Mary Allen
Are you ready to become a Shih Tzu owner?
- Can and do I want to be responsible for the Shih Tzu for up to 16 years?
- Do all family members agree?
- There are no allergies that rule out owning a dog?
- Nobody is afraid of the Shih Tzu?
- Are you ready for the little dog to turn your leisure activities and habits upside down?
- Would you like to adapt your life to the needs of the Shih Tzu?
- Do you have enough time to exercise and keep your dog busy?
- Are you allowed to keep a dog (rental contract)?
- In case of absence/work/vacation/business trip/illness is there someone to look after the Shih Tzu?
- You can afford the dog financially, even with spontaneous expenses (vet)?
- Do you gladly put up with dog hair, dirt, and disorder?
Benefits of adopting a Shih Tzu puppy
Adopting a puppy from a shelter has a number of advantages. To make it easier for you to decide between buying and adopting, we have listed these advantages for you here:
- Happy Puppy Life: By adopting a puppy, you are giving a young dog a chance for a happy future and possibly even saving their life.
- Shelter Space: When you adopt a puppy from a shelter, you make room for another animal in need—potentially saving two lives.
- A good feeling: It is guaranteed to be an indescribably great feeling for you to know that you are giving a puppy in need a beautiful and secure future.
- Low Risk of Genetic Diseases: When adopting a puppy from a shelter, the risk of the animal suffering from a genetic disease is very low. Because the animals there are rarely purebred and genetic defects are comparatively rare in mixed breeds.
- Healthy puppies: In animal shelters, the animals are in good hands and receive medical care until they move to their new home. So when you adopt a puppy you can be sure that you are getting a healthy dog.
- Relaxed getting to know each other: Before you decide on a puppy in the animal shelter, you can visit your favorite several times beforehand and get to know and get to know each other a little.
- All legal: By adopting a puppy, you can be sure that you are not supporting illegal animal breeders.
- Low price: Adopting a dog only costs you a small nominal fee – with which you support the animal shelter at the same time!
Disadvantages of adopting a Shih Tzu puppy
As many positive aspects as there are when you adopt a puppy – we don’t want to deprive you of the disadvantages for your consideration. We have also summarized these for you:
- Necessary patience: Many puppies that are handed over to animal shelters have already experienced bad things and are sometimes traumatized. This may have caused them to exhibit unsightly behaviors. Therefore, after adopting a puppy, you need a lot of patience to slowly break these behaviors.
- Take a good look: Unfortunately, there are also animal shelters that only want to earn money with animals in need. So take a good look and be careful not to stumble upon such a shelter.
Advantages of buying a Shih Tzu puppy
Do you tend to buy a puppy from the breeder? Then you can get an overview of the advantages of buying a puppy here:
- Choosing your dream dog: If you have exactly in mind what kind of puppy you want, buying a puppy offers an advantage: you can choose your dream dog from a litter of different puppies.
Known breed characteristics: If you decide to buy a puppy, the breed-specific characteristics of the dog are known and you can adapt well to them. This is a great advantage, especially for beginners. - Known background: Puppies from the breeder have spent their short life there so far. Accordingly, the complete mental and physical condition of the puppy is known. This is also particularly advantageous for first-time owners.
Disadvantages of buying a Shih Tzu puppy
Of course, buying a puppy also has its downsides. So that you know what you are getting yourself into, we have also collected these for you here:
- Dubious breeder: Caution is required if the dog is to be bought quickly. This can be a sign of the breeder’s lack of seriousness. If this is the case, the puppy may not fit into your lifestyle or may even be ill without you being informed.
- Inequality of Opportunity: If you choose a puppy from a breeder, you may deprive a needy dog from an animal shelter of a chance of a happy life in a family home.
- Agony Breeding: Some breeds are subjected to fashion trends and their appearance bred to suit people’s desires. Taken to the extreme, this can become animal cruelty: torture breeding. The animals of these extreme breeds can no longer lead a problem-free life, some suffer from the peculiarities of their physique.
- Expensive: Buying a puppy from a breeder can be quite expensive, depending on the dog of your choice, of course.
- Now that you have all the information you need, you can decide whether to buy or adopt a puppy. Whatever you decide: We wish you a lot of fun with your new puppy!
Shih Tzu male or female?
