Own A Tibetan Holy Dog - The Shih Tzu
Aazdak Alisimo
The Shih Tzu, pronounced shi ah zoo, is a breed from China that comes with a unique classification. It is considered the oldest breed and smallest of the Tibetan holy dogs, facts that seem backed up by its faint resemblance to a small lion.
If ever there was a single name that did a lot of work, it is Shih Tzu. The primary translation is that of small lion as mentioned previously. Certain contexts, however, interpret is as the elemental queen, the singular beautiful woman.
Given the holy dog designation, you might be surprised to learn the Shih Tzu is actually a very small dog. That being said, it is elegant. This is particularly true when its hair is allowed to grow long and flowing.
The hair of the Shih Tzu is unique among the dog species. Simply put, it is not fur as you typically understand it. The hair is more like fine human hair. Shih Tzu do not shed. Their hair falls out over time like us humans.
A Shih Tzue is definitely requires a commitment on your part as it will live for a good period of time. Although some have been noted to live up to sixteen years, the average is in the twelve to fourteen year range depending on care.
Health problems for any living animal, including Shih Tzu, are always an issue. Your pup is definitely at risk for certain things. Vision problems are common in Shih Tzu as are hip and liver issues.
Long, flowing hair on a Shih Tzu is beautiful. That beauty comes with a price. If you buy one, you must be committed to brushing out the hair each and every night. Otherwise, you will end up with a living tangle.
Every animal has its quarks and the Shih Tzu is no different. Heat is the problem. The pup is super sentitive to it. If you leave the pup in a hot area, such as a parked car, it can easily expire. The body does not handle heat well.
Shih Tzu can be a good or bad choice as a pet. They are great dogs, but many people fall in love with their long hair looks and buy them without realizing someone has to spend time getting rid of tangles, burrs and the like. Don't make this mistake.
Aazdak Alisimo writes about all types of pets for PetStoreYeti.com, where you can find http://www.petstoreyeti.com/ pet stores in your area. Don't reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free http://www.uberarticles.com/?id=15571&b=79 unique content version of this same article.
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