If you have never
owned a Shih
Tzu, there are several factors to
consider before making the decision to purchase a Shih Tzu
puppy. Although Shih Tzu are wonderful pets to own, they are
definitely not for everyone. Some potential owners are attracted to the
Shih Tzu because of its beautiful coat, but this quality can end up
being very difficult to handle for the average dog owner. Shih Tzu
require brushing and combing at least every other
day. To maintain a full coat, weekly baths and blow drying are
essential. A clean coat grows more quickly than a dirty
one. Even if you decide to keep your pet's coat clipped, they
will still require regular brushing and a bath every couple of
weeks. Shih Tzu grow very fine soft hair in their ears which
should be removed to prevent ear infections and to maintain good
health. Therefore, a trip to the groomer at least every 2 months is
required. Shih Tzu have many admirable traits but it is
perhaps the breed's temperament that is so remarkable. The
Shih Tzu may even be loving and trusting to a fault. They
are not a "street-wise" breed and may not understand that someone may
not like them or that something bad might happen to them.
They may be slow to recognize aggression from other dogs or animals and
will most likely walk up to any dog, going nose to nose, wagging their
tails.
Another attractive Shih Tzu quality is that, although
they are small,
they are tough and sturdy. They are like big dogs in small packages but
they don't require a ton of exercise. Shih Tzu enjoy their walks but
they don't require a lot of activity. They are ready to play when you
are, but they are also adept at amusing themselves. Even as
they get older, Shih Tzu will still love their balls, squeakies and
other toys. Although the Shih Tzu can survive (barely)
without loads of attention . . . they just eat it up when it's there!
Shih Tzu are not outdoor dogs. They are very
sensitive to
extreme temperatures, especially heat, and can suffer heat stroke quite
easily. While they will be able to play outdoors during the
cool hours of the morning or evening, Shih Tzu won't be able to endure
much more than a quick "potty" trip outdoors during the heat of the day
when temperatures exceed 70 to 75 degrees. Although cold
weather is not quite as dangerous to their health, they don't
particularly care for temperatures below 45 to 50 degrees.
Invariably I am asked how much I think a puppy will
weigh as an
adult. If you ask five different breeders, you will probably
get five different answers, but the best answer I can give prior to
eight weeks of age is "I don't know!". Quite often the
smallest baby in the litter will overtake its littermates to be the
largest (or close to it) in the litter! Even at eight weeks
old, the best I can do is make an educated guess based on the sizes of
the parents and the puppy's current weight. The general (and
I mean VERY general) rule of thumb is that a female puppy's weight at
eight weeks can be multiplied by 3.5 and a male puppy's weight at eight
weeks can be multiplied by 4 to get an idea of what it will weigh at
adulthood. There are several factors though that can
influence this greatly, including the quality and quantity of food
given during the first year.
Shih Tzu are well know
for their independent, hard-headed nature and can be a real challenge
when it comes to house-breaking (particularly the girls!).
Crating training your new puppy will be the most successful method. If
you can't stand being away from your baby at night, place the crate
next to your bed. Above all, be consistent, patient and kind
. . . praise works MUCH more effectively than punishment with this
breed. It won't take long for your puppy to get the
idea. Then you can move the crate to storage or use it as the
puppy's sleeping quarters (which he or she will greatly appreciate) and
your little munchkin can have the run of the house.
Breeders are a dime a dozen and it is often very
confusing to new puppy
buyers when selecting their puppy. I recommend that you read
this article on "What Is
A Breeder" by a well-known breeder of Shih Tzu
babies. If you don't find what you are looking for here, then
maybe you will find it with Linda!
