Monday, October 31, 2005

Is The Food You Feed Causing Health Problems?




One method of determining whether the food you feed your shih tzu is affecting its health or producing problem symptoms is to keep a health journal.

It is time consuming, but will be invaluable for determining whether there is a link between his diet and his condition. You can diagnose or better yet help your vet diagnose your shih tzu's itchy skin, whereas otherwise, it might be impossible and cost you a lot more money in vet bills after your vet has to run test after test based upon the only symptom you report being "itchy skin." You may even still end up with a shih tzu with itchy skin. You can do a little homework on your own and put your money into your own investigations. Then take the entire journal to your vet and show him what you have done so far to determine what is causing your shih tzu's problems, or better yet, solve it yourself and never visit the vet.

Read on at: Stain Glass Shih Tzus

What Is An Imperial/Teacup Shih Tzu? Do They Exist?


I did not create the "labels" Imperial or "Teacup." These words were already set in stone before I ever came on board. I picked up the terms only because potential customers were asking me for "Imperial Size" or "Teacup Size." I RARELY get a request for a "Standard" size shih tzu as defined by the American Kennel Club. Since these words of Imperial Shih Tzu and Teacup Shih Tzu were so common to describe a particular size of shih tzu and I was seeing these are the terms people place in search engines boxes looking for the size THEY WANT in a shih tzu, I began using the terms as well mainly to be able to communicate with potential customers in their own language.

Read On at: Stain Glass Shih Tzus.....

Shih Tzu - Inspiratory Dyspnea


A shih tzu that may display a fit of coughing, sneezing or snorting where they appear unable to breathe, with eyes bulging and the neck extended can be very scary for the dog and the owner who has never seen it before. This is not Kennel Cough and should not be mistaken for it. This has to do with the physical structure of this breed and the incomplete closure of the nasopharnyx (above the soft palate). It is Inspiratory Dyspnea, commonly referred to as "reverse sneezing" a type of air hunger.

Read on at Stain Glass Shih Tzus

Shih Tzu - Creating A Breeding


Natural breedings don't always occur. Timing is critical. Even when you think the time is right, the female may refuse to stand for the male or the male may not be interested in the female.

If nature proceeds normally, the female's vulva will enlarge and soften as the time nears to breed. She may begin to tease or "flag" the male that the time is right and the time is now or never....The male and female will engage in a period of play and foreplay. The male will attempt to mount the female within minutes of this foreplay. If the female is ready, she will whip her tail aside, presenting her rear to the male, and stand steady awaiting the male to penetrate her. This is an assertive invitation of the female toward the male to begin the mating process. Not all females, especially a first time female, will remain in a ready position once the male attempts to mount. She may slip out from under him and run in another direction. This oftentimes frustrates the male, but he will chase after her and try it again. For some matings, it may be necessary to assist. You might have to hold the female for the male to get his job done. More often than not, however, nature does take its course and the mating is done quite naturally.

Read on at: Stain Glass Shih Tzus

Shih Tzu - Breeding Formulas


The best breedings are generally those where the pedigrees have several outstanding ancestors common to both the sire and dam. This is how breed "type" is set. The formula for establishing and maintaining type, for example, would be the sire's sire should be the same dog as the dam's grandsire. This can be reversed to make a line breeding on the dam's sire as well; known as close line breeding. With this formula, one is able to "set type" within a breed. The type you set can be either good or bad. The goal, of course, is to set a type that is "good." One must know the health histories of these family members, as well as all the good you are trying to set type for. Line and inbreeding can increase the possibility of producing even better dogs, but it also must be realized, through augmentation by percentages, line and inbreeding can produce animals with undesirable characteristics.

Read on at: Stain Glass Shih Tzus

Shih Tzu - Breeders High

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