Interesting Fact about Shih Tzu Dogs

If you’re a fan of small dogs, you are probably familiar with the Shih Tzu breed of dog that originates from China. The breed is well known for its winning traits, such as being friendly, lively, loyal, and active.

In addition, the breed that originated from China is now prized around the world for its unique look, size, and gentle characteristics.

Shih Tzu is an affectionate dog that is well adapted to living at home. Shih Tzu dogs are bred solely to be companion dogs. However, their small size makes them ideal for house dogs that are furry and affectionate companions to the whole family.

If you ever have spent time with a Shih Tzu, you’ll know that these dogs love nothing more than following their owners from room to room. The Shih Tzu are lap dogs and, owing to their affectionate nature and small size, are the best lap warmers that a person could ask for.

In this article, we would like to make you familiar with the Shih Tzu breed of dog. The  Shih Tzu is a breed of lap dog that will surprise you with the many facts surrounding it.

If you plan to add a Shih Tzu to your family circle, you’ll fall in love with the breed after reading this article. If you wish to buy the breed, you can find a Shih Tzu puppy sale in Pune.

Let’s begin this article with some little-known Shih Tzu facts. We’re sure you’ll find the Shih Tzu interesting.

Shih Tzu are excellent show dogs

If you’ve been to dog shows, you’ll notice that the Shih Tzu breed is a favorite among judges. The breed is a sport dog that is eager to be trained for obedience, rally competitions, and agility. In addition, the breed naturally enjoys taking orders, and its gentle nature makes it easier to train.

Shih Tzu is a nearly 1000 year breed

Shih Tzu has been documented to be bred for over 1000 years. The breed that originated from Tibet has several wonderful characteristics. First, they were bred from a short and square dog found in the region.

Their name means “Little Lion.”

For such a sweet and gentle dog, it’s amazing that the literal translation of this dog name means little lion. The name originates from Tibetan legend, in which a Buddhist God of learning traveled with a small furry dog.

This dog (according to legend) was capable of transforming into a fully grown lion to protect its master – hence the name “Little Lion.”

Chrysanthemum faced dogs

You’re probably wondering what the phrase Chrysanthemum face dog means. For breeders and dog owners, it’s just a fancy way of saying that the dog’s fur grows in every direction, and this fur (if not trimmed) covers the eyes of this little dog. Therefore, Shih Tzu needs to be trimmed often – as any dog owner of this kind will tell you.

They were nearly wiped out during the communist era

The Shih Tzu dog had a close call during the communist era when the breed was nearly wiped out. Their decline in number was because the breeding of this kind of dog nearly stopped following the death of the queen of China, Empress Tzu Hsi.

The empress was known for favoring this breed and had a breeding program of her own. However, following her death, the breeding program fell apart, and the breed was nearly regaled to history.

Just 14 dogs saved the breed

Yes, that’s right – if it were not for 14 dogs, the Shih Tzu breed would have been ancient history. Unfortunately, following the falling apart of the royal breeding program, there were only 14 dogs left. So the breed was rebuilt with just seven males and seven female dogs.

Shih Tzu traveled the world

Shih Tzu received their international fame when they were imported from China to the UK. The English, in turn, took the breed to various European countries during WW2.

Following this, American soldiers stationed in Europe found interest in the dog and brought it with them back to America. The breed has only grown in popularity since then.

Shih Tzu a celebrity dog

You’ve probably seen this dog prancing the red carpet as this breed is no stranger to fame. The Shih Tzu breed is a favorite among celebrities who cherish the breed for its small size – making it easy to carry around.

Some celebrities who are fans of the Shih Tzu breed include Mariah Carey, Nicole Richie, Beyonce, Collin Farrell, Bill Gates, and even the Queen – to name a few.

We hope you enjoyed this article detailing little-known facts about Shih Tzu. For more amazing facts about dogs, keep reading to know more about our favorite breeds of dogs.