Dog Facts

Shih Tzus, the 19th most popular breed in the United States, has long been considered an ideal house pet for their small yet solid stature, and overall pleasant demeanor. The origins of the Shih Tzu can be traced back to the 7th century! So what exactly makes these pint-sized pups so much fun? And could they be right for you? These six facts about Shih Tzus should certainly help you decide!

They Are A Royal Breed

The precise origin of the Shih Tzu is unclear, but there is much evidence to support their ancestry starting in the royal courts in China. In 624 AD, during the Tang Dynasty, the King of Viqur gave the Chinese court a pair of small dogs as a gift. These dogs were said to have come from the Fu Lin – thought to be the Byzantine Empire. The AKC cites this as the first record of the existence of Shih Tzus. The name Shih Tzu means “lion” in Mandarin. Buddhists believe in an association between lions and their deity. Keeping a “little lion” in court would be good fortune for the Chinese royalty.

Shih Tzus have never been used for anything except companion pets. Since the beginning of their breed’s long history, they have grown accustomed to the royal treatment. But when raised appropriately, a Shih Tzu should not exhibit “bratty royal behavior.” The AKC states that their natural demeanor should be lively, alert, and friendly towards everyone they meet. In other words, they are the epitome of well-bred, well-mannered royalty.

They Aren’t Truly Hypoallergenic

In fact, no dog is truly hypoallergenic. Many dogs receive this classification as being “allergy friendly” because they have hair instead of fur, and – most importantly – they produce less dander. The American Shih Tzu Club cautions that while the Shih Tzu does have these qualities, owning a Shih Tzu does not guarantee that a person with allergies won’t experience a reaction. This is because a person could be allergic to a dog’s saliva or even a dog’s urine, in addition to high levels of dander.

Despite this, a Shih Tzu can still be a wonderful choice for a dog lover with allergies, due to their small stature and the reduced levels of allergens produced. The only real way to know how a person might react to a Shih Tzu is to spend time with one. But some people develop allergies over time, even after their Shih Tzu puppy has grown into adulthood. In this case, the American Shih Tzu Club has a few recommendations. Keeping the fur short, frequent baths, and not allowing your Shih Tzu onto beds and furniture will greatly reduce the spread of allergens. It is possible to have allergies and still have a loving, canine companion!

Shih Tzu’s Can Reverse Sneeze

Not only is it possible for them to reverse sneeze, but it’s extremely common! The short snout and large eyes on a Shih Tzu are what causes this condition known as “reverse sneezing.” Though it doesn’t sound like a sneeze. What’s actually happening is the Shih Tzu appears unable to catch its breath and will begin making honking and snorting sounds in an attempt to get enough air. Shih Tzu’s have a slightly elongated soft palate that occasionally “sticks” and makes it difficult to breathe in through their nose. The only way to “un-stick” it is for the dog to catch a deep breath through their mouth.

While this may seem alarming, the American Shih Tzu Club assures future Shih Tzu owners that it is quite common and not at all life-threatening. They recommend bringing it to the attention of your veterinarian and discussing how best to handle reverse sneezing episodes. The American Shih Tzu Club suggests gently covering the dog’s nose when they are reverse sneezing, thereby forcing them to take a breath through their mouth. The breath through the mouth will end the reverse sneezing episode.

There Is A Correct Way To Style Their Hair

Perhaps the most famous feature of the Shih Tzu is their long, flowing locks. The hair is smooth, silky, and stunning when styled correctly. And yes, there is a correct way to style the hair! The grooming process itself can be quite lengthy and must be introduced at an early age. But many Shih Tzu owners use grooming as a time to bond with their dog.

The most common and practical way to style a Shih Tzu’s hair is using the topknot. This method is practical because as the Shih Tzu’s hair grows longer, it will need to be kept out of their eyes. The Shih Tzu Club in the United Kingdom suggests starting a puppy with a couple of clips in their hair to keep it out of their face. As the dog grows older, they can graduate to rubber bands that will hold their hair back. It is important not to use rubber bands that are very tight – this could pull the hair and hurt! In addition to keeping the hair out of the eyes, whisker hair needs to be pulled back and kept out of their mouth.

The topknot needs to be simple enough that it doesn’t curl the hair. This is important if a Shih Tzu is headed to a competition. JoAnne White gives a tutorial on the American Shih Tzu Club website on how to style a casual topknot.

