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. Despite being highly rated as adopted or purchased dogs each year, there are some pros and cons to having this particular breed of dog as a pet. Here are some of the biggest reasons for and against owning one of these adorable pets.
Pros:
A Shih Tzu is a very outgoing and friendly pet with everyone it comes in contact with. They will almost turn around when you pay attention to them. 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 in contact with.
One very good trait that this breed of dog possesses is that they don’t bark as much as some of the other toy dog breeds. Most other types of toy dogs will bark at everything and everyone, while the Shih Tzu typically only barks when it needs attention or is being paid attention to.
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 you have little space in your house or apartment, this would be a good breed of dog for you. Other than walking the dog on a daily basis, the dog has little interest in participating in other activities. This doesn’t mean that they don’t enjoy a good ballgame every now and then, it just doesn’t require much more than that.
Because they are not as active as other dogs, they will eat less and, coupled with the fact that they are generally small, means that they usually cost less to maintain than other dogs.
Cons:
A Shih Tzu will crave your attention and can become quite jealous of other people and pets. This can become a problem over time and is therefore most enjoyed as a companion to someone who is single or living alone. If you introduce a puppy to your family at an early age, you are likely to have fewer problems than if you wanted to acquire one at the age of 5 years or older.
If you have children and you have an older Shih Tzu, sometimes this pet can be agile with them. This is especially true when they want to play with them and your pet does not 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 them choose them as the ideal pet.
Another thing to consider is that you will need constant Shih Tzu care. You will find that if the dog is not brushed daily and groomed weekly, your pet’s coat can become tangled and tangled. 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 often wheeze and snoring and can develop breathing problems. These dogs should not overfeed as they gain weight easily.
Although there are several downsides to owning these adorable little dogs, I think 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 treat the pet while also teaching the dog how to interact with its humans. Ask a Shih Tzu owner about their pet and you will likely get rave reviews and many reasons why you should get one.
Recent Comments