The Shih Tzu, named Rollo, and Lula the Bichon Frise, were both taken from their own home on Monday, January 9th. With the dogs normally roaming around their garden, it didn’t occur to their owner Emma that there was a possibility they could be taken. Following the realisation that the two dogs had disappeared, Emma started her search for them.

After a stressful 48 hours, Emma and her family almost gave up hope of finding little Rollo and Lula. Despite this, faith returned when news came that Rollo had been taken by a male figure who had been noticed walking with the dog on the date of his disappearance. The man handed Rollo in to a nearby vet, where the dog’s owner was able to pick him up. His condition was stable and no harm had been done, apart from a small cut on the dog’s tail.

Lula the Bichon Frise however was passed over the garden fence, which was peculiar to understand. Although their ordeal must not have been pleasant, the dogs are now both happy and comfortable in their family home. A woman from the area has recently been arrested by police on suspicion of canine theft.

The Blue Cross animal welfare charity has said that the levels of abandoned shih tzus, chihuahuas and bichon frises have tripled, and thinks that the trend for the dogs popularised by the likes of Paris Hilton may be to blame.

Many dog owners look to emulate the heiress and her chihuahua Tinkerbelle, or Coleen Rooney and bichon frise Daisy, by carrying the pint sized pet around in a designer handbag.

However, many underestimate the care and attention needed to be given to their pets to ensure that they are healthy and well adjusted, and find that they are hopelessly ill equipped to look after them. As such, the charity has been left to find new owners for hundreds of unwanted dogs.

The task has been a struggle – many of the pampered pooches have been mollycoddled to the point of refusing to walk anywhere, and have to be carried. Some of them have even been noted to become aggressive if they witness affection being given to another dog and not themselves.

Lara Alford, who manages the charity which is based in Southampton, says that many of the dogs were bought as a fashion accessory rather than as a companion. She said:

“Although people think they look great when they see someone famous with one, they often don’t realise what a responsibility they are taking on. People think these little dogs do not need the same amount of exercise and attention as bigger ones but this is not the case.”

“If they are mollycoddled and do not get the stimulation they need, it can result in behavioural problems.”

She recounts how one pomeranian named Britney was terrified of her lead, and played dead in order to avoid walking. The new owner had to pick her up and carry her back home.

The dogs, which cost upwards of £1,000 before dog food and veterinarian bills, represent a substantial financial loss for these unprepared dog owners.

Gwen Risby, 76, of Norwich, collapsed at home after a massive cardiac arrest. Sensing that something was wrong, her 16 week old pup Candy, a Shih Tzu / Jack Russell cross, managed to revive her.

Mrs Risby came to as her pet pawed and scratched at her, and somehow found the strength to make a phone call to her daughter. She said:

“I definitely owe my life to Candy.”

“She was absolutely brilliant. She was so young but she had the sense to bring me round just enough to make a phone call.”

“I was scratched and bleeding but I didn’t really care. Candy just sensed that there was something wrong. Without her I would not be here because no one would have known.”

Critically ill, she was rushed to Norwich University Hospital and was hooked up to life support. thankfully, she recovered fully and was reunited with Candy.

It has long been thought by some that dogs have an spooky sixth sense when it comes to their owners being in danger.

Jenny Smedley, author of several animal books, thinks that dogs are ‘in tune’ with humans, and know when things go awry. She said:

“In the case of the heart attack victim, the dog did not understand what her owner was experiencing but she did sense that her energy had become dangerously low and this would have given the puppy the urge to try to revive her.”

For a start, there’s the cost. Smaller breeds such as Lhasas or Miniature Schnauzers don’t have the appetite of larger ones, and this translates to a lower weekly food bill. Grooming can be much less of a chore and, again, money can be saved in grooming fees. There’s also the question of space: with a modestly-sized pet, you don’t need a huge house or garden for it to feel comfortable. Smaller dogs usually require less exercise than larger breeds, and a lot of this can be met by playing in the house or garden.

There are other practical advantages too, such as when your dog goes to the toilet; a Chihuahua is less likely to leave you to clear up something that would not look out of place in Jurassic Park – a Great Dane on the other hand could easily leave you with ‘one great big pile of… stuff’ – as Jeff Goldblum might say.

