General

About Shih-tzu's ... and other dog stuff

For more information about breed standards, or reputable breeders in your area, check out the AKC web site ...

You don't have to buy the food; just learn more about dietary controversies and potential dog food insufficiencies. Take a look at this site ...

For the truly Shih-tzu crazed, there's a web site and e-mail group. Try it out ...

For a long list of dog and Shih-tzu sites of interest, go to ...

Shih-tzu Reporter Magazine has on-line articles available
at ...

Be an Angel. Rescue an older or abused animal. Visit your local shelter, or check out ...

Study your Shih-tzu standards and gain other important information from the American Shih-tzu Club at ...

Support rescue efforts with the purchase of some Shih Tzu products you'll enjoy. All the proceeds go to help pay medical bills for rescued Shih Tzu ...

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The Shih-tzu is a small, toy breed developed as a companion and watch dog. They are playful and loving. While they are good with children, young children can be too rough and excitable to make a good match. Puppies especially are small and delicate and can be easily hurt.

Breed standard allows a range of sizes from 9-18 lbs. in weight. You will see many even smaller or larger than this standard, even though that is less than ideal.

Breeders probably won't mention this, but Shih-tzu's frequently take more time than other breeds to be reliably housebroken. Start early and stay with the basics long after you THINK you should be over the training stage and you won't have a problem. Or look into litter training as an option.

The breed is gaining in popularity due to its size and gregarious personality. This demands even more care in selecting your dog. Never buy the first puppy you see and DO buy from an experienced, reputable breeder rather than your neighbor next door or the pet store down the street.

Your puppy will be healthier mentally and physically and will be more responsive to you and your training, the more personal attention he has received during his first 8 weeks of life. And as cute as he/she is at 6 weeks, please let her stay with her littermates a few more weeks. That, too, creates a balanced, well-adjusted companion.

Shih-tzu's are smart and take well to reward-based training.

I believe all dogs are house dogs, but leaving a shih-tzu outdoors for any length of time would be criminal.

One of the key characteristics of the breed is their long, flowing coat. If you don't see yourself brushing your dog 3-5 times a week, you should look for another breed. You can shave it all off, of course, but why choose a breed for it's beautiful coat if you can't take care of it?

In selecting ANY new dog, be honest with yourself. Think your decision through AHEAD of time, and discuss care, training, time and cost with everyone in your household. What size dog is reasonable for your home? How active are you? Do you have time to exercise your dog every day? (Opening the back door does not constitute adequate exercise for an active dog!) Is someone available to let them out during the day? (You can't "hold it" for 9-10 hrs. Why should they be expected to?)

Then read the breed standards, and read between the lines. Their description of "independent" probably means stubborn and willful. Are you experienced enough to handle that attitude? "Playful" means an in-your-face kind of dog who may be bringing you balls to throw for hours on end. That sounds cute as a puppy, but if you just want something lying at your feet at night, you will probably be frustrated very quickly with this breed.

Last, but never least ... every dog of every breed needs love, attention and time from you. If you can't honestly provide that, do yourself and that hypothetical dog a favor ... get a gold fish!

And if you don't believe me, read the absolutely gut-wrenching story on the next page.