11 Pros and Cons of Owning a Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is less demanding and less vocal than the majority of other toy breeds, despite the fact that he carries himself with a proud and arrogant bearing. He also possesses a happy and sweet-natured temperament.

Even though he has a robust build, is very active, and spends a lot of time playing in the yard, he doesn’t require very much additional exercise.

He is a creature of ease and enjoys the company of others, so you’ll often find him dozing off on someone’s lap or nestled into a pillow. He would make an excellent companion for elderly people.

Even though socialisation is required to develop a trusting temperament, the majority of Shih Tzus are friendly (or at least polite) with people they have never met before. Additionally, Shih Tzus are good-natured around other animals.

Housebreaking is going to be the most challenging skill to teach your Shih Tzu.

Even though he presents himself in an aristocratic manner, has a streak of stubbornness, and has definite likes and dislikes, the Shih Tzu does not get into a lot of trouble. Even when he does not obey very quickly, he is easy to forgive.

If you remain consistent, offer praise, and reward good behaviour with treats during training, you will have a lot of success.

Let’s Talk about the Pros of Owning Shit Tzu

This breed does not require a great deal of exercise in the great outdoors.

Because of their small size, Shih Tzus are an excellent choice for individuals who are unable or unwilling to engage in daily physical activity.

Due to the fact that they are so small, they do not require a great deal of activity outside. It’s possible that just keeping them on a porch or balcony will be enough to keep them healthy. You should be able to manage their requirements rather effectively if you take them out for a few potty breaks on the grass or use a device inside the house.

To maintain their mental engagement while they are inside, you should make sure that they have access to a wide variety of toys to play with, but that is typically the extent of your responsibilities in this regard.

In some conditions, a Shih Tzu will shed far less than other dog breeds.

If the thought of having a dog that sheds excessively in your home makes you uncomfortable, then trimming the long coat of a Shih Tzu will be able to assist you in taking control of the situation.

The toy-sized puppies of this type shed significantly less than the vast majority of other breeds, however, those who suffer from dog allergies should choose elsewhere for a pet.

This benefit is somewhat attributable to the fact that they are smaller in size, but you can also manage how much of their coat they shed over the course of the week by brushing and trimming them on a regular basis.

You are going to want to invest in one of those adhesive rollers for your clothing despite the fact that their fur can be contained very easily.

In general, the Shih Tzu behaves well around unfamiliar people.

It’s not true that Shih Tzus are the most effective guard dogs in the world. They will warn you when there is an unfamiliar person nearby, but it will most likely be with a jovial bark and a delighted wagging of the tail.

Even if you haven’t done all in your power to socialise your dog, you’ll discover that this breed has a natural tendency to be kind and respectful towards the various strangers that you see on a daily basis.

The majority of individuals are outright sociable and would gladly take a gentle scratch on the head in exchange for some cheerful smiles and some tail wiggles.

Shih Tzus are able to quickly adjust to their new environments.

Shih Tzus are affectionate dogs that will bond with whoever takes care of them. They will rapidly become a natural part of your home’s routine without requiring much extra work on your part.

You’ll find that they can very simply adjust to whatever it is that you require them to perform, despite the fact that their size can make them difficult to control if there are large pets or little children in the home at the same time.

The one and only significant caveat to this advantage is that they may have some undesirable toilet training behaviours; however, even this disadvantage can be overcome with a little bit of patience, some tasty rewards, and a healthy dose of dogged determination.

These dogs are wonderful to have around as companions.

Nearly any kind of household is suitable for welcoming a Shih Tzu into the fold as a member of the family. These dogs are primarily considered to be companion animals because of their ability to offer love and friendship to people who are in the greatest need of both.

This breed has the ability to help provide more comfort and peace to its owner, even if that person is living in a stressful situation.

Because of this, you will frequently find older people, older couples, as well as people who live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, sharing their homes with these puppies.

Additionally, younger adults as well as families with children of an older age enjoy having this breed around.

Now the CONS of Owning a Shih Tzu

Shih-Tzu’s requirements for grooming can be quite extensive.

Grooming. When not brushed and combed regularly, the coat of a Shih Tzu can become tangled and matted. If you are unable to commit to brushing them, you will need to commit to trimming or clipping them frequently in order to keep their coat short.

My personal preference is for the short, or “sheared,” cut because it requires very little brushing and ensures that a Shih Tzu will always have the appearance of a cute puppy.

If you want your Shih Tzu to always look its best, you need to make time every day to give the dog’s coat the attention it deserves.

Some people enjoy being the centre of attention, especially when they are showered with compliments about how great they look and how much they deserve it.

There are some people who would rather be doing anything else than waiting still for your brush, and they are not alone in this sentiment.

If you keep the bangs of their coat pulled back over their eyes and keep it a little shorter than normal, you can mitigate some of the negative effects of this circumstance, but you won’t be able to avoid all of the work entirely.

A breed of dog known for its Stubbornness is the Shih Tzu.

You will find that Shih Tzus have a very sweet nature; however, you will also find that despite their small size, they are surprisingly stubborn. The passage of time can also cause some people to develop manipulative tendencies.

You, as the leader of the pack, are responsible for being completely reliable in that you always mean what you say.

The presence of food is a powerful motivator for these dogs, but if you only use this method for training, you will produce a puppy who will only want to pay attention when there are tasty treats nearby.

The word “no” is one of the most essential phrases that you will need to teach your new four-legged pal.

Shih Tzu are not Hypoallergenic

Even though some breeders will try to convince you otherwise, Shih Tzus are not hypoallergenic like other breeds of dog. The coat of a Shih Tzu is double-layered.

Each individual hair goes through what is known as a “life cycle,” during which it lives, passes away, and is eventually replaced by a new hair that grows from below.

When the coat of a Shih Tzu is allowed to grow long, the majority of the shed hairs become entangled in the long coat; consequently, these hairs do not fall out onto your floor but must be removed by brushing your Shih Tzu.

When you clip your Shih Tzu into a shorthaired dog, there is no longer a long coat to catch the shed hair, and as a result, the hair will fall onto the floor, furniture, clothing, and other items.

Health issues

Problems with one’s health A significant percentage of Shih Tzus make it to old age. However, unfortunately, they are more likely to suffer from serious diseases of the kidney and liver, knee problems, eye diseases, allergies that cause itchy skin, and other ailments.

A Bit hard to House Train them

Housebreaking. It takes a long time for a Shih Tzu’s small bladder to develop to the point where it can “hold” its urine for more than a short period of time, as is the case with most other small breeds of dogs. Shih Tzus are no exception.

About Content Reviewer & Vet Expert OnBoard:  Dr. Zoe Adams, from St Kilda Vets. Dr, Zoe is passionate about pets and loves sharing her knowledge and research with you. At Pet Paws Hub, we strive to be the ultimate resource for learning everything about Owning & Caring for your pet!