shi_tzhu

[curlyperm11]

i am looking after my ex husbands dog - i dont like dogs but this little shi_tzu is the cutest thing you ever did see - however - it appears to be a bit daft?
it loves to go for walks/runs on an extended lead (apparently he wont come back if you let him off) but i think he's a bit blind? he gets all excited when someone he knows comes into the room or space he's in - but when i'm holding him and someone he REALLY knows is in the distance its like he doesnt recognise them till they are immediately in front of him? (then the smell or voice might trigger recognition) i dunno - he really is sweet but i do think he looks but doesnt actually see that clearly? is this a trait? or shall i suggest my ex husband takes him to get checked out? can dogs have their sight tested?
might sound strange but just feel a bit sorry for him?
thanks

[Buenchico]

It's probably just myopia (short-sightedness) rather than blindness. Many dogs are myopic, even guide dogs!
http://www.telegraph....ays-canine-study.html

See also here:
http://ezinearticles....ce-Believed&id=130577

Chris

[sammmo]

they can have there sight tested but they don't know the alphabet..

[curlyperm11]

thank you - for the replies : )

[Sir Alec]

You don't say the age. My dog developed cataracts from the age of 12. He is now 14 and almost blind. The older the dog gets, the less successful an operation will be. It breaks my heart that my dog will spend his final years blind.

[wolf63]

Does he need his fringe trimmed?

[Ratty2E]

Yes dogs eyes can be tested and there are specialist veterinary opthalmologists.
You don't say how old he is but it could just be he is getting short sighted with age. If you look into his pupils they should be dark and clear. Any sign of a pale bluish tinge or cloudyness could be cataracts, then he should be seen by a vet as they can be treated.

[Clanad]

We have a Zuchon (actually Mrs. C has the dog) which is a Shih-Tzu/Bichon Frisse cross. We have working dogsd here on the ranch in western U.S., and I didn't take readily to the little white dog. But... I won't admit it to Mrs. C, but the little white dog is probably the smartest dog I've been around. They are super hard headed and even house training was a fight "royale".
As to your question, I noticed the same thing. Firstly, I was surprised that on walks, especially, the dog is a "nose" or scent dog... nose buried in everything and plants feet and resists pulling the leash when something really stinky gets her attention. I noticed that the right eye looks askance when she's looking directily at you and there's white showing around the inside edge even when looking straight ahead. Our Vet and some breeders of small dogs I know have both stated that, due to the "skrunched" up face, the dogs often have sight problems, which is one reason they rely so much on thier nose. Nothing one could do about it really, (laser eye surgery for dogs? Not!)... and like many other things they just compensate...

[RATTER15]

We also have a Shi-Tzhu, it the only dog I know that will double as a "pull through"!!!

Sweet little thing actually :-)

[curlyperm11]

thank you for some really informative answers and suggestions - he is only about a year old poosibly a little bit older? his fringe is fine - gets trimmed regularly - and he doesn t 'bump' into things but if i waft something in his face - he tends to look a bit blank but if i then 'throw' it he is off like a shot to wrestle with it? confusing maybe i shall mention to the vet (or rather let my ex mention it to him)