Shih Tzu
USD $800-$1200 Price Avg.
Companion Dogs
Group
Purebred
Breed Type
Small
Size
10-16 years
Lifespan
Breed Information
| Group | Companion Dogs |
|---|---|
| Popularity/Rank | 20 |
| Origin | China |
| Other Names | Chinese Lion Dog, Chrysanthemum Dog |
| Breed Type | Purebred |
| Price (Avg.) |
USD $800-$1200
How much does it cost to buy a Shih Tzu? Shih Tzu are usually priced differently from breeder to breeder and from place to place. As a rough guide, you can expect to pay between $800 to $1200 if you purchase your dog from a reputable breeder. The price will increase if the dog has a fantastic pedigree. Dogs that already have basic training maybe even more expensive. But, most Shih Tzus can be adopted through a shelter for a lower fee. |
| Size | Small |
| Weight | 9–16 pounds (4-7 kg) |
| Height | 8-11 inches (20-28 cm) |
| Lifespan | 10-16 years |
| Recognized by |
AKC, FCI
The American Kennel Club in 1969 as a Toy breed. And FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Tibetan breeds section. |
| Purpose | Companion, Lap Dog |
| Date of Origin | Ancient Times |
| Ancestry | Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Tibetan Mountain Dog |
Appearance & Maintenance
| Coat | Dense |
|---|---|
| Coat Colors | Black, Blue, Brindle, Gold, Liver, Red, Silver |
| Grooming Level | |
| Shedding Level | |
| Eye Color Possibilities | Brown |
| Nose Color Possibilities | Black, Brown |
| Coat Color Possibilities | Black, Brindle, Brown, Gray, Red, Silver, White |
| Coat Length | Large |
| Coat Density | Normal |
| Coat Texture | Straight |
| Recommended Brushes | Comb, Nail Clipper, Pin Brush |
| Brushing Frequency | Daily |
Breed Characteristics
| Temperament | Active, Brave, Cheerful, Courageous, Daring, Delicate, Friendly, Gentle, Happy, Intelligent, Lively, Outgoing, Playful, Sportive |
|---|---|
| Intelligent | |
| Trainability | |
| Playfulness | |
| Sensitivity Level | |
| Affection Level | |
| Social Interaction Required | |
| Barking | |
| Watchdog Ability | |
| Territorial | |
| Biting Force | Low |
| Mouthiness | |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam | |
| Prey Drive | |
| Adaptability | |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone | |
| Fighting Dog | Not really |
Good & Friendly with
| Apartment Life Friendly | |
|---|---|
| Stranger Friendly | |
| Kid-Friendly | |
| Cat Friendly | |
| Dog Friendly | |
| Office Friendly | No |
| Senior Citizens Friendly | |
| Pet Friendly | |
| Friendly with First Time Owners | Yes |
| Service Dog | Not really |
| Therapy Dog | Not really |
| Detection, Sniffer or Security Dog | Not really |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) | Not really |
| Boat Dog | Not really |
| Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog | Not really |
Health Elements
| Health Issues | |
|---|---|
| Health Problems | Allergies, Bladder Stones, Distichiasis, Dry Eye, Ear Infections, Ectopic Cilia, Hip Dysplasia, Juvenile Renal Dysplasia, Keratitis, Patellar Luxation, Portosystemic Liver Shunt, Progressive |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
| Energy Level | |
| Exercise Required | |
| Sleeping Required | |
| Weight Gain Potential | |
| Weather & Climate | Tolerates warm and cold weather. |
| Stinkiness | Low |
| Drooling tendency | |
| Activity Level | Low |
| Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week | 6 miles |
| Minutes of Activity Per Day | 30 minutes |
Food & Costing
| Avg. Daily Food | Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day. |
|---|---|
| Cups Per Day | 1 cups |
| Daily Cost | $0.75 - $1.00 |
| Monthly Cost | $20.00 - $30.00 |
Reproducibility
| Gestation Duration | 60-64 days |
|---|---|
| How often can the Shih Tzu have a litter? | Once a year. |
| Litter Size | 2-5 puppies (Once a year.) |
Description
The Shih Tzu is a small, lively, and affectionate breed of dog that has been popular for centuries. They are known for their long, flowing coats and friendly personalities. The Shih Tzu is a toy breed that originated in China and was bred to be a companion dog. They are loyal and devoted to their owners, making them an ideal pet for families or individuals looking for a loving companion.
Appearance: The Shih Tzu has a long double coat that can come in many colors including black, white, brown, red, cream, gold and silver. Their coats can be either straight or wavy with the most common being the wavy coat. They have large eyes that are usually dark brown or black in color and they have short muzzles with black noses. The ears of the Shih Tzu are usually floppy but some may have erect ears as well.
Lifespan: The average lifespan of the Shih Tzu is between 10-16 years when properly cared for.
Size: The average size of an adult Shih Tzu is between 9-10 inches tall at the shoulder when standing on all fours and they typically weigh between 8-16 pounds when fully grown.
Weight: A healthy adult male will typically weigh between 8-12 pounds while females will usually weigh between 8-14 pounds when fully grown.
Colors: As mentioned above there are many different colors available including black, white, brown, red cream gold and silver but some may also have markings such as brindle or sable patterns on their coats as well as other unique markings depending on the individual dog’s genetics.
Personality: The personality of the Shih Tzu is one of its most endearing qualities; they are known to be very loyal companions who love spending time with their owners whether it’s playing fetch or just cuddling up together on the couch watching TV! They also tend to get along well with other animals such as cats if introduced properly from an early age so they make great family pets too!
Friendliness: When it comes to friendliness towards other dogs children and other animals; this breed tends to do quite well in social situations due to their outgoing personalities however it’s important to remember that each individual dog may vary so proper introductions should always be done before allowing them around unfamiliar people or animals just in case!
Temperament: In general; this breed tends to have a calm temperament which makes them great companions for those looking for an easy going pet however they can also become quite vocal if not given enough attention so it’s important to make sure you give your pup plenty of love!
Health: Generally speaking; this breed does not suffer from any major health issues however like all breeds there can still be potential problems such as eye infections skin allergies hip dysplasia etc…so regular vet checkups should always be done just in case!
Adaptability Level & Benefits Of Having A Pet Shih Tzu Dog As A Pet : This breed does quite well living both indoors or outdoors depending on your lifestyle however due to their small size they do require more frequent grooming than larger breeds so if you don’t mind taking care of your pup then this shouldn’t be too much trouble! Some benefits include having a loyal companion who loves spending time with you no matter what activity you choose whether it’s going out for walks playing fetch at home cuddling up together watching TV etc…they make great family pets too since they get along well with children cats & other animals if introduced properly from an early age so overall these little guys make wonderful companions who will bring lots of joy into your life!
History
The Shih Tzu is a small, sturdy dog with a short muzzle and large, dark eyes. The breed originated in China and was once known as the Tibetan Lion Dog or the Chinese Lion Dog. The Shih Tzu was bred to resemble a lion, an animal that is revered in Chinese culture.
The Shih Tzu nearly became extinct during the Cultural Revolution in China. During this time, many dogs were killed and only a few remained. The breed was saved by a handful of breeders who smuggled the dogs out of China.
The Shih Tzu became popular in the West in the 1950s and 1960s. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969. Today, the Shih Tzu is one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States.
The ancestry of the Shih Tzu can be traced back to two ancient dog breeds: the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese. The Lhasa Apso is a Tibetan breed that was used as watchdogs in Buddhist monasteries. The Pekingese is a Chinese breed that was once owned by members of the Imperial Court of China.
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