There are no major differences in husbandry, except of course when the bitch is in heat about twice a year. Here it is important to take precautionary measures and pay attention to special hygiene in the house.
Otherwise, the training and daily interaction is the same, no matter which gender you choose. Also in terms of character and essence, there are no real differences.
Puppy or rather an adult dog?
A puppy is a lot more work (at least initially) and needs to be well trained, socialized, and raised which takes a lot of time and patience.
But of course, it is also exciting and great to accompany the little lion from puppy legs and to see it grow up. Before you know it, however, after a few months the puppy is already a big one.
On the other hand, anyone who adopts or buys an adult Shih Tzu often has fewer worries, because basic commands are often internalized and the dog knows how to behave in the household.
That’s why a “big” Shih Tzu is often also suitable for owners who are less experienced with dogs.
Recurring costs Shih Tzu
- Food (daily)
- Vaccinations (every 1-5 years)
- Medical treatments (as required)
- Dog school / puppy play lesson / courses (as required)
- Dog tax (annually)
- Liability insurance (annually)
- Grooming
Why is a puppy from a breeder so expensive?
From planning the litter to delivering the puppies, the breeder has many expenses:
- Membership fees for clubs/breeding associations;
- Training on husbandry, breeding, genetics, etc.;
- The purchase price for breeding dogs/stud fee for males (often plus travel, food, accommodation);
- Equipment for the dogs (e.g. also the whelping box);
- ongoing veterinary costs for all breeding animals;
- Health certificates (HD and other hereditary diseases);
- Veterinary surveillance of pregnancy and parturition;
- High-quality special food for mothers and later puppies;
- Vaccinations/chip/pedigrees for the puppies;
- Time expenditure.
What changes if I have a Shih Tzu in my home?
- Daily routine
- Less time for other things
- Feeding and care
- Holiday planning and illness
- Cleanliness
- Housing situation
- Recreational activities
- Fun and joy
Typical of the character of the Shih Tzu are his friendliness, attentiveness, kindness, and intelligence. He is a lively, independent dog who displays a proud demeanor. In addition, he can be very charming and not only conquer the hearts of masters and mistresses. However, he is initially reserved towards strangers without being aggressive. In general, the Shih Tzu is characterized by its happy, fun-loving, loyal, loving, and playful nature. Therefore, he is ideal as a family dog and playmate for children. However, you should teach them the rules for handling the animal, as it is a living being and not a toy. His freedom is very important to the little dog, which is why he can be very resourceful and assertive in defending it. He doesn’t show any aggression but comes up with tricks that sometimes surprise even experienced dog owners.
Pros and Cons of Shih Tzu – FAQs
The Shih Tzu needs loving but consistent leadership. He accepts these gladly and without any problems. The Shih Tzu makes a great companion, friend, and family dog. He wants and needs close contact with his mistress, master, or family, but always reserves a certain degree of independence and autonomy.
Is a Shih Tzu a barker?
Today, a Shih Tzu is still a reliable guardian and calm companion. He doesn’t bark, doesn’t hunt, doesn’t fight. He finds his way in every apartment in every city, doesn’t need a lot of exercises, and is always in a good mood.
How often do you have to walk a Shih Tzu?
They don’t need (and don’t want to) go on a big tour every day, but they do enjoy walking and should be kept in shape. Shih Tzus compete in obedience and agility with some success.
Can you leave the Shih Tzu alone?
Although this wish can be fulfilled in most cases due to its small size, the Shih Tzu can also stay alone from time to time. Otherwise, these dogs would like to be able to live as a full family members and they also like to go on the couch with you or even go to bed with you.
Are Shih Tzus intelligent?
The Shih Tzu is considered to be an exceptionally smart dog breed. In addition, the four-legged friends always have only one goal, namely to make their caregivers happy. A Shih Tzu is guaranteed to always be in a good mood and knows what needs to be done to set the mood.
Are Shih Tzus stubborn?
Sweet – but sometimes a bit stubborn: Even a Shih Tzu needs training. Even if Shih Tzu is a good beginner and family dog, that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t need training. The characteristic of this small and robust dog is its stubbornness, which occurs from time to time.
Is a Shih Tzu suitable for allergy sufferers?
Since humans are allergic to dander and not the dog’s hair or coat, there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs. Still, Shih Tzu’s are great dog breeds for people suffering from allergies and are considered by many to be hypoallergenic dog breeds.