Shih Tzu?

So I have been fighting with hubby for awhile because I really want a new pup.  He's not a fan of the small "foofoo" dogs but I am.. We've had 3 Rotties and now we have Kane my American Bulldog who's awesome but I want a little guy and he's pushing Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs which are great but what's so wrong with wanting a little guy? I am kinda nervous to have a little dog though, just because I am so used to 125+ dogs.. so I am going to to continue my reserach but I do want to hear from anyone who's had one or currently has one.  What has been your experience with this breed? Thanks in advance!!!

Manic, Barky Dogs with waaaay too much energy and not too many brains. My fiancee's family has one. It's OK, but I prefer big dogs.

Shih Tzus are by far the best dogs I've ever owned with great personalities. they get along well with other dogs, and tell your man to rest assured, they are ALL DOG. My two are never yippy, and they love to play and wrestle. Shih Tzus all the way.

Shih Tzus are by far the best dogs I've ever owned with great personalities. they get along well with other dogs, and tell your man to rest assured, they are ALL DOG. My two are never yippy, and they love to play and wrestle. Shih Tzus all the way.

Shih Tzu is the dog of my choice too. From what I've heard they are pretty mellow for a little dog (training does wonders here for any dog) and if I remember right, they don't shed (but need lots of grooming because of this). I think they're adorable and keep hinting to my hubby for one as well. I don't think it will happen any time soon because he's not an animal lover AT ALL and we already have two cats :)!

Good luck!!

I have had the pleasure of living with and loving a Shih Tzu.  Our little “girl” is great, but she does require regular grooming (daily brushing and at least monthly trips to the groomer).  If you get annoyed by having dog hair all over the place, please consider another breed.  As much as I love this dog, she can be a bit yappy.  When she’s in a place where a lot of people come and go like an apartment building or in the car, she is very barky.  When she’s in a house that’s away from neighbors and such, she’s truly a delight.  She sleeps/relaxs most of the day, only wants 2 small walks a day, is low key but playful, and rarely has accidents or gets into trouble when left at home alone.  She is definitely a needy "lap dog", i.e. follows us around the house, wants to held or petted alot, acts like a little princess.

Original Post by ladydesira:

they don't shed (but need lots of grooming because of this)

I do grooming at work and have first hand experience with matted shih tzus...they need brushing like every day. Are you really set on a shih tzu, or do you just want a toy breed period? btw boston terriers and french bulldogs ARE little guys...but you want something more 'delicate' and fluffy? I don't like shih tzus personally, and I don't find their faces are cute at all. Here's a list of toy breeds - I'd pick chinese crested (there are 'powderpuff' ones, which have 'normal' hair), papillon or pomeranian, those are my pick of little dogs. You might like the havanese (my boss breeds these, I like them) or maltese, they're similar to shih tzu but don't have that urgly face :P

I have a little cocker spaniel, she is about 22 lbs. Not a toy breed, but still considered a small dog.

She's great...love her to death.  She's still a puppy, so we are working on her manners, but she is very intelligent, playful, and a good pet.

Although with cocker spaniels (or most pure breds) you have to be careful where you get them. They have a tendency to have been over-bred and you can get some undesirable traits. Do your research and find a good breeder :)

Original Post by vicereine:

Original Post by ladydesira:

they don't shed (but need lots of grooming because of this)

I do grooming at work and have first hand experience with matted shih tzus...they need brushing like every day. Are you really set on a shih tzu, or do you just want a toy breed period? btw boston terriers and french bulldogs ARE little guys...but you want something more 'delicate' and fluffy? I don't like shih tzus personally, and I don't find their faces are cute at all. Here's a list of toy breeds - I'd pick chinese crested (there are 'powderpuff' ones, which have 'normal' hair), papillon or pomeranian, those are my pick of little dogs. You might like the havanese (my boss breeds these, I like them) or maltese, they're similar to shih tzu but don't have that urgly face :P

 

I love my Shih-Tzu, (He has a pretty cute face though v...) But yes, the grooming is a horror. I fell in love with him for his personality, but I will never choose a shih-tsu again for that reason...he never stops growing hair from every concievable place and he always needs trimming and brushing...and now he has eye issues...work, work, work....

Thanks for the input.. I searched up the Havanese adn they are gorgeous!!! and yes Boston's and Frenchies are little but they aren't exacrlty what I am lookign for ..

I have had 2 shih tzus. Both passed on to doggie heaven now, our last one just a month ago. They are great dogs. They do not shed becuase they do not have fur ~ they have hair. Our dogs didn't bark or get yippy. We kept their hair trimmed short and they went to the groomers every 2 weeks. We always had collies and compared to the upkeep with them shih tzus are a breeze. They did have eye problems which is very common in the breed. They have eyelashes that grow inside their lids and we had to have the vet freeze the eye and remove them. Sounds expensive but I don't know. It helps when your Mom works for the vet hospital!

