Are You a Shih Tzu Person?

There is no doubt that you will have to pay attention to your Shih Tzus unique single coat, even if you choose to keep it short. The coat sheds little, unlike that of many other long-haired breeds, and this fortunately means that you will not find great quantities of dog hair around your home. On the other hand, the coat will form knots if left unattended, so you must always be prepared to devote time and energy to this aspect of pet ownership. In any case, grooming sessions can be a great opportunity to nurture the bond with your dog, and you will enjoy spending this special time together. You also will both feel incredibly proud of the end result. To see your freshly groomed Shih Tzu strutting around in all his glory, clearly feeling like a million bucks, will give you tremendous satisfaction. What a spectacular little dog!

You must never, under any circumstances, treat your Shih Tzu harshly. Don't even use harsh words! If you are capable of giving him the respect this smart little dog deserves, you will have a wonderful companion. What's more, your Shih Tzu will always be willing to listen to your secrets with sympathy and understanding, so you may find yourself opening your heart more to your Shih Tzu than you do to your friends!

For certain, the Shih Tzu is a wonderful companion, and his dazzling appearance, with that magnificent coat and elegant topknot, makes him highly popular as a show dog. There is no doubt that keeping the coat glorious will require plenty of time and attention, but grooming can be calming and therapeutic for both parties, and the end result is a pleasure to the eye. The breed should be especially appealing to the hairstylists among us!

Some Shih Tzu take part in agility and obedience work, and their charming personalities make them good candidates for therapy work, too. However, the Shih Tzu is just as delighted to live a leisurely life around the home and will show his love for you in so many ways that you will just know you've made the right decision by letting him enter your life.

Next step: Shih Tzu Overview

Reprinted from Breeders Best: Shih Tzu © 2004. Permission granted by Kennel Club Books, an imprint of BowTie Press.

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