Bien que son nom signifie « petit lion » en mandarin, le joueur Shih Tzu est loin d'être un combattant. Élevés à l'origine pour la royauté en Chine, ces adorables chiens sont des compagnons nés dont le but dans la vie est d'aimer et d'être aimé.
Lisez la suite pour en savoir plus sur le tempérament, l'histoire, la formation, les exigences de soins de Shih Tzu et déterminer si cette race royale est le bon choix pour votre famille.
Table des matières
- Caractéristiques du Shih Tzu
- Caractéristiques physiques
- Tempérament et personnalité
- Durée de vie moyenne
- Conseils d'entretien du Shih Tzu
- Entraînement et exercice
- Entretien
- Régime et nutrition
- Vivre avec un Shih Tzu
- Problèmes de santé courants du Shih Tzu
- Adopter ou acheter un chien Shih Tzu
- Principaux plats à emporter
Conseil de pro : Si vous envisagez un nouveau membre de la famille à quatre pattes, vous devriez considérer la valeur de l'assurance pour animaux de compagnie, quelle que soit la race que vous ramenez à la maison. Bien qu'il existe plusieurs problèmes de santé génétiquement liés au Shih Tzu, des accidents peuvent survenir à tout moment, n'importe où, entraînant des factures vétérinaires inattendues pouvant coûter jusqu'à 5 000 $ sans protection.
Caractéristiques du Shih Tzu
Apparence physique
En moyenne, le poids d'un Shih Tzu adulte est entre neuf et 16 livres, avec une hauteur de huit à 11 pouces . Cela signifie que la race appartient à la catégorie des jouets, qui est plus petite que les races de chiens de taille moyenne, grande et géante.
Fidèles à l'héritage de la race, ils marchent avec une démarche royale, marquée par une queue recourbée accrocheuse et des cheveux luxueux. Toutes les couleurs de pelage sont acceptables selon les standards de la race Shih Tzu, mais un pigment foncé est généralement préféré sur le nez et autour des yeux.
Les Shih Tzu sont brachycéphales chiens , qui est un terme utilisé pour décrire les canines avec un nez et une mâchoire supérieure considérablement raccourcis. Cette condition crée plusieurs caractéristiques déterminantes de la race, notamment sa tête ronde, ses yeux proéminents, son museau court et sa sous-occlusion visible.
Tempérament et personnalité
Les Shih Tzu sont connus pour leur tempérament joyeux et vif . Ils sont très amicaux et s'entendent généralement bien avec les enfants et les autres animaux domestiques. Ils aiment être en compagnie de leurs humains, qu'il s'agisse de faire une randonnée dans le parc ou simplement de s'asseoir sur leurs genoux.
Les Shih Tzu n'aiment pas mâcher en raison de leur museau court, mais beaucoup aiment creuser et certains peuvent être sujets à des aboiements intempestifs.
Durée de vie moyenne
L'espérance de vie des chiens Shih Tzu varie de 12 à 16 ans , avec une moyenne d'âge de 14 ans. La plupart des membres de la race vivront jusqu'au début de leur adolescence et sont considérés comme des chiens âgés entre neuf et dix ans. De manière générale, les races de petite taille ont tendance à vivre plus longtemps que les grands chiens, et les Shih Tzu bénéficient de l'une des durées de vie les plus longues du monde canin.
Fait amusant :le plus vieux Shih Tzu enregistré s'appelait Smokey et a vécu jusqu'à 23 ans !
Conseils d'entretien Shih Tzu
Entraînement et exercice
Bien que le tempérament d'un Shih Tzu soit souvent amical et docile, il bénéficie toujours d'une formation à l'obéissance et d'une socialisation précoce. As with all dogs, consistency, patience, and positive reinforcements are helpful when training your pup.
Shih Tzus can be difficult to housebreak and may need indoor supervision for some time. Experts also recommend crate training, which can be especially helpful when you travel.
Because they were bred as lapdog companions, Shih Tzus only require minimal exercise — a short, daily walk or some indoor playtime should be enough to satisfy their need for physical activity.
Grooming
Shih Tzus have a double coat that requires a fair amount of grooming, especially at long lengths. With long hair, even one day without brushing can turn their coat into a tangled mess. Perhaps that explains why most long-haired Shih Tzus are seen in the show ring, and owners typically prefer their pets to sport a lower-maintenance short clip. A shorter coat also helps prevent heat stroke in dogs by helping them stay cool.
These dogs need weekly baths but make sure to comb out any tangles before bathing and blow-dry the coat afterward to keep your pet from getting chilled. The nails should be trimmed every one to two weeks and the teeth should be brushed daily with a vet-approved pet toothpaste. Don’t forget about the eyes, as well. Wash the area around the eyes using a wet cotton ball, dog eye wipes, or a soft washcloth to minimize staining.
Do Shih Tzus shed?
