Puppies & Dogs

Pure breeds are defined as “of or belonging to a recognized strain established by breeding individuals of unmixed heritage over many generations.” Purebred dogs are extremely popular and are the only dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Association (AKC). These dogs have a documented ancestry, or pedigree, as well as specific characteristics of the breed they represent. Pure breeds are selectively bred, or inbred, to retain and strengthen their genetic traits.

Two popular pure breeds are the Shih Tzu and the Maltese. Both are ancient breeds originating in China and Malta, respectively. Because of their popularity and because of specific desirable traits, Maltese and Shih Tzu mixed breeds have gained recognition and interest. A Maltese Shih Tzu mix is called a Mal-Shi.

Though mixed breeds are commonly known as “mutts,” the mixing of two pure breeds is viewed as a crossbreed or hybrid. Hybrids are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club and can register and compete with proper documentation. Mixing two pure breeds is thought to result in a better overall dog with any possible combination of both its parents’ different genetic characteristics.

Maltese Shih Tzu mixed breeds, or Mal-Shi, are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club. A Mal-Shi puppy will have characteristics of both its parents. The fur is silky and may be wavy or straight and in varying colors. It is also hypoallergenic and sheds very little. Mal-Shi dogs are energetic, sociable and alert. The Mal-Shi comes from two breeds with long histories and it is no surprise that owners believe this mix benefits from both lines of ancestry.

The Shih Tzu dates back to at least 17th century Tibet, China and may be as much as 2000 years old. Shih Tzu are believed to be a cross breed of the Lhasa Apso and Pekingese. These toy dogs are sturdy and have two coats of soft, silky, multi-colored fur. Their personalities are described as alert, stubborn, intelligent, and energetic. Shih Tzu may have various health problems such as ocular disease and spinal problems. Their coats are high-maintenance and require daily brushing. Some owners may have the dog groomed in a “pet clip” or “puppy cut”, which is a short style that requires less upkeep.

The Maltese (pronounced mawl-tees) side of the Maltese Shih Tzu mix may date back 28 centuries. The breed is from the Island of Malta, and has not changed significantly in the intervening years. This breed has a single coat of long, silky white fur with dark eyes and a black nose. The fur does not shed and thus is considered hypoallergenic. The Maltese is similar in appearance (except for the uniform whiteness of its coat) to the Shih Tzu with a long, sturdy body that is prone to spinal problems.

These dogs are characterized as sociable, highly energetic, difficult to housebreak and fearless. Their lack of fear for other animals and extreme energy can make them a handful for owners. But they are also lapdogs that enjoy cuddling and are also good overall family pets.

The hybrid, Mal-Shi, puppies-which are the result of the remarkable Maltese and Shih Tzu breeds- have the varied traits of both parents. Just as the Shih Tzu originally descended from a mix of the Lhasa Apso and Pekingese, it is possible that one day the Maltese Shih Tzu may be recognized as a pure breed by the American Kennel Association.

Rebecca Simpson, a native of Hong Kong, wrote a graduate thesis on the influence of dogs on recent Chinese royal culture. The Shih Tzu is as well known for its delightful personality as it is for its long, flowing coat. Shih Tzu information can be found online, at public libraries, and from breeders.

Snitches get cut 11/4/09-11/5/09

All dogs have a natural instinct to keep their fur clean, rolling around on their backs, licking or chewing at matted hair, etc., etc. However, for the best possible cleaning, your Lhasa Apso will need some additional human assistance.

When you perform regular grooming for your dog, you help them stay clean and assist them in staying healthy. Ignoring matted hair in the coat can be a breeding ground for yeast infections, and neglected teeth can cause periodontal diseases; dirty ears can lead to a build up of wax that can keep dirt trapped and lead to ear infections due to the build-up of bacteria.

Regular grooming is a serious commitment and it should be approached as being an enjoyable, bonding experience for you and your dog. It can and will be, if you keep the follow information in mind:

If you do not have the amount of time needed to completely groom your Lhasa Aspo, do not feel bad, simply take them to a professional dog groomer.

If you intend on doing the grooming yourself, establish a ritual and schedule, and if the animal is young, make sure you do everything you can to relax the dog. Begin by keeping the initial sessions short and easy, approximately 5-10 minutes is sufficient. Gradually increase the duration of each session so that your dog can become accustomed to being handled and touched. Then gently extend the areas you groom, gradually moving into the sensitive areas such as the ears, feet, stomach and around the mouth and eyes.

