Should i get a shih tzu puppy

Dog training videos. Sometimes it's easier to train your puppy or adult dog when you can see the correct training techniques in action. The problem is that most dog training videos on the internet are worthless, because they use the wrong training method. I recommend these dog training videos that are based on respect and leadership. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be copied, displayed on another website, or distributed in any way without permission from the author.

Shih Tzus: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em Shih Tzu temperament, personality, training, behavior, pros and cons, advice, and information, by Michele Welton , Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books Carrying himself with a proud, arrogant bearing, yet possessing a happy, sweet-natured temperament, the Shih Tzu is less demanding and less yappy than most other toy breeds.

If you want a dog who Is small, yet sturdy and strong Doesn't need much outdoor exercise Is less yappy than many other toy breeds Is usually friendly at least polite with strangers Is peaceful with other pets While not "hypoallergenic", sheds less than many other breeds A Shih Tzu may be right for you. You've successfully signed in.

Your account is fully activated, you now have access to all content. Four pros of Shih Tzus 1. Happy to spend time indoors While these pups can compete in dog sports like agility, most of them prefer to spend their time with you indoors. Great lapdogs Since these pups were bred for companionship they really are the perfect lap pups. Four cons of Shih Tzus 1. Those gorgeous coats can be high maintenance The Shih Tzu who is rocking a longer hairstyle will need almost daily brushing.

They need a high-quality food These small pups have specific nutritional needs and they benefit from a high quality, fresh or homemade diet. Can be stubborn While these pups are charming and friendly they can also be a little … bossy.

Prone to health issues Like any other purebred dog, the Shih Tzu is prone to certain health issues. Is a Shih Tzu a good first dog? Dog Breeds. Marissa Taffer Marissa Taffer is a consultant, writer and strategist based in Philadelphia. Yes, dogs can get braces! Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her.

Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet health insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs. Build her routine care into your schedule to help your Shih Tzu live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime.

We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine. Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help and how urgently. Many diseases cause dogs to have a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your Shih Tzu needs help.

Give us a call for an appointment if you notice any of these types of signs:. Seek medical care immediately if you notice any of these types of signs:. Visit our office to get the latest in top-quality veterinary care along with unparalleled service. Phone: Email: [email protected]. Skip to main content. Please text us at when you arrive so we can get you checked in.

For more on this, click here. Open today from am - pm Monday: 8am - 7pm Tuesday: 8am - 6pm Wednesday: 8am - 6pm Thursday: 8am - 7pm Friday: 8 am - 6 pm Saturday: 8 am - 4 pm. Contact Us. The Spunky Shih Tzu This distinctive looking dog can easily win your love.

Your Shih Tzu's Health We know that because you care so much about your dog , you want to take good care of her. Infections Shih Tzus are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections — the same ones that all dogs can get — such as parvo, rabies, and distemper. Obesity Obesity can be a significant health problem in Shih Tzus. Parasites All kinds of worms and bugs can invade your Shih Tzu's body, inside and out.

Spay or Neuter One of the best things you can do for your Shih Tzu is to have her spayed neutered for males. Bone and Joint Problems A number of different musculoskeletal problems have been reported in Shih Tzus. The disease is caused when the jelly-like cushion between one or more vertebrae slips or ruptures, causing the disc to press on the spinal cord. If your dog is suddenly unable or unwilling to jump or go up stairs, is reluctant to move around, has a hunched back, cries out, or refuses to eat or go potty, he is likely in severe pain.

He may even experience sudden paralysis—he may drag his back feet or be unable to get up or use his back legs. Call us at or call an emergency clinic immediately! For less severe cases, rest and medication may resolve the problem. And as with so many other diseases, weight control helps reduce the risk of IVDD.

You should also provide ramps or steps for your pet from puppyhood on to prevent your dog from stressing his back by jumping on and off of the furniture. Sometimes your Shih Tzu's kneecap patella may slip out of place. This is called patellar luxation. You might notice that your pet, while running, suddenly picks up a back leg or skips and hops for a few strides.

He might then kick his leg out sideways to pop the kneecap back in place. These are common signs of patellar luxation. If the problem is mild and involves only one leg, your friend may not require much treatment beyond arthritis medication. When symptoms are severe, surgery may be needed to realign the kneecap to keep it from luxating further.

Hip dysplasia is common in Shih Tzus. You may notice that he has lameness in his hind legs or has difficulty getting up from lying down. Again, surgery can fix severe cases.

Shih tzu are at risk of heatstroke in extremely hot conditions. Because of the way their respiratory systems are designed they cannot pant fast enough to keep their body temperature normal. You will need to watch out for eye diseases; at the first sign of inflammation, redness or abnormalities, consult your veterinarian immediately.

Mainly because shih tzu have short legs and a proportionally large back, there can be problems with hip joints, knee joints and even the possibility of a slipped disc. Most of these conditions can be treated, the most severe by surgery.

Shih tzu have comparably very long and narrow ear canals which are covered by furry ear flaps. This creates a warm and moist environment that bacteria thrive in and make painful infection likely. Shih tzu can develop very itchy allergies that manifest as skin rashes and as a waxy substance inside the ear.

Their paws and snouts may discolour due to scooping out this wax followed by licking the paw. These allergies can be treated by experimention in change of diet or products such as shampoo, for example, or by medication. Hypothyroidism is another condition that can affect shih tzu. The thyroid does not function correctly in a shih tzu affected by this illness resulting in varying appetite, weight gain, excessive urination, fatigue and hair loss.

Hypothyroidism can be treated with medication. It needs to be diagnosed early otherwise the patient can fall into a coma. This condition is hereditary, so as long as you get your shih tzu from a reputable source you should never encounter this disease.

Since then he has lived a happy life thanks to his twice a day medication. He is one laid back shih tzu! Shih tzu come on heat usually twice a year from age seven months. During these times there will be a small discharge of blood that you might like to contain in a doggy diaper. All of these conditions and more I will be going into in greater detail in future posts. So if you do become a proud shih tzu owner, do please bookmark this site and come back again.

Although the chances of a shih tzu developing anything nasty are slight, treatment for most of the above conditions can turn out to be very expensive and it only makes sense to take out pet insurance to dampen the shock of any sudden, unexpected strains on your finances.