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

[Anonymous]

How easy or hard to take care of them? Any major medical complications? I am thinking about getting a male, jet black color shih-tzu puppy?

[Anonymous]

I loved my shih tzu very much. He lived to age 13. He had several health problems: dry eyes, arthritis/poor mobility as he aged, and strong food allergies.

By dry eyes I mean *no tears* causing mucus production and scratching of his cornea. The veterinary ophthalmologist at Friendship Animal Hospital in NW really helped. I noticed all the other dogs waiting for her were shih tzu too. They tend towards eye problems.

The food allergy caused inflamed skin, flaking, and yeast infections in his ears. He needed a special diet. (I don’t think this issue is particular to shih tzu.)

Look for good joints in your shih txu. Mine had bowed legs and that contributed to mobility issues as he aged.

Good luck with your pup! They are really fun little dogs. Miss my guy every day.

[Anonymous]

They tend to have eye problems. I’ve had 4 shih tzus with 2 needing long term ophthalmology treatment (not cheap and it can be weeks until you’re seen). I’ve also found they tend to get ear infections.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They tend to have eye problems. I’ve had 4 shih tzus with 2 needing long term ophthalmology treatment (not cheap and it can be weeks until you’re seen). I’ve also found they tend to get ear infections.

+1 mine had eye problems, too. And I shaved it every summer to keep it cooler, and less messy.

Pure breeds tend to have more health issues. It's the inbreeding.

[Anonymous]

I've been told by a breeder of shih tzu and similar that the color white correlates with high risk of skin issues. Maybe black color would lessen the risk?

[Anonymous]

Mine had to have her eye removed when she was like 13. Best dog ever.

[Anonymous]

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.

[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.

Oh, one thing I meant to say... both do best with sweet potato/venison blend food. The first had a confirmed chicken allergy, the second we assume the same since he has skin issues the couple of times he's eaten that food.

[Anonymous]

Loved our shit-tzu. Such a great temperment, and I miss him to this day. Only problem was, as a PP has noted, he was not so great with potty training.

[Anonymous]

Another confirmation about the housebreaking issue. I've had two. They just can't or won't get it. Long walks to take care of business and they just might save it to go on the rug when you get back. Back issue requiring surgery in one and the dry eye and bad skin issues in the other. Aside from that, nice temperaments, barking on need to know basis, only.

[Anonymous]

My mom had a shih tzu and it was the dumbest dog I've ever met. Sweet and loving and exactly the lap dog my mom wanted. But dumb. As. Bricks. Would occasionally pee in the house like some PP mentioned.

I think when they bred extreme domesticity into them, they lost a lot of basic instincts.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

PP again,
P.S. My shih tzu house trained well. No potty problems. He used puppy pads often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mom had a shih tzu and it was the dumbest dog I've ever met. Sweet and loving and exactly the lap dog my mom wanted. But dumb. As. Bricks. Would occasionally pee in the house like some PP mentioned.

I think when they bred extreme domesticity into them, they lost a lot of basic instincts.

So my little guy is on the dumb side, too. I never thought I'd be able to train him to go outside, but eventually I did! It took close to a year, but now he will never go in the house. I started off with the pee pads, which may have been a mistake since I think it may have confused him. At the same time, he was really little at 10 weeks old and I'm not sure that he could always hold it.