People assume Shih Tzus as non-breeding dogs. but that is not the truth, as shedding is a compulsory thing in every dog. But, it can be low or heavy depends upon the breed of dogs.
Shih Tzus are one of those unique dog breeds that have hair instead of furs. Now if you wonder do Shih Tzus shed? It’s a Yes, they do shed but their shedding is so low that they are considered as a non-shedding breed.
Are you in love with Shih Tzus due to their long hair and beautiful dark eyes? but afraid of keeping them because of hair allergies. Then don’t worry, Shih Tzus is the best choice for people who suffer allergies due to dog shedding.
There are so many myths and stories about “do Shih Tzus shed?” and them being hypoallergenic. If you are getting confused between the truth and folk tales, then we are here to dismiss your all confusions. Let’s get into the details without wasting more time.
Read more about the shedding of different breeds like pugs, golden doodles, and labs.
Do Shih Tzus Shed? History and Personality
Before coming towards the shedding of Shih Tzus, we should know about the history, ancestors, and personality of Shih Tzus. The origin of their breed. What kind of personality do they own?
Shih Tzus were originated from Tibet. But later, people started to use them as gifts for royal emperors of china. And people started to the thought that Shih Tzus were coming from China. because of their long hair and beautiful black eyes, Chinese emperors used to keep Shih Tzus with royalty. Hence they are also known as royal dogs.
Shih Tzus are happy and friendly as compared to other breeds. They don’t need large open areas to play or exercise. They only want love, attention, and cuddles from their parents.
1) Fun Facts About Shih Tzus:
Due to their soft nature, everyone loves them and wants to play with them. Below, we have given few fun facts about Shih Tzus that you might not know before.
A) Ancient breed:
Shih Tzus are one of the oldest breeds among all breeds. According to scientists, Shih Tzus are older than 1000 or more years.
People assume that Shih Tzus came into the world by breeding by pugs, Pekingese, and Lhasa Apsos. However, there is no clear evidence of that yet.
B) Little Lion:
The word Shih Tzu means lion dog in the Chinese language. Shih Tzus hold some glimpses of the lion in their features.
This name was given to Shih Tzus because of the Tibetan Buddha’s belief that if they travel with these little lions, they will transform into big ones and will carry them on their back.
C) Chrysanthemum-Faced Dogs:
In China, Shih Tzus are being called chrysanthemum-faced dogs. The hair on the little face of Shih Tzus resembles the chrysanthemum flower in china. due to that resemblance, Chinese people named them chrysanthemum-faced dogs.
2) Health Problems in Shih Tzus:
Shih Tzus are healthier dogs. they tend to live for up to 15-16 years with full health. But still, they can get some common health problems. We have mentioned a few of them for you to get aware of them:
A) Reverse Sneezing:
Reverse sneezing happens when dogs get over-excited over something or someone. In this situation, they prone to swallow food speedily and as a result sticking in their throat.
As Shih Tzus are the happier dogs, so they might get reverse sneezing more often. It can result in closing your dog’s windpipe. To tackle such scenarios, make your dog breathe from the mouth.
B) Eye Problems:
There are various eye problems that dogs have to face. Below we have enlisted the most common eye issues of Shih Tzus:
Swelling of cornea leading to blindness known as Keratitis.
Abnormal growth of eyelashes which can cause irritation in eyes, known as distichiasis.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, a situation in which eyes get dry and result in evaporation of tears.
C) Closure of Abdominal Midline:
This is a common problem in Shih Tzus and is famous as an umbilical hernia. It can happen if food gets stuck in the throat. If your dog suffers a hernia, you may have to get done surgery for his recovery.
3) Hair Growth Cycle:
Usually, dogs have fur-coated bodies. But Shih Tzus have hair which makes them unique from other breeds. Instead of shedding, they face hair falling like humans. Shih Tzus hair only halls when they complete their growth cycle.
The growth cycle of Shih Tzus consists of three stages:
A) Anagen Phase:
This is the growing stage where hair kept growing till 85% with full health. In this phase, hair doesn’t fall and it can grow to the length of the floor.