They Are Total Lovers

Shih Tzu’s are born people pleasers. As the American Shih Tzu Club puts it, they are “likely to give even a burglar a guided tour.” With the great tradition as a breed intended to amuse royalty, they are certainly known to be charming, delightful, and just a tad feisty! But above all, they are totally devoted to their owners.

Because of their love for love, the AKC recommends positive and rewarding training methods for Shih Tzus. Though your Shih Tzu may try to convince you that they should be allowed to do things their own way, don’t be fooled! Shih Tzu owners must be patient with their pets who have royal bloodlines. Their eagerness to please and feel their owner’s love and devotion will win out in the end, making it relatively easy to teach a Shih Tzu basic manners.

Their love and devotion also means they don’t like to be left alone. Shih Tzus crave the attention a royal dog deserves! The Shih Tzu Club of the United Kingdom suggests not leaving your Shih Tzu home alone for more than a couple hours at a time. With no supervision, they may bark, soil the house, or take up another bad habit out of restlessness. Shih Tzus have a lot of love to give and need plenty of time to give it!

A Shih Tzu Was Featured In The Film “Best In Show”

In the year 2000, filmmaker Christopher Guest made a “mockumentary” film about a dog show entitled “Best in Show.” This film featured famous comedians such as Parker Posey, Eugene Levy, Jennifer Coolidge, and many others. But the true stars of the movie were the dogs. And perhaps the brightest star of all was the Shih Tzu.

Actually, there were two Shih Tzus in the film! Actors Michael McKean and John Michael Higgins portrayed the characters Stefan Vanderhoof and Scott Donlan, a couple who owned a pair of Shih Tzus named “Miss Agnes” and “Tyrone.” But it was Miss Agnes who was chosen by the couple to compete in the Mayflower Dog Show! At one point in the movie, the pair of Shih Tzus even dress up in adorable costumes.

We don’t want to spoil the movie for you, so let’s just say with a great comedic cast and two adorable Shih Tzus, how could you go wrong?

We’d love to hear about your Shih Tzu! Let us know of any cute quirks or charming traits that a Shih Tzu in your life has.

Rottweilers are the 9th most popular breed in the United States, according to the AKC. They are an ancient breed with a strong work ethic and an even stronger devotion to their families. But sometimes these beautiful dogs may be a bit misunderstood. While it’s true that this breed isn’t for everyone, they can make some of the best pets you’ll ever have. Here are 6 things you should know about Rottweilers – before you get one, or before you write them off completely.

6 Things You Probably Did Not Know About The Rottweiler

Their History Traces Back to Ancient Rome

The Rottweiler has only been formally recognized by the AKC since 1931, but the breed’s history can be traced back to ancient times. Though there are no formal records to indicate the Rottweiler’s lineage, reasonable logic, and other historical records indicate that “Rotties” are likely descended from drover dogs. These ancient Roman canines were used to herd cattle. The drover dogs worked while Roman troops marched long distances, guarding the cattle along the way. Drover dogs were hard-working, intelligent, and possessed a strong guarding instinct – all qualities that match the AKC standards for modern Rottweilers

Early drover dogs also had to be very strong and powerful to manage herds of cattle. Rottweilers today use their bodies to push cattle to follow their instruction. This requires immense strength and drive, two qualities that modern Rottweilers still possess.
These Roman marches traversed all over Europe, including southern Germany, where a new town was founded by the Romans called Rottweil. It was there that people with their drover dogs began to settle, and the dogs continued working as cattle herders and guard dogs.

Rottweilers Nearly Went Extinct

Rottweilers were a hardworking breed for centuries, working diligently at many jobs for their masters. Until suddenly, they weren’t needed anymore.

For years the town of Rottweil depended on these dogs to keep their industry booming. They pulled carts and most importantly, herded cattle. But then in the mid-19th century, the rise of railroad transportation was beginning to take over. Cattle driving was outlawed to make way for the new trains and railways. On top of that, donkeys began to replace dogs for cart-pulling work. Suddenly the Rottweilers had no jobs to do. No one needed them.

At the end of the 19th century, the Rottweiler population was declining so sharply that by 1905 there was only one female of the breed in the entire town of Rottweil. Something had to be done.

