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Welcome to our Shih Tzu page

We would like to extend the very biggest of THANK YOU!!! to Sarah & Jan Bebee. 3 of the 4 Shih Tuz above we received from Jan & Sarah. They have been an endless source of information and guidance to us, again Thank You. Sarah was Joe's Professional Handler and he finished his championship quickly under her expert care and handling for us. The above picture is when Joe was still just a pup of 9 months. They have been breeding and showing dogs for 30 years, Shih Tzu for 12 years.

ALL of our puppies that come from SarJan's Shih Tzu will be sold on a spay and neuter agreement only, An AKC limited registration, and with NO breeding rights. Sarah and or Jan will be given the opportunity to have input on the placement of show puppies when they are available.

Imported Water bottle adapter to keep face clean and dry when drinking.

The Shih Tzu is characterized by its long, flowing double coat; sturdy build; intelligence; and a friendly, energetic, lively attitude. Excellent example of lively Shih Tzu puppy behavior at 10 weeks. In breeding all coat colors are allowed. The Shih Tzu fur can be styled either in a short summer cut or kept long as is compulsory for conformation shows.

The American Kennel Club Shih Tzu breed standard calls for the dog to have a short snout, large eyes, and a palm-like tail that waves above its torso. The ideal Shih Tzu height at 9 to 10 1/2 inches. The dog should stand no less than 8 inches and not more than 11 inches tall. The Shih Tzu should never be so high stationed as to appear leggy, nor so low stationed as to appear dumpy or squatty. Regardless of size or gender, the Shih Tzu should always be solid and compact and carry good weight and substance for its size range.

Breed variations

The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the American Shih Tzu Club (ASTC) define the Shih Tzu as a dog that weighs between 9 to 16 pounds as the official breed standard. Descriptions such as "imperial", "teacup", "tiny teacup" are used, but dogs that fit such descriptions are often an undersized or underdeveloped Shih Tzu. Both the AKC and ASTC consider these variances to not be in conformity with the official breed standard. These tiny variances are also not what was defined as a standard by the professional circuit. Many people prefer to have these canines buzzed to a short cut, as their hair starts to mat and become dry as it grows. To have it long, the owner must give the dog's hair intensive care. A medium length coat is therefore recommended.

Temperature sensitivity

Shih Tzu are considered to be brachycephalic snub-nosed dogs. As such, they are very sensitive to high temperatures. This is why many airlines that ship dogs will not accept them for shipment when temperatures at any point on the planned itinerary exceeds 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24°C)

Life span and health issues

The life span of a Shih Tzu is 13-15 years, although some variation from this range is possible. Some health issues common among the breed are portosystemic liver shunt, renal dysplasia, and hip dysplasia in standard sizes. In addition, they also can suffer from various eye problems. Shih Tzus and many other breeds may present signs of allergies to red dye #40, and owners should respond to scratching in the absence of fleas by eliminating pet foods that contain this commonly used additive.

Care

The Shih Tzu can require more care than some other breeds if the hair is kept at show length; they need daily brushing to avoid tangles. A short haircut, also known as a pet trim or puppy cut, can make this a task taking place every month or so rather than of daily. They also need regular haircuts. A Shih Tzu has two coats of fur, with the bottom coat shedding into the top coat rather than off of the dog entirely; as a result, this breed sheds very little in the conventional sense. With regular brushing and bathing, shedding can be reduced to almost nothing. As they shed so lightly, Shih-Tzu are considered to be one of the breeds more suitable for people with allergies.

Since the breed is adapted to a cool climate, letting the coat grow out somewhat for the colder seasons is appropriate, but there is still a substantial difference from a floor-length show coat and a warmer, medium-length winter coat.

Because Shih Tzu noses are small and flat, eating contributes to an unclean face. Once the dog has finished eating, owners often wipe the dog's face with a damp paper towel to remove food remnants. This is another area where the haircut matters; a proper show cut will get more messy often even requiring the hair to be rubber-banded together for eating efficiently than other ways of cutting the facial hair.

When they are drinking, it is sometimes necessary to supervise Shih Tzu; water can enter their face-level noses more easily and inhibit breathing. This is why many Shih Tzu are trained to drink from the sort of licker bottles used by hamsters and gerbils. The area around the eyes should be checked each day for mucus buildup and cleaned when needed. Providing the Shih Tzu with bottled water or water that does not contain chlorine helps to keep eye mucus to a minimum. Additionally, their nails need to be clipped approximately every month.