Anyone owned by a Shih Tzu?

[MickeysMommy]

My mother just informed me that she found out her doctor breeds and judges these dogs. I was really in the market for a Yorkie at some point in the future but no one around here breeds them and they are *SO* expensive. I am hopeful that this is another option for me.

Can you tell me about them? (ie. temperment, shedding, behavior...) It won't be for a little while but I figured it's good to do some research first right? I do have Mickey who is king of the castle and I am a little afraid about bringing home another animal for fear of what he might do but I would like a dog.

 

[Lynn CC]

I had one and my sister did too. They are cute, but ours liked to bark a lot!!!
Mine also ate his poop, I don't know why but it was awful.
I think if I got another I would take it to a training class. They are the type of dog that needs some professional discipline.
Mine got hit by a car while jogging with me and DS's got hit running out into the street.

 

[Rajah]

My mom has a Shih Tzu, and I grew up with one. They're as a whole very good-natured dogs, and very smart in just about everything. Unfortunately, one area they are *not* smart in (at least in our experience) is potty training. My mom still has trouble with her dog asking to go outside, and she's 4 years old.

They don't really shed -- supposedly they have *hair* rather than *fur*. I know that I'm allergic to some dogs, but not to the Shih Tzu.

They do have to be either brushed a lot, or kept in a short-hair trim.

Both of ours also had eye problems, because their eyes are *so* big, and their fur is constantly getting in their eyes. My mom has to use theratears eyedrops pretty much daily to keep eye infections / ulcers from occuring in Dolly, and DeeDee (our old dog, lived to 14) had to have eye surgery twice.

They do have a bit of "herding" instinct. Whenever we'd take DeeDee out camping with us, she'd go *insane* trying to get out the window to get at sheep because she wanted to herd them. And Dolly herds the family around if everyone's in different rooms.

They're very social animals, and definitely do better with company, whether that's human mostly all day, or another animal (my mom has a cat now as well, and Dolly is so much happier with a playmate).

 

[mrsmom]

We have one and he's 3 months old, he is adorable, very sweet and litter trained fast, Doesn't bark only when you play rough with him. My kids have never had a dog ,due to one of my kids having a birth defect with a very small airway, the pulm dr said this was the prefect dog for us , doesn't shed, very good with kids and lovable. And doesn't smell . I have four kids and my oldest is 18 and this is our first dog. I would definatly recommend these dogs.

Here he is if i did it right.
Kim

 

[MickeysMommy]

mrsmom - he is too cute. I really think I might be leaning towards this breed especially since I know someone close to us that breeds them, now. I am just worried since Mickey has been an only child for so long. But, they'll adjust because they have too, right

 

[VampHeartless]

My parents have had two...Bamn Bamn who passed on a couple years ago, and Buster.

They are very cute, but yappy dogs!!

I will probably get one when I stop working shifts.

 

[Kim&Chris]

I grew up with a lots of Shih Tzu's most of my life, and when I got married, we "adopted" our Belle.

Shih Tzu's are very sweet and loving. Warning: they love to give kisses, and tons of them! They are also very cuddly, and will sleep on their mom or dad's lap for hours. They are loyal and love you unconditionally.

Belle was tough to train in the beginning, but it was not her fault. She had come from a frenzied environment, and was never given an opportunity to really learn how to use her piddle pads. With patience and lots of rewards for being a good girl, Belle has now graduated to using the backyard and rarely (if ever) has an accident. Patience was the key to this.

None of my Shih Tzu's have really been that yappy. Maybe we were just lucky.

You'll love a Shih Tzu! They are just about the sweetest dogs around.

 

[BrinxFam]

We had a Shih Tzu up until September this year. Our Jazi passed away suddenly of unknown causes but she brought so much joy to our lives for 9 years. Our dog was a cinch to house train but would have an accident now and then but not often at all. She was very very mild mannered and not yippy at all. She was always looking out for "her girls" (my 2 DD's). We hope to own another Shih Tzu very soon and will not even consider a different breed.