So, now that you’re convinced to go for a smaller companion, which breed should you go for? Let’s look at two popular small dogs; the Shih Tzu and the Lhasa Apso

Looks-wise, both animals are very similar. The Shih-Tzu is a stocky little dog; it has a broad, round head and a square muzzle. It has straight, muscular legs, a level spine and a tail that is set high. It has a dense double coat, and the hair at the top of the head is usually tied back into a top-knot. It has a beard and moustache, and comes in all colours. The Lhasa’s double coat is thick and straight, and reaches to the floor across the entire torso. Its tail is also set high, and is lays over the back in a ‘screw’. Some tails will feature a kink in the end. Lhasas come in all colours, and sometimes a puppy’s coat will change colour as it grows up.

Size-wise, the breeds are even. Both dogs are around 28cm high, and the Lhasa weighs in at around 6.8 kg. The Shih-Tzu is can be slightly heavier at 7 kg.

Lhasa Apso

Their exercise needs are more or less the same too; a daily walk is essential, and this can be supplemented by playtime in a safe, open area, such as the yard or back garden. Like any dog, overfeeding and lack of exercise can cause obesity. The Shih-Tzu can be more susceptible to this, and is also prone to spinal problems, ear and eye infections and respiratory conditions. Lhasas are generally very healthy, but show a tendency to hip dysplasia and skin problems if parasites are not kept at bay. Both have a life expectancy of around 15 years.

Both breeds need to be groomed once a day, and Shi-Tzus shed very little, meaning that they are an ideal pet for allergy sufferers. Some Lhasa owners choose to clip their pet’s hair short, which makes for easier grooming.

The Shih-Tzu is arguably the better behaved of the two, as the Lhasa Apso is more inclined to get into trouble with other dogs. Both are alert and brave, making good watch dogs, but if their owner does not assert his or herself as the pack leader, they are prone to ‘small dog syndrome’. This can lead to a mistrust of strangers, and even snappiness with their owner should they not get their own way.

If you find that you start to suffer from sneezing, a runny or itchy nose, watery eyes, a sore throat or skin rashes when you’re around your dog, there’s a good chance that you have developed an intolerance to him. This can be confirmed by a visit to your GP, who can arrange for you to undergo test to determine the source of your allergy.

It’s unlikely that an owner will swap their pet for a breed that is allergy friendly, but there are several measures that you can take to minimise the onset of your symptoms.

First and foremost is cleanliness. Dog allergens will be found on furniture, walls, curtains and clothing, and can remain airborne for some time. Don’t allow your pet to sleep or play on any furniture that you will be using. Dander can gather here, and can cause a severe reaction. It’s essential to ensure that your house is cleaned regularly. Shampoo or steam clean your carpet every other month or so, and try to keep your floors vacuumed and your furniture and curtains clean. It may help to get your carpets and curtains cleaned by a professional carpet cleaning company. Washing your dog’s toys and bedding regularly can also help.

Be sure to wash your hands after grooming or playing with your dog. Taking allergy medication before playtime can help, as can changing your clothes afterwards.

A good quality HEPA air filter can help eliminate airborne dander, but only if you groom your dog on a regular basis. Bathing your dog once a week can help, but care must be taken to rinse him thoroughly, as shampoo that dries on his skin can cause worse dander.

Even if you adhere to a strict regime of cleanliness, you may still suffer. However, if you have an allergy but would still like to own a dog, there are several breeds that shed less skin than others, making them a better prospect.

Airedales

A medium to large breed, Airedales are playful and can adapt easily to either the garden or yard, making them ideal for an allergy sufferer who would not want their pet indoors all day long. Care must be taken with grooming, and it must be performed by a professional; their hair needs to be plucked. Failure to do so can lead to skin irritation, rashes and more dander.

Poodles

Poodles can be an excellent choice for allergy sufferers. As well as having a wide choice in the size of dog, they don’t shed and their coat can be clipped quite close to their skin. This makes bathing and grooming him less of a chore, as long as he does not have a ‘lion mane’.

Schnauzers

Like poodles, schnauzers come in a range of sizes and do not shed hair. Although his hair can be closely trimmed, you may wish to keep his trademark ‘beard’.

There are many other breeds that could be suitable for those with a dog allergy. Longer haired types include the shih-tzu, the Bolognese and the Spanish Haired water dog. If you don’t want to take any chances, there are several breeds available that do not have a coat; the American Hairless Terrier and the Hairless Khala are completely bald, as are the exotic Peruvian Inca Orchid and Xoloitzcuintli.