Brushing is important because the dogs coat can be quite long. It is best to begin brushing the undercoat first and work towards the top. Train the dog to lay on its side and this will allow grooming to be carried out as easily as possible. Use a warm anti-static solution, a detangler or crème rinse with water and spray on the area before you start to groom. Begin with the tail, proceed to the back legs and then the front, ending with the stomach area.

Turn the dog over and repeat these steps again. Finish up the grooming session with the neck, face, ears and top of the head. Once you have concluded the brushing session, you can bathe the dog. First completely wet the dog down and apply shampoo in a downward motion, never in circles, because it may result in tangling of the coat.

When you are finished shampooing, remove the extra water and squeeze and press the coat between towels, never using a rubbing motion. Once the extra water has been removed, end the session by completely drying the dog by hand or using a hair dryer set at a warm temperature.

Other areas that require extra attention would be the toenails, ears, teeth and gums. These areas are a bit tricky and require you and the dog to remain calm. Use only specially designed dog nail clippers and clip off only the very tips of the nail and be careful to avoid any veins. Brush the dogs teeth and gums using specially designed dog toothpaste. Use a Q-tip to clean the inner flap of the ear and never insert it into the ear canal. If you are not confident enough to do this part of grooming, or you do not have the time, use the services of a professional dog groomer.

This article was written by John Jackson and has been contributed by http://www.greatdogsite.com. For more information on the Lhasa Apso, please visit our page http://www.greatdogsite.com/breeds/details/Lhasa_Apso/.

Lhasa Apso Puppies (Maverick, Spot, Senator, & Prince)

“Help,” came the plea, “my Lhasa came out of his bath matted and it took me hours to untangle his coat. What happened? Did I do something wrong?”

Who would have thought that a simple, ordinary activity such as giving a dog a bath could result in a matted mess? However, it could easily happen if you aren’t careful before, during, and after the bath. I know because it happened to me “way back when I was ‘just learning’.” My poor little Lhasa had to be clipped down.

I am a firm believer in “Better Safe than Sorry” and advocate brushing a Lhasa before bathing him to remove any mats or tangles that might get worse when they are wet. Not everyone agrees with this approach. I have friends who just bathe their Lhasas and worry about getting the mats and tangles out when the coat is wet. This works unless the coat has a lot of “hidden” mats or unless there are some tight mats. Then you have a disaster on your hands.

Before his bath, lay your Lhasa on his side and brush his coat in layers. This technique makes finding and removing any mats or tangles much easier. If your Lhasa happens to be going through one of those stages where the top coat looks mat-free but the undercoat is full of mats and tangles, brushing before bathing can save you from a disaster.

There’s also a technique to bathing a Lhasa that is easy and does not cause the coat to tangle. After you’ve wet the Lhasa completely, apply the shampoo by squeezing it through the coat in a downward motion. Do not massage it into the coat in a circular motion as you might do when you wash your own hair. Applying shampoo in a circular motion only tends to tangle the coat. Continue working the shampoo through the coat using the downward motion. You’ll still get a nice sudsy lather.

When the bath is finished and all the shampoo and conditioners have been thoroughly rinsed from the Lhasa’s coat, squeeze all the excess water from the ears, legs, and tail before removing the dog from the tub. When towel drying your Lhasa, squeeze or blot the coat with the towel to remove as much moisture as possible. Don’t rub the coat with the towel.

Finally, dry your Lhasa with a blow dryer. Give him a chance to shake water out of his coat, but don’t let him air dry for more than a few minutes unless you confine him. Most dogs love nothing more than to rub themselves on rugs, carpeting or toweling when they are turned loose after a bath. They may have a great time, but they manage to rub in some tangles and lose coat in the process.

Use a blow dryer to dry your Lhasa, but don’t just stick him in a cage with a dryer blowing on him. Many times some coats get kinky, the force of the air from the dryer whips tangles into the coat, or the entire coat doesn’t dry (especially those hard-to-reach, mat-attracting places like the “arm pits” and behind the ears).

Instead, with the blow dryer set at a comfortable temperature and speed, lay the dog on his side while you brush his coat in layers as they dry. Be sure to completely dry the insides of the legs and behind the ears.

When the dog is dry, put in his part, secure his eyefall so it’s out of his eyes, and tell him he’s gorgeous!

That’s all there is to it!  

Please note: Permission to reproduce and/or circulate information in this article is granted. However, the article must be disseminated in its entirety and credit must be given to Joyce Johanson, Joyslyn’s Lhasa Apsos. Thanks!