Shih Tzu: pros and cons of having this adorable pet

The good and bad points of having a Shih Tzu as a pet

The Shih Tzu is among the most popular dogs and ranks fairly high in ownership according to the American Kennel Club. Even though it ranks highly as adopted or purchased dogs each year, there are some pros and cons to having this particular breed of dog as a pet. Below you will find some of the most important reasons for and against having one of these adorable pets.

Advantages:

A Shih Tzu is a very outgoing pet and friendly to everyone they come in contact with. They almost turn inside out when given attention. This particular breed is also very loyal to its owners and loves to please them. They will also get along with almost all types of animals they come into contact with.

One very good trait that this breed of dog possesses is that they do not bark as much as some of the other toy dog ​​breeds. Most other types of toy dogs will bark at everyone and everything, while the Shih Tzu will typically only bark when it needs attention or is given attention.

Another advantage for a Shih Tzu pet is that they will require little exercise. This makes them an especially good pet for someone who is not very active. If you are someone looking for a companion dog and have little space in your house or apartment, this would be a good breed of dog for you. Apart from walking the dog on a daily basis, the dog has little interest in participating in other activities. This isn’t to say that they don’t enjoy a good game of ball from time to time, just that they simply don’t require much more than that.

Because they are not as active as other dogs, they will eat less and, along with the fact that they are generally small and hardy, means that they generally cost less to keep than other dogs.

Cons:

A Shih Tzu is going to crave your attention and can become quite jealous of other people and pets. This can become a problem over time and for this reason he is more enjoyed as a companion for someone who is single or lives alone. If you introduce a puppy to your family at an early age, you’ll likely have fewer problems than if you wanted to acquire one at age 5 or older.

If you have children and you have an older Shih Tzu, this pet can be testy around them at times. This is especially true when they want to play with them and your pet doesn’t want to be disturbed or children play too rough with them. This can be a problem and may be one of the reasons why many older people who do not have children around choose them as the ideal pet.

Another thing to consider is that you will need constant grooming of the Shih Tzu. You will find that if the dog is not brushed daily and groomed weekly, your pet’s coat can become tangled and knotted. Many owners trim their pets’ coats to make them easier to care for.

Some of the medical problems with Shih Tzus are that they can develop ear infections and eye problems and they can have early tooth loss. They tend to pant and snore and can develop breathing problems. These dogs should not be overfed as they gain weight easily.

Although there are several downsides to owning these adorable puppies, I think the upsides far outweigh them. Although they are not the ideal older pet for a young family, this can usually be overcome by getting a puppy and then teaching the children how to treat the pet while also teaching the dog how to interact with its humans. Ask a Shih Tzu owner about their pet and you’ll probably get rave reviews and plenty of reasons why you should get one.