Shih Tzus seem to be the most lovable creatures, their fur is exquisite, their faces are darling and they are loving little creatures. However, like every other breed, these dogs have their own hardships too. Some of these hardships, in fact, might be so drastic that they might faze a few dog owners and cause them to deduce Shih Tzus to be not worth their attention. With this article, we’ll cover why some may call Shih Tzus the ‘worst dog out there’ while also highlighting how miscommunications regarding the outlook towards the breed can be controlled to make the overall experience of having a Shih Tzu better.
Grooming Is Extremely Expensive To Undertake.
It’s true that Shih Tzus possess the most beautiful silky coats that will always remain on their owners’ heads, but their upkeep isn’t a cakewalk. The following are the reasons why it is so:
• Constant Brushing: Their long-haired fur makes them prone to tangling and clumping, so in order to avoid that, grooming is crucial on a daily basis.
• Trimming: They also need regular hair cuts, which means frequent vet visits become a necessity for the owners.
• Dermatitis: Skin irritations and issues are common for Shih Tzus, especially when proper grooming is neglected.
This can be a massive downside for busy professionals and even for people out there who just don’t have the time and drive to devote to grooming.
Stubborn and Independent Nature
The Doberman is rank seventh most intelligent dog while the Shih Tzu hold only the 23rd place. To say the true, they can be somewhat of a pain in the butt for first time dog owners. They possess an independent attitude which can, at times, border on being quite stubborn. This can clearly be viewed in various forms:
• Training Challenges: They also demonstrate lack of ability and/or desire to learn new tricks which should make any watching audience proud – they simply lack the eagerness to please.
• Patience Required: On the other hand, behalf of their owner, it can require significant dedication and patience, especially positive reinforcement when training the dog.
It is reasonable to hold the view that they are not particularly good for people who are keen there dog to obey them promptly and stick fast to a daily routine.
Health Problems
Needless to say, these dogs have some physical distinctions which displeasingly translates into a wide variety of health problems through the years:
Health Problem Description
Brachycephalic Syndrome Face flatness brings further consequences. They appear to have problems breathing during normal courses of action; apparently, it becomes worse in sunny weather, as a result leading to overall overheating.
Eye Problems The positional displacement of the eyes and them being so prominent on the skin in general makes them highly susceptible to trauma on a regular basis, as well as dry and infected.
Hip Dysplasia A very chronic inflammation of the hip joints, and treatment of this condition is associated with high costs and poor mobility.
Dental Issues If you happen to possess a small jaw there is high possibility that you might have dental overcrowding. Dentists may also become a regular in your case.
Such occurrences would lead to extremely high veterinary bills and frequent treatment sessions, keep this in mind if you choose to own a Shih Tzu.
Exercise Considerations
Shih tzus are generally considered an ideal breed for people with a rather sedentary lifestyle but active families may find them absolutely unsuitable pets since these dogs are rather lazy.
• Low Stamina: They prefer short walks and playing indoor games instead of jogging or running boisterously outside.
• Heat Sensitivity: Flat noses can cause overheating of the dog in hot weathers so it will further restrict the time spent outside.
Such issues can lead to avoiding physical contact which is a recipe for disaster for active families.
Barking
Due to their small size, shih tzus are known to bark quite a lot.
• Guard Dog Behavior: They lean towards aggressive barking which is normal for them in the presence of loud or unfamiliar noises.
• Training Required: Without sufficient training, their excessive barking can annoy other tenants in the vicinity especially in apartments.
Having Difficulties in House Training
A complaint that is quite common for shih tzu pet owners is dealing with the pets due to training: • Small Bladders: They have small bladders thus they require regular access to the bathroom due to their tiny sizes.
• Consistency: Unlike most breeds, this breed takes quite some time to adjust to the set bathroom timings. House training the puppies is no easy task and many accidents can and will occur so this means patience and consistency is a must.
Separation Anxiety
Tzu Shih dogs despise being alone, as they get extremely comfortable with human contact, hence aren’t recommended to anyone who leaves their home for long periods of time:
• Clingy Nature: Due to their affection, they may become overly attached to their owners.
• Destructive Behavior: Separation anxiety leads them to bark, chew, and/or destroy things, in order to get attention or out of boredom.
And because of that, they’re definitely not for anyone who goes out a lot.
Not Ideal For Families With Young Kids
Finding a Tzu Shih can be difficult but it’s important to make sure they’re a good fit, especially for families with small children:
• Delicate Build: Tzu Shih are quite small and weak, which means they can be badly hurt with a rough touch.
• Defensive Takeover: Children may be at risk if Tzu Shih get defensive and/or aggressive out of fear of being hurt when misbehaved.
FAQs About Why Shih Tzu Are The Worst Dog
Why Is Training A Tzu Shih Considered Difficult?
Which brings us to our point, a Tzu Shih gets often described as a stubborn individual, which is pretty self evident by the amount of patience and reinforcement this specific dog requires, which is a lot.
Why Is Dog Grooming Needed For A Shih Tzu?
Long silky hair is prone to getting knots, so regular grooming is needed apar t from brushing daily for comfort and health.
Can Shih Tzus live in apartments?
They can because they are small and don’t require much from owners but they have a tendency to bark a lot so training them beforehand would be necessary.
What is the most common problem with Shih Tzus?
A Shih Tzu typically has problems with breathing, the flat face does not help more problems that they may face include having issues with eyesight, teeth, and their right hip too.
Are Shih Tzus child friendly?
They are reconcilable especially kids but because they are small and delicate they may not be the best addition to families that have very small children or children who are a bit rough while playing.
How do you stop a Shih Tzu from barking too much?
One has to train and socialize them from a young age as it helps in lowering the amount of busted energy however it’s not a cure.
Can a Shih Tzu spend the day without their owner?
Shih Tzus have troubles while being left alone for a very long time as they have a tendency to suffer from separation anxiety since they are extremely friendly and feel lonely often times.
Conclusion
Shih Tzu’s have plenty of loving features, but the regular grooming, health problems, training challenges as well as their dependability may not suit all fingers. One needs to appreciate the unique features of the breed and feel if they are right for their way of life. For the right person, a Shih Tzu can be a wonderful pet, but plenty of people will find these problems again make them think again.
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