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Reader Stories: Living with a Shih Tzu

By , About.com Guide

The Shih Tzu is a small but sturdy dog with a lush, long double hair coat. Its alert, confident, playful and courageous demeanor may be interpreted as stubborn and outspoken. Here's a profile of the breed that describes common characteristics of Shih Tzus. But like people, each dog is unique. If you own a Shih Tzu, we'd like to know more about your pet. Your story will help prospective owners decide whether a Shih Tzu is the right pet for them.

Talk About Your Shih Tzu!

Sadie and Ginger are Adorable

Sadie is the nervous one. I took her with me to feed the horses and sheep last night and she was freaking out and barking and she practically climbed up me. I ended up carrying her until I was done. …More

Harry Keeps Me Happy

My best friend. We talk together daily. He loves to talk and I respond with the same sounds he makes and he loves it. We play with his toys and I use that time for new training methods. Harry was ful…More

Skittles is a Bundle of Energy

She has an incredible personality. She can have an attitude and is very protective of my daughter. She was a little difficult to house train but that is our fault I think. She did have bladder stones…More

Sweet, lovable Panda

Panda is incredibly sweet and lovable. She loves a warm lap to sit in, car rides, walks, and people! She is very tolerant of kids, my now 1 1/2 year old son used to crawl up behind her, grab her by h…More

Rufus, a Fiesty Little Angel

a fiesty little angel. He is very hardheaded but smart. He was very hard to housebreak to this day he has accidents, it could be because he is not neuter but we are going to have that fixed next Marc…More

Gidget, an Adorable Bundle of fun

very much a one person dog. She has diabetes and cushings but we are controlling both and the only problem now is she has not regrown her hair. She has such a lovely coat when she does have one. She …More

Macy Was My Baby

She was my baby. I found her dead 4 weeks ago today when I got home from work. She had a heart problem and was taking blood pressure medicine, fluid pills and Valium. It was heartbreaking for both my…More

Our Fearless Radar

He is a great companion and watch dog. He is very adaptable to travel and just chills out. Very loyal and protective which means you have to watch him around strangers on his turf. Also likes to wand…More

Shadow is My Shadow

He's very energetic and playful but he knows when he needs to take a break. House training him was quite easy, much easier then I thought it would be. His one set back is he HATES being alone. He lov…More

Sadie is So Wonderful

My Sadie is my best friend. No one else in my household jumps up and down like she does when I come home. She sleeps at the foot of my bed each night. She wakes me up in the morning by licking my fac…More

Charley, Loving and Devoted

A hairy human with 4 legs. He doesn't consider himself a dog and only wants to be with me. He is devoted, so loving and asks for only love in return.He follows me closely everywhere I go. He gets ups…More

Mr. Spearmint - My Son and Best Buddy

He is a baby and there is a human living inside him. If you feed him, he wants hot food like you are eating. He had some problems with training, because he does not think he is a dog. No medical prob…More

Our Shih Tzu, Fergie

Fergie is very well trained. She loves to ride and carry her "babies" (stuffed toys) on her ride and she will take them outside to play. She is not fond of babies and some younger family members make…More

Casey is Wonderful!

Casey is a wonderful dog! She was trained before we got her so it worked out in our favor. She is paper trained, but loves to go outside. She can take long walks since she is older and gets tired. Bu…More

Lovable CoCo

My dog is silly. She has not been easy to train and does not always poo in the right place. Sometimes she likes to eat her poo, which is very gross! She is so lovable and really enjoys kids and being…More

Suki, Our Shih Tzu

She is very loving towards adults and children and she has a sweet personality. She obediently goes to her kennel for sleeping and has only had rare accidents when first transitioning to our home. Tr…More

Charlie The Shih Tzu

He's super affectionate with people he loves, but with everyone else he's aggressive. He loves to either be on a human's lap or out running in a field. He should have been more socialized with other …More

Calli

Calli is the alpha of our 4 dogs. She is always the first one in the kitchen at mealtime. Calli has numerous allergies and is on special food and medication, but she is happy and is the ultimate lap …More

Daisy Mae

Daisy Mae has the sweetest personality. Knows when you're happy and when you're not and reacts accordingly. She was extremely easy to housebreak, she trained at 8 weeks. She has had severe kidney sto…More

Our Shih Tzu, Snoop Dog

Snoop is very precious, he is so devoted to our family. He greets us at the door when we come home, and he shows how glad he is to see us by playing at our feet. Snoop is healthy, and he was very eas…More

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