Shih Tzu: Your Happy Healthy Pet (Happy Healthy Pet, 22)

Your Happy Healthy Pet The authoritative information and advice you need, illustrated throughout with full-color photographs--now revised and redesigned to be even more reader-friendly! Once the favorite pet of the Chinese imperial court, the Shih Tzu today is a perennially popular companion dog--playful, affectionate, and irresistibly cuddly. This updated guide gives you all the information you need to understand, select, train, and care for a Shih Tzu, including: * An in-depth look at the Shih Tzu temperament * The fascinating history of the breed * Tips for selecting a Shih Tzu puppy or adult dog * Pointers on feeding, grooming, and health * Savvy advice on housebreaking and basic training * Bonus chapters available on companion Web site Shih Tzu, 2nd Edition 3 About the Author 5 About Howell Book House 5 Contents 6 Shopping List 8 Pet Sitter’s Guide 9 Part I: The World of the Shih Tzu 11 The Shih Tzu 12 Chapter 1: What Is a Shih Tzu? 13 The Shih Tzu Head 14 A Small but Solid Dog 16 The Shih Tzu’s Coat 19 A Rainbow of Colors 19 What the Standard Means for You 20 Chapter 2: The Shih Tzu’s Ancestors 22 Little Lion Dogs 22 Out of the Far East 23 The Shih Tzu in America 24 Top Dogs 26 Shih Tzu in Other Countries 28 Chapter 3: What Do You Get With a Shih Tzu? 29 Hairy Fellows 29 Temperament Differences 30 Self-Sufficient and Playful 31 Set Limits 32 Training Tactics 32 That Shih Tzu Charm 34 Chapter 4: Choosing Your Shih Tzu 35 Beginning Your Search 35 Finding a Responsible Breeder 37 The Adult Dog 38 What Your Veterinarian Should Know About Your Shih Tzu 39 Part II: Caring for Your Shih Tzu 41 Chapter 5: Bringing Your Shih Tzu Home 42 Preparing for Your Puppy 42 Food and Water Bowls 43 Leash and Collar 43 Your Puppy’s Crate and Bed 47 Limit Your Pup’s Freedom 48 Keeping to a Schedule 49 Socializing Your New Shih Tzu 50 Chapter 6: Feeding Your Shih Tzu 52 Understanding Dog Food Ingredients 52 When and How Much to Feed 54 Obesity 54 Supplements and Table Scraps 55 Special Diets 56 All-Important Water 58 Chapter 7: Grooming Your Shih Tzu 59 Basic Grooming Supplies 59 Basic Grooming Manners 60 Brushing Techniques 61 Topknots 62 Grooming and Health Care 62 Bathing Your Dog 63 Drying and Combing Out Your Dog 68 Cutting Your Dog Down 69 Choosing a Groomer 70 Fleas and Ticks 71 Other Itchies 73 Chapter 8: Keeping Your Shih Tzu Healthy 76 Finding the Right Veterinarian 76 Routine Health Care 78 Common Health Problems 80 Internal Parasites 86 Inherited Disorders 88 Poisoning 93 Emergency First Aid 96 Why It’s Best Not to Breed Your Dog 96 Caring for Your Older Shih Tzu 99 Part III: Enjoying Your Shih Tzu 101 Chapter 9: Training Your Shih Tzu 102 Understanding Builds the Bond 103 Practical Commands for Family Pets 109 Training for Attention 118 Teaching Cooperation 121 Chapter 10: Housetraining Your Shih Tzu 122 Your Housetraining Shopping List 122 The First Day 124 Confine Your Pup 126 Watch Your Pup 129 Accidents Happen 130 Scheduling Basics 132 Appendix: Learning More About Your Shih Tzu 136 Some Good Books 136 Clubs and Associations 137 Shih Tzu Web Sites 138 Health Resources 139 Grooming Supplies and Instructions 140 Training Groups 141 Out and About With Your Shih Tzu 141 Index 142

Your Happy Healthy Pet

The authoritative information and advice you need, illustrated throughout with full-color photographs—now revised and redesigned to be even more reader-friendly!

Once the favorite pet of the Chinese imperial court, the Shih Tzu today is a perennially popular companion dog—playful, affectionate, and irresistibly cuddly. This updated guide gives you all the information you need to understand, select, train, and care for a Shih Tzu, including:

• An in-depth look at the Shih Tzu temperament
• The fascinating history of the breed
• Tips for selecting a Shih Tzu puppy or adult dog
• Pointers on feeding, grooming, and health
• Savvy advice on housebreaking and basic training
• Bonus chapters available on companion Web site

Your Happy Healthy Pet

The authoritative information and advice you need, illustrated throughout with full-color photographs--now revised and redesigned to be even more reader-friendly!

Once the favorite pet of the Chinese imperial court, the Shih Tzu today is a perennially popular companion dog--playful, affectionate, and irresistibly cuddly. This updated guide gives you all the information you need to understand, select, train, and care for a Shih Tzu, including:
* An in-depth look at the Shih Tzu temperament
* The fascinating history of the breed
* Tips for selecting a Shih Tzu puppy or adult dog
* Pointers on feeding, grooming, and health
* Savvy advice on housebreaking and basic training
* Bonus chapters available on companion Web site Provides practical guidance for selecting and caring for a shih tzu, covering the history of the breed, temperament, home preparation, feeding, grooming, health, housetraining, basic behavior training, and interaction Long identified as a celebrity pet, the Shih Tzu is also a much-loved family dog, ranking ninth in numbers of AKC registrations in 2003 For hundreds of years, Shih Tzu have been bred to be human companions, and their friendly, outgoing personality reflects this fact.