Shih tzu is the second most loved dog breed by Brazilians

Check out the most popular names of these pets and the top 10 tutor favorite breeds in the country

Playful, companion, irresistible, with a silky coat, flattened muzzle and also owner of a docile look. There are many characteristics that have made the Shih Tzu one of the most loved dog breeds by pet owners in recent years.

They are and have always been very popular in China. The breed is very old, and the name Shih Tzu, of Chinese origin, means “little lion”. As mentioned in the legends, Shih Tzus slept at the feet of Chinese nobles and, to this day, their life purpose is to love and be loved by their owners, serving as an incredible companion dog.

The result of the PetCenso 2021 reveals that the charming Shih Tzu leads the preference (2nd place) for dog breeds in all regions of Brazil and occupies his place in the national ranking (Top 10) (12%).

The survey, developed by DogHero, the largest company in the segment of pet services in Latin America, which is part of the Petlove & Co group, brings together a base of over 1.9 million pets registered on the platform, in more than 750 cities in Brazil. .

Check out the top 10 favorite breeds

1. No race defined (SRD) – 40%
2. Shih tzu – 12%
3. Yorkshire terrier – 5%
4. Poodle – 4%
5. German Spitz – 4%
6. Lhasa Apso – 3%
7. French Bulldog – 3%
8. Pinscher – 3%
9. Golden Retriever – 3%
10. Dachshund – 2%

PetCenso also features a special cutout with the most popular names for Shih Tzu dogs (female and male), they are:

• Mel and Thor (1st place)
• Nina and Luke (2nd place)
• Luna and Theo (3rd place)
• Blackberry and Bob (4th place)
• Meggie and Fred (5th place)
• Lola and Billy (6th place)
• Cacao and Nick (7th place)
• Belinha and Ted (8th place)
• Maya and Chico (9th place)
• Jully and Popcorn (10th place).

The Shih tzu is a pet that brings joy and fun to the home and gets along well with everyone including other animals, strangers and children. He is always ready to play or be held – the important thing is to be close to his family.

Playful and companion, this dog does not need a lot of space to exercise and therefore lives very well in small houses, such as apartments, but also adapts to a large house.

Shih Tzus can have up to 19 coat color combinations. Puppies are born with dark fur, which lightens as they grow. In terms of color it is a breed without a defined pattern: black, gray, brown, red, silver, white and pied are the most frequent shades.

The DogHero vet, Thai Matos, explains that tutors need to pay particular attention. “It is important to say that he does not lose a lot of hair, but when he reaches maturity, the fall is accentuated for a short time, so that young hair is replaced by that of an adult. Particular attention to this region to prevent them from being injured such as keratitis, corneal ulcers, dry eyes, in addition to accidents “.

If well cared for, Shih Tzus can live between 10 and 15 years. Periodic visits to the vet are recommended, mainly for good follow-up, by doing stool and urine tests to check kidney function.

See tips for those who have a Shih tzu pet:

Tour – A ride is always welcome, but it’s best not to abuse it too much. The habit can cause back problems in the animal and inappropriate behavior, such as barking at other people and animals for no reason.

Teeth – Dental care is also important, so brushing your teeth should be a habit from a young age. Brushing your teeth protects them from tartar and infections, as well as warding off bad breath.

Baths and nails – Weekly or biweekly baths are important and remember: you need to be careful not to get water into your ear, as it can cause otitis. If the pet does not exhibit the natural wear of the nails from walking on uneven floors, the tutor should provide the clipper on average every 45 days.

Eyes – The prominent eyes of the shih tzu should not come into contact with the forelock, to avoid irritation. Also, the combination of this look with the short (brachycephalic) snout leaves the eyes uncovered. Pay attention to where he will go to smell, so that his eyes do not get hurt at the corners or even on a branch of a plant. Keep your eyes clean and dry while cleaning.

From the – Because the Shih tzu’s coat is long, brushing should be daily to avoid tangling and reduce dirt build-up. The high level of hair maintenance required by the breed causes many tutors to opt for the cut. For those who prefer to keep their coat long, hygienic grooming is an option that helps keep them clean for longer.

Games and exercise level – The breed maintains its shape with exercises that need to be done over short periods, once or twice a day. It is a pet that needs to be stimulated to stay active; so play with it. A little more than 1 km of walks a day is enough, or 9 km a week. The suggestion is 30 minutes of daily activities, including games. Keep in mind that the crumpled (brachycephalic) snout causes the Shih tzu to have difficulty breathing, so they shouldn’t be exposed to very intense exercise or for long periods. Bet on steaks, bones, cookies and lots of toys to make your Shih Tzu happy and call him to you.

Source: Terra

Benjamin

Benjamin Smith is a fashion journalist and author at Gossipify, known for his coverage of the latest fashion trends and industry insights. He writes about clothing, shoes, accessories, and runway shows, providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives. He’s respected for his ability to spot emerging designers and trends, and for providing practical fashion advice to readers.