I miss them they were wonderful pets. One day I'll get another doggie. I wonder if I could trade my 2 demons cats in for a pup.....

Adopt a cute little mixed breed from a shelter.  Mixed breeds generally don't have the health problems of full breed dogs.  Get what you want, save a life at the same time!

I've never really gotten along with shih-tzus.  All of the ones I have met have been very stubborn and kind of stuck up.  I don't know if they would do well with that many other dogs.  I have 2 cocker spaniel puppies, but if I were to get a toy sized dog I would pick a min pin.  Low maintenance and can hold their own with the big boys.  My friend breeds them and they are all very well behaved.  I've never even heard any of them bark.

I am with Fuzzy.  I always hate to see people spend lots of money on imbred pure-bred dogs when they can get just as good of a dog, if not better, one from an animal shelter. 

Adopt from a shelter and save a life! 

I hope you're going to adopt. You should search on the internet for private organizations and even your humane society. They have plenty of small dogs that need love and care and a home, but you have to be sure that they're good around your dogs first.

I have a lhasa apso. Not really mine, but I take care of him. Lhasa apsos throw up a lot (that's why I was up at three o' clock in the morning) but you just have to make sure they eat regularly and you give them a treat as soon as you get up. He is my lovebucket, though. He's adorable and I love him to death. Lhasa apsos are bred to be guard dogs, so yes, they do bark but only when someone is at the door. When they come in he's very friendly.

Another plus for them is that they don't shed, but you have to take them to get haircuts. If you get a male, you should neuter him (you should neuter/spay every dog you get) because Lhasa Apsos can get testicular cancer.

 

By the way, they're very similar in looks to a shih-tzu and personality, they might be a bit smaller. Lhasa apsos really vary. He is very long and short. He loves to jump up in your chair with you for love and he's absolutely hilarious. He has such a personality!

That's why you should make sure that you play with the dog and hang out with it first so you can get to know it and whether it would fit your personality or not.

I would agree to adopt if you can.  It's not usually the first place I would think of to get a little dog b/c around here our shelters mainly have big dogs.  Luckily, the shelters are no kill and I don't think they are nearly as full as other places. 

Original Post by cesty8:

I am with Fuzzy. I always hate to see people spend lots of money on imbred pure-bred dogs when they can get just as good of a dog, if not better, one from an animal shelter.

Adopt from a shelter and save a life!

While I agree with the idea of going to a shelter and adopting a dog, it is insulting to reputable breeders everywhere to imply that they are doing anything but improving their breed with their breeding practices. The true "breeders" of this world go to extensive lengths and expense to ensure they are breeding two healthy dogs. Some dog of mixed breed could easily have the health issues of both parental lineages, just as easily as having no health issues at all.

If someone wants a pure breed puppy, and are willing to do the research to find a good breeder, then that is equally as ethical as going to a shelter and adopting. There are also an awful lot of "pure breed" dogs in shelters (read: products of backyard breeding and puppy mills).

BACK ON TOPIC: I think Shih Tzu's aren't pretty, but the ones I have come across all seem very easy going and pleasant. I like the look of the Japanese Chin myself, and I have to admit, I am with vice on the Chinese Crested, although they are SO much work, with their sunburn, blackheads, tendency to obesity etc etc. I love they way they look though.

If you want a pure breed dog, do your research finding a breeder - go to forums that are devoted to Shih Tzu, ask people you see on the street, ask your vet, ask other vets, go to the AKC website, go to dog shows, read dog magazines. Do everything in your power to get the healthiest, best dog possible. Don't contribute one CENT to the pockets of backyard breeders and puppymillers anywhere.

I'm not a fan of smaller dogs - really, they're not all that durable. However, if I had to pick, I would choose a Papillon - seems like Shih Tzus (or maybe it was a bichon or lhasa apso) are barky and sometimes have aggresion problems. My first pick is always the fantastic Golden :)

I had a toy poodle for 17yrs. he weighed 4lbs. my baby. I miss the little fellow. I'm not getting any more pets. I had one for 18yrs that died 8 yrs ago and little casey last year. I have a 10yr old cat and thats it for me.

Haha, sorry this doesn't answer your question, but I find mixed breedS(mutts) do be the best dogs. They have less health issues and live longer.

Original Post by kae1106:

Haha, sorry this doesn't answer your question, but I find mixed breedS(mutts) do be the best dogs. They have less health issues and live longer.

 Not if it was the offspring of 2 dogs with health issues, with mutts you don't know what's in it. Also I doubt living longer is true. There's nothing wrong with liking mutts of course, but same goes for liking purebreds.

swtiris - if you want any more info on the Havanese let me know.