If you had/have a shih-tzu...

[Anonymous]

We had one. Lots of ear infections until we put her on a limited ingredient diet.
Dry eyes.
Tore her ACL
Collapsed trachea (apparently common)

She was a rescue, and older. She could be snarky. We loved her, though. She loved to snuggle.

[Anonymous]

they are the most abandoned dog breed because they are barkers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:they are the most abandoned dog breed because they are barkers

??? Total nonsense!
Not my experience at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:they are the most abandoned dog breed because they are barkers

No not at all. You must be thinking of one of the other little dog, or little white dog breeds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've had 2, the second 4 years old and, knock wood, no problems yet. The other lived til 10 when we had her put down because of a spine issue. Neither have/had eye issues.

Both were terrible potty trainers (pee). I swear they both know what to do, I just think they're lazy and find it easier to go inside. I would say it's me, but we have doggie doors and a different breed dog (same age) who doesn't have any issues.

The shihtzus temperaments has been wonderful. Both were such lovers and don't know strangers. Other than the pee issue I think they're the perfect family pet.

Did you get them as puppies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the average cost of eye treatments? How many eye and ear infections per year?

I highly suggest doing a Banfield Pet Hospital wellness plan/package. https://www.banfield.com/en/products/optimum-wellness-plan
Banfield is the vet office that is inside (or at least it used to be inside) PetsMart. My neighbor in Bethesda did this did this w/ her puppy. The vets all had 8+ years experience.
Her package covered all shots, visits, and neuter for 1st year. She spent hundreds less than I did for similar size and breed dog. (We got our puppies around the same time, so it's a fair comparison.)
It is a good way to control costs. You will know the price and that your care will be covered for the year etc.
I went with a local vet and dropped hundreds every visit.

Stay away from Banfield. I had two shih-tzus that died after receiving shots. Both had beautiful blood work, no medical issues other than dried eyes. I’d strongly recommend VRA, top notch Vets and staff.
Adopting a dog either from shelter or breeder is going to cost you. You have to be fully invested in the well being of the pet. It requires time and money.

[Anonymous]

Shih-Tzus are very sensitive, gentle, needy and extra lovey dovey pups. Had two a 16 YO and 10 YO. Best dogs!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the average cost of eye treatments? How many eye and ear infections per year?

I highly suggest doing a Banfield Pet Hospital wellness plan/package. https://www.banfield.com/en/products/optimum-wellness-plan
Banfield is the vet office that is inside (or at least it used to be inside) PetsMart. My neighbor in Bethesda did this did this w/ her puppy. The vets all had 8+ years experience.
Her package covered all shots, visits, and neuter for 1st year. She spent hundreds less than I did for similar size and breed dog. (We got our puppies around the same time, so it's a fair comparison.)
It is a good way to control costs. You will know the price and that your care will be covered for the year etc.
I went with a local vet and dropped hundreds every visit.

Stay away from Banfield. I had two shih-tzus that died after receiving shots. Both had beautiful blood work, no medical issues other than dried eyes. I’d strongly recommend VRA, top notch Vets and staff.
Adopting a dog either from shelter or breeder is going to cost you. You have to be fully invested in the well being of the pet. It requires time and money.

I wouldn’t use Banfield either because it’s like the jiffy lube of vet care but they probably didn’t directly kill your dogs with shots. I had a shih tzu puppy that died minutes after her last round of shots. The vet sent her body to a vet school for a necropsy and it was paid for by the vaccine manufacturer. She apparently had a hole in her heart combined with a vaccine reaction that killed her. Had she not had the hole it would have been a minor reaction that she would have been able to recover from.