Small and adorable, dogs of the Shih Tzu breed have won the world over with their sweetness. In Brazil, it was no different. For five years now, the Chinese-origin canines have occupied the second place in the ranking of the top 10 favorite dogs in the country.
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There are over 129,000 Shih Tzu dogs registered across the country on the PetCenso platform by DogHero, and male dogs are the majority (53%). Joy and companionship are among the main attractions of Shih Tzus. Due to their “adorable” characteristics, even those who are not dog experts can recognize them.
Although there is no defined standard for colors – as the breed can come in shades of black, gray, brown, red, silver, and white -, puppies usually are born with dark fur, which lightens as they grow. Veterinarian Thaís Matos warns that attention must be paid to the coats of Shih Tzu dogs. “It’s necessary for the owner to brush the dog daily, give them weekly baths, and prevent the topknot from getting into the dog’s eyes and causing irritations,” she explains.
Despite the tendency towards brachycephalic syndrome due to the flat snout that makes breathing difficult, Shih Tzu dogs usually do not have major health problems when compared to other breeds. In terms of temperament, it’s a calm breed, but one that is always alert and tends to bark to alert when it notices something different. Therefore, some parents may choose to train them.
Shih Tzu dogs do not like to be alone for long periods and require attention. Being very sociable, they get along with everyone, even other animals, as well as different people and children.
When well cared for, these little companions can live from 13 to 15 years.