However severe your allergy, taking the proper steps can ensure you can indulge your love of dogs.

The 14 year old shih tzu-bishon frise cross was a regular on Paul O’Grady’s chat show on Channel 4 and popular with viewers.  Lately, Buster hasn’t been appearing on the current TV series because of his age.

After being diagnosed with cancer, Buster reportedly appeared to be in a lot of pain and vets recommended he was put down.

A spokesperson for Paul told the media the TV star was ‘absolutely gutted’.  He said:

“Paul is absolutely devastated. It all happened suddenly.  Buster had been suffering and in a lot of pain. Putting him down was the kind thing to do.”

Buster has been with Paul O’Grady for a long time since the TV chat show host found the stray dog on the motorway.  He sat on Paul’s desk show after show as Paul went through the viewer’s mail and then after the first 8 – 10 minutes, Buster would leave as the studio lights became too strong.  Buster was so popular with viewers that a Nodding Buster toy was created and given as a prize.

Last week, Paul told viewers that Buster had retired and two of his other dogs, Bullseye and Olga, took over his role.

The Channel 4 website has a special Buster page that states:

“Having grown up on the Big Breakfast Show and Lily Live, he’s happiest on television.  The only downside to being on the show is all the baths he’s made to have, as he’s happiest rolling around in the dirt on Paul’s farm.”

Dogs become a great friend and companion for their owners, so our thoughts are with Paul.

Mugly is a shih tzu-Chinese crested cross breed and escaped from his owner’s home.  He did have just the one tuft of hair on his neck,  but the mindless youths tore it from his neck, hit and punched him and even ripped off one of his eyebrows.

Mugly’s owner, Bev Nicholson, told the media:

“You just can’t think why these people would do such a horrible thing. It’s horrible because he loves people so much he probably thought it was just a game and all they were interested in was hurting him.  He was really shaken and cowered in to me when he got back.  He was swollen and bruised around his face and rear end.”

A passer-by rescued Mugly when he recognised him from Bev’s posters pleading for help finding the missing dog.  Police are investigating and appealing for anybody who knows anything to come forward with any information to locate the vicious youths.

Bev added: “They had pulled out a little tuft of hair he had on his neck. It was the only hair he had and they even managed to take off one of his eyebrows.”

Mindless violence such as this, whether aimed at dogs or people, needs to be stopped.  Anybody with information should contact the local police.

According to Inspector Kevin Paton the dogs were in such a bad state that they had to be shaved. Their hair was so matted that they were in discomfort.

I am hoping the public will be able to tell me where these dogs came from.

They were not friendly when we first brought them into the centre but this was simply because they were in pain from the mats.

Once shaved they became totally different dogs with lovely natures.

Inspector Paton is convinced that the three dogs know each other, as the fact that they were all found in the same week cannot be a coincidence. There is a spate of dogs being abandoned at the moment due to families not being able to afford to feed and groom their pets, which has even led to pedigree dogs being abandoned in some instances.

None of the dogs were micro-chipped, nor were they wearing collars.

I would urge anyone who can help with my enquiries to please get in touch so we can solve the mystery of where these dogs came from.

There could be more of them that need our help.

Dog owners running into financial difficulties are advised to speak to the RSPCA rather than abandon their dogs.

General Shih Tzu Information:
This dog breed is generally good natured, non aggressive and just loves being with its owners. They are very cuddly and fluffy, and they are known as non-shedding, so are often suitable for those who suffer from pet allergies. Actually, the shih tzu is not completely non-shedding – see the below Grooming section for more detail.

Typical Shih Tzu

Height: 9 – 11 inches
Weight: 7 – 8 lbs
Average Litter Size: Around 3 – 5 puppies
Life Expectancy: 12 – 14 years, although known to live up to 18 years
Good with Children: Yes
Kennel Club Classification: Utility Group

Colour of a Shih Tzu:
Any – the most common colour is a base of white with patches of brown or beige, although some have black patches. Traditionally, the shih tzu should have a saddle of colour in the middle of their back, a white tip to the tail and what is termed a white ‘flame’ from just above the nose and between the eyes. A solid colour is quite rare, although you can get solid red and solid black colours. However, any colour is acceptable by the Kennel Club nowadays.

Grooming a Shih Tzu:
The shih tzu has two coats of fur, which is very similar to human hair. The top fur coat is non-shedding, however, the inner coat sheds just a little. This bottom level of fur sheds into the outer coat and hence the shih tzu appears to be non-shedding. If you brush the dog regularly, this small amount of fur becomes caught in the brush so there will be no fur all over your house.

