Your Shih Tzu will eat about the same food every day. This is why it is so important that the brand of dog food you feed is high in nutrition. The food you feed your Shih Tzu is his or her main source of nutrition and it is vital to a long and healthy life. You might think that all pet food manufacturers have your dog’s best interests in mind when it comes to formulating their dog food products. This is not always the case. The current pet food regulations allow manufacturers to use ingredients that you would never knowingly feed your Shih Tzu. You would probably be in a state of shock to learn exactly what some pet food manufacturers actually put into their foods. Many pet food manufacturers include by-products like feet, bones and intestines, chemical preservatives like BHA and BHT, and grains like corn, wheat, gluten and soy, that are used as protein sources, but are most often difficult to digest. All these “wrong” kinds of ingredients can put unnecessary stress on your pet’s sy...

A high quality dog food for the Shih Tzu does not contain by-products or inferior grains, chemical additives or preservatives of any kind. By-products, inferior grains, chemical additives and preservatives are all known to be harmful to your Shih Tzu. Many times dog food manufacturers will use very high temperatures when cooking their products. This actually destroys nutrients and vitamins. They will then add flavor enhancers or coloring to replace what the high temperature cooking process takes from the appearance and flavor of the food. Pay attention to how your dog food is cooked. A high quality dog food for the Shih Tzu will only contain natural goodness in a superior food product that is formulated especially to promote good health. Dog food manufacturers who are actually concerned about the health of your Shih Tzu will be extremely careful about every single ingredient. Fresh human quality foods from carefully selected farmers and growers combined with the high quality ex...

There is evidence that Maltese type dogs were present in China as early as 8000 B.C. Maltese are white. It is very likely these white Maltese type dogs were interbred in Tibet with Tibetan Terriers to produce the Lhasa Apso type temple dogs. Those presented by wandering Lamas were likely bred with the existing Pekingese type dogs. A few paintings and art objects dating back to the seventh century depict dogs resembling the Shih Tzu. Some of our white Shih Tzu today probably is a result of these early breedings with the Maltese. I have one solid white female who does look a lot Maltese, however, he pedigree shows only Shih Tzu ancestors. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) the Shih Tzu type dog was a cherished pet – highly favored by the royal family. A cult-like worship for the Shih Tzu developed at this period. Eunuchs were charged with duties of breeding and rearing the beautiful Shih Tzu royal pets. Competition among the eunuchs to gain royal favor became fierce, as each trie...