Buying or Adopting a Shih Tzu

Should You Even Get a Dog? Are You Sure?
Important – I've been helping people choose and find dogs for nearly 40 years, and honestly, some people who decide to get a dog are making a big mistake... [read more]

The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)

The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)

The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)

Is a Shih Tzu the right breed for you?

Shih Tzu Review
I'll tell you what's good about 'em, and what's bad about 'em... most honest review you'll ever find

Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You? In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.

Are YOU the right owner for a Shih Tzu?

Can you provide what this breed needs?

• Someone home most of the day
• Fenced yard (not an electronic/underground fence)
• No young children in the household
• No large dogs in the household (safety issue)
• Sufficient exercise after maturity – enough ongoing exercise that your Shih Tzu stays slim and is tired enough to sleep contentedly and not get into mischief
• "Mental exercise" – interesting activities that keep the mind stimulated, such as a challenging dog sport (dog agility, rally obedience, musical freestyle); challenging dog toys; a homemade obstacle course; tricks and games such as Musical Toys and Hide 'n Seek; instructions in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words
• Brushing – moderate to a lot (if you don't keep the coat clipped short)
• Trimming/clipping – every few months
• An indoor lifestyle, except for exercise and bathroom breaks
• A meat-heavy diet, either homemade or commercial – meat is expensive, so people with less money should opt for a small dog
• An owner with enough money to treat the health problems Shih Tzus are prone to (pet health insurance can really help here!)
• An owner who is okay with snorting/snuffling, and housebreaking perhaps taking a long time
• Commitment to provide thorough socialization – introducing your Shih Tzu to lots of people and other animals
• Commitment to establish the right Leader-Follower relationship with your Shih Tzu, teaching him to listen to you and do what you say

Which sex? What age?

Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?

Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Should you get a young puppy, an older puppy, or an adult dog?

Where can you buy or adopt a Shih Tzu?

Shih Tzus are very common in the United States. Out of 189 breeds in the American Kennel Club, where 1 is most popular and 189 is least popular, Shih Tzus rank 20th. It's very easy to find this breed.

Adopting From Dog Rescue Organizations
Shih Tzus (and Shih Tzu crosses and mixes) are often available from Dog Rescue groups. Shih Tzus may be turned over to Rescue because they need too much grooming, or because the owner thought they were "hypoallergenic" when they're not. Owners may give up their Shih Tzu due to housebreaking issues. Other Shih Tzus are given up simply because of changed family circumstances, and these dogs may have no behavior problems at all.

Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
Sometimes a Shih Tzu ends up in an animal shelter, but may be mislabeled as a Lhasa Apso. Sometimes it's the other way around – the label on the cage says "Shih Tzu" when the dog is really a Lhasa. The latter mislabeling is particularly unfortunate, since Lhasas are often more difficult to train and socialize properly. If you really want a Shih Tzu, you probably don't want to bring home a Lhasa by mistake!

Buying From a Dog Breeder
You can buy a Shih Tzu from a show breeder, who breeds Shih Tzus to match a detailed standard of appearance for the dog show ring. You can also buy a Shih Tzu from people who "just breed pets" or "just had one litter." But should you? Be sure to read the article to learn more about these people.

Here's one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder – BOTH PARENTS of a Shih Tzu puppy should have:

• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America's CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) – dated within the past year – certifying the dog to be free of eye diseases

Also, at least ONE PARENT of a Shih Tzu puppy should have:

• a DNA test proving they are Normal/Clear of a severe kidney disease called renal dysplasia.

If a seller can't show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. You might choose to accept that risk. But then you need to be willing (and able) to pay a couple thousand bucks for future surgeries and lifelong meds if your Shih Tzu ends up with cataracts or kidney disease.

Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
Shih Tzus are frequently found in pet shops. I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!

Which puppy?

Choosing the Right Shih Tzu Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of Shih Tzu puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.

AKC Registered Puppies: Are AKC Papers Important?
Should you buy only an AKC registered Shih Tzu puppy? Do AKC papers and pedigrees really matter?