Pet MRC

Shih Tzu Breed Information
 

 
Shih Tzu
 
The legend of the Shih Tzu has come to us from documents, paintings, and objects of art dating from AD 624. Cherished for over a thousand years by Chinese royals as prized house pets, the Shih Tzu is believed to have descended from crossing the Lhasa Apso, or Tibetan mountain dog, and the Pekingese. The Shih Tzu was the house pet for most of the Ming Dynasty and was discovered by soldiers in England during World War II. The word Shih Tzu means "lion" and although this dog is sweet and playful, he is not afraid to stand up for himself! One of the most popular dogs in the United States according to, AKC® Registration Statistics, this portable pooch has a distinctively arrogant carriage with his head well up and tail curved over the back.

Some interesting popularity facts about the Shih Tzu: he’s Las Vegas’s 3rd favorite dog, tied in popularity with the Bulldog in Louiville, was Salt Lake City’s 2nd favorite dog and was in the Top 10 in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Charlotte and St. Louis.

The Shih Tzu breed can experience several medical conditions that affect their mobility. Patellar Luxation or dislocation of the patella in the knee joint occurs when the patella slides out of its groove. Patellar luxation is most frequently observed in toy or small dogs such as the Shih Tzu, and maybe an inherited condition. Intervertebral Disk Disease or IVD is another medical condition found in Shih Tzus that can reduce their ability to walk or run. IVD is a degenerative disk disease of the spinal cord that results in loss of coordination, movement, partial or full paralysis of the limbs which greatly benefits from the use of a Pet MRC carts and other Pet MRC mobility aids and products.
 
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