Every Shih Tzu alive today descends from just thirteen dogs rescued from extinction during the Chinese Communist Revolution. That remarkable survival story is where this book begins — and it only gets more practical from there.
The Shih Tzu Handbook is the most thorough, honest, and genuinely useful guide available for current and prospective Shih Tzu owners. Written by breed researcher and dog writer Reed Hollis, this book covers every stage of life with a Shih Tzu: from selecting a healthy puppy (or rescue dog) through the chaotic first weeks, daily grooming mastery, nutrition from puppyhood to senior years, training methods designed specifically for the breed's independent temperament, and a comprehensive health reference covering every condition Shih Tzu owners need to know about.
What makes this book different? Honesty. You'll find real cost breakdowns (not vague estimates), honest housebreaking timelines (including why Shih Tzus are harder to housetrain than most breeds), detailed grooming instructions that save you hundreds in professional grooming fees, and a complete health chapter that covers brachycephalic airway syndrome, eye conditions, dental disease, liver shunts, and more — written in plain language with action steps.
This isn't a book that tells you Shih Tzus are perfect. It's a book that tells you exactly what to expect — the midnight crying on the first night, the four-month housebreaking journey, the grooming commitment, the veterinary costs — so you can provide the best possible life for your dog.
Inside you'll find:
- The fascinating 1,000-year history from Tibetan monasteries to Chinese imperial palaces to modern living rooms
- A step-by-step puppy selection guide with temperament testing protocols
- The complete first-30-days survival guide for new owners
- A socialization checklist with 100 experiences to complete by 16 weeks
- Professional-level grooming techniques including the line brushing method
- Nutrition guidance with portion control for a breed prone to obesity
- Positive training methods tailored to the Shih Tzu's "stubborn sweetheart" personality
- A breed-specific health bible covering BAOS, eye conditions, dental disease, patellar luxation, liver shunts, and heart disease
- Senior care planning including cognitive dysfunction management
- Six practical appendices: supply checklist, cost breakdown, emergency reference card, grooming schedule, socialization checklist, and recommended resources
Whether you're researching the breed before your first purchase, bringing home a new puppy, or looking for better ways to care for the Shih Tzu you've loved for years, this handbook gives you everything you need in one comprehensive, readable volume.
