First let me say that typically Shih Tzu's are an excellent choice as a family pet! They are very sweet, kind and generous with love!

One of the main reasons my family decided to adopt the Shih Tzu, is because they are Hypoallergenic. Which, with my son being allergic to most everything, this was a good pet for our family.

If you are looking for a lap dog, you can't go wrong with these little doll babies!

As a breeder I obviously have dealt with lots of these little angels. They are easy in disposition, follow the rules, meaning very easy to train, they just love their owner/family and want to please us! With love, time and consistency you will have a loving best friend for many year!

I myself own both males and females and I don't find that either sex is a factor, they are all just sweethearts. This is one reason I do not charge more for females like a lot of other breeders do. Both are equally as wonderful and sweet! 

Shih Tzu's typically do not have attitudes like other small breeds, they do not get mad and try to bite you or chase you when they are upset. They are sweet and kind and just want your love. This is why they are perfect for young children. Of course, puppies do chew because they are teething and they may "chew" on your fingers and toes, but will never draw blood. They are just playing and are little happy spirits, and do not break that spirit by smacking them when this happens or you will end up with a timid scared dog and nobody wants that! 

All in all these Shih Tzu's are the perfect family pet, I would suggest them for anyone in any type of situation. Single, family, retired they are perfect for everyone. 

You just cannot go wrong with this breed!

- Stefanie Peacock

The Shih Tzu is a precious and amazingly special dog breed for a reason.  This dog has a unique and surprising inbred traits that allow the Shih Tzu to be one of the most loving and incredibly great pets to have.

One of the best behavior traits of the Shih Tzu is that this dog will contently jump up to play around with its owners or others or will cheerfully run through a field as if it is the best place it has ever seen!  Alternatively, the Shih Tzu will also be perfectly content to lay on its dog bed, looking on as its human family watches a movie. 

As an owner, if you are busy with household tasks, the Shih Tzu will silently watch you, just happy to be in a warm and safe home.

One of the great traits of the Shih Tzu is that this breed cannot be categorized as being the best companion for just one age group.  This dog is a perfect companion for the elderly.  Remaining close to its owner, Not demanding or high strung, the Shih Tzu will happily keep an older person company from morning to night.

This dog also is a wonderful family pet.  Absolutely happy to get attention and be loved by 1 person or 10, the Shih Tzu is a perfect family member.   Most of the time, a Shih Tzu is perfectly content to sit quietly and wait as long as needed to finally get that hug and pat that they long for so badly.  It is important to make sure that all family members realize just how little the Tzu is, and that all must be careful when playing with the dog and to watch where they step!

A Shih Tzu's behavior blends well for interaction with children.  Not a snappy or aggressive dog, the Shih Tzu is thrilled to play with toddlers and children. This dog will usually follow their lead. Although the Shih Tzu has a regal appearance, it will merrily romp around with children of all ages.   When needing a break, the Tzu will simply retreat to their resting area.

Undoubtedly, the most amazing trait of this dog is its behavior.  One can immediately see their wonderful personality before even interacting with the Shih Tzu.  This breed is extremely friendly and definitely not shy!  Seeming to have a naturally happy soul, this dog is a wonderful, loving companion.  Always close and loyal to its owners, this Shih Tzu also bonds quickly with any person whom its family accepts.  Therefore, this dog will be unaggressive and friendly to neighbors, friends, extended family and even strangers once the Shih Tzu reads the reactions of its owners and instinctively knows if a person is "friend or foe".

Information pulled from: The Shih Tzu information center online.

Shih Tzu - Chinese Lion Dog

The Shih Tzu dog breed survived a tragic history to become one of the most popular toy breeds around today. Shih Tzu historical information reveals that the breed has roots in royalty.

The Shih Tzu originated as the pampered pet of Tibetan Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi, who bred the dogs prolifically between 1861, when she came into power, and 1908, when she died. Her successor disdained the little dogs and everything they represented. As a result, many dogs were killed after the Empress’s death. Surviving Shih Tzus belonged mostly to foreigners and members of Chinese nobility, who had received the dogs as gifts from the Empress.

The breed first appeared in the United Kingdom during the late 1920s or early 1930s. North American soldiers who got to know the breed in Europe during World War II became fond of the little dogs and brought them back to the United States and Canada.

Perhaps because of careful breeding to make them suitable as royal pampered pets, the Shih Tzu has a happy disposition and a strong desire to be the center of attention. The Shih Tzu is a lap dog who is content to spend hour after hour relaxing in the company of humans. Because of their small size—nine to sixteen pounds—and easygoing personality, these sturdy dogs are especially popular with apartment dwellers.

The dogs were bred to have a lion-like appearance, with their flattened facial muscles, bowed legs, bulging eyes, and intimidating facial expressions earning them the nickname of “lion dogs.” Their wrinkled faces were also said to resemble chrysanthemum flowers, giving rise to the breed’s second nickname of “chrysanthemum dog.”

The Shih Tzu coat ranges in colors from solid black or gold to several multi-color combinations. The breed’s elegant appearance comes from its long, slightly wavy coat, which requires daily attention.

The dog makes an excellent family pet but is equally content to be a companion for a single owner or a couple without children. The shih tzu is happiest when it is the center of attention.

The British Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1935, and the breed continues to be popular in the U.K. and Europe. In 2006, the Shih Tzu ranked ninth in the American Kennel Club’s rankings of breed popularity. This is a particularly remarkable accomplishment, considering that the AKC first recognized the breed in 1969. The little Shih Tzu has come a long way in the United States in just under forty years, and it is likely to continue to grow in popularity as more and more people discover what a delightful pet this breed is.

The Shih Tzu is as well known for its delightful personality as it is for its long, flowing coat. More Shih Tzu information  can be found online, at public libraries, and from breeders. 

Article from: Shih Tzu - The Breed

801-634-7233 call or text for more info!