The Teacup Shih Tzu is a little dog with a large heart who loves nothing more than interacting with people. They don’t need a lot of room, but they have traits that make them not the best dog for everyone. The term “Shih Tzu” means “Small Lion,” although this dog breed is not dangerous. This dog is more of a lover than a hunter.
The Teacup version takes all of those lovable traits to a new level. A tiny dog with the heart of a lion, a Teacup Shih Tzu, will happily go around, furnishing infinite cuddles, compelling cuteness, and undemanding fellowship. They have a calm, lovable nature and unique appearance.
Contents Overview
History of Teacup Shih-Tzu
The Teacup Shih Tzu looks pretty much like the larger version. The Shih Tzu is a Tibetan holy dog given to the Chinese Emperors by the monks. The original Shih Tzu crosses between the Tibetan Mountain Dog, the Lhasa apso, and the Pekingese.
The first dogs of the breed were imported into Europe in 1930 and were organized by the Kennel Club as “Apsos.”
During the Ming Dynasty in the mid to late 1800s, the Shih Tzu was a royal favorite. They were the favorite of the Manchu Dynasty as well and were not bred outside the royal court.
The breed has been longer than that, dating back at least two thousand years. The Shih Tzu ranked the 15th popular breed in 2013, falling slightly in popularity since 2012 when it was placed in 11th position.
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Teacup Shih-Tzu Personality
The teacup Shih Tzu was created to be a friend, and that is exactly what they want to be. Despite their little stature, they are well-known for their joyful and energetic demeanor as well as their peaceful and kind disposition.
Affection is their prevalent feature, and your lap is their favorite destination. They’re happiest when they’re with their family, giving and receiving attention.
While it might be smaller than a Little Lion, the Teacup Shih Tzu has as much love to share. Its small stature belies its big personality, while its amenable nature has made it a popular traveling partner.
They’re alert and lively and may bark at beginners to their homes. Don’t worry, though; they’ll make friends with guests the minute they walk inside.
Size and Appearance of Teacup Shih-Tzu
How big is a Shih Tzu?
Teacup Shih Tzus are stand around 6 inches tall and weigh under seven pounds. They stand about three inches shorter than the standard breed that stands around 10 inches tall and weighs between nine to 16 pounds.
While the standard Shih Tzu stands at 8 to 11 inches (20 to 28 cm) at the shoulder and weighs 9 to 16 pounds (4 to 7 kg), miniature Shih Tzu are only 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm) tall and weigh 2 to 8 pounds (0.9 to 4 kg) when fully risen.
They vary in adult size from 3-9 pounds, most in the 5-7 pound range. Because of their bone structure and broad chest, adults less than 4 pounds are rare.
Appearance of Teacup Shih-Tzu
Cute as a button and as small, the Teacup Shih Tzu is tiny adequately fits into a bone teacup. The Shih Tzu has a round, hairy head likened to a chrysanthemum flower. The square muzzle is topped off with a black button nose that matches his round, black eyes.
The Teacup Shih Tzu is a sturdy dog with a broad chest and short but well-muscled legs. His unique plumed tail curls up over his back, giving him a distinctively arrogant carriage.
Shih Tzus come in every color probable; the most typical is a blend of grey or black patches on a primarily white coat.
Teacup Shih-Tzu Health & Problems
Several health issues, some hereditary, have been found in Shih Tzu and are listed. The breed’s popularity has allowed for inferior breeding in general, leading to generalized and lifelong diseases, often from a relatively early age.
Shih Tzus are typically healthy, but like all breeds of dogs, they’re prone to certain conditions and diseases.
- Brachycephaly: Because of their reduced skull and flattened muzzle, teacup Shih Tzu encounters breathing issues. This disorder becomes extreme with the decreasing sizes of a Shih Tzu and needs a surgical process to rectify.
- Back Problems: Because of the variety of long back and short legs, teacup Shih Tzu is tolerant to intervertebral disk disorders. This causes excellent pains for the gorgeous little dogs. It can result in muscle spasms and even paralysis in more severe cases.
