Bichon Shih Tzu - The New Improved Shih Tzu
If you’re looking for a little dog with an enormous personality, the Bichon Shih Tzu mix is the dog for you. This sought-after breed is a cross between the French lap dog, the Bichon Frise, and the Chinese lap dog, the Shih Tzu. Breeders have refined both breeds for centuries to create happy canine companions who want to be the center of your world.
Some toy dogs are nervous and high strung, but the Bichon Shih Tzu has a fun, carefree personality. The Bichon Shih Tzu wants to spend its every waking moment with its owner. This is not a breed that should be left at home all day while you’re at work. Take your Bichon Shih Tzu with you whenever possible. The dog will charm everyone it meets, and both you and the dog will enjoy spending time together.
The breed is a cross between the Bichon Frise, a French-bred lap dog, and the Shih Tzu, a Chinese-bred lap dog. Looking at Bichon Shih Tzu pictures reveals that the breed gets it flat face from the Shih Tzu and its fluffy coat from the Bichon Frise.
The Bichon Shih Tzu loves the camera, and if you like digital photography, the hard drive on your computer will soon be full of Bichon Shih Tzu pictures. Be sure to take plenty of shots during each photo session to ensure that you get one or two good portraits of your dog.
Some of the best dog portraits are created when the dog is tired or sleepy, so play with your dog to encourage sleepiness, then grab your camera and start snapping when your dog starts to yawn. Get down to your dog’s eye level, even if it means lying on your stomach on the floor. Take a variety of shots of your dog looking at the camera as well as candid shots of the dog at rest or at play.
Light colored dogs like the Bichon Shih Tzu photograph well against a dark, neutral background. Stage a dark backdrop, free of clutter, to get the best pictures of your dog.
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.
Crossing the Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu breeds has eliminated some of the problems typical of each breed. By extending the Shih Tzu’s nose, the dog breathes easier, and with the Bichon Frise’s tear ducts, there are fewer issues with watery eyes. The Bichon Shih Tzu mix has fewer skin problems than a purebred Bichon Frise.
