Shih Tzus are the 7th most popular breed in the UK. They account for over 3% of the total dog population. If you are looking to welcome one into your home, opt for ethical breeders instead of puppy mills.

Characteristics

Shih Tzu puppies have many features you’d appreciate in a small furry friend. They are famous for their intelligence, and energetic, social, trustful, and loving nature. The Shih Tzu is not the most vocal, but they are very attention-loving. It is, therefore, not surprising that the Shih Tzu dog owners develop a strong bond with them.

Due to their sociable nature, Shih Tzus tend to be great family companions. Nevertheless, because of their tiny size, they may not be the best choice for families with young children. They will not respond well to rough play, and children must be supervised around them. It is better to get them once the children are a bit older and can be gentle with small creatures.

Personality

Shih Tzu's are calm, friendly, and cheerful. They are highly social canines. They can easily mix with other people and animals, even in the same house. It is perfect for people who enjoy loveable lap dogs who will want to be with them all the time. Intellectually, they can be bright, curious, sharp, and pretty active.

Shih Tzus are perfect for all kinds of pet owners. They can thrive in houses with yards or a space to play. Just ensure they have enough area to play so that they don't get bored.

Possible Health Issues

An anonymous investigative clinic study conducted by the RVC’s VelCompass Research Programme showed that out of 336,865 dogs 11,082 which is 3.29% were Shih Tzus. Like any other breed, Shih Tzus can be prone to viral and bacterial infections. These diseases are, however, controllable through proper vaccination schedules and timely training. This helps fight some effects of certain diseases like rabies, parvo, distemper, and others.

Teeth Problems

As compared to other breeds, Shih Tzus is highly prone to oral problems. You should take care of the oral health of Shih Tzu puppies. Studies show that over 9.5% of Shih Tzus have been diagnosed with dental problems every year. Not doing so may lead to tooth loss, dental cavities, and diseases in other body organs. Thus, it is important to take care of their oral health. 

Parasites

Your little friend can also get diseases or infections from parasites. Such parasites include fleas, worms, or ticks. These, if not treated, can cause severe issues.

Obesity

It is vital to regularly check their weight and maintain their diet. Otherwise, like humans, Shih Tzu puppies can develop several health issues when overweight. Thus you need to strictly control their diet and treats. 

PSS or Portosystemic Shunt

Shih Tzus are more prone to having a liver disease condition called Portosystemic Shunt (PSS). In PSS, the blood flows into the liver abnormally. If your dog suffers from PSS, it may not reach the ideal size fit for its age and may have seizures. This condition, although curable, may need surgery. Some types of PSS can only be managed medically and can reduce the life expectancy of the dog.

Joint and Bone Issues

A Shih Tzu may develop some bone and joint problems as they grow older. These include Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), patellar luxation, and Hip Dysplasia, among others. If you see any weird movement in your dog along with pain and discomfort, quickly contact the vet clinic. Go for immediate treatment, especially if your dog is exhibiting sudden paralysis where the dog has problems getting up or using its back legs.

Cushing’s Disease

Cushing’s is a very common condition in many dogs, especially in Shih Tzu dogs. In this condition, the hormone in the body is produced more than what is needed. It is easy to miss this since it takes its time to enter into full-blown stages. 

You need to look for signs such as excessive drinking and urination and unnecessary hunger. Your dog might also be less energetic than usual. Their skin thins, and they also seem to be having excessive shedding more than normal.  

Eye Problems

Shih Tzus can get severe eye problems that can potentially harm their eyes if not spotted and treated. It is important to look out for such diseases.  

• Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a critical condition that is very painful. If these puppies do not receive the right treatment, they will go blind. Glaucoma in dogs is the increased pressure inside the eyeball known as intraocular pressure (IOP). 

• KCS: Dry eye is a condition which is medically termed as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Here, the canine is unable to produce enough fluid to keep their eyes wet.

• Cataracts: Cataracts are an extra-ocular condition that may lead to blindness in elderly pets. In this case, the lenses grow increasingly opaque with time over a period until they appear as white discs.

