Anyone here own a Shih Tzu?

cockroachfarm

cockroachfarm

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We've always had big dogs in the family - German Shepherds and Greyhounds. After our third Grey passed away last October, I have been thinking of getting a Shepherd. Yesterday an older friend of my sister's asked me if I would be interested in adopting her 4-year old purebred male Shih Tzu (health reasons). This is a breed that I would never have considered before. This lady's dog is quite large, well-trained, and has what is called a 'puppy cut' - ie. short all over like a terrier, no topknot with a pink ribbon in it. ;) The thing is cute as a button.

I've done a lot of research this morning on the breed, but I'd like some personal recommendations from current owners. Anyone here own one?
 
I don't have one. My sister does. Its a little yappy dog, which may be why I am not a fan. However, I don't know if its a breed problem, but she has to take it to the Vet to empty its anal glands all the time and its face is always dirty and greasy because its flat faced; it just sticks its face into everything and since it doesn't have a snout like a real dog it gets all dirty.

Hers is well behaved though, and causes much less mass destruction around the house than my Shepard and Ridgeback.
 
Usually have lot's of personality. Can be tough little hearty dogs. Ex Sis-in-law had one on her family's farm in Northern Minnesota... dog live outside BY CHOICE all year 'round.
Make sure he/she stays slim, keep their teeth clean... they are prone to dental and periodontal disease, which leads to chronic renal failure. Since he/she is 4 yrs old, my biggest gripe with them shouldn't be a problem... they can be notoriously difficult to house-break as puppies.
 
ST's are people pleasers. Sweet little dogs. The puppy cut is the way to go if you aren't into regular brushings to keep it in full coat. If it is rather large, then it probably is overweight. ST's by breed standard should be small, and probably should weigh less than 10 pounds. And 10 pounds puts it on the heavy side. There are lots of ST's out there who are larger than breed standard, though. It's not a show dog so it doesn't matter as long as it is not overweight. You should be able to easily feel it's ribs.

Make sure you feed a premium dog food. Nothing from the grocery store. You want something with mostly human grade ingredients. Stay away from anything that has corn in it. And for now - definitely stay away from any food or treats with wheat gluten in it. That is the ingredient that has caused many deaths over the past several weeks.

If you feed a premium dog food, you should not have routine or possibly any problems with full or impacted anal glands. If you feed a premium food, the stools will be firm enough to empty the glands each time they have a BM. If you notice that the little darling is doing the butt scoot, it is probably either anal glands needing to be expressed (which you can learn to do yourself, have the groomer do it, or take sweetie pie to Mongo), worms, or as I noticed in one of my Lhasas the other day who has NEVER butt scooted in 7 years - he has a piece of stool that had dried up against his anus. So any obvious butt scooting should be looked into as there is something going on.

ST's are some of the cutest dogs around and just as sweet as can be. I'm not sure how brainy they are, but you aren't taking the dog because you are looking for an Einstein. I have seen and held some ST's at my groomer's that I would have loved to take home with me.

If the ST is not neutered, I would have it done. Cuts down on the risk for testicular and also anal cancer, if I remember correctly.

Sounds like you have done the research, which is important when considering a new dog. I have never heard anything really negative about the ST's. They are perfect lap dogs and will want to be with you and the family as much as possible. Definitely an indoor dog. Sweet sweet personalities - I guess I would compare them to "blondes." But smarter.

Enjoy! Sounds like you are getting a little prize. What's his name? Killer?
 
Totally Judy said:
If the ST is not neutered, I would have it done. Cuts down on the risk for testicular and also anal cancer, if I remember correctly.
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Not to mention to cuts down on that annoying leg humping - unless you're into that kind of thing... not that there is anything wrong with that, if you like that. :rolleyes: :p
 
TS's are great little dogs. Mine is on the large size for the breed (20lbs.) and solid as a rock. They love to just sit in your lap as they are.....lap dogs. You can do the the anal glands yourself. Mine does like to wipe his face on the wall after eating though. I just keep paper towels and surface cleaner handy.
 
my mom had one, it was very protective of her, would snap at people that got between them

she also didn't like men for some reason

most of the time she was a sweet dog though

they also can have problems with their eyes, again with the short snout thing
 
Thanks for the info and suggestions; very helpful - as I said, this is a breed I would NEVER have considered before. I went over to spend an hour with him today and I'm really taken with him - and he seems to accept me. I forgot to mention that the owner gave first refusal to her vet a few weeks ago, so I guess I am second in line. I'll keep my fingers crossed; if the vet doesn't take him, I will. I felt his ribs today so I don't think he's fat, just "sturdy" (which is exactly what I tell my wife about me).

We are actually quite knowledgeable about food quality, vet care, breed-specific problems, etc. from our long involvement with greyhounds.

If I do get him, I will post some photos. Thanks again for the comments.
 
cockroachfarm said:
We are actually quite knowledgeable about food quality, vet care, breed-specific problems, etc. from our long involvement with greyhounds.
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Sounds like the little guy is gonna be one lucky little ST if he gets to come live with you. Good to know that you are up on the proper needs of a pet. So many people treat their pets like they are, well.......just dogs. They don't understand that dogs are pack animals and need to be with their human pack as much as possible and not chained to a tree in the back yard.

I think you have just found your new best friend. The little ones can be quite a kick. I don't have ST's, but Lhasa Apsos. Similar appearance, very different temperaments and intelligence levels. I believe there has been some ST's introduced into one of the common Lhasa Apso lines, and way back when......English ST's were brought to the USA and registered as Lhasas. No one knew any different. So while their origins are different, there has been some inbreeding. ST's from China, Lhasas from Tibet.

Best of luck. Would love to see some pictures when you get him. Oh, BTW, what is your little guy's name?
 
Totally Judy said:
....Best of luck. Would love to see some pictures when you get him. Oh, BTW, what is your little guy's name?
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Thanks! As I mentioned, I found out that, unfortunately, I am SECOND in line to adopt this little guy. I'm keeping my fingers crossed - I have really become quite taken with him! His name is Benjy. :)
 
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