Getting a dog. Pros and cons

[umamibella]

Shih Tzu’s like I have now, do not shed and are too friendly with people. I belong to a Shih Tzu group on Face Book and people have posted about having their dog stolen.

I hope they get their dog back.
Shih Tzus do shed, the difference is they have hair instead of fur.
The whole doodle thing got started when guide dogs in Australia attempted to breed shed less dogs.
Spaniels are good with kids, some breeds do have problems with their head later in life. A result of bad breeding practice.
I would say bad temperament is also the result of bad breeding. I have had two very sensitive and flighty working dogs, on top of bad breeding, handling and training the wrong way would turn one of them dangerous. I dont let others handle this dog.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Shih Tzu’s do not shed as dogs shed.

You won’t see fur around the house like other dogs. My Springers, they shed.

The draw back is that Shih Tzu’s have to be groomed every four weeks as their fur grows back long and fast. Also, taking them for long walks is trying for them. Some people do it and we did when ours was younger. But having six inch legs made the walk less and less enjoyable for her. It’s why they’re good city dogs.

We take ours to the groomer every four weeks. Costs about $43 with the tip. She does a great job !

 

[Angel_Bradford]

Taking care of a puppy is a lot like taking care of a baby; they have to be taught what they can do and what they can’t do. That being said, I have had dogs all my life. Right now I have 6 dogs and I wouldn’t trade any of them for a million dollars! The love they willingly give without any expectation is priceless.

 

[umamibella]

Shih Tzu’s do not shed as dogs shed.

You won’t see fur around the house like other dogs. My Springers, they shed.
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There is a difference between is fur and hair. Fur sheds well. A GSD has fur and will shed copiously.
Your Shih Tzu, having hair, has a coat that behaves differently.
The difference is incredibly important for people allergic to pets and livestock.
There are three horse breeds that have different structures to the make up of their coat, the curly horse, the caspian and the akah teke. This last horse has hollow fibres in its coat and that results in a stunning metalic shimmer.

https://dogtime.com/reference/dog-g...if-your-dog-has-hair-or-fur-and-what-it-means.

I dont recommend the snub nosed breeds either, in warm weather or during exercise they can die due to lack of oxygen. Breeders, both show and backyard, have a lot to answer for there.

 

[JanR]

Oh yeah…you need to pick up the doggie litter left in your yard, the park, or along neighborhood sidewalks as you go. Some dog owners are horribly inconsiderate toward others in this respect.

And some folks, when walking their dogs, will allow their dogs to go onto people’s lawns and do their business. Very, very, VERY inconsiderate!

My step-grandfather told about a neighbor he had who would always allow his dog to pee on Grandpa’s pepper tree whenever he walked him. The dog’s pee was killing the tree.

So, one day, Grandpa caught the guy on his property and his dog in the act. He approached the man with a pipe in his hand. And Grandpa stated, in no minced words, “The next time I see your dog peeing on my pepper tree, I’m going to wrap this pipe around your neck!” Grandpa was a big man with a strong frame, and he meant business.

The neighbor changed his walking route, and it never happened again.