Allergies

Shih Tzus frequently experiences skin and ear allergies. See your vet if your pet exhibits any of the following allergic symptoms. Shih Tzus are 5.5% more likely to develop ear infections. 

• Licking the paws and rubbing the face repeatedly and frequently.
• Frequent head shaking and scratching, any foul smells coming from the ear, and ear discomfort. These are all signs of an ear infection that could result from an allergy. 

Watch out for these signs to know if your pet has an ear infection and get it immediately treated. 

Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Conditions such as this are common among brachycephalic types of dogs like the Shih Tzu. Any soft tissues present in the throat may cause a block that makes breathing difficult for the pup. 

Dogs suffering from this condition show certain behavioral changes such as laziness, making odd breathing sounds, or coughing. Moreover, the dog may have purplish gums and may also be prone to fainting. In severe cases, surgery can be essential for relief. 

Other Health Problems:

A Shih Tzu may come with a greater danger of heart problems when compared to other breeds. Further, these dogs are also prone to contracting Willebrand's disease. This is a bleeding disorder. They are also at risk of developing stones in the kidneys. If your animal has difficulty with urinary habits or you see blood in urine, immediately visit a vet.

Ideal Shih Tzu Environment

The best environment for a Shih Tzu is where their favorite people are! So long as you offer a safe place and a lap to sit, your Shih Tzu will be okay. However, Shih Tzus were originally bred ‘to spend most of their day within the confines of a royal palace.

Thus, they do not mind living in an apartment that does not have any garden space. However, it is important to exercise often. For this, you can simply take them out on a short walk and have one or two active play times a day.

This perception makes Shih Tzus ideal dogs for families with children. Do not let their small size fool you. They are a fluffy bundle of excitement and energy. They will always keep you at your feet and never let you feel lonely. Just make sure that children at home know how to be gentle.

How to Train a Shih Tzu?

Teaching commands to a Shih Tzu is a roller coaster ride of fun and silly moments. We do not know if dogs these days are just headstrong or annoying. But they do know how to get away with it with their cuteness. Either way, it’s fun. 

And of course, keep in mind that rewards are more effective with a Shih Tzu than punishment. Food rewards also do help. No matter what, you have to be gentle.

Shih Tzu puppies need to be taught to behave. When you train a dog, do your best to maintain positive behavior – at least, offer them treats, praises, or more playtime whenever they get something right. 

Do not punish your pet Shih Tzu for soiling mistakes. This is a proud, independent breed that does not respond well to punishment. They are likely to become resentful if rebuked and training will take two steps back. 

How Do You Groom Them?

Do you neglect to brush your Shih Tzu? You will. They have a splendid double coat of fur which means you will need to brush them regularly. Otherwise, they will keep shedding especially if the Shih Tzu's hair is short. 

Though worrying about shedding might make keeping a long coat seem like hard work. It is, however, easy to control the shedding because the undercoat shedding will be contained within the outer coat without the need to brush until later. Just be careful that their hair grows really fast. 

Other Things You Need to Remember

To help a Shih Tzu overcome the difficulties of their breed, they need one-on-one attention, and a lot of patience.

Encourage puppy training and activities with other dogs. You should also discourage unwelcomed barking, overly aggressive behavior, and timidity. Use a praise and reward system while instructing your pet. Aggressive training opens shy and fearful puppies quite the opposite. 

Your Shih Tzu may be quite fragile. Take care of them as though they were your child. If the well-being of your dog is your priority, then keeping the Shih Tzu safe should form part of the daily care routine. For example, install barricades so that the dog cannot access certain areas and hurt itself.

Conclusion

While looking for Shih Tzu puppies for sale, know that they require care and a lot of time to battle their unique problems. The key to training your Shih Tzu is only love and care. They will not obey aggressive behavior. You can also train your dog using a praise and reward system. As behavior is not dependent on the breed, how you train your dog determines how well the dog will respond. Thus, be responsible.