Introduction: Once you've made that properly considered decision to by a dog, there are several options. Should it be a puppy, an adult dog, or even an older dog?
Should it be a bitch or a male dog, a pedigree dog or a cross?

 

Are you looking for a companion or a real show dog? Of course, the question also comes up as to where to buy a dog. Will you be buying it from a private person, a reliable breeder, or would you maybe even get it from an animal shelter? It is important for you and the animal that you sort out these things in advance. You will want to get a dog that fits in within your situation. With a puppy, you choose a playful, energetic housemate, who will adapt easily to its new surroundings. If you want something a little quieter, an older dog is a good choice.

Advantages and disadvantages The long coat of this breed needs plenty of daily care. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Some people do not enjoy spending a lot of time grooming their dog, whereas others particularly enjoy making their dog as beautiful as possible. A well cared Shih Tzu will get everybody's attention. The Shih Tzu has an undercoat. This means that you have a moulting period, and they need a lot of attentions when it comes to grooming. An advantage is that these dogs have no problems keeping themselves warm and they don't need any extra protection when it gets cold. These dogs are very small and they fit into any house. This is, of course, an advantage. They don't need much exercise, but it is better for them if they build up a good condition. This breed is very focused on its master and loves to be with him as much as possible. They will follow you around all day long. Both visitors and the postman are greeted with loud barking. A Shih Tzu ages to approximately twelve years.

Male or female? Whether you will choose a male or a female puppy, or an adult dog or bitch, is an entirely personal decision. With the Shih Tzu, the difference in character between a male and a bitch is also not that great. Males are often reproached for urinating everywhere, being dominant, disobedient and running away. These problems have more to do with their upbringing then their nature. Bitches are often assumed to be more affectionate, but for a real cuddle you need to look among the males. The male is also somewhat more tolerant by nature. When a bitch has had enough, while the male will simply lift his head and get up and go for the next round. Many males are equally spontaneous and affectionate as bitches. A male is usually more sturdy and ample in format. Naturally they want to set their own scent in places, but with your dog on the lead, you're in charge, aren't you? And once they've set their first mark, their urgent need is taken care of. With a Shih Tzu, you also don't need to worry that it will become too heavy to pull, if necessary. You can also teach them to urinate only once or twice each time they go out on the lead. A puppy test is good for defining what kind of character a young dog will develop. During such test one usually sees that a dog is more dominant then a bitch. You can often quickly recognize the bossy, the adventurous and the cautious character. So visit the litter couple of times early on, if you can. Try to pick up a puppy that suits your own personality. A dominant dog, for instance, needs a strong hand. It will often try to see how far it can go. You must regularly make clear who the boss is, and that it must obey all the members of the family. When bitches are sexually mature, they will go into season. On average, a bitch is on season twice a year for about two or three weeks. This is a fertile period when she can get pregnant. Particularly in the second half of her season, she will want to go looking for a dog to mate with. A male dog will show more masculine traits once he is sexually mature. He will make sure that the other dog knows what territory is his by urinating as often as possible in as many places as he can. He is also difficult to restrain if there's a bitch in a season nearby. As far as normal care is concerned there is little difference between a dog and a bitch.

Puppy or adult? After you've made a decision for a male or female, the next question comes up. Should it be a puppy or an adult dog? Your household circumstances usually play a major role here. Of course, it's great having a sweet little puppy in the house, but bringing up a young dog takes a lot of time. In the first year of its life it learns more than during the rest of his entire life. This is a period when the foundations are laid for elementary matters such as house-training, obedience and social behavior. You must recon with the fact that your puppy will keep you busy for couple hours a day, certainly in the first few months. You won't need so much time with a grown dog. It has already been brought up, but this doesn't mean it won't need correction from time to time. A puppy will, no doubt, leave a trail of destruction in its wake for the first few months. With a little bad luck, this will cost you a number of rolls of wallpaper, some good shoes and a few socks. In the worst case you'll be left with some chewed furniture. Some puppies even manage to tear curtains from their rails. With good upbringing this "vandalism" will quickly disappear, but you won't have to worry about this if you get an older dog. The greatest adventure of a puppy, of course, is that you can bring it up in your own way. The upbringing a dog receives (or not) is of major influence on its whole character. Finally, financial aspects may play a role in your choice. A puppy is generally more expensive than an adult dog, not only in purchase price but also in "maintenance". A puppy needs to go to the vet's more often for the necessary vaccinations and check-ups. Overall, bringing up a puppy requires a good deal of energy, time and money, but you have its upbringing in your own hands. An adult dog requires less money and time, but its character is already formed. You should also try to find out about the background of an adult dog. Its previous owners might have formed its character in somewhat less positive ways.

