If you’re planning to buy or adopt a Shih Tzu, you’ve chosen one of the popular toy dog breeds with a regal bearing. This breed has a distinctively regal bearing, which is why it’s been dubbed as the Imperial Shih Tzu. However, it’s a very good companion pet, with a disposition that’s friendly to most people.

Dog breeds and their intended functions

You’ve probably heard about a lot of debate on tests dogs are to take to check if expectations from their breed are lived up to. These tests include stamina tests, lure tests for sight hounds, water and draft tests, ground tests for terriers, tests for hunting and herding dogs. These were intended to see if a breed excelled in the job expected of it.

But the toy dog breed requires no such tests of “performance” or even the demanding training to prepare them for dog shows and competitions. The toy dog breed was bred to become healthy, good companion dogs, and great pets.

Why the Shih Tzu expects to be treated like royalty

The Shih Tzu is usually outgoing and very friendly, but make no mistake: this small dog demands to be pampered. Because of this accentuated sense of self, it’s not often good to have Shih Tzu in homes with small children – it might snap at them, owing to a jealous streak. To kids who adore the Shih Tzu’s long coat and love to comb it, that dog will obviously love.

Shih Tzu make good watchdogs, being often active and alert. But the poorly bred and trained ones tend to easily naps at other people. As with most dogs, this breed can be trained; but that might be difficult to do A stubborn dog, you must be constantly firm in its training – or it will manipulate you into doing its bidding. Punishment, as a training technique, doesn’t always work with this breed, since it can shut down and be less social – or do the complete opposite of what you punished it to avoid doing.

A short list of Shih Tzu health problems

Renal dysplasia (a kidney disease), slipped stifles or kneecaps, and large eyes that are prone to injury – that’s a quick glance at the Shih Tzu’s health problems. It also has a slight wheezing problem with its short muzzle. Other than these, everything else is connected with his coat maintenance – poor grooming results in tangles, hot spots, painful mats, skin infections, and to some extent maggot infestation. You have to establish a grooming schedule – groom your Shih Tzu everyday to prevent coat problems. If you can’t do that you need to choose another breed.  

To be sure that the Shih Tzu a breeder may be offering for sale is a genuine one, you need to the check the breeding standard. It’s not surprise that puppy mills abound, what given the popularity of the Imperial Shih Tzu and the demand for both puppies and adults of this breed. You want to get in touch with reputable breeders that are connected with breeding clubs before you seriously consider buying a Shih Tzu.