Shiranian Breed Maintenance
The Pomeranian Shih Tzu in this breed means they’re guaranteed to inherit a long double-coat. This silky fur, whether straight or wavy, will require some maintenance to keep it looking at its best. Brushing daily is essential — and will also help with the fact that they shed often. Using a pin brush or wide comb is best.
You can wash them to keep their coat looking shiny and healthy, but this should only be done around once a month. Use a mild or vet recommended shampoo so it doesn’t irritate their skin. This breed is prone to skin sensitivities so it’s also best to just towel dry them afterwards as blow drying is not recommended.
You may need to trim their fur occasionally, particularly around areas such as their eyes and feet. Check their nails and trim when necessary. This hybrid breed is also prone to dental problems so make sure you brush their teeth daily. Plus, check inside their ears regularly to ensure they’re clean and free of debris.
This small dog will be able to live in an apartment but if you have a backyard, all the better as they’ll love to explore it. Shiranians do require a daily walk, although they only have moderate energy so may benefit from a couple of shorter ones rather than one long one. They’ll also benefit from social interaction and will love a trip to the park. Don’t forget they are a very playful breed — games or a selection of toys at home will allow them to exercise their mind as well as their body.
Shiranian health risks
The Shiranian is generally a healthy breed. But, like all breeds, there are, of course, some health conditions that they inherit from their parent breeds. These include:
There’s also a chance of bladder stones and infections, collapsed trachea and dental problems — although these are only relatively minor concerns.
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Patellar Luxation
Patellar luxation is common in toy breeds, particularly the Shih Tzu. It’s when the kneecap is dislocated from the knee joint. The pup may be born with it (congenital) or it may develop later in life (developmental.) It’s usually in the back legs and symptoms will include limping, inability to bend their knee and swelling. There are four grades depending on the severity. Treatment may include surgery.
Cataracts
Cataracts is one of the most common eye problems in dogs. It’s when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. It happens because it’s unable to hydrate properly. It can occur in one or both eyes and can cause partial or complete loss of vision. If left untreated, it can lead to glaucoma and they may become blind permanently. The only treatment is surgery.
Allergies
Much like we get allergies, our dogs can get allergies too. When your dog is affected by allergies, it will be most apparent on their skin. You’re likely to notice them scratching and typical symptoms include inflammation and redness. First you need to determine what your dog is allergic to — so it can be avoided if possible and you know how to treat it. It could, for example, be a food allergy. Your pup will likely be on a limited ingredient diet, with other ingredients slowly introduced so you can determine which one it is.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is due to low blood sugar levels. This can affect both the organ and brain function. The first sign will be low energy and delayed response time. If untreated this can become more serious and lead to seizures or unconsciousness. There are several causes of hypoglycemia — it could be anything from toxicity from ingestion of artificial sweeteners to cancer in the liver or gastrointestinal system. Once this has been diagnosed the initial treatment will be to raise the blood sugar levels. Ongoing treatment will then depend on the underlying cause.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is the opposite of hyperthyroidism. It usually happens between the ages of 4 to 10 and is due to an underactive thyroid. This slows the metabolism down, affecting all parts of the body. As a result there is quite a wide range of symptoms to look out for which is why it can easily be mistaken for other conditions. One of the most missed symptoms is a change in their behavior. Once diagnosed, there is unfortunately no cure but it can be treated.
Feeding a Shiranian — what’s the best diet?
Your Shiranian dog should be fed food with high-quality protein as the main ingredient. Make sure you pick dog food that is specifically formulated for small breeds. Kibble is the best choice as they are prone to dental issues.
As they can also be prone to allergies you may want to avoid food that can cause this such as wheat.
A Shiranian puppy should be fed around four smaller meals a day and then reduce this to two meals once they get a little older. Be careful not to overfeed them. Their small size means they could easily become overweight. Treats are perfect for training but make sure to take this into account when serving up their meals.
To keep your Shiranian happy and healthy it’s important to ensure they’re enjoying the best possible diet. Need some help with this? Take a look at the advice from our friends at Dog Food Advisor, including the best dog food for small dogs
https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/best-dog-foods/best-small-breed-dog-food/
, the best dog food for Pomeranians and the best food for Shih Tzus.
