Shih Tzu ("a dog with eyes falling out") belongs to the group of decorative dogs. These animals first appeared in Tibet. Like everything in this mysterious country, the origin of the Shih Tzu breed is shrouded in darkness. However, some information can be learned by studying the main religion of Tibet - Lamaism, which is one of the branches of Buddhism. According to this religion, there is a certain being called Manjushri. It is the personification of wisdom and travels in the company of a small dog, which can turn into a lion. Obviously, this legend speaks of a breed of Lhasian Apso, which, as a result of crossing with the Pekingese, gave birth to funny Shih Tzu. In the USA and Europe, they appeared only in the 30s, after which they became one of the favorite breeds of decorative dogs.
If you purchased a Shih Tzu dog, do not be alarmed that it is notorious as a dog breed that has eyes that fall out. The main thing is proper care and attention to the pet. Every day, you must carefully comb the pet's hair to avoid the formation of tangled lumps. The dog also needs to be bathed regularly, even if she stubbornly does not want to stomp into the bathroom. After water procedures, the pet should be thoroughly dried, otherwise it will become sick. Make sure that the microclimate is not too humid or too hot; shih tzu cannot tolerate this. Dogs of this breed are extremely prone to tooth loss, so special attention should be paid to dental hygiene. And yet, why is a shih tzu a dog whose eyes drop out?
Everything is very simple: along with teeth, eyes are the most vulnerable part of a dog. However, not only this breed has problems with eyeballs. The Shih Tzu direct relatives, the Pekingese, often face the same misfortune. Speaking about the fact that Shih Tzu's eyes drop out, the owners most often mean what doctors would call the displacement or loss of the eyeball. This is an effect when an apple leaves its orbit and is partially or completely outside the eyelids. The main cause of this pathology may be a banal injury to the eye or temporal fossa. The structural feature of the bone orbit of dogs can also affect it - it is not closed, but limited by a ligament, which, as a result of any damage, can stretch, which is why your pet will be called a "dog that has eyes falling out." Such an injury can only be cured by surgery.
As for the character of the Shih Tzu, it is rather difficult to raise little fidgets, although they strive to please the owner in everything. However, if you are a consistent and persistent mentor, sooner or later the dog will turn into an obedient pet, as this breed is very smart and capable of quick training with the right approach. It should be noted that neither Shih Tzu will respond to punishment or ill-treatment, so you should not resort to physical punishment for wrongdoing, which, by the way, may cause you to have a dog instead of a cute Shih Tzu whose eyes fall out.
In order for your dog to be fun and happy, you need to walk with her daily and play as much as possible. Since this breed is quite small, such dogs can be safely kept in the apartment, without fear that the pet will be cramped and uncomfortable. However, the ideal option for Shih Tzu is a small fenced patio with a green lawn where the dog will frolic.