 

[dmadman43]

My DW insisted on getting one. It is the most retarded, annoying, undisciplined, obnoxious dog I've ever owned. Barks incessently. Dumber than a fence post. The only thing going for it is it's cute.

 

[Angel16]

I have a female Shih Tzu. She is 4 years old and was a dream to house break. She is a little sweetheart, very loving and mellow. They do not shed, and they do not have any odor problem. I have her groomed about every 6-8 weeks. My dog is named Holly and is all black except for a white diamond on her chest. As for barking. I never heard her bark until we got a new puppy. She only barks when she is playing and then only once in a while. She makes sounds of happiness, approval and pity with a throat like sigh. Excellent breed and companion. I will always have a Shih Tzu in our home

Angel

 

[leahannpen]

My parents got one while we were growing up. I loved that little puppy. I always remember her being good. We got her to breed and would you believe she wound up getting a VD from the darn dog we breed her with. (The very first time we bred her. I was young, so I don't remember too much...) We had to put her down. I was so incredibly sad. Both my brother and I were little and we never had a problem. I don't remember but a few accidents with the whole potty training thing. She was a good dog! I miss my Poochie!!

 

[PigletsPal]

Last Jan. we got our Shih Tzu from the pound. I also wanted a Yorkie but wasn't spending that kind of $$$. Max is about 5 years old and the best. We also have a cat the ruled the house so to speak. We also found 2 kittens last feb. and they all get along. We had a few problems with going to the bathroom because he was use to going in a cage, but in no time that was taken care of. He talks to us when he wants to get up on our lap or has to go outside. We get him groomed about every 2-3 months. We like to keep his hair short since we live in S. FL.
We do have to put eye drops in his eyes but its not a big deal.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I'm owned by a Shih Tzu - and swear it's the PERFECT breed for us. I want more of them.

Harley is not yippy at all - and I've never met one that was. He ONLY has barked when playing rough, he's very very quiet. He is a cuddler, and LOVES all people. We walk through PetsMart and he will roll over and play cute for anyone that talks to him nicely. He is known by name there by all the groomers and the staff. LOL He loves us unconditionally, and needs very little discipline. He has been harder to potty train, but is great at other training. He did the puppy preschool and did great!

He has hair, not fur, so he doesn't shed- and causes no allergy issues (I have severe asthma and allergies so this was key). He is groomed every 6-8 weeks, and I take him midway for an eye trim. If their facial hair is groomed regularly and properly, they will not have any eye issues that involve their hair. My groomer just clips it back for me =)

Shih Tzus live relatively long lives, and have no real heriditary issues. Their eyes are large and prone to injuries, so you have to be careful with that. They have floppy ears, so they have to be folded back to let dry when wet, and we put in ear drops every week to help clean it. Your groomer will also need to pull the ear hair.

He plays well with children, and adapts to whatever we are doing. If we want to play, he does too. If I nap, he naps with me. He is a joy to be around, and loves to cuddle. He goes everywhere with us, and adapts to all the diff people and environments he is in.

He is a people lover, and I don't think would be content alone alot - though he is fine playing alone if we're in the room. He is just constantly with us, though is gaining more and more independence as time goes on.

They think they're royalty - remember that is what they were bred for! He likes to be spoiled and pampered =)

I can't say enough great things about him - he's my baby, and a great breed for us. I, too, had my heart set on a Yorkie, but after pricing them decided we couldn't afford it. We needed an allergy safe dog, so we looked into Shih Tzus, and he was the perfect choice for our lifestyle. GOod luck in your search! That's great you have a personal connection to a breeder that you can trust- our breeder wasn't so good, and we paid for it - but in the end, he was worth the hassle.

BTW- his pic is my avatar.

 

[MickeysMommy]

Thank you all so much for your replies. I really appreciate it.

I do think that this is the breed for me. Especially since there is a breeder right here! My biggest concern is how Mickey will react but he has the run of the house (the dog won't - I live above my aunt in a two family) and I am still thinking I might wait for a while. Especially since winter is coming - hard to house break in the winter...

Thank you again - I'll definitely let you know if I get "Bubba".