Shih Tzu: Pros and Cons of Owning This Cute Little Pet
The pros and cons of owning a Shih Tzu as a pet
The Shih Tzu is among the most popular dogs and ranks quite high in ownership according to the American Kennel Club. Although it ranks highly as dogs adopted or purchased each year, there are some pros and cons to owning this particular breed of dog as a pet. Below you will find some of the more important reasons for and against owning these cute little pets.
Professionals:
The Shih Tzu is a very sociable and friendly pet with everyone it comes into contact with. They will almost turn inside out when attention is paid to them. This particular breed is also very loyal to its owners and loves to please them. They will get along with almost any type of animal they come in contact with.
One very good trait that this dog breed has 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 anything and anyone, while the Shih Tzu usually only barks when it needs attention or when attention is paid to it.
Another plus 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 home or apartment, this would be a good dog breed for you. Apart from the dog’s daily walk, the dog has little interest in participating in other activities. That’s not to say they don’t enjoy a good ball game now and then, but that they just don’t need much more than that.
As they are not as active as other dogs, they will eat less and together with the fact that they are generally hardy little guys, means that they usually cost less than other dogs to maintain.
Cons:
The Shih Tzu will crave attention from you and can become quite jealous of other people and pets. This can become a problem over time and is therefore more enjoyable as a companion for someone who is single or lives alone. If you introduce a puppy to your family at a young age, you will likely have fewer problems than if you want to get a puppy that is 5 years old or older.
If you have children and you have an older Shih Tzu, sometimes this pet can be harsh with them. This is especially true when they want to play with them and your pet doesn’t want to be disturbed or the kids play too rough with them. This can be a problem and may be one of the reasons why many elderly people who do not have children choose them as an ideal pet.
Another thing you want to keep in mind is that you will need constant grooming of the Shih Tzu. You will find that if the dog is not brushed daily and trimmed weekly, your pet’s fur can become tangled and knotted. Many owners trim their pets’ coats to make them easier to care for.
Some of the medical issues with the Shih Tzu are that they can develop ear infections and eye problems and can have early tooth loss. They tend to wheeze and snore and may develop respiratory problems. These dogs should not be overfed as they gain weight easily.
Although there are a few downsides to owning these adorable little dogs, I believe the pros 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 handle the pet while teaching the dog how to interact with people. Ask a Shih Tzu owner about their pet and you’ll likely get rave reviews and plenty of reasons why you should get one.
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