Read Your Breed
Get to know the Shih Tzu and the German Shorthaired Pointer.
The Shih Tzu Tibet’s gift to the world
It was as gifts that small, shaggy-coated dogs were first brought out of the Tibetan mountains and into the royal court of neighbouring China, where they were prized as earthly representations of the sacred Buddhist lion and given the name “Shih Tzu,” which means “lion” in Mandarin Chinese. Living in the palace, the Shih Tzu were pampered by their own cadre of servants and slaves and jealously guarded. But with the fall of the Chinese empire, the royal dogs were killed or carried off by invaders and locals alike, bringing the Shih Tzu to the attention of the outside world. From the late 1920s through the 1930s, various visitors to China brought a Shih Tzu home with them. Today, the breed is the cheerful companion of commoners and celebrities alike. According to breed standard, the Shih Tzu can weigh between 9 and 16 pounds, and its natural coat colour can be any shade or combination of shades. (Do note that its beautiful double coat requires daily brushing and combing.) Although small, these dogs require exercise and enjoy working with their humans. Above all, however, the charming little dogs from the Far East are born to be loved and give love in return. Could the Shih Tzu be the breed for you? Read more at moderndogmagazine.com/shihtzu.
The German Shorthaired Pointer The “every use” dog
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a breed willing to take on any challenge and adapt to any situation, from pointing, flushing, and retrieving game to sitting happily at a child’s birthday party, wearing a silly pointed hat. Not really surprising, since versatility was exactly the characteristic that the developers of the all-purpose breed were seeking. Today’s GSP is served well by the breed’s ingrained adaptability, when the only pointing and retrieving most dogs are required to do are pointing at the door at potty time and retrieving tennis balls at the park. While the breed is not a good choice for a couch potato owner in a small apartment, GSPs can fit into a variety of situations as long as they are given sufficient activity for body and brain. Owners who run, hike, bike, or are involved in agility will find the GSP a perfect companion. This medium-sized dog is comparable in height to the Labrador Retriever but of lighter build. The Shorthair’s low-maintenance coat should be solid liver in colour or a combination of liver and white. With its sleek good looks and eager-to-please personality, the GSP is currently the thirteenth most popular breed in the U.S. At the same time, it has maintained its reputation as a top-notch working dog. And that, say lovers of this versatile breed, is something to party about. Read more at moderndogmagazine.com/german-shorthaired-pointer.