Appearance of the Shih Apso
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| The Shih Apso is a small, stocky dog. It has a slightly long body and short legs. Its nose is a little shorter than that of the Lhassa Apso, but longer than that of the Shih Tzu. The general facial features are generally a little flat. The dog tends to have abundant hair on its face, giving it a lion-like expression. The Shih Apso's head is generally small. Its ears are floppy and its tail is a little short. The coat is long and silky to the touch. It is often wavy or straight. In some dogs, it may lack the typical smooth texture and be rather coarse to the touch. Common Shih Apso coat colors are white, tan, gray, fawn and black. |
Temperament of the Shih Apso
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| Like its parent breeds, the Shih Apso is an intelligent little dog. It does, however, have a somewhat stubborn attitude. This small dog is very close to its family, and often suffers from separation anxiety when it's not close to its loved ones. Owners should expect the Shih Apso to follow them from room to room, never taking his eyes off them. He loves to loll on his master's lap and receive attention. The Shih Apso is protective of its master and needs to be socialized at an early age. In many cases, the dog remains aloof and cautious with strangers. This little dog generally wants his master all to himself, and is often jealous. |
Needs and activities of the Shih Apso
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| The Shih Apso is a lap dog who likes to lounge on his master's lap or beside him. He needs a short walk once a day, but if the weather's bad, he'll settle for a game of fetch indoors. This little dog makes an excellent apartment dog. Many people take their Shih Apso to dog parks for exercise and to make friends. It's an ideal companion dog for the elderly, as it needs very little exercise and loves to spend its time being a spoiled lapdog. |
Maintenance of the Shih Apso
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| The Shih Apso has a low to moderate shedding rate. It benefits from daily brushing to keep its coat silky and tangle-free. Its long coat requires regular grooming to maintain its length. Many owners choose to have their Shih Apso's short coat trimmed to prolong visits to the groomer. The Shih Apso has very little body odor and only needs a bath once a month. Its nails should be trimmed monthly to keep them short. Once a week, his ears should be cleaned of debris. Many owners also choose to brush their dog's teeth to prevent periodontal disease later in life. |
English (United Kingdom)