- Eye Problems: It is chief for Shih Tzu to develop eye problems at any age, even once they are older. The large eyes can be scratched, which may cause an ulcer. The dog will have the injured eye closed or half-closed and bloated tears.
- Dental Diseases: Their tiny mouth often makes them more sensitive to diverse dental disorders. As these dogs get older, plaque and tartar gather, resulting in unhealthy roots and gums.
Shih Tzu Lifespan
Toy Shih Tzu is amazingly loving, affectionate, and friendly. They’ve made themselves comfy on the laps of people from all walks of life, even emperors! Their goal in life is to be with you at all times.
A healthy Miniature Shih Tzu has the life span as a standard-sized version and should light up your life for a good 12 to 15 years.
The oldest recorded Shih Tzu lived to 23 years of age. There may be a few health scares and costly veterinary bills along the way, but it will be well worth it.
How To Take Care of Teacup Shih-Tzu
Exercise Requirements
The Shih Tzu was bred to be a housing partner. As such, they need the slightest exercise. Short daily walks with their owner and indoor playtime will satisfy the activity needs of this small, short-legged companion.
Teacup Shih Tzus love treat-dispensing toys like the Kong, which enables their active minds and enables them to develop their scavenging skills.
The Shih Tzu’s short legs mean it’s not designed for long-distance runs or lengthy bike rides, but that doesn’t stop them from enjoying a good walk or a game of fetch. These toy dogs are athletic and love outdoor incidents and daily walks.
Shih Tzu, you can satisfy its need for activity by playing several times a day indoors. Still, he’ll be happier given the possibility to get out and about, meet other dogs, and explore the wider world.
A Visit to the Vet
It is an important and valuable way to taking care of your Toy Tzu Dog. Like all dog breeds, This mix breed needs to go to the vet once per year for a checkup.
Generally, a complete physical examination of a particular dog is needed at least once a year. It involves getting your dog’s temperature, checking heart, lungs, weighing, stomach, eyes, teeth, ears, skin, and coat.
Vaccinating your cat has long been seen to be one of the simplest ways to help him live a long and healthy life.
Puppies are typically vaccinated at 8 and 10 weeks; your young Toy Shih Tzus should then be given a booster 12 months after their first vaccination because it’s beneficial to take care of any pets.
Grooming & Bruising
Grooming is usually the most significant challenge with caring for miniature Shih Tzus. They need to be brushed at least once a day if you want to keep their long coat looking good. A bath every three or four weeks will help the coat clean and at its best.
Remember to comb the mustache and topknot daily and gently clean the corner of the eyes with a damp cloth. To protect the Shih Tzu’s eyes from being irritated, the hair on the top of the head should be trimmed short or tied up into a topknot.
Like any other breed of dog, your Teacup pup will need its eyes and face cleaning regularly, and its nails are trimming every week. A weekly bath with a Shih-Tzu-specific shampoo won’t go amiss either.
Providing a High-quality Dog Food
Each dog is individual and, therefore, will need a particular diet. Since the Toy Shih Tzus is inclined to hip and elbow dysplasia, provide him food enriched with fish oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
It is necessary to evade over feeding your dog as it can only exasperate health obstacles such as elbow and hip dysplasia. Your most essential purpose should be to provide your pet companion properly.
The Toy Tzu is a little dog, so going for the best big breed dry dog food may be the correct choice. If, upon all benefits, your dog turned out small, search for one of the greatest dry dog food for small dogs and see if they like it!
Here we list out some of the best good dog food for Shih Tzu.
Best dog food for Teacup Shih Tzu 2021
- Orijen Original Formula Dry Dog Food.
- Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Fish.
- Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food.
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free.
- Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food (Small Bites)
Avoid unhealthy and digestive system-damaging foods similar to soy, wheat, and corns.
Remember that some of the smallest breeds have the most refined taste. Even though your American Bulldog with the Rottweiler combo is big, we’re sure your puppy won’t mind taking a bite of these best dry dog food brands for Pugs!
How To Train Shih Tzu
Training a teacup Shih Tzu can be very challenging, so it is vital to start early. This will give your dog the pleasure of having a caring, happy and reduced job of tidying the apartment every time he messes it up.
