Bichon Shih Tzu – The New Improved Shih Tzu
December 30th, 2008 by KittyKitty
The Bichon Shih Tzu is a delightful, adorable mixed breed that wants to be your loyal companion twenty-four hours a day. The two breeds that make up this cross breed are the Bichon Frise, an intelligent French lap dog with a happy disposition, and the Shih Tzu, a friendly, eager-to-please Chinese lap dog. The lap dog that results from mixing the two breeds is friendly, appealing, and popular.
Bichon Shih Tzu dogs love to be around humans and other dogs. These dogs should not be left alone for long periods, because they thrive on human attention. They want you to take them with you everywhere you go, and their small size makes them easy to carry. The Bichon Shih Tzu does not shed, which makes it ideal for people with asthma or allergies.
Looking at Bichon Shih Tzu pictures will give you an idea of which traits can be traced to each breed. Most Bichon Shih Tzu mix dogs have the fluffy coat of the Bichon Frise with the well-marked, flat face of the Shih Tzu.
If you enjoy taking pictures of your dog, the Bichon Shih Tzu is an excellent subject for photography, and your photo album will soon be full of Bichon Shih Tzu pictures. Most Bichon Shih Tzus have light-colored coats, so the best background for photographing the breed is a dark backdrop, free of any distracting clutter. Using a dark, neutral background will ensure that your pet is in the spotlight.
These dogs are far too active to sit for a photograph, so have your camera ready during a vigorous play session with your Bichon Shih Tzu. When your dog starts to tire, pick up the camera and start taking photos, shooting no higher than your dog’s eye level. Take a variety of shots, capturing your dog playing, resting, and looking directly into the camera.
Thanks to digital photography, bad shots don’t cost you a thing, so don’t be afraid to take lots of pictures of your dog to ensure that you will get at least one or two great portraits from each session.
Take your dog to your veterinarian for a complete examination as soon as you get your dog. The vet will diagnose any health conditions, give your dog all the required vaccinations, and set your dog up on a schedule of regular health maintenance so your dog can be the perfect Bichon Shih Tzu picture of health.
Because the dog does not shed, it requires regular, specialized grooming to keep its coat from getting too long and overwhelming the dog. A short, perky cut will give your dog the fluffy look typical of the breed and let his personality come shining through. Most Bichon Shih Tzus love the grooming process and will gladly prance around the house to show off a new clip.
The Bichon Shih Tzu has the best of both breeds. Its tear ducts and longer nose eliminate the watery eyes and breathing problems that some Shih Tzus have, and the cross-bred has fewer of the skin problems that seem to plague the purebred Bichon Frise.
Comparing Shih Tzu pictures with Bichon Frise pictures will reveal which traits of the mixed breed descended from each of its purebred ancestors. Your veterinarian will advise you on the vaccinations and treatment your new Bichon Shih Tzu needs and will provide you with valuable Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu information.
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