Since the Shih Tzu is one of the most popular dog breeds, it's no surprise that many stars have owned them. Celebrity owners of Shih Tzu include Nicole Richie, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Colin Farell, Bill Gates, and even Queen Elizabeth II.
Geri Halliwell, a former singer in the Spice Girls band and now a clothes designer, author and actress owns a famous Shih Tzu named Harry. Actress Rebecca Mader (famous from the Devil Wears Prada movie and the TV show Lost) brought her adorable Shih-Tzu, named Bella, with her to the Silver Spoons event.
Shih Tzus – Owners of shih tzus are friendly and nonjudgmental and are dearly loved by their friends. They are great confidants and enjoy a calm relaxed lifestyle. They aren't one to take on extra tasks at work and prefer to be taken care of.
The Shih Tzu (UK: /ˌʃiːˈtsuː/, US: /ˈʃiːtsuː/; Chinese: 西施犬; pinyin: Xī Shī quǎn literally "Hsi Shih dog") is a toy dog breed originating from Tibet and was bred from the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso.
Shih Tzus were (and are!) prized for their companionship, and these adorable, plush canines are deeply loyal, affectionate, and always down to cuddle, which is why they're widely loved across class lines today. The Shih Tzu is family-friendly and adaptable, and their gorgeous locks are enchanting.
Shih Tzu's are notorious for lying in their owner's lap. Shih Tzus only require one short walk a day, or they can burn off their energy by running through the house. Shih Tzus are also very friendly dogs.
Because they adore their owners so much, shih tzus love to be carried around. But ensure you hold them securely—they tend to be front heavy—and don't let them jump.
Shih Tzus are typically considered to be smart dogs and have even been to assist farmers and tradesmen in the past. However, Shih Tzus can also be stubborn at times. Shih Tzu's intelligence varies from individual to individual, but most people agree they are pretty good problem solvers.
What is the rarest color in a Shih Tzu? Although black is one of the most dominant genes, a completely black Shih Tzu, without any white markings, is arguably the least common. Similarly, a pure white Shih Tzu is only seen rarely and a white puppy with black markings is virtually unheard of.
A: Shih Tzus are loyal and devoted family dogs, however, they are overly-attached and overly-affectionate with one family member. It is safe to say that the Shih Tzu is a “one-person dog”.
Research indicates that dogs understand human emotions and words better than we thought.
If your dog follows you everywhere then it's a sign that they trust and love you and that you make them feel safe. Following you very closely can be a sign that they're bored, they want something, they're feeling scared or are just being nosy.
What should you budget for acquiring him? The price could be as low as $250 if you get your puppy of off Craigslist – or around $1,200 if you get him from a registered breeder. Dogs with exceptional pedigrees may run as high as $3,000. Rescues charge about $350 for Shih Tzu puppies.
Lion-like dogs were sent to the Chinese imperial court from Tibet centuries ago, and in turn, imperial breeders likely used these dogs to develop the Shih Tzu. In fact, Shih Tzu means “lion dog.” These little pups were pampered by emperors and their families for hundreds of years and were prized as lap warmers.
A Shih Tzu is generally affectionate, happy and loving, but they tend to be jealous too. Whether with kids or other pets, a Shih Tzu can turn into a green-eyed monster, unless you do something to ensure jealousy doesn't rear its ugly head in your household.
The Shih Tzu is a breed prone to barking. They tend to bark at people and dogs passing the window, or off in the distance when walking. They love to bark at the front door when visitors arrive as if saying please pet me, bark. Barking while travelling in the car can be a problem that is easily rectified.
The name of the breed literally means Lion Dog. Shih Tzus are said to be extra lucky dogs for you and they are very tolerant, trustful and make loving friends. They are energetic and playful and you want to snuggle with them all the time.
If there's anything negative about the Shih Tzu's natural temperament, it's that their people-oriented tendencies can make them very clingy. While this is a toy-dog that can fit in even the smallest of apartments, their desire to love and be loved can turn to extreme separation anxiety in the absence of their owner.
Are Shih Tzu dogs easy to train? Yes! This dog breed's high intelligence makes them very trainable. Young children can train these affectionate, friendly, and charismatic dogs that make great therapy dogs.
Shih Tzus were bred to be loving companions—it is literally in their genes. Playful, cuddly, and oh-so-affectionate, the Shih Tzu has all the makings of a perfect family pet. Shih Tzus tend to be outgoing and are friendly towards just about everybody, including strangers, other dogs, and even cats.
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
The thick, curled coat on a shih tzu is more high maintenance than what you'll find on many other breeds. Typically, a shih tzu should be bathed every three weeks to keep its skin and hair healthy and to avoid bad smells from developing.
The last set are the final 10 breeds (70-79), labeled “Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence”, with the Shih Tzu at number 70. According to the judges involved, this breed did not do well with commands, and overall was ruled to need 80 to 100 repetitions of new commands given before following them.