The Complete Guide to Family Shih Tzu Ownership

Owning a Shih Tzu as a family pet can be a wonderful experience, but it's essential to understand their needs and characteristics.

Shih Tzus are small dogs that weigh between 9 and 16 pounds, making them a great fit for families with smaller living spaces.

Their long, flowing coats require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.

They are outgoing and friendly dogs that thrive on attention and affection from their family members.

Shih Tzus are generally quiet dogs, but they do bark when they sense something unusual or when they're trying to alert their owners to potential danger.

With proper training and socialization, Shih Tzus can become well-behaved and well-adjusted members of the family.

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Shih Tzus are a compact breed, standing at nine to ten and a half inches tall.

Their small stature makes them a great fit for families with smaller living spaces.

When it comes to size, the Shih Tzu is a relatively small dog breed. Males and females alike stand at nine to ten and a half inches tall. They typically weigh between nine to 16 pounds.

The Shih Tzu's coat is truly one of its most distinctive features. The breed comes in a variety of colors, including black, black and white, gray and white, and red and white.

The Royal Kennel Club recognizes many of these colors, including black & white, brindle, and gold & white. If you're looking to bring a Shih Tzu into your family, you may want to consider one of these colors.

Some Shih Tzus also have a white tip on their tail and a white blaze on their forehead, which are highly prized. These markings can add a touch of elegance to an already beautiful coat.

Here are some of the recognized colors by the Royal Kennel Club:

These colors can vary in intensity and pattern, making each Shih Tzu unique.

Shih Tzus are generally adaptable dogs, comfortable in small city apartments or large suburban or country homes. They can thrive in a variety of living situations as long as they're with their owners.

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However, Shih Tzus are sensitive to heat and should stay indoors in an air-conditioned room or one with fans on hot days to avoid heat exhaustion. Their short faces make them prone to heat-related issues.

Shih Tzus can be prone to ear infections due to their long coat and hair growth in their ears. Regular ear plucking and cleaning can help prevent these infections from occurring.

Shih Tzus are prone to a range of health issues, some of which can be hereditary.

Eye problems are extremely common in Shih Tzus, and can occur at any age. Most veterinarians will recommend eye drops to assist with any eye irritations.

Shih Tzus are known to develop cataracts as they age, which can be corrected with surgery. If left untreated, the dog may become blind in the affected eye.

The distinctive large eyes of Shih Tzus can easily be scratched, causing an ulcer. This is often accompanied by excessive tears and a closed or half-closed eye.

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Excessive tear production is a common issue in Shih Tzus, leading to tear stains around the eyes.

Ear infections are a very common issue for Shih Tzus, particularly if their ears are not regularly cleaned and plucked.

Shih Tzus are also prone to glaucoma, with a study from Japan finding they make up 16% of all glaucoma cases despite only making up 8.2% of the total population used in the study.

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The Shih Tzu's exercise needs can be met by a small yard or even an apartment if supplemented with daily walks. They prefer temperate weather and may not do well in hot conditions due to their short muzzle.

Shih Tzus are sensitive to heat and should remain indoors in an air-conditioned room or one with fans on hot days to prevent heat exhaustion. They're not an extremely active dog, but they do enjoy playing games and chasing balls.

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The Shih Tzu's long coat requires daily combing to prevent tangling and matting. Regular bathing and conditioning can also help reduce these issues.

Shih Tzus are prone to patellar luxation, a condition where the kneecap shifts out of alignment, causing hind-leg "skipping." This can be a painful and frustrating issue for both dogs and owners.

Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS) is another condition that can affect Shih Tzus, causing respiratory distress in hot weather or when exercising. Most Shih Tzus have BAOS to some degree, and owners should have their dog examined by a veterinarian to determine if it's a problem.

Crate training is helpful for housetraining and provides a quiet place for your dog to relax. It's also useful when you board your Shih Tzu or travel.

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The Shih Tzu's temperament is a perfect blend of playfulness and affection. They are generally outgoing and friendly, making them a great addition to any family.

Shih Tzus are bold but gentle, often getting along easily with unfamiliar people, dogs, and other pets. They are also fairly high-energy and exuberant, but they can learn quickly once they decide to be cooperative.

As intelligent and eager-to-please dogs, Shih Tzus respond well to positive reinforcement and reward-based training methods. With consistency and praise, you can teach your Shih Tzu to tolerate being alone and exhibit self-control over barking.

The Shih Tzu is known for being outgoing and playful, easily transitioning from playmate to sofa companion. They are bold but friendly, making them great with unfamiliar people, dogs, and other pets.

Their high energy and exuberance make them an ideal companion for gentle older children and the elderly. However, they can be slow to obey, but they can learn quickly once they decide to be cooperative.

Shih Tzus are generally not prone to fits of jealousy, but they can get a bit possessive at times. To avoid issues, it's essential to build trust gradually with newcomers in the household.

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Their loyal and attentive nature makes them perfect for families with kids. They get along well with adults and are good with children, but it's essential to teach small children how to properly interact with them.

As a companion breed, Shih Tzus thrive on human attention and affection. They're happiest when they're with their family, giving and receiving attention. In fact, their dominant characteristic is affection, and their favorite destination is your lap.

Shih Tzus are not total couch potatoes; they're alert and lively, and may bark at newcomers to their home. However, they'll make friends with your guests the minute they walk inside.

Their docile personality makes them a good companion for children, but kids should sit on the floor to play with a Shih Tzu puppy to avoid any risk of carrying and dropping them. Children should also learn to keep their fingers away from the Shih Tzu's prominent eyes, which can be easily injured.

Overall, Shih Tzus are low-maintenance dogs due to their loyalty and eagerness to please their loved ones. However, they do require regular grooming to keep their long, silky coats looking their best.

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Shih Tzus are intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train.

Their trainability is boosted by positive reinforcement and reward-based training methods, which they respond well to.

Most Shih Tzus want to learn new tricks, but individual personalities can lead to some difficulties throughout the training process.

Maintaining rituals and a dose of patience is essential, as aggressive or impatient human attitudes can result in unruly Shih Tzu behaviors.

Consistency and praise are key to training your Shih Tzu to exhibit self-control over barking, just like training them to tolerate being alone.

Obedience classes and "clicker training" are options suggested by many Shih Tzu owners.

Some dogs, like Shih Tzus, don't like to be alone for extended times.

They can tolerate short periods alone, but long periods of solitude can lead to separation anxiety.

Shih Tzus are very social animals and need companionship to thrive.

Training your dog to tolerate time alone is key, and setting up a routine that includes attention and play time before leaving home can help.

Make sure your dog has plenty of food, water, and toys to keep them content and occupied while you're away.

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Do Shih Tzus bark a lot? Contrary to popular belief, Shih Tzus are known for being relatively quiet compared to other breeds.

Some owners report that their Shih Tzu rarely barks at all. They can also be trained to exhibit some self-control over their barking, limiting some of the noise, though.

Shih Tzus will typically bark when triggered by a doorbell, a visitor, or something seen outside. Remember, Shih Tzus are social watchdogs, so this is expected.

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