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Things to consider BEFORE adopting a high maintenance toy breed!
First, toy breed dogs are VERY high maintenance. They are very demanding of your time,
energy and money. Grooming alone will cost $30-40 every 3-4 months, with daily at home
grooming required as well.
Toy breeds do not generally do well when left alone for long periods of time. They were bred as
companion pets and are unhappy when they do not have people home. We recommend if you
cannot be home during the day that you consider adopting a pair, to prevent develop of
behavior problems from being alone too much.
Toy breeds dogs are NOT suited to small and/or young children, no matter how well-meaning
the child. Children cannot help being clumsy and too "active" for toy breed dogs. And that a
child ”meant well”, is little solace to a toy breed puppy, who has been accidentally stepped on,
sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio.
Even adult dogs may feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children
can't help making -- and stress, shyness and even defensive biting may be the result.
So think this over “before” you go with a toy breed. If you have young children or may have
them in the future, you may want to reconsider adopting a toy breed dog. You don’t want to
rehome your furbaby in 2-5 yrs… this is NOT responsible pet ownership, nor is it fair to the
furbaby, who has given YOU their love and trust for years.
If you are unsure as to whether you can commit to a dog for the rest of it's life (regardless of
whether you move, change jobs or get divorced) then please rethink your decision to adopt a
dog. Adoption is for the rest of the dog’s life.
energy and money. Grooming alone will cost $30-40 every 3-4 months, with daily at home
grooming required as well.
Toy breeds do not generally do well when left alone for long periods of time. They were bred as
companion pets and are unhappy when they do not have people home. We recommend if you
cannot be home during the day that you consider adopting a pair, to prevent develop of
behavior problems from being alone too much.
Toy breeds dogs are NOT suited to small and/or young children, no matter how well-meaning
the child. Children cannot help being clumsy and too "active" for toy breed dogs. And that a
child ”meant well”, is little solace to a toy breed puppy, who has been accidentally stepped on,
sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio.
Even adult dogs may feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children
can't help making -- and stress, shyness and even defensive biting may be the result.
So think this over “before” you go with a toy breed. If you have young children or may have
them in the future, you may want to reconsider adopting a toy breed dog. You don’t want to
rehome your furbaby in 2-5 yrs… this is NOT responsible pet ownership, nor is it fair to the
furbaby, who has given YOU their love and trust for years.
If you are unsure as to whether you can commit to a dog for the rest of it's life (regardless of
whether you move, change jobs or get divorced) then please rethink your decision to adopt a
dog. Adoption is for the rest of the dog’s life.
If you don't want to deal with... do NOT adopt a Toy Breed
1. Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Shih Tzus need a great deal of
companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to breed
for you.
2. Stubbornness. Shih Tzu are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind
of their own and can be stubborn and manipulative. You must show them, through absolute
consistency, that you mean what you say.
3. All the grooming. Without frequent brushing, Shih Tzus become a matted mess. If you
can't commit to the brushing, you have to commit to frequent trimming to keep the coat short,
neat and healthy.
4. Housebreaking problems. Shih Tzus tend to resist being told what to do and house
training is no exception. Expect four to six months of consistent training, even with adult dogs.
When rehoming dogs, they usually need a refresher course in house training, due to schedule
changes and readjusting to their new home.
5. Health Issues. The unnaturally short face and upturned nose means breathing difficulties
and the potential for heatstroke in hot humid weather. Their compromised respiratory system
makes it risky to anesthetize them. Most of these dogs can't even whelp their puppies without
veterinary intervention. The large shallow-set eyes are extremely vulnerable to injury and
infection. The long back is susceptible to disk problems. Shih Tzu are also prone to joint
problems, kidney problems, and skin problems.
companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to breed
for you.
2. Stubbornness. Shih Tzu are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind
of their own and can be stubborn and manipulative. You must show them, through absolute
consistency, that you mean what you say.
3. All the grooming. Without frequent brushing, Shih Tzus become a matted mess. If you
can't commit to the brushing, you have to commit to frequent trimming to keep the coat short,
neat and healthy.
4. Housebreaking problems. Shih Tzus tend to resist being told what to do and house
training is no exception. Expect four to six months of consistent training, even with adult dogs.
When rehoming dogs, they usually need a refresher course in house training, due to schedule
changes and readjusting to their new home.
5. Health Issues. The unnaturally short face and upturned nose means breathing difficulties
and the potential for heatstroke in hot humid weather. Their compromised respiratory system
makes it risky to anesthetize them. Most of these dogs can't even whelp their puppies without
veterinary intervention. The large shallow-set eyes are extremely vulnerable to injury and
infection. The long back is susceptible to disk problems. Shih Tzu are also prone to joint
problems, kidney problems, and skin problems.
REASONS TO CONSIDER AN ADULT SHIH TZU...
Rescue dogs range in age from puppies to 13 yr. olds. Everyone seems to want the
young dogs...so please consider opening your heart to an older dog. They are so
much harder to place and most often are the best behaved. They need homes just
There are plenty of adult Shih Tzus who have already proven themselves NOT to
have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed
negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So
"typical breed characteristics" are very important.
But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
young dogs...so please consider opening your heart to an older dog. They are so
much harder to place and most often are the best behaved. They need homes just
There are plenty of adult Shih Tzus who have already proven themselves NOT to
have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed
negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So
"typical breed characteristics" are very important.
But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
|
Southern Shih Tzu & Toy Breed Rescue and Sanctuary |
| SSTR is a 501c 3 Non-Profit charity organization, dedicated to rehoming and providing sanctuary care for abandoned, abused and homeless toy breeds. |