A Shih Tzu’s Ear A normal ear doesn’t smell at all; it is clean and skin-colored inside. Yet its inner cavity is very warm and moist because of Shih Tzu’s hair grows long and ears hang loose. This is a friendly environment for yeast, pathogenic germs and mites. Moreover ear wax and fur inside an ear can make a real mess. Infection Diagnostics Ear infections can manifest in the following […] Introduction Death. Alas, death is something that no living being can avoid. Nowadays cancer is considered as one of the most widely-spread causes of death, but not many people know cancer affects dogs too. And the best way to postpone the inevitable as far as possible is to know the symptoms and notice them in time. Of course, only a skillful vet can diagnose oncology with certainty, but the symptoms […] Introduction Selecting a name for your little ball of fur may be mind-blowing. You may be thinking all day long at the end of your wits and come up with nothing but Sparky or Max. No more brainstorms. Numerous popular names can be found here; and not only names but also criteria based on which you can name your dog. Good and Bad Names You will undoubtedly find the one […] Introduction The reason for mixing dogs of two different breeds is to “take” some desired features from each and “hand” them to the puppy. Both poodle and Shih Tzu are small toy-looking dogs. As you can guess, the crossbreed of them called Shihpoo (or Shoodle) has been bred not to make a better hound. But, whatever the features a breeder wants his crossbreed to endow with, sometimes the magic of […] Introduction It is commonly known that long haired dogs such as Shih Tzu are quite difficult to groom and that you cannot pick any shampoo and conditioner for their precious coat out of the blue. Characteristics of a Good Shampoo First of all, you should look for tearless, puppy-specific shampoo. Hypoallergenic shampoos also fit well, since they do not contain detergents, fragrances and other additives that are detrimental for your […] Introduction Alas, many pets make way to rescue agencies and pounds after they fail to understand which behavior is appropriate and which isn’t. If you don’t consider such an option for your little ball of fur, you should be really committed when training your dog and always apply gentle, positive approach without harsh punishments. “Den” Although Shih Tzu puppies are quite stubborn, housetraining of them is not that difficult. The […] Introduction Shi Chi is a name given to the small designer crossbreed of two other small dogs – a Shih Tzu and a Chihuahua. A Shi Chi was bred in the United States by using heterosis (hybrid vigor) method, which is aimed at enhancing traits of two species in their offspring. This technique was supposed to make a Shi Chi less prone to diseases and prolong his lifespan in comparison […] Purebred Dogs Surprisingly, genetics state that all mixes of two purebred dogs are basically more survivable, less susceptible to genetic diseases, and has a higher life expectancy, because, in fact, centuries of inbreeding have made all purebred dogs lame. Thus, a mangy pooch is usually healthier than a bulldog (unless taking fleas into account), but a crossbreed from two purebred dogs also becomes more survivable than any one of these […] Introduction As we all know, keeping a dog’s eyes healthy is crucially important. Of course, this is also true for the Shih Tzu breed. A big, pushed-in-face eyeball of these toy dogs is the reason why they are susceptible to certain diseases. Every Day Routine All Shih Tzu owners should every day allot some time for tending their dogs’ eyes. Firstly, this procedure should include cleaning. Wipe the area around […] Introduction Young Shih Tzu puppies are pretty stubborn; their housebreaking is not something that can be done easily. To potty train your dog, you’ll have to stock up with lots of treats, a leash and a crate to manage this task. Choose the Place Walk your Shih Tzu on a leash to a convenient spot by your home. Since this breed is small and doesn’t need to exercise much, you […]