The Shih Tzu originally comes from China, a hybrid bred from the Lhasa dog of Tibet and the Pekingese. Since it is named after Xi Shi, one of the four great ancient beauties, it must be a very beautiful dog. They have lively, active personalities, are intelligent and keen, and have elegant postures, but are somewhat stubborn and proud. It is a long-haired dog, covered all over with straight hair that requires trimming, especially with dense hair on the head but no curls. Shih Tzus with white lines on the forehead and tail are rated higher. Below, the editor from Boqi Network will teach you how to choose a Shih Tzu to avoid some mistakes.

Shih Tzu (Detailed Introduction)

　　1. Choosing a Healthy Shih Tzu

　　(1) Before buying, refer to some information regarding the physical features and characteristics of the Shih Tzu. Having a clear understanding can help avoid making blind choices.

　　(2) When selecting, make sure to choose a physically robust, energetic, agile Shih Tzu puppy with bright, lively eyes and no signs of illness.

　　(3) During selection, carefully examine all parts of the dog to see if it meets the breed’s standard physical characteristics.

　　(4) Specifically, the Shih Tzu’s height and weight should not exceed the standard too much, otherwise it may not be a purebred of the breed.

　　(5) When assessing personality traits, pay attention to whether the dog is friendly and approachable, agile, and whether it barks or bites uncontrollably.

　　(6) When examining the physical traits, compare the dog’s head, chest, back, waist, abdomen, front legs, hind legs, neck, tail, toes, claws, eyes, nose, muzzle, ears, coat, and color comprehensively against the standard.

　2. Notes on Purchasing

　　Whether you plan to buy a regular or purebred Shih Tzu, be cautious of price traps. Be careful during transactions and don’t drop your guard just because the price seems suitable. Therefore, when buying a Shih Tzu, you should pay attention to:

　　1. When inspecting the Shih Tzu, observe its appearance and behavior. If it barks excessively, or has weak limbs, it usually indicates illness and is not recommended for purchase.

　　2. If the Shih Tzu is in good physical condition and properly cared for, the seller will usually provide a 1-2 week health guarantee.

　　3. If you want to buy a purebred Shih Tzu, the seller must provide pedigree certificates for both the father and mother dogs. Without these, it is difficult to guarantee the dog is purebred.

　　4. After successfully purchasing, a transfer certificate should be signed.

　When choosing a Shih Tzu, the entire coat should be long and dense. Dogs with white spots on the forehead and tail tip are top grade. Legs should be short with sturdy bones. Feet should be round with thick pads; the head should be round and broad with a black, moist nose; eyes large, round, black, and not bulging. Ears should be large and well feathered. Chest should be deep and wide; back straight. Tail hair should be abundant and feather-like, which is preferred. Dogs with narrow heads, protruding upper jaws, pointed muzzles, pale nose and eye edges, legs too long, poor gait, or thin coats should not be selected.