Shih Tzu

[ajfitz]

I am thinking of having a 9 month old Shih Tzu but have been told that they are very high maintenance and can be snappy, difficult to house train and need to be trimmed every 3 weeks !! I would be grateful of any advice off a Shih Tzu owner !!

Many thanks

Mandy

[terambulan]

Snappy?...possessive of their owner and territorial. Have to lock mine away when G.children visit. Lots of grooming or clipping as their hair grows long. Mainly kept indoors due to long hair so nails need regular clipping. Because of snouts, they're not good at personal hygiene or de-fleaing themselves. At least weekly bath, blow dry - time consuming!

But they're worth it for their loyalty....and envious 'eye-catchers' when paraded in street.

[momac]

My friend has one and he's the most adorable little dog you could meet,true they do need clipping regularly,but I have never known him to go anywhere but outside for his toilet,and he is always in the same adorable mood.

[Clanad]

We have a recently acquired Zuchon (looks like this: http://puppydogweb.com/gallery/bichonfrises/bi chonfrise_atkey.jpg)... a cross between the Shih Tzu and a Bichon Frise... a real experience for me, since we mainly have working dogs here in the western U.S. However, Mrs. C. made the decision in a way only she can. We got the dog when she was 3 months old and is now 7 months. Every thing you had heard about Shih Tzu's applies. We're still in the process of house training. She does pretty good, but often sneaks off to a carpeted room to defecate. For a while she had the disgusting habit of eating it. Only after trying the usual pineapple added to the diet and finally some powder did we seem to break that habit. She does require trimming about every two months. When Mrs. C's back is turned, I instill a little respect in the dog for me as pack leader and we get along just fine. (Nothing harsh, for the soft hearted on here).
Fortunately, the hair isn't quite as long as the Shih Tzu and she doesn't shed and is hypoallergenic.
Every owner I know says about the same thing. One additional item is that, while the pug face of the Shih Tzu has been modified by the Bichon Frise influence, all Zuchons have a noticeable underbite. The lower jaw is about 1/2 inch longer than the top. So far Mrs. C and friends find that cute (along with the dark eyes)... frankly, I sometimes feel the urge to see how she'd get along with our Blue Heeler stock dogs... especially the oneeyed, stiff legged, scarfaced one we call Dog-Dog (He's a pup of a previous Blue Heeler neamed, appropriately Dog)

Best of luck!

[Rosetta]

Would that make it a Heezuchon Clanad, or maybe a
HeHEzuchon LOL

[kita1]

Are you getting the dog from the breeder?

Has it been a house dog before? If so it may be house trained already. If it has been kept in outdoor kennels then with any breed it could be difficult to house train.

Any dog can be snappy if it has not been socialised, much depends on the previous 9 months of the dogs life.

As regards grooming yes it will need grooming frequently. Has it been groomed throughout its life? If not then you will have your work cut out!

Some people cut the coats short so that they are easily cared for, it depends what you like the look of - if you want the long, flowing 'show' coat then you will have to work for it and get the dog professionally groomed.

[garner]

My Grand-daughter has one [willie che che ] Very hard work in every respect...grooming...house/training....possessive but a beautiful dog all the same.One good point is they do not shed their coat but need constant grooming , he's a cheeky chappie much loved but I would not like to think I had him 24/7.

[lankeela]

I regularly dog sit for four of them, all bitches, and they are all housetrained. They are all very friendly to everyone, although they do have the occasional spat between themselves.
I have whelped two of them and they both allowed me to handle the puppies without worrying.

They do need a lot of grooming, especially since these four are show dogs and the owner baths them weekly and brushes them every day thoroughly from a young age. I can imagine if they were not used to being groomed and got knotted them they might get snappy if you tried to brush them. Also their back ends can get a bit mucky when they go to the toilet. Personally I can't see the point of having a breed with a lovely long coat and then cutting it all off, I think they look ugly little ******* with a short coat and think if people cannot be bothered (or are unable) to brush them regularly then they should get a short coated breed.

I love the jaunty way they trot along, with their top knot and tail swaying in the breeze. As kita says, at nine months it should be house trained already, and if it has been a kennel dog then you may have problems.