Potential pet parents sometimes ask if Shih Tzus are “hypoallergenic” , non-shedding dogs if someone in the household suffers from allergies. While it’s true that people are less likely to have allergic reactions to this breed , it’s important to know that they’re not entirely allergen-free.
Shih Tzu dogs are one of several breeds that have human-like hair, rather than fur. And, just like humans, they will shed their hair every day. The difference is that the long strands of shed hair get caught within the coat, then brushed out with grooming. Therefore, the dander on Shih Tzus that typically triggers allergic reactions in people stays trapped , rather than released in the environment then falling onto the ground, furniture, or clothing.
This is true of most mature breed members, but as younger pups develop, pet parents often wonder "Why is my Shih Tzu puppy shedding so much?" Around nine to 12 months of age, the Shih Tzu coat evolves from a puppy stage with short, thin hair into a thicker adult coat. During this three-week period, Shih Tzus shed very profusely due to the increased volume of hair and require more thorough brushing.
Régime et nutrition
As small breed dogs, Shih Tzus only need up to one cup of dry dog food a day , divided into two or three meals. Because they’re not high-energy dogs, these tiny pups are prone to weight gain, so be sure to limit the number of treats you offer. Your veterinarian will recommend the proper meal and snack portions for your pet at each stage of development based on their unique needs and medical history.
You can nourish your pet’s luxurious coat from the inside out through a protein-rich diet balanced with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids . Quality nutrition will also help optimize muscle and joint health, as well as their overall wellbeing.
Don’t forget to keep your dog’s bowl filled with fresh water throughout the day; Shih Tzu dogs have higher heat sensitivity than other breeds, so they might be more thirsty than usual.
Living with Shih Tzus
Shih Tzus love apartment living and could be a great choice for pet parents who are limited in space. They require little exercise but be especially careful with physical activity in hot, humid weather. Brachycephalic dog breeds are more prone to heat stroke because their shortened muzzle inhibits their ability to cool themselves off efficiently.
As born lapdogs, Shih Tzus typically need a lot of attention. They thrive on human company and enjoy training because it makes them the center of attention. When these needs are unmet, you might find them to act out through excessive barking or destructive behavior around the house.
Shih Tzus are great with children and will readily extend their affection to strangers. However, don’t count on your pet Shih Tzu to guard the home; they’d probably give intruders a very warm welcome.
Common Shih Tzu health issues
Due to their undershot jaw, Shih Tzus frequently experience oral health problems such as misaligned or missing teeth. In some cases, they may not lose their baby teeth before their permanent teeth come in, which might require a vet visit for extraction.
Their prominent eyes also make Shih Tzus more prone to issues such as cataracts, retinal detachment, corneal dryness, and progressive retinal atrophy. They’re a generally healthy dog breed, but as with any other breed, there are certain health conditions owners should be aware of, such as:
- Dysplasie de la hanche
- Patellar luxation
- Infections de l'oreille
- Umbilical hernia (a condition caused by incomplete closure of the umbilical ring after birth)
- Portosystemic liver shunt (an abnormal vessel that allows blood from the intestine to bypass the liver)
Conseil de pro : Shih Tzu health insurance is designed to provide a financial safety net should your pet ever encounter a hereditary condition, common illness, or accidental injury. You can enjoy peace of mind knowing your canine companion has access to the gold-standard veterinary care they deserve, with less stress placed on your personal finances.
Shih Tzu breed history
Historically, Shih Tzus were bred as house pets and in the 14th century, they made their way into Chinese royalty. The Chinese royals did not allow Shih Tzus to be traded outside of the nobility until 1930 when the first members of the breed were brought to Europe. The breed arrived in the States after WWII and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969.
Adopting or buying a Shih Tzu dog
Organizations like American Shih Tzu Club and Shih Tzu Rescue can inform you about rescue opportunities and provide breeder referrals. You can also check local animal shelters and see if there are any Shih Tzu rescues in your area.
If you are interested in dog breeds similar to Shih Tzus, consider checking out the Maltese, Lhasa Apso, Bolognese, and Silky Terrier. There are also many popular Shih Tzu mixed breeds, such as the:
- Shih Tzu-Poodle (Shoodle)
- Shih Tzu-Maltese (Malt-Tzu)
- Shih Tzu-Yorkie (Shorkie)
- Shih Tzu-Chihuahuas (Shichi)
Whether you’re buying a Shih Tzu puppy or rescuing an adult, be sure to take your pet to your vet as soon as possible. Your vet will be able to spot any issues and will work with you to set up a preventive pet care regimen and a nutrition plan that suits your pet’s needs.
Clé à retenir
- Exceptionally playful and friendly, Shih Tzus make affectionate and loyal companions for families with children.
- These cute dogs require extra grooming and a little more patience with training, but their affection and loving nature make it all worthwhile.
- In general, Shih Tzus are a healthy breed, but they can have a disposition towards certain health conditions like hip dysplasia, as well as eye, ear, and respiratory problems. Should you notice anything out of the ordinary, be sure to discuss your concerns with your vet.