Although Teacup Tzus become stubborn or set in their ways, an owner is easily trained with patience and persistence. They enjoy pleasing owners and are very loyal, so they will be good partners if training is started early and consistently.
A Teacup Shih Tzu can be housetrained quickly and virtually as a young puppy. The owner can quickly train a puppy to commands using positive support. Some Teacup Tzus are barkers, so they should be trained early to react to a voice command to be quiet.
Potty Training
It’s a fantastic time when you buy a new puppy in your home, but a new puppy also comes with many challenges. The first and most significant challenge that you may face is that of potty training.
If your dog decides to go with an indoor potty, so placement is essential. Find a space in your home where messes won’t interfere with your life.
Potty training teacup Shih Tzu puppy take a lot of time, patience, and attention, but luckily, one tool can make a huge difference a training pad.
Some dog experts recommend that you begin house training your puppy when they are between 12 weeks and 16 weeks old. At that time, they have ample control of their bladder and bowel movements to learn to hold them.
Crate Training
If you’re planning on crate training, your puppy should be placed to bed every night in its crate. However, you may require thinking of the best place for that crate at the beginning.
Correctly done crate training is also a highly effective management technique that dog owners can be a lifesaver.
Using a crate is essential to keep your dog from getting into a riot when you can’t supervise them directly.
Crate training is suitable for hunting dogs because it keeps them comfortable during hunts and on the road.
Socialization Training
Early socialization and puppy training classes are urged and help to ensure that the Shih Tzu grows into a well-adjusted, well-mannered companion. When enlisting in a puppy class, be sure that the training plans used in the class are based on positive reinforcement.
Even though they’re docile and friendly, the Shih Tzu needs early socialization. They can become timid if they’re not properly socialized when young.
Early socialization helps ensure that the Shih Tzu puppy grows into a well-rounded dog. They also make great travel partners and are easy to take on trips.
How Much Does Shih Tzu Cost?
Imperial Shih Tzu puppies cost is more than their standard counterparts, which is part of the reason that breeders can exploit these tiny dogs. They might not be from a responsible breeder.
More expensive than their standard-sized cousins, which cost between $100 and $3000, prospective miniature Shih Tzu owners should budget for at least $1000 and be prepared to pay a hefty five-figure sum for a top-quality toy pup.
If you’re lucky, you may find a teacup pup for as little as $750, but you should still bear in mind this is only the beginning.
Teacup Shih-Tzu puppies for Sale
Shih Tzus are active little dogs that thrive in human company and have been some of the most popular pets and companions worldwide and in the UK for decades and for a good reason. They are bright, clever and loyal to their owners. Sharing a home with one Shih Tzu is a real treat.
Known for their boldness and longevity, these little dogs are also very adaptable by nature and are just as happy living in an apartment as they are in a house. Shih Tzu Puppy Prices vary based on Size. Keep in mind that the smaller the puppy, the more expensive it is.
Teacup Shih-Tzu breeders
Reputable breeders often provide an official health certificate for every puppy, along with a 1-year health guarantee protecting against hereditary and congenital disabilities.
A breeder will not sell you the offspring of a liaison between two runs. You will be able to buy from a bona fide source a Shih Tzu if choosing, just under the standard breeding weight that will reach 7 to 8 pounds when fully grown.
These undersized puppies occur naturally even with the best breeders and will be as healthy as their larger siblings. If this puppy happens to be the runt, a reputable breeder will inform this, and the dog will not be allowed to reproduce.
The breeder should prove that the puppy’s parents and the puppy have been screened for health issues and, if there are any, what the effects of such issues will be and what they will mean to the puppy and you.
Advantage and disadvantages of Teacup Shih-Tzu
Pros of Shih-Tzu
- They can fit into a purse with a tiny dog like the teacup.
- They are effortless to carry without any inconvenience.
- They are loved by everyone and draw attention everywhere.
- Their exercises are less tedious than those of the bigger dogs.
- They are simply adorable.
Cons of Shih-Tzu
- They are expensive to buy and maintain.
- They always in need of your help.
- They get injured easily.
- You can step on them.
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