Shih Chon

Shih Chon is a dog that is a cross between a Bichon Frise and a Shih Tzu. Shih Chon is a great dog and a perfect dog to keep around the house. Shih Chon are medium size dogs and usually do not get much bigger than a big cat.

Thus, they are not suitable for outside. Make sure someone from the family is with them when the dog is outside. The dog should be provided nice fenced backyard to play. This would help them to keep safe from other dogs. These dogs are perfect family dogs and mix up easily. They are excellent companion with kids, and they are very loving. Shih Chon is a lap dog and needs to be attended every time. They are keen to sit on your lap always. Generally they sit on the lap quietly however sometimes they like to jump up and sit in the head of the households lap. So you need to watch out, this dog is going to want to sit in your lap.

The Shih Chon usually weigh about 8 to 15 pounds, thus, the dog is small and can be easily made sit on lap and you do not have to worry about them getting too big. The dog is pretty calm and if you want to scale their calmness then on a scale from one to ten (ten being the highest), they range about a 3. Although the dog is small in size then too sometime it show wild behavior. As the Shih Chon dog is gentle and is not very active, it makes a great dog for the retired people. The dog if properly trained can even will sit and watch TV with you or sit next to you when you are playing video games; this is the dog for you. At times the dog will not sleep and only watch you doing things and will company you till late night.

The Shih Chon watch fast moving things eagerly and most of the time they will watches your hands, because they move fast. As the dog is medium size and has a single coat it sheds less hair or no shedding. So the Shih Chon is perfect dog for those who hates matting or are allergic to dog hairs. Let's thanks to these designer dogs, like the Shih Chon, now you can own your own dog. One should give this dog a try. The dog has a well built body and has great personality. Shih Chon is not a independent dog.

The dog hates to be alone and if left for long period can be a victim of separate anxiety. However, if proper care of the dog is taken they can outlive most big dogs, but fall short of outliving the smaller dogs. Generally, the dog is healthy however; it does have some health problems like skin infections, cushing syndrome, dental disease, patellar luxation, bladder and kidney stones. The average life span of the dog is 12 years.

Choosing a Vet For Your Shih Tzus

The vet is an important person in caring for your shih tzus. Regardless of your dog's size, color, health condition and even breed, regular vet visits are necessary to allow you and your vet to spot any problem before it gets worst. In other words, the health and life of your shih tzus partly depends on your vet. You must therefore make sure to choose someone whom you can trust.
In choosing veterinarians, most owners usually pick from phone book and then contact the one that is closest to their location. However, for some reasons, some felt uncomfortable with the chosen vet after few appointments. But despite that, most dog owners stick to the same vet.

To save your from vet issues, here are some tips to consider:

Ask other pet owners.

Ask friends, relatives or neighbors who are also pet owners. They can suggest a reliable vet and will gladly share their vet experiences with you. You can also ask recommendation from your local pet shop.

Location of your vet.

Location of your vet is important here. Some pets aren't fit to travel too long and too far. And besides, in emergency cases, a longer distance is a major disadvantage.

View the facilities.

It is a great idea to check the center and the facilities they have. Is the center clean and tidy? Check how many staff members are there, procedure during appointments and emergency and the services they offer.

Some centers have specialists services such as behavior therapy, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, internal medicine, neurology and others.

Operation hours.

Make sure that the operation schedule is convenient to you. If you are working during the day, select a vet that opens clinic during the evening or on Saturdays. Check what is available in case of emergency.

Specialist clinic.

It is better if you will choose a dog-only clinic to make sure your pet will not get excited or upset by the presence of other pets such as cats, birds and so on.

The price.

Some veterinarians cost higher than the others. Ask about credit cards and payment plans. Remember also to ask if your vet accepts insurance plans if you have one or if planning to get one.

Health Issues of Shih Tzus

Shih tzus can live for up to 10 to 18 years but the range can vary depending on their health condition, activities and how they are being cared for. Some factors that can contribute to their health's deterioration are health issues. These health issues include:
Stenotic Nares.

This diease is common among dogs considered to be brachycephalic such as Shih Tzus. Brachycephalic dogs, also called snub-nosed dogs are dogs with short wide head and narrow nostrils. This physical attribute causes increased resistance to airflow through the mouth, nose and larynx and can later lead to respiratory difficulty and enlargement of the heart. Stenotic nares are present at birth to brachycephalic dogs but clinical signs of the disease usually begin until the pet is several years old.

Luxating Patella.

Smaller breed of dogs such as shih tzus are at risk of having this health problem. Luxating patella occurs when the kneecap, which is usually located at the center of the knee point, slides out of its grove. Although luxating patella is a congenital disease, the disease is sometimes acquired through trauma. Signs of this disease include lameness in the affected legs (rear), walking on three legs, holding affected leg up or extending it backward.

Cleft Palate.

Cleft palate is an opening or division in the middle of the palate (roof of the mouth). This health issue can be either a genetic disease or due to something that occured during the development of the embryo. Dogs with cleft palate cannot nurse and are at risk of getting sinusitis or pneumonia. Cleft puppies are often fed with bottle or tube since the can only mouth the nipple. Surgical procedure is needed to treat this problem.

Umbilical Hernia.

Umbilical hernias is characterized by protrusion at the navel. Small hernias are usually not a problem however, large ones should be repaired through surgical correction to prevent the risk of intestinal loop strangulation. This problem is said to be inherited but sometimes occurs when the umbilical rings fail to close fully after mating. The hernia appears as a soft abdominal mass at the area of the umbilicus. Intestinal strangulation exists when your dog is vomiting, depressed, anorexic, suffering from abdominal discomfort and the larger hernia sac are warm to the touch.

Hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid stops producing and secreting thyroid hormones responsible for proper metabolism. Signs to watch for include lethargy, hair loss, weight gain, cold intolerance, slow heart rate, high blood cholesterol and anemia.

Grooming Your Shih Tzu

One reason Shih Tzu are so popular is for their luxurious, dense, flowing double coats.

The long hair on their heads is often tied in an adorable top knot so they can see better and to show off the way they naturally carry their heads high. However, these stunning coats must be brushed every day, or at a minimum every other day.

Some people will trim their Shih Tzu's hair short to simplify grooming. This is a better alternative than allowing a pet's hair to become matted and dirty, but doing so wastes one of the best features of the Shih Tzu.

The time you spend lovingly grooming your little dog will pay off in closer bonding and even more devotion from this naturally trusting and affectionate companion.

You may fall in love with the Shih Tzu's flowing hair, but if you do not have time to spend bathing and brushing a long-haired dog, or the finances to pay for regular grooming, you would be happier if you adopted a different breed.

If you purchase your Shih Tzu for rowdy romps in the backyard (which she will enjoy), you will need to groom her even more frequently to keep her hair free of tangles and matting. Still, a Shih Tzu requires less grooming than some other long-haired dog breeds.

Start Your Grooming Ritual Early

Begin brushing your Shih Tzu puppy daily-even if only for a couple of minutes and even if his immature coat doesn't really need to be brushed-and you will establish the brushing habit for both of you. Make this a time of closeness and gentle care and you will be rewarded by years of loyal friendship from your Shih Tzu.

This is also a great job for older children, if you train them how to properly groom your Shih Tzu, and will teach a loving child valuable lessons in patiently nurturing and caring for another living being.

Some Shih Tzu owners report that at about 10 to 12 months of age, a Shih Tzu's coat will change. You may become discouraged in your brushing because mats may seem to form faster than you can untangle them. Fortunately, this condition is only temporary and lasts about three weeks to one month.