Shih Tzus are adorable little dogs with their smushed faces and flowing coats, but owning one isn’t always a walk in the park. These imperial companions come with their own set of challenges that potential owners should consider before bringing one home. From grooming demands to health concerns, understanding these common complaints can help you decide if a Shih Tzu is right for your lifestyle.
While this article discusses common complaints about Shih Tzus, every dog is an individual with unique traits and behaviors. These generalizations may not apply to all Shih Tzus, and proper training, care, and attention can mitigate many issues mentioned below.
1. Constant Grooming Requirements
Shih Tzus demand serious commitment to coat maintenance. Their long, silky hair requires daily brushing to prevent painful mats and tangles.
Many owners spend hundreds yearly on professional grooming services every 4-6 weeks. Without proper care, their beautiful coats quickly become uncomfortable messes that can lead to skin infections.
2. Stubborn Temperament
Behind those sweet eyes often lies a surprisingly stubborn personality. Training a Shih Tzu can test even the most patient owner’s resolve.
Once they’ve made up their minds about something, good luck changing it! This independent streak means house training typically takes longer than with other breeds, sometimes requiring months of consistent effort.
3. Excessive Barking Habits
Small but mighty, Shih Tzus often appoint themselves as neighborhood watchdogs. They’ll announce every delivery person, squirrel, or leaf blowing past the window.
Their high-pitched, persistent barking can strain relationships with neighbors in apartments or close communities. Early training helps but rarely eliminates this deeply ingrained alerting instinct completely.
4. Respiratory Problems
Those adorable flat faces come with a price. Shih Tzus commonly suffer from Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome, causing snorting, snoring, and breathing difficulties.
Hot weather presents particular dangers, as they overheat easily and struggle to cool down. Many owners report sleepless nights from their pet’s noisy breathing or anxiety during summer months when their dog struggles to breathe comfortably.
5. Tear Staining Issues
Dark, rusty stains beneath those expressive eyes plague most Shih Tzus. These unsightly marks result from tears overflowing onto facial hair due to shallow eye sockets and blocked tear ducts.
Daily face cleaning becomes another time-consuming task for owners. Despite countless products promising miracle solutions, most Shih Tzu enthusiasts accept tear stains as an unavoidable aspect of the breed.
6. Food Sensitivities And Allergies
Mealtime can become a detective game for Shih Tzu owners. These dogs frequently develop food allergies that manifest as itchy skin, ear infections, or digestive upsets.
Finding the right diet often requires expensive specialty foods or home-cooking. Some unfortunate owners report spending years cycling through different protein sources before finding something their sensitive pup can tolerate without reactions.
7. Separation Anxiety Tendencies
Bred as companion dogs, Shih Tzus form intense bonds with their humans. When left alone, many respond with destructive behaviors, excessive barking, or house-soiling.
Work-from-home arrangements ending have created crises for dogs accustomed to constant company. Their need for human connection makes them poor choices for people with demanding schedules requiring long absences from home.
8. Dental Health Challenges
Small mouths packed with teeth create perfect conditions for dental disease. By age three, most Shih Tzus show signs of periodontal problems despite owners’ best efforts.
Regular professional cleanings under anesthesia become necessary and costly. Many owners express frustration at their inability to maintain their dog’s oral health despite daily brushing attempts that their uncooperative pets resist vigorously.
9. Heat Intolerance
Summer becomes a dangerous season for Shih Tzus. Their thick double coats and breathing difficulties make hot weather potentially life-threatening.
Air conditioning becomes a necessity rather than a luxury for owners. Even brief outdoor activities during warm months require careful monitoring, with many owners reporting their dogs simply refuse to go outside when temperatures rise above 75°F.
