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submitted: Jun 6th 2008 | by: RebeccaSimpson | Total views: 2 | Word Count: 551 | |

If you're looking for a little dog with an enormous personality, the Bichon Shih Tzu mix is the dog for you. This sought-after breed is a cross between the French lap dog, the Bichon Frise, and the Chinese lap dog, the Shih Tzu. Breeders have refined both breeds for centuries to create happy canine companions who want to be the center of your world.

Bichon Shih Tzu dogs love to be around humans and other dogs. These dogs should not be left alone for long periods, because they thrive on human attention. They want you to take them with you everywhere you go, and their small size makes them easy to carry. The Bichon Shih Tzu does not shed, which makes it ideal for people with asthma or allergies.

Looking at Bichon Shih Tzu pictures will give you an idea of which traits can be traced to each breed. Most Bichon Shih Tzu mix dogs have the fluffy coat of the Bichon Frise with the well-marked, flat face of the Shih Tzu.

Bring out the supermodel in your dog by taking lots of Bichon Shih Tzu pictures. This breed is so active that it is hard to capture a clear image of the dog at play. Use a digital camera to keep costs down-it costs the same to develop a picture of a hairy blur as it does to develop a portrait of an adorable dog.

Some of the best dog portraits are created when the dog is tired or sleepy, so play with your dog to encourage sleepiness, then grab your camera and start snapping when your dog starts to yawn. Get down to your dog's eye level, even if it means lying on your stomach on the floor. Take a variety of shots of your dog looking at the camera as well as candid shots of the dog at rest or at play.

Light colored dogs like the Bichon Shih Tzu photograph well against a dark, neutral background. Stage a dark backdrop, free of clutter, to get the best pictures of your dog.

Whether you get your Bichon Shih Tzu from a rescue club, a shelter, or a breeder, a veterinarian should see your new dog as soon as possible. If you don't already have a veterinarian, talk to friends and family who have pets-especially those with small dogs-and ask them to recommend a veterinarian to you. On your pet's first visit to the vet, the dog will be examined for any obvious health defects and given any vaccinations it needs. Your vet will also establish a schedule for ongoing visits to ensure your dog is the perfect Bichon Shih Tzu picture of good health.

Because the dog does not shed, it requires regular, specialized grooming to keep its coat from getting too long and overwhelming the dog. A short, perky cut will give your dog the fluffy look typical of the breed and let his personality come shining through. Most Bichon Shih Tzus love the grooming process and will gladly prance around the house to show off a new clip. The Bichon Shih Tzu has the best of both breeds. Its tear ducts and longer nose eliminate the watery eyes and breathing problems that some Shih Tzus have, and the cross-bred has fewer of the skin problems that seem to plague the purebred Bichon Frise.

About the Author

About the author: Rebecca Simpson is a passionate lover of the Shih Tzu and has a popular website that can show you how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved Shih Tzu. Among other topics there, you will find out more about Shih Tzu types plus a whole lot more.

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