and socialization to prevent behavioral issues. With proper care and attention, they'll make wonderful companions for many years to come.

Shih Tzus are a sturdy toy breed that stand at nine to ten and a half inches tall and weigh nine to 16 pounds.

Their long, silky, luxurious double coat comes in 14 different colors, including black, black and white, gray and white, and red and white, and often features a small white spot on their forehead, known as the "Star of Buddha."

Shih Tzus have a unique smile due to their undershot bite, where their lower jaw is just wider than their upper jaw, and their hair on their faces grows in every direction, requiring regular grooming to prevent it from hanging in front of their eyes.

Their royal heritage is evident in their confident demeanor, with some owners describing them as a bit arrogant in their gait, as they carry themselves with great pride and a curved tail.

The Shih Tzu's appearance is truly unique and endearing. They stand at a height of nine to ten and a half inches tall.

Their sturdy toy breed physique weighs anywhere between 9-16 pounds. This compact size makes them a perfect companion for city living.

The Shih Tzu's long, silky, luxurious double coat is one of its most distinctive features. It comes in 14 different colors, including black, black and white, gray and white, and red and white.

A small white spot on their foreheads is a common trait, often referred to as the "Star of Buddha." This marking is highly prized among Shih Tzu enthusiasts.

Their undershot bite gives them a unique smile, with their lower jaw just wider than their upper jaw. This results in their upper teeth biting inside their lower teeth when their mouth is closed.

The hair on their faces grows in every direction, including up from their snout. This requires regular grooming to prevent it from hanging in front of their eyes.

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Shih Tzus are all about companionship - they simply desire to be with you and give and receive attention.

Their dominant characteristic is affection, and they're happiest when they're with their family.

They're not total couch potatoes, though - they're alert and lively, and may bark at newcomers to their home.

But don't worry, they'll quickly make friends with your guests once they get to know them.

Shih Tzus are bred as friendly companions, with no hunting, herding, or guarding instincts - they're all about being near their owners.

They love to be perched on your lap, and lavish attention is the key to their heart.

While they may initially bark at new humans, they make quick friends with everyone they meet.

The Mal-Shih, a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Maltese, is a great example of a low-maintenance dog breed. They don't shed much, even during the summer months, making them perfect for busy owners who don't have time for regular grooming.

Their playful personalities and bold attitudes make them fun and easy to get along with, which is a plus for families or first-time dog owners.

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The Shih Tzu's coat is gorgeous, but it requires daily brushing and combing to prevent tangles. This is necessary to keep their long, silky coat looking its best.

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Daily brushing and combing should be done to prevent tangles, and frequent bathing is also necessary, ideally once a week. Many Shih Tzu lovers hire a professional groomer to clip their long locks short, but this means giving up some of their beauty.

Brushing should be done all the way down to the skin, and most experienced Shih Tzu groomers teach the dog to lie on their side while brushing in sections. This makes the experience easier and more comfortable for both you and your Shih Tzu.

The Shih Tzu coat changes from puppy fluff to a silky adult coat at around ten to twelve months of age, and during this stage, the coat may mat faster than you can brush. This is a temporary phase that lasts for about three months.

Once the adult coat comes in fully, brushing gets easier, and you can enjoy your Shih Tzu's beautiful coat with minimal effort.

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The Shih Tzu's physical characteristics are quite specific. Their front legs, or forequarters, should be straight, while their hindquarters are muscular.

In terms of head shape, the standard Shih Tzu head is big and round, set high with a face looking forward or up. This distinctive head shape is a key part of the breed's overall appearance.

The eyes of a Shih Tzu are large and face the front, which adds to their endearing expression.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has specific standards for the Shih-Tzu breed. The AKC Shih-Tzu has a distinctive appearance, with straight front legs and muscular hindquarters.

Their front legs should not be too short or too long, and their hindquarters should be well-proportioned. The standard head is big and round, set high with a face that looks forward or up.

The neck and body should not be exaggerated, and the eyes should be large and face the front. This breed standard is essential for breeders and owners to ensure that their Shih-Tzus meet the expected physical characteristics.

Here are some key characteristics of the AKC Shih-Tzu breed standard:

The Shih Tzu is a great example of how breed standards can vary between kennel clubs. There is a difference between the Shih Tzu of the American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club (UK). The American Kennel Club recognizes the Shih Tzu as a toy dog with a weight range of 9-16 pounds. In contrast, the Kennel Club (UK) considers the Shih Tzu a small dog with a weight range of 7-11 pounds.

