This makes a lovable pet for children as well as other dogs. The ST is a sociable dog that thrives on the attention and love of people. It is eager to please you and cherishes your attention by deliberately acting funnily. This is why it is called a lap dog. The ST's coat needs to be brushed very often to prevent matted hair from forming.
Soft coat textures tangle and mat quicker than hard coats.
Bathe your ST weekly to prevent dirt trapped into the coat which then causes matting. If you intend to make yours a show dog, you need to keep its coat at floor length and groom it daily. Buy a wire brush from your pet shop to enable you to brush your ST's coat in layers. Start brushing at the extreme ends like the feet, legs, belly and then upwards on the back. Brush gently all the way down to the skin to get rid of tangles and mats.