In this breed, there is little difference in the personality or temperament of males and females. Both are lovable, devoted to their owner, with equal energy levels. Both genders get along well with other dogs, especially other Shih Tzu and most are fairly good with the introduction of a young puppy to the family.
With a bit of a stubborn streak, the Shih Tzu still loves those that live in its household and even other people and other dogs. Its long silky hair and rounded teddy bear face make this toy dog a beloved pet. Although a bit high maintenance, the Shih Tzu makes a wonderful pet and is a pro in the dog show circuit.
Shih Tzus are affectionate, intelligent, and outgoing and are trusting with everyone. They are lively and alert, and they thrive on human companionship, so don't leave them alone for a long time. They can also be stubborn and make training a chore, so be sure to use consistent and thorough training with your Shih Tzu.
Shih Tzus have a strong memory, and they have the ability to remember sounds. When you come home, your Shih Tzu may know it before you even walk through the door. This may be because of any sound associated in his memory, sounds such as shutting the door or blowing a horn.
Your Shih Tzu will bring you their toysIf your Shih Tzu keeps bringing toys to you, it's a dog way of showing you love and affection. If your Shih Tzu gives you a toy, it means your Shih Tzu is happy and loves you. After all, if they share that toy, it means they want you to like and enjoy it just as much as they do.
Barking. As we have said, the Shih Tzu does not have many behavioral issues like other breeds, but their barking can seem out-of-control. The Shih Tzu is a breed prone to barking. They tend to bark at people and dogs passing the window, or off in the distance when walking.
The Shih Tzu is an energetic, vibrant little dog with a surprisingly low-maintenance and easygoing temperament. They do well around other dogs, but don't always love to be around cats. The Shih Tzu also doesn't shed much, making it an ideal breed for people with allergies.
The cost of purchasing a Shih Tzu puppy will vary depending on the region you are in and the breeder you are purchasing from but, in the US, potential owners should expect to pay between $500-$1000 on average. Occasionally the price can be even higher, although this is rare.
The Best Dog Foods For Shih Tzus
| Top Picks | Rating |
|---|
| 1. Royal Canin — Shih Tzu Adult Dry Food (Editor's Choice) | 4.9 |
| 2. Nutro — Small Breed Formula With Adult Farm-Raised Chicken | 4.9 |
| 3. Hill's Science Diet — Sensitive Stomach & Skin Small Breed Adult Formula | 4.8 |
| 4. Blue Buffalo — Freedom Small Breed Dry Dog Food For Puppies | 4.7 |
The Top 5 Shih Tzu Haircut Styles
- Puppy Cut. Via Pixabay.
- Teddy Bear Cut. Via Flickr/Joel Sowers.
- Practical Top Knot. Via Flickr/Dave Fayram.
- Top Knot Show Cut. Via Flickr/Svenska Mässan.
- Lion Cut. Via Pixabay.
- 4 Top Goldendoodle Haircut Styles for 2019.
What Foods Shih Tzus Can't Eat?
- Raisins, Grapes and currants – gives abdominal pain, vomiting and can damage kidneys.
- Macadamia nuts – cause kidney stones.
- Nuts in general.
- Onions – affect the red blood cells and can cause anaemia.
- Sweets and candies – contain an artificial sweetener called xylitol that increases insulin production.
Under normal circumstances, a Shih Tzu should be given a bath once every 3 weeks. If baths are given less frequently, accumulated body oil can start to smell bad and a Shih Tzu's skin and coat will not be receiving the bathing benefits (as listed previously) as often as they should.
It's recommended that you feed your Shih Tzu at least three times a day when they are of adult age. If they are still a puppy, they may require 4-6 meals a day.
Puppies between 3 and 12 months – Once the free-feed process is complete, your puppy needs to be feed 3 meals a day. If you are not present during the mid-day meal, you can leave it with your puppy. For adults – Some adult Shih Tzu prefers 2 meals a day.
The answer would be yes, Shih Tzus do get cold in winter. This breed is brachycephalic which contributes towards them being more sensitive to lower temperatures. Their short coats don't help either, as this means they feel the cold more with not as much winter protection as a longer-haired dog would have.
Shih Tzus are not the smartest dogs. According to Stanley Coren, the Shih Tzu has the lowest degree of obedience & working intelligence. Out of 138 dogs, they're ranked the 128th breed. However, their ability to adapt and understand human emotions is what makes them intelligent.
Most Shih Tzu are generally healthy, and responsible breeders screen their stock for health conditions such as such as hip dysplasia, patellar luxation (a slipped kneecap), eye anomalies including cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, retinal detachment, and corneal dryness and inflammation from excessive exposure to
After about a month of life, your Shih Tzu should settle into a pattern of sleeping for around 14 hours each day. Then, as an adult, that number will come down to about 12 hours. A senior Shih Tzu (over the age of 10), will require more sleep time, with the number going up as high as 16-19 hours per day.
How long will Shih Tzu live?
There are some health issues to consider with Shih Tzus.Shih Tzus need more indoor activities during the hot and humid months of the year. They have a high risk of heatstroke because their panting cannot cool them off enough to lower their body heat.
The Shih Tzu dog usually is not an aggressive breed, but some of these cute “lion dogs” can exhibit an aggressive streak. The severity of a Shih Tzu's aggression varies from dog to dog, but no matter how mild or extreme a pup's aggressive behavior is, it needs correcting as soon as possible.
Secondly, Shih Tzus can have diseases that cause their eyes to tear, which will also contribute to the build-up. If the hair around your dog's eyes stays wet, bacteria can also build up and it may begin to smell. If your dog smells profusely, they may have backed up anal glands that need releasing.
Shih tzu generally want to please their masters but they do occasionally have that stubborn moment when they want to do their own thing and nothing else, which can make them difficult to potty train. However, you can turn that around and with some persistence and patience on your part.
Maturity and Coat Color ChangeThey typically occur when Shih Tzus are about to become adults -- around 12 months in age. It's common for their coats to become paler, and at the same time, it's also common for them to darken. Note, too, that this color change doesn't take place in any and all Shih Tzus.
Very similar looking breeds as puppies, but the main indicator is the nose. There is a swirl of hair around it's circumference that varies slightly from the Lhasa. Also note that the Shih-Tzu's “eyebrows” are more open and expressive in comparison to the Lhasa-Apso, giving the Shih-Tzu a more rounded looking head.
Answer: No, dogs are not colorblind in the sense that they see more than just black, white, and gray. However, the color range they perceive is limited compared to the spectrum we see. To put it in very basic terms, the canine color field consists mostly of yellows, blues, and violets.
Shih tzu puppies that are constantly mouthing, nipping and chewing at people or objects are doing so because either they are teething, they are after your attention, they are trying to move up the pack hierarchy, they are just simply exploring or any combination of these.
If you want to shave down your Poodle or Shih Tzu and can protect it from the elements using other tools, you will not cause any long term problems for your dog's coat and skin. Soft undercoat does need to be shed out, but it should NOT be shaved down.