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The Shih Tzu's distinctive appearance is a major part of their charm. Their sturdy little body stands no more than 26.7 cm (10 1/2") at the withers.

Their soft and long double coat requires regular brushing to prevent tangles and mats, ideally every 2 or 3 days. Their floppy ears are covered with long hair, and their heavily hair-covered tail is carried curled over the back.

Their ideal weight is 4.0 to 7.5kg (9 to 17 lbs), and their coat can be any color, with white and grey blazes being a common combination.

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To prevent tangles, bathe your shih tzu weekly and brush her hair daily. This will help keep her coat looking its best.

You'll need to brush all the way to her skin, so opt for a wire brush with flexible pins. Shih tzu puppies have fluffy fur, but it becomes silky around a year old.

Her nails should be trimmed monthly, and you'll also need to check her ears for dirt, redness, odor, or the occasional hair that grows inside the ear canal. This will need to be plucked.

Cleaning up your shih tzu's face is also a regular task. You'll need to wipe their faces with warm water and a soft cloth, especially after meals.

A short daily walk or some dedicated indoor playtime is all your shih tzu needs in terms of exercise. They're happy to wander the house, play with toys, and greet anyone at the door.

Consistency and patience are key when training your shih tzu. Crate training can be especially helpful when you travel with your pup.

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The Shih Tzu is a sturdy little dog with a small snout and normally has large dark brown eyes.

Their head shape is often described as an "owl head" or "lion head" by the Chinese, and they have a mouth that's often referred to as a "frog mouth".

They have a soft and long double coat that requires regular brushing to prevent tangling and matting.

A Shih Tzu should stand no more than 26.7 cm (10 1/2") at the withers and weigh between 4.0 to 7.5kg (9 to 17 lbs).

Their floppy ears are covered with long hair, and their tail is heavily hair-covered and carried curled over the back.

The underbite is a very noticeable feature of the Shih Tzu breed, and it's actually required in the breed standard.

In terms of coat color, the Shih Tzu can be any color, but white and grey with blazes are frequently seen.

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Mixed Breeds can make wonderful companions, and it's interesting to note that they often inherit the best traits from their parent breeds. Shih Tzus are a popular breed to mix with other dogs due to their friendly and outgoing nature.

Some popular mixed breeds that combine a Shih Tzu with another breed include the Shihpoo, a mix with a Poodle, and the Shihchi, a mix with a Chihuahua. These mixes can create a unique and loving companion.

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The Affenpinscher is a breed that's often used to create designer mixes, like the Affen Tzu. They're known for being lively and mischievous, which can sometimes get them into trouble.

Their small size makes them a great fit for apartment living, weighing in at around 8-13 pounds when fully grown.

The Sco-Shi is a crossbreed between the Shih Tzu and Scottish Terrier, making it a smart and trainable mixed breed.

They can weigh no more than 20 pounds upon maturity, which is a great size for families with smaller living spaces.

These dogs can be a bit standoffish when first meeting strangers, but they warm up quickly to new friends.

The Sco-Shi's independent nature makes it a great fit for dynamic family situations.

The Shiffon is a mixed breed that's a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Brussels Griffon.

They're known for being social and getting along well with other pets, which makes them a great addition to families with multiple animals.

Shiffons are also excellent with kids, which is a big plus for families with little ones.

Their high energy levels mean they need plenty of exercise and playtime to keep them happy and healthy.

Despite their smart nature, Shiffons can be stubborn at times, which can make training a bit of a challenge for first-time dog owners.

Proper socialization from a young age is crucial to ensure they behave well in social settings later in life.

The Schweenie, a cross between a Dachshund and a Miniature Schnauzer, is a unique and lovable mixed breed.

They can weigh anywhere from 11 to 18 pounds and stand about 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder.

This breed is known for being intelligent and easy to train, making them a great choice for first-time dog owners.

Their short coats require minimal grooming, but they do need regular nail trimming and ear cleaning.

Schweenies are generally good with children and make great family pets, but they can be wary of strangers and may require some time to warm up to new people.

Their Dachshund heritage means they can be prone to back problems, so regular exercise and a healthy diet are essential to keeping them happy and healthy.

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The Havashu is a unique and lovable mixed breed, often created by crossing a Cane Corso with a Shiba Inu. They typically weigh between 20-60 pounds.

These dogs are known for their short coats, which require minimal grooming. Their coats can be a variety of colors, including fawn, brindle, and black.

Havashu are generally intelligent and active dogs, requiring regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. They thrive on mental and physical stimulation.

Their loyalty and affection towards their family is unmatched, making them excellent companions for active families.

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