B) Telogen Phase:
Telogen Phase is the resting stage in which grown hair stays at its place. Hair also doesn’t fall in this stage.
C) Catagen Phase:
The hair falling stage in which hair falls and people assume this stage as shedding is known as Catagen Phase.
Do Shih Tzus Shed? Revealing The Truth
Now coming to the main point. Does Shih Tzus shed? Yes, they do shed but their shedding is not noticeable. Shih Tzus consist of a double coat of hair, so if they ever shed, their hair doesn’t fall on the ground or furniture.
Instead, it kept remaining inside their body coat. You can clean that shedding by brushing your dog or by grooming. However, you can notice some shedding after giving a haircut to Shih Tzus, as the outer layer will be short.
1) Reasons for Shedding in Shih Tzus?
Shedding is a natural process in dogs. although the number of hair dogs sheds does matter a lot. If your dog sheds a lot, he may be going through some health concerns.
Are you getting insecure about Shih Tzus shedding? Don’t worry, they don’t shed a ton. But if they are shedding much, there will be some reasons behind that.
Let’s discover the reasons behind Shih Tzus excessive shedding:
A) Parasites:
Parasites and flies can be the major reason for excessive shedding in Shih Tzus. When some parasites enter the dog’s body, they irritate its body which leads to shedding. Also, worms and insects can harm your dog’s immune system, which also results in shedding.
B) Poor Diet:
Dogs need a healthy and balanced diet for a healthy lifestyle. If your dog is having an unhealthy or less diet, he will shed in the result. If your dog lacks minerals, vitamins, and nutrients, it might shed a lot. So, don’t ever compromise on your dog’s health.
C) Pregnancy:
Shih Tzus females tend to shed more when they get pregnant. During pregnancy, dogs go through different body changes and hormonal changes. That leads to excessive shedding, there is no need to worry as it will go away right after pregnancy.
Do Shih Tzus Shed? Grooming in Shih Tzus
Daily grooming will help your dog to remove dead skin and protect them from over shedding. Grooming can also prevent Shih Tzus hair from getting tangled because tangled hair can irritate him. Here are few tips you can apply to your dog for his grooming:
1) Clean Nose and Paws:
The face is the most underrated part of grooming. People don’t usually pay attention to a dog’s face, nose and paws while grooming. As dogs use paws everywhere, so they need more attention. You can use quality balm for the nose and paws for grooming and care.
2) Trimming Nails:
You need to trim Shih Tzu’s nails after every 6 to 8 weeks. Dogs like to scratch their bodies, so if they do this with big nails, they might hurt them as well. As a good dog parent, it is your responsibility to regularly trim your dog’s nails. If you can’t do this by yourself, you can consult the vet.
3) Bathing:
As Shih Tzus have long hair, they need to bathe after every week. Clean their hair properly, so they don’t get dirt in them or didn’t get tangled even. Never compromise the quality of shampoo while giving a bath to your pet.
Is Shih Tzus Hypoallergenic?
Hypoallergenic means that you don’t get allergic to dogs. mostly, Low shedding dogs are hypoallergenic. Now we are clear that Shih Tzus are a hypoallergenic breed and you can adopt them.
But you might get allergic reactions to dander. Dander is a dry dog’s skin that they remove by shaking their bodies. If such happens with your dog, take care of him and try to keep their skin in good health.
To overcome the issue of dry skin, you can use omega oils in your dog’s diet. You can also try some supplements by discussing them with our pet’s vet.
Do Shih Tzus Shed? Final Conclusion:
Shih Tzus are the friendliest and loveable breed on the earth. People adopt these royal dogs because of their sweet nature. Shih Tzus are one of those unique breeds that contain hair instead of fur.
Shih is low-shedding breeds. As Shih Tzus, don’t have furs. Moreover, if you are prone to dog hair allergies, Shih Tzus are truly for you. Like other dogs, Shih Tzus need more attention, love, and care.
Although, Shih Tzus are healthy dogs, sometimes they suffer from unhealthy situations. You need proper diet, training, and grooming for them to stay healthy. If you notice any unusual change in your dog, take him to the vet without wasting time.