Appearance of the Shiffon
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The Shiffon is a small dog, weighing no more than 7 kilos as an adult; females can be slightly smaller than their male counterparts. Their coat can be of two types, depending on the dominant breed. It can be rough and short, like that of the Brussels Griffon, or long and silky, like that of the related Shih Tzu breed. In general, the coat color is fairly uniform. It can be brown, black, or a combination of the two. There may also be some white markings. If the Brussels parent breed is dominant, he may have the “bearded” characteristic of the Brussels Griffon. He'll have dark eyes and his tail will probably be curled over his back. He may have bushy hair around his eyes. He may also have floppy ears that will need a little care. |
Temperament of the Shiffon
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The Shiffon is an energetic, happy little dog. They are often described as exuberant and curious. He's always ready to play; many owners also describe him as cheerful and charming. He is happiest when spending time with his family, and is not prone to separation anxiety. He may want to be the pack leader, so if you have other dogs, you may need to monitor his behavior with them. He may also be jealous of other family members, as he is known to become attached to a single family member. He may also be aggressive about his territory. However, socialization at an early age will help the Shiffon learn exactly the behavior you expect of him. |
Needs and activities of the Shiffon
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The Shiffon is a very playful and active dog. He'll enjoy joining you for short, brisk walks around the neighborhood. Be careful on longer trips. If he inherits the brachycephalic snout of the Shih Tzu, he may have difficulty breathing if overworked. Keep a small bottle of water at his disposal during exercise. He'll also appreciate trips to the dog park; however, these should not take place until he's fully trained. Remember that he generally gets on well with other dogs, but can become aggressive if he feels his territory is being threatened. He also doesn't realize that he's such a small dog, and he doesn't know the fear of bigger dogs. Keep toys that allow him to exercise his chewing tendencies around the house, but also toys that stimulate his mind. He'll release his energy indoors if he has enough time to play. |
Maintenance of the Shiffon
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Shiffons require a moderate amount of grooming. He sheds very little, so you can afford to brush him weekly to remove excess hair. However, if he's inherited the long, silky coat of the Shih Tzu, you'll need to devote some time to keeping his coat in good condition. You can choose to have him clipped at the groomer. In this case, you'll only need to brush him once every two weeks. Give him a bath only when necessary. Brush his teeth two or three times a week to prevent tartar build-up and bad breath, or even better, brush every day to prevent tooth decay. Trim his nails every two weeks, unless he wears them out on his own. |