The lovable shih-tzu

Video: In memory of my dog Fayfay, my lovable Maltese Shih Tzu Mix lived a long happy life.

This diminutive size, paired with the dog’s loveable character, makes the Shih-Tzu a great choice for older people who would like to own a dog but cannot physically handle a larger, more energetic canine. These small bundles of joy do not need a large back yard to romp in, and prefer to stay inside, especially during hot weather.

The Shih-Tzu, while physically small in stature, is not a timid dog. They have a very spunky attitude and can be somewhat bull-headed at times. They are sturdy and quite agile for their size with little fear of larger animals. They make good guard dogs by vocally alerting their owners to the presence of intruders and other unwanted animals invading their territory.

To train a Shih-Tzu requires patience on the part of the owner, and should start as early as possible. Because of their stubbornness they can be difficult to house break and teach other acceptable behaviors we all want in a dog. Patience is vital when behavior training this breed.

Normal health issues for this breed are eye and ear problems. They also snore when sleeping and wheeze when breathing. Other respiratory issues are common as well.

For those who are seeking a small breed of dog to add to their family the Shih-Tzu breed is one dog to give serious consideration. We have had one in the past who as a puppy looked just like Gizmo from the ET movie, so needless to say, that was his name. He was such a delight that we plan to have another in the future.