In 1907 a Rottweiler club was formed in Germany, and they began to protect the breed. Members started to keep records of breeding and outlined breed standards for the Rottweiler’s appearance and temperament. Breeding became more planned and well thought out in an effort to save the breed and preserve the lineage. If it hadn’t been for this club’s devotion, the Rottweiler might have never existed in modern times.

They Aren’t Afraid to Be the Boss

Modern Rottweilers are members of the “working group” of dogs, and still, have that drive in them that has existed since ancient Rome. In the modern world, the Rottweiler expresses this trait by always looking for someone to be their boss. They enjoy being in a working environment and thrive when they are given direct and firm commands.

However, if a Rottweiler has an owner who is more timid, the Rottweiler will give the title of “boss” to itself. This can lead to unwanted aggressive encounters if the dog doesn’t have the proper guidelines for behavior. As the American Rottweiler Club puts it, Rotties “have strong territorial instincts.” These instincts can be useful when a Rottweiler is trained properly and knows who is boss, but detrimental if your Rottie is making their own rules.

Socialization is Extremely Important

So how do you make sure your Rottweiler doesn’t turn “bad” when they grow up? Plenty of socialization! The AKC states that early and frequent socialization coupled with training is “mandatory” for Rottweilers. It’s also not something you can stop doing once your Rottweiler grows up. Training and socialization should be a lifelong endeavor.

When a Rottweiler has proper socialization and a firm hand to look to for guidance, they can often be found following their favorite human from room to room. They are an extremely loyal and loving breed and crave attention and direction from people. Leaving your Rottweiler home alone or chained outside for extended periods of time is a big mistake. All that hard work and training you put in won’t do a bit of good if your Rottie is left to their own devices. Being alone can make a Rottweiler behave very destructively.

While this all may seem a bit high maintenance, Rottweilers truly love people and often express themselves in a goofy manner with the people they love. This “clownish” behavior is a lot of fun and can be extremely rewarding for the Rottweiler owner who puts in the time and effort to diligently socialize their dog.

Rotties Love to Work!

Rottweilers haven’t lost the work ethic that they learned herding cattle in ancient Rome. But herding isn’t the only thing Rotties excel at. They are so driven to follow directions and do good work; the breed is now used for many other jobs. Rottweilers can be found pulling carts, performing agility, tracking, working as police dogs, working with the military, and even working as therapy dogs! They certainly are a multi-talented breed.

This is thanks to their intelligence and willingness to be trained. But as the American Rottweiler Club emphasizes, consistent and early training is important! A common mistake with Rottweilers is believing that they need to be trained using physical force. Their size and their reputation for aggression can sometimes make people believe this. However, forceful training methods can actually be the cause of aggressive behavior.

The need to please and work hard is deeply ingrained in Rottweilers. Firm but patient obedience training is the best place to start. Once a Rottweiler understands what their master wants of them, they typically catch on quickly – and even love it!

A Rottweiler Was the Star of a Popular Children’s Book

Published in 1985, the illustrated classic “Good Dog, Carl” features a Rottweiler and his human baby getting themselves into antics. The book contains very few words, and almost every page features only illustrations. The book follows the dog Carl and the baby as they play and go on adventures – while the baby should be napping!

After the success of the first book, fourteen other illustrated books featuring Carl the Rottweiler was released. The author Alexandra Day based her illustrations of Carl off of her own family Rottweiler named Toby.

The story of Carl and the baby that he takes care of is a lovely representation of how protective and caring Rottweilers can be. They truly are social, lovable dogs.

Do you have a Rottweiler you love? Have you met one that completely charmed you? Share your story with us!

The Pomsky has been causing a bit of a stir on the Internet in the past couple of years. A cross between a Siberian husky and a Pomeranian, this “little wolf” appears to be an ideal breed for dog owners who want the charm of a large dog with the convenience of a small dog. But the breed is very new – only a few years old! – And there is a lot of misinformation that can get thrown around about these adorable little pups. So are Pomsky’s really everything they are cracked up to be? Well, the Pomsky Club of America certainly thinks so. And they have all the information you need to set the record straight. Here are six things you should know before you consider purchasing this designer breed.

