The Shih Tzu is a toy dog of small stature and great heart. This lovable tiny dog is often a spoilt member of the family; if you own a Shih Tzu you will understand the love their owners feel for their!
If you want to show off your beautiful, purebred Shih Tzu at competitions on any level then you will need to fill in yourself with the standards and requirements.
Shitzu Dogs
The American Kennel Club has clearly defined guidelines when it comes to what kinds of bodily attributes your Shih Tzu will need to exhibit.
If you want to show, breed or are just curious in studying about the Shih Tzu Breed then here are some things you can do. Ask your breeder, your Vet, use the Internet and learn everything you can about Shih Tzu's.
The breed specifications are long and detailed for the Shih Tzu to catalogue for many of the variations.
Summary of general breed specifications:
Overall Appearance:
The Shih Tzu is sturdy and exciting with a long flowing double coat. A proud bearing and a distinctively arrogant manner with the head commonly carried well up and a curved tail which rests on the back.
There is a great divergence on the size of the Shih Tzu but the dog must carry a good weight and give an broad impression of a compact, solid and well built dog.
Size, Proportion, Substance
The ideal weight for adult dogs is anywhere within the range of 9 to 16 pounds. The highest point of the back (known as the withers) should be not less than 8 inches. The ideal Shih Tzu should be well proportioned. The length in the middle of the withers and the root of the tail is slightly longer than the height at the withers. The dog may not appear to be 'leggy' or conversely may not appear dumpy or squatty. Substance - Regardless of size, the Shih Tzu is ageement solid
Head
The head should be round, broad, with a wide space in the middle of eyes. The head must appear to be in equilibrium with the broad size of the dog. The Shih Tzu should have a warm, sweet, wide-eyed, cordial and trusting. An broad well-balanced, pleasant _expression is the most important aspect of the features of the head.
The judges carefully contemplate beyond the hair to conclude if what is seen is the indeed head and shape or if right grooming has been used to cover faults.
Faults
- Narrow Head
- Close-set eyes
- Small, close-set or light eyes
- immoderate eye white
- Snippiness
- Lack of exact stop
- Pink on nose, lips or eye rims
- Overshot bite
Competing with your Shih Tzu
Of course if you want to show your Shih Tzu you will need to read as much as potential on the subject. Read everything you can and discuss
The breed standards can differ from country to country and also even within varied breed organizations. commonly you can be sure that even in the middle of distinct judges there are limits as to what is reconsider a variant and what is carefully to be a fault. Interpretation varies as do judges tastes.
The Shih Tzu standard is made up with fanciers, breeder's nation wide. If you do not plan to show your Shih Tzu then just about any puppy will do. These are some good guidelines in what to look for but being exact is not necessary. If you have found the cutest, healthiest tiny puppy then that is all your family will need.
What Is A Shih Tzu Standard?