The Shih Tzu, also called the Water Spaniel or the Cantonese Water Spaniel is a breed of dog that originated from Tibet. This breed has a long and soft coat that is very easy to care for. They were originally used as waterfowls and were kept as pets and accessories throughout China and Tibet. Today, they are regarded as part of the Lhasa breed and are considered a national dog of Tibet.
They were originally used as waterfowls for hunting and as pets. Although they have been bred for their beauty and speed, they are also used as family dogs. They are highly intelligent and easy to train, and their intelligence and love for pleasing their owners are enough to make them a popular choice for families. They are great with children, other dogs and households. They are friendly to strangers and will stay away from strangers, though they may not trust them. They will not approach strangers unless they are invited.
They are loyal to their families and will protect them and their belongings. They can be quite bold and fearless, but are easy to train and they are easy to housebreak. You will not have to police their behavior. Training is fairly easy, and the Water Spaniels have a mind of their own. They are known to be difficult to potty train. They do not get on with other dogs, as they do not trust them.
Due to their long coat, they do not require tons of grooming. You only have to comb their coat once every four weeks or so. Brushing will help to keep the coat clean and help you keep a closer eye on the ears and eyes. It will also help to keep the hair free from tangles and mats that are easier to brush out, making it easier to clean the ears and eyes. But if you find that brushing is not helping the maintenance of their hair, you can use a trimmer on them, but only to remove tangles and mats, never to remove their hair.
The Water Spaniel can be suitable for apartment life as long as you take care to provide them a good walkable area for them to go to. If you are going to be gone with them, make sure you give them a room to run around in so that they can keep their muscles and not just have a room to lay in.
But if you go to live with them for a few months, then give them a room to run around in. Just make sure that if you let them use a room, they should be given a dog bed to lay in. It is better to give them a room to use while you are away, so they will not lay in the room, thinking they have the whole house to themselves. Give them a bed to lay in so that they will not forget their home.