6 Fun Facts About Pomskys

There are two different types

Pomskies can actually be purchased in one of two varieties: the 50/50 variety or the 25/75 variety. The 50/50 variety of Pomsky is pretty straight forward. Puppies that are born 50/50 have a purebred Siberian husky parent and a purebred Pomeranian parent. This is the variety most people think of when they think of a Pomsky.

The trouble with a 50/50 Pomsky is that their characteristics cannot be fully guaranteed. Certain traits such as height, weight, coloring, and temperament can show up differently in different puppies – even within the same litter! It’s important to consider this when purchasing a 50/50 Pomsky. Be open to fun surprises!

The other variety of Pomsky is a 25/75. These puppies are bred using one 50/50 parent and one purebred Pomeranian parent. A litter born from these parents will display Pomeranian traits more dominantly, while still exhibiting the desirable traits found in a husky. Breeders have a bit more control over what the puppies will grow up to look like and behave like.

There is No Way to Guarantee Their Size

That perfectly petite Pomsky photo you saw isn’t always what your dog will grow up to be. Because the breed is so new, breeders are still working diligently to create that ideal Pomsky look. But as stated before, puppies can express the traits of parents very differently.

50/50 Pomskies tend to vary much more than the 25/75 variety. A 50/50 Pomsky will grow up to be between 15 and 25 pounds, though some can be bigger or smaller than that. A 25/75 Pomsky will grow up to be between 10 and 15 pounds. Even with these typical weight ranges, puppies can still grow up to be bigger or smaller than the given range. These variables are typical when perfecting a new dog breed. It’s important to understand the size differences before purchasing a Pomsky. Choose the variety that will best suit your lifestyle and capabilities.

Their Temperament Can Also Vary

As with size, the personality traits of a Siberian husky and a Pomeranian can be expressed differently in their offspring. A Siberian husky is traditionally very independent and full of high energy. These qualities are a lot of fun for the active and experienced dog owner. On the other hand, a Pomeranian is very much a lap dog. They are family oriented and don’t need much exercise.

An ideal Pomsky will express these traits equally, displaying a moderate amount of energy and independence, while still being loving and devoted to their family. When the traits express themselves in this way, Pomskies make great family dogs, being ideal for older children and their families.

Since they are still perfecting the breed, sometimes the Pomsky personality can really vary. A Pomsky may behave very similarly to a Siberian husky, acting very independently and needing lots of training and exercise. Or they may swing the other way, and be very attached to their family like a Pomeranian. It’s important to invest in a good training program for your Pomsky right from the beginning. This will ensure you develop a good relationship with your dog, helping you get to know your Pomsky’s quirks.

They are expensive

With all this work going into the creation of a perfect Pomsky, the price tag is very high. While the price can vary depending on lineage and other factors, most Pomskies cost at least $1,000, and typically fall in the $2,000-$4,000 range.

While this may seem pretty steep, it’s important to remember that when perfecting a new dog breed there are a lot of safety concerns a breeder must stay aware of. A lot of money goes into safely and healthfully breeding puppies – from vet bills, to feeding and beyond. As more is learned about proper breeding of a Pomsky, the price tag may very well go down.

All Pomsky’s have a Pomeranian Father and a Husky Mother

When breeding two very different dogs, it’s always important to consider the safety of the parents. If a female Pomeranian was used to carry the puppies, the potential size of the babies could endanger her life. This is why breeders only use Siberian husky mothers. Their large stature ensures that they can safely carry the puppies through to term.

More discerning dog lovers may be wondering how two very different dogs breed together at all! Well, the answer is artificial insemination.

For the safety of both dogs, artificial insemination should be the only way the mother gets pregnant with her puppies. This method is also the only way to ensure the mother actually does get pregnant.

Finding a Reputable Breeder is Extremely Important

It’s clear that a lot of thought and effort goes into properly breeding Pomskies. This is why it is extremely important to only choose the most reputable breeder when considering buying a new puppy.

See our list of pomsky breeders that are trusted and respected. Any Pomsky breeder you consider purchasing from should never be a first-time breeder. Pomskies are such a new breed, that only the experienced breeder should be selling them. Any breeder that has little or no experience and is not registered with the Pomsky Club of America could potentially be doing harm to the dogs in their care. For the safety and health of the dogs, always choose a trusted breeder.

It’s always very exciting to plan for a new dog. If a Pomsky is high on your list, be sure to consider all these factors before purchasing. Good luck!