with a ferocious name. That is the best way to describe . The name of the means in Chinese. The name comes from a Buddhist legend that Siddhartha traveled with a that could transform into a lion. And that is just one among the many we need to talk about.
For many years, has remained a prestigious among . Depicted in paintings, this Chinese dog breed comes from Tibetan breeding stock. Many believe it is a cross between Pekingese and .
From 1368 to 1644, was the house pet for the . Because it was only accessible to royalty for centuries, this spent most of its time behind palace walls. But recently, we have seen a rise in popularity of the outside of China. The puts the among the 30 most popular breeds.
These days, is a household name. Celebrities like Bill Gates, , and even Queen Elizabeth have owned one. Do you intend of owning one? Well, then we have to talk about some you need to know before getting a .
is not a
Many wrongly mistaken the as a . But while the has a and elegant features, doesn’t fall into the group by the . Yes, the makes an excellent lapdog.
But the AKC classifies it as a utility group, reflecting the ‘s history. Remember, this small played a watchdog role in the temples of Buddhist monks in Tibet.
Not a watchdog either
Yes, while the Tibetan once played the role of a watchdog, that is no longer the case. This pup can be vigilant about checking the boundaries of the home. Yes, it might even alert the owners if someone is approaching.
But do not expect a to be a guard . The and unaggressive behavior don’t allow it.
Can make training frustrating
is a stubborn . This can make training a frustrating experience. This will kiss you and charm you trying to get its way.
The best way is to introduce new behavior slowly and firmly. Correct bad behavior immediately.
Because this is a people , praise and rewards work much better than punishment.
What about temperament?
This has an outgoing and affectionate personality. We mentioned its charming personality as well. Historical paintings and documents show the dog has been a companion dog. This will be your best friend.
Not as high on energy
If you want a you can have comfortable, quiet walks with, this is the for you. All dogs need a daily walk. And is no exception. Just two short walks per day will do it.
No need for some special exercise or anything else. This is happy to lay on the couch the whole day. A true couch potato.
Grooming can be challenging
has a naturally long and luxurious coat. It is what makes the look beautiful and lovely to touch. But that long coat needs some care and grooming. A lot of daily brushing is a must. Going to the groomer regularly will keep your in good condition.
If you do not visit the groomer often, your ‘s coat will become tangled, matted, and unkempt.
Generally speaking, is a healthy . The lifespan of the pup is between 12 and 14 years. Like most breeds, there are some potential health issues. For example, patellar luxation, eye disease, renal dysplasia, and more.
This has large eyes, so be careful to avoid eye injuries. If you suspect an eye problem, alert your vet.
Brachycephalic
also falls into the group of brachycephalic breeds. The has a brachycephalic face, giving its face a slightly flattened appearance. This also results in a shorter than normal soft palate. As a prospective , you should be aware of it.
They don’t like being left alone
The downside of ownership is you have to be highly involved in their life. This cannot tolerate being left alone. They will make a huge fuss if they have to be alone in their company. If you do not have the time and energy to devote to your , do not get a . Otherwise, you might end up with a with a separation anxiety problem.
You can counter with crate training while you have a young puppy. But generally speaking, is a you carry everywhere you go.
Great for a first-time owner
If you haven’t owned a before, the is a great option. It is a very easy to understand. There are some caveats. For starters, remember, any is a large commitment that you should not take on lightly.
2 Responses
My sister died a couple of months ago. She got him from someone who was very ill in the hospital. I had only seen him twice but we love him. I just don’t know if he likes us. He is definitely a lap dog. Is there anything else we need to know about this breed? He is 12 years old.
I am sure you will fall in love with the breed. They are amazing and love cuddles 🙂 just give him love and affection and he will return it times 10000. The only downside is even though they are lap dogs, they cannot spend a lot of time on their own. They crave human companionship