2023 Smithsonian Magazine Inbreeding, or the act of deliberately breeding two related animals together, is a controversial topic. That face! But this pure bloodline comes at a cost. Their heads are round with bulbous, expressive eyes. Now what. Here are the five major signs of inbreeding you should look out for in your pooch. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and writing about true crime, science, and beauty. In particular, inbreeding can cause your shih tzu to be born as a runt, as well as other problems. They are quite adaptable and can range from a sedentary lifestyle cuddling indoors to a more adventurous walk in the park. This combination can trap moisture in the ears, leading to red, painful, or itchy ears. This is characterized by upper airway abnormalities such as: All of these aspects can cause trouble breathing and make Shih Tzu more prone to overheating. They will begin developing dry, itchy skin due to hormone imbalance. Nick is a Senior Staff Writer for Ned Hardy. This sounds intense and, fortunately, it is not too common. Her work has been published in PawTracks and Wikimotive. The Brachycephalic airway syndrome is not unique to Shih Tzu dogs but does take its toll. Already a naturally small breed, Teacup Shih Tzus are half the size or less of their regular counterparts. Dogs with luxating patellas will be seen occasionally skipping and holding up a back leg during walking. Never disregard, avoid or delay in obtaining medical advice from your veterinarian or other qualified veterinary health care provider regardless of what you have read on this site or elsewhere. This can become not only uncomfortable for the pup, but for the owner as well. If you want to foray into the big dog section (or there isn't an area available for your pup), you can always ask the group if the dogs in there are friendly to their little cousins. Usually, this is all a dog needs to do to correct displaced kneecaps. When it comes to determining the degree of inbreeding in a given pup, the experts use a method of calculation called the coefficient of inbreeding, or COI, developed by Sewall Wright in 1922. The most inbred dog breeds on record are Norwegian Lundehunds, pugs, English bulldogs, basset hounds, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, and boxers. If you see that your dogs eyes are cloudy, you should take him to his vet immediately because cataracts can grow worse and lead to blindness. You may also notice the development and spreading of dark spots on the skin. Discover the benefits and ingredients for creating a nutritious homemade dog food diet for your Shih Tzu. These issues cannot be treated at home and generally require surgery. There are many reasons why a Shih Tzu may scratch and itch. No matter what you do, they just want to be with their people. Unsustainable generations of selective inbreeding have exaggerated the breed's features to an unhealthy, extreme degree. Can Shih Tzu Siblings Mate? [Critical Things You Need Still, there are some misconceptions about dog obedience training and how to tell whether your pup would benefit from it. Eye discharge ( sometimes becoming red) Itchiness. Your vet will sedate him and perform a minor procedure to reposition the eye and eyelids. In severe cases, surgery is may be required. Cataracts are easy to spot as they are large, thick, cloudy spots on the eyeball. The best way to be sure of this is by seeing your future puppy. We strongly encourage owners to seek the advice of a veterinarian regarding any medical issues or concerns. For example, smaller dog breeds like Shih Tzus and pugs are bred to have extremely short snoutsoften, to the point where they appear flat-faced. But, being a dog parent comes with great responsibility! Your veterinarian can help to calculate the appropriate daily calories your pet should eat to avoid weight gain. They should be confident, friendly, outgoing, trusting and most importantly affectionate. "This study revealed that if dogs are smaller and not inbred, they are much healthier than larger dogs with high inbreeding.. 14. They seem to share the same life expectancy of a Shih Tzu. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Breeding Business is a platform dedicated to ethical dog breeding around the world. Your vet may prescribe a medication, special shampoo, etc. Even for little dogs, Teacup Shih Tzus will still have a lot of hair. Shih Tzu are playful, intelligent, and want to please their pet parents. From the French bulldogs precious face to the German shepherds trademark stance, dog breeders have relied on selective breeding for centuries. Your vet can help you determine the best course of action for resting your dog. A small founding population of abreed was also linked to high levels of inbreeding, while breeds with large founding populations had more genetic variation. With all due respect to breeders, though, much of this trend has been encouraged and demanded by consumers wanting smaller and smaller dogs. The team emphasizes that careful management of breeding populations is needed to preserve genetic diversity in canines. There are several common reasons why your Shih Tzu may develop allergies: Food Food allergies are typically caused by certain grains and proteins within dog food which irritate their skin, breathing, or even inside their bodies. A kennel is promotion, networking, bookkeeping, online marketing, and more. Shih Tzu dont shed much and are sometimes referred to as a hypoallergenic dog. 09740325). These dogs were bred for hunting, keeping guard, and tracking. New breeders should be aware of the various types of eye diseases and make efforts to get dogs tested on a yearly basis. Holistic Health and Dogs: What is Energy Healing and How You Can It For Your Dogs Overall Health. More from Nick, Star Trek Actor Reveals His Humiliating Experience Working With The Seinfeld Actors. PRA is not common in Shih Tzu, but it can be inherited. Shiranian WebCollapsing trachea. If you have a Shih Tzu, they are probably the center of your world. If excessive hair is noted inside the ear canals, your veterinarian or groomer may recommend removing it to avoid irritation.