Breed Specific: The sweet-tempered Shih Tzu

With their big eyes and sweet faces, this little dog captivates people!

The Shih Tzu is known to be especially affectionate with children. They make great apartment pets as they were bred to spend much of their day inside royal palaces. Mostly the Shih Tzu just wants to cuddle and play.

Males and Females    Height: 9-10.5 inches   Weight: 9-16 pounds

Feeding/Treats/Weight: Discuss a diet for your Shih Tzu with your veterinarian. Some Shih Tzus are prone to weight gain, so watch their calorie consumption. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can lead to obesity. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Grooming: Shih Tzu’s coats come in many different colors. Keeping their coats trimmed short makes it easier to maintain as they will be less likely to develop mats. According to petcarerx.com: “…these dogs should never have their long coats groomed dry, but should always be sprayed with an appropriate coat conditioner when they are brushed.” Given their propensity toward jaw and dental issues, Shih Tzus will benefit from regular tooth brushing and dental exams.

Exercise: Shih Tzus need very little extra exercise as they were bred to be lap dogs. Playing in the house, following you around, and making sure their perimeter is secure should give them plenty for their size. Weight control will help with potetial breathing issues as well as back and joint issues, so make sure they maintain a healthy weight. 

Training: Shih Tzus are adorable and need a firm, but gentle hand with training from the time they are puppies. They are best trained with a regimen of establishing rules that are reinforced with positive feedback including treats and praise. Shih Tzus were bred to serve as intruder alarms, so investing extra training here will keep them from over-barking. In the same vein, aggression and housetraining are areas in which you may need to spend a little more training time.

Thank you to the AKC’s webpage, https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/shih-tzu/, for much of this information.

BASIC FACTS Over the Shih Tzu’s 10-18 expected years, you and your vet will create a health plan to evaluate and catch any conditions that may arise.

MEDICAL CONCERNS

• Breathing issues
• Ophthalmic conditions such as cherry eye, dry eye and cataracts
• Intervertebral disc disease
• Knee issues
• Dental issues

Pikes Peak Vet has the goal of healthy longevity for your Shih Tzu

Wellness Exams and Vaccinations

• Every 6-12 months, as advised by your veterinarian,until age 6, including a full physical exam and routine bloodwork
• Pets age faster than us and tend to hide symptoms. At age 6, we recommend routine exams and bloodwork every 6 months to catch anything unexpected before it gets too firm a hold.

Other Exams and Screenings

• Education about airway obstruction
• Regular eye exams
• Spine and joint x-rays
• Regular dental exams and cleanings

Reach out for more information by phone or text at 719-475-1747, or through our Pikes Peak Vet app!