Known as the small lion, the Shih Tzu is believed to have originated in China. The name is pronounced Shi a zue. An odd tibdbit about the breed is it is believed to be the first in the line of Tibetan holy dogs.

If ever there was a single name that did a lot of work, it is Shih Tzu. The primary translation is that of small lion as mentioned previously. Certain contexts, however, interpret is as the elemental queen, the singular beautiful woman.

Given the holy dog designation, you might be surprised to learn the Shih Tzu is actually a very small dog. That being said, it is elegant. This is particularly true when its hair is allowed to grow long and flowing.

The special historic treatmetn of the Shih Tzu may partially be a result of its hair. It does not shed as normal dogs do because it does not really have fur. The pup's hair is fine and long like humans.

The Shih Tzu is a surprisingly hardy pup given its diminutive size. It can live a long, relatively health life with an average life span of 11 to 14 years. Certain well cared for pups can live to 16 or 17.

Every dog breed, unfortunately, has associations with certain health issues and this one is no different. Your pup is generally at risk for hip problems as well as vision issues. Oddly, red dye in pet food can also cause an allergic reaction in Shih Tzu.

There are a couple of things to take into account about the care required by a Shih Tzu before making one your own. The primary issue is their hair. If it is kept natural, it will be long and tangle like mad. You must be committed to brushing it out frequently.

There is another problem with owning one of these pups that you need to be aware of. They are extremely sensitive to heat, which means they can die of heat stroke easily. You cannot leave a Shih Tzu in a car with the windows cracked.

Shih Tzu can be a good or bad choice as a pet. They are great dogs, but many people fall in love with their long hair looks and buy them without realizing someone has to spend time getting rid of tangles, burrs and the like. Don't make this mistake.