Without clipping, the shih tzu’s fur can grown down to the ground (this is the usual image you will see on most shih tzu artwork and memorabilia, and it is how most people who are not acquainted with the shih tzu will know them). If you let it grow, the fur is extremely high maintenance.

Most owners have the fur clipped every six to ten weeks. This costs around £15 – £30, dependent on when and where you go. If you are considering showing the dog, then you should never have them clipped, even at an early age, because a good judge can tell.

Their eyes can weep frequently, so the shih tzu may need his eyes wiping every now and then. As with many dog breeds, their ears need checking to ensure they are dry and clean.

Shih Tzu Common Ailments/Health Issues:
Compared to many breeds, there are fewer problems with the shih tzu, because it is quite a hardy breed. Well-bred lines should have little trouble. Eye or knee problems are the most common ailments. Reading extensive dog profiles, you may find other ailments listed, such as anemia, luxating patella, vWD, thyroid or kidney problems and other such scary sounding problems. These are possible problems with poorly-bred shih tzu puppies but having owned more than 20 shih tzu and never having experienced anything other than one eye problem, it could be considered unlucky to have any of these. Having said that, all puppies should be vet-checked.

Shih Tzu Coughing/Reverse Sneeze (Inspiratory Dyspnea):
The shih tzu is ‘brachycephalic’ (i.e. snub nosed, with a short muzzle). As such, they are sensitive to high temperatures, like many dog breeds. It also means that occasionally, especially when they get excited, they might seem to cough or snort. From experience, this could happen once a week or so. They will only cough for less than a minute, but you can help them recover quickly by helping them swallow.

To do this, simply place your fingers or thumb over their nostril and rub the throat gently, and slightly open their mouth. This should stop it almost immediately. Be sure that this ‘reverse sneeze’ is the issue and not something more serious. If this corrects it, then it is probably just a reverse sneeze/cough. If you do this, your shih tzu is likely to learn to run to you when it happens.

Temperament of the Shih Tzu:
Non aggressive, good natured, good with children and pets (subject to the usual correct socalisation). Although friendly, they will bark a warning if someone comes to the door so they make quite effective watchdogs.

Training a Shih Tzu:
The shih tzu is intelligent, responsive and eager to please, so their training requirement is quite low. Some can be quite stubborn and haughty, but with perseverance they make a great addition to the home.

Exercise for a Shih Tzu:
Many describe the shih tzu as having a low exercise requirement level and this is true to some extent. However, there are shih tzu known to be happy to go running with their owner. When raising a shih tzu puppy, it is important to build them to, and maintain, the exercise level you wish them to have. Hence, if you want your shih tzu puppy to enjoy a walk round the block with you, then that will suffice, but if you build him up to going running every day, then that is usually what he will do.

History of the Shih Tzu:
The shih tzu originated in Tibet, and was bred in China. Reportedly, Tibetanese Terriers were used to guard the temples of Tibet and if anyone managed to get past the terriers, the shih tzu acted as warning dogs for the Tibetan monks. Some say that a shih tzu is the reincarnation of a sinned monk.

Since approximately 700BC, the little dogs became known as the little ‘lion dog’. They were referred to as ‘Shih-Tze-Kou’. The word ‘Shi-Tze’ or ‘Shi-Tzu’ is a compound term meaning ‘lion’ and ‘kou’ means dog. Reportedly, this name came about because the legends said that when Buddha was travelling as a simple priest, he would always be accompanied by a small shih tzu. Whenever anyone threatened Buddha, the little shih tzu would transform into a lion, allowing Buddha to ride away to safety in a saddle on the back of the shih tzu. This is why the traditional colouring of the shih tzu would include a saddle of colour on his back – see Colour section above. The Chinese Emperors of the imperial dynasties bred dogs to look like small lions to encourage a comparison between themselves and Buddha.

Shih tzu were often given as a gift to indicate good luck, and they were always presented in pairs. Tibetan monks would present a pair of shih tzu to the Emperors, and this was a tradition that the Chinese continued.
The dogs came to England in the 1830’s and to the USA around 100 years later when they were initially registered as the ‘Lhasa terrier’. Approximately 1940, the American Kennel Club registered the breed as the Shih Tzu but it wasn’t until 1969 that the Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso were officially separated.