How many years do Shih Tzu live and what does it depend on?

Many breeders dream of rare exotic dog breeds. These include the Shih Tzu. The adorable pets are called miniature lions and Chinese chrysanthemums. Dogs are incredibly beautiful and highly intelligent. With proper care, Shih Tzu live for over 20 years.

The origin of unusual animals has an interesting history. According to one version, the Shih Tzu were bred in Tibet. According to an ancient legend, a charming pet accompanied the great Buddha everywhere, and in case of danger he turned into a brave lion and fiercely defended its owner. In ancient times, this breed was given all kinds of honors. However, there is an opinion that the first Chinese chrysanthemums appeared in Byzantium, and later came to Tibet.

Today the Shih Tzu can be described as a prestigious and exotic breed. Miniature lion puppies are quite expensive and require careful grooming.

Shih Tzu are unusual animals. Their body is covered with amazing long hair, which is similar in structure to human hair. The pet has a thick undercoat, and the bun on the head resembles a chrysanthemum. The characteristic features include:

• strong rectangular body;
• miniature head;
• smart expressive look;
• a neat muzzle, decorated with a lush mustache and beard;
• hanging ears;
• dense fluffy tail;
• short limbs.

The colors of miniature lions are very diverse: white, black and tan, gray, blue and brindle. It is noteworthy that four-legged beauties do not shed, and unnecessary hairs fall out during combing.

Miniature lions faithfully serve the owner and subconsciously understand what he needs. They enjoy playing with the breeder in the fresh air, and then, curled up, watching TV with him. Shih Tzu are proud and independent pets, not tolerating neglect of themselves. Chinese chrysanthemums love to be the center of attention and suffer alone. They adore all household members and faithfully serve them until the end of their days.

Chinese chrysanthemum puppies pretty stubborntherefore the breeder should be patient. In the absence of proper education, the Shih Tzu will turn into an uncontrollable "bully". In addition, the dog will begin to show herding qualities - to growl and grab the owner by the legs. The breeder needs to gain credibility with the miniature lion. Otherwise, the pet will be stubborn and ignore commands. It is strictly forbidden to use physical force against a small dog.... His psyche may suffer from this.

At home, the life expectancy of a Shih Tzu is from 12 to 15 years old. However, with proper care and balanced nutrition, the pet's lifespan can be extended to 20–23 years. At the same time, the adorable dog will retain a playful attitude and increased activity until adulthood.

Shih Tzu are long-livers if the owner carefully monitors the appearance and nutrition of the animal. First of all care of the coat of an adorable pet is important. Long hairs are periodically trimmed and brushed out daily with a special comb or metal brush.

When tangles appear, they are carefully cut. The breed is characterized by a top knot hairstyle. This is a bunch or tail on a dog's head, which resembles an amazing flower - a chrysanthemum.

For the health and longevity of the pet, the diet is important. The food should be fresh and varied. From natural products, Shih Tzu is suitable for:

• lean fresh meat (beef, rabbit and turkey);
• boiled sea fish without bones;
• dairy products;
• porridge (rice, buckwheat and oatmeal);
• fresh vegetables and fruits;
• greens.

Seaweed, meat and bone meal, and fish oil are excellent additions to your pet's food. As for industrial feed, premium products for ornamental breeds are suitable for the Chinese chrysanthemum.

Four-legged owners of long, thick hair are prone to ear and eye diseases. Clean the pet's ears 2-3 times a month using cotton swabs dipped in hydrogen peroxide. You will need special drops to rinse your eyes. When purulent discharge appears, the animal must be urgently shown to a specialist. Miniature lions also suffer from tartar formations. In this regard, careful monitoring of the pet's oral cavity is important. Shih Tzu is recommended to brush your teeth 1-2 times a week using a special brush and tooth powder.

Increased physical activity is undesirable for this breed.since Shih Tzu are prone to heart disease. In hot weather, the pet can overheat, so walks should be short. For this breed, it is enough 20-30 minutes of outdoor games a day. As the pet grows older, the duration of the walks is reduced.

Representatives of the Shih Tzu breed must be periodically shown to the veterinarian. The specialist will help identify various diseases at the initial stage and prescribe competent treatment.

All about the Shih Tzu dog breed, see below.