Two dogs? Having two or more dogs in the house is not just for our pleasure, but also for animals themselves. Dogs get a lot of pleasure from each others company. After all, they are a pack animals. If you're sure that you want two young dogs, it's best not to buy them at the same time. Bringing up a dog and establishing a bond between dog and master takes time, and you need to give a lot of attention to your dog during this phase. Having two puppies in the house means that you have to divide your attention between them. Apart from that, there is a danger that they will focus on one another rather than on their master. Buy a second puppy when the first is (almost) an adult. Two adult dogs can happily be brought home together, as long as they're used to each other. If this is not the case, then they have to go thru the process. This is usually best achieved by letting them get to know each other on neutral territory. This prevents fights for territory. On neutral territory, perhaps an acquaintance's garden where neither dog has been before, both dogs are basically equal. Once they got to know each other, you can take them both home, and they can sort out hierarchy there amongst themselves. In any event, don't get involved in trying to "arbitrate". That is human, but for the dog on the top of the pecking order it's like having its position undone. It will only make the dog more dominant in behavior, with all the consequences. Once the hierarchy is established, most dogs can get along fine together. Luckily, Shih Tzus do not tend to be fighters and enjoy the company of other dogs of their own breed. Getting a puppy when the first dog is somewhat older often has a positive effect on the older dog. The influence of the puppy seems to almost give it a second childhood. The older dog, if it's been well brought up, can help with the upbringing the puppy. Young dogs like to imitate behavior of the elders. Don't forget to give both dogs the same amount of attention. Take both out alone at least once a day during the first eighteen months. Give the older dog enough opportunity to get some peace and quiet. It will not want an enthusiastic youngster running around under its feet all the time. Moreover, a puppy needs a plenty of sleep and have the brakes put on it once in a while. The combination of male and female needs special attention whatever the breed, and so also in the case of Shih Tzu. It's advisable to get a second dog of the same sex. This will avoid a lot of problems. Sterilization or castration is, of course, one solution, but it's the final one. A sterilized or castrated animal can never reproduce. Additionally, it can lead to abundant hair growth, which usually means a thicker, duller and softer coat, which is difficult to groom.

A dog and a child Dogs and children are great combination. They can play together and get great pleasure out of each other’s company. Moreover, children need to learn how to handle living beings; they develop respect and a sense of responsibility by caring for a dog (or other pets). However as sweet as a dog is, children must understand that it is an animal and not a toy. A dog isn't comfortable when he's messed around with. With the Shih Tzu, it's important to make sure the dog doesn't put up with too much. Look for ways a child can play with the dog, perhaps a game of hide and seek where the child hides and the dog has to find it. Even a simple tennis ball can give enormous pleasure. Children must learn to leave a dog in peace when it doesn't want to play anymore. The dog must also have its own place where it's not disturbed. The arrival of a baby also means changes in the life of a dog. Before the birth you can help get your dog acquainted with the new situation. Let it sniff at the new things in the house and it will quickly accept them. When the baby has arrived, involve the dog as much as possible in a day-by-day events, but make sure it gets plenty of attention too. NEVER leave a dog alone with young children. Crawling infants sometimes make unexpected movements, which can easily frighten the dog. Infants are also highly curious, and may try to find out whether the tail is really fastened to the dog, or whether its eyes come out, just like they do with their cuddly toys. A dog is always just a dog and it will defend itself when it feels threatened.

Where to buy? There are various ways to acquire a dog. The decision for a puppy or an adult dog will also define for the most part where to buy your dog. If it's to be a puppy, then you need to find a breeder with a litter. You may also face the problem there are breeders with so many puppies on sale that have only been bred for profit's sake. You can see how many puppies are for sale by looking in the regional newspaper and specialized ones. Some of these dogs have a pedigree, but many of them don't. Breeders often don't watch out for breed-specific illnesses and inbreeding; puppies are separated from their mothers as fast as possible and are thus insufficiently socialized. Never buy a puppy that is too young, or those whose mother you weren't able to see. Fortunately, there are also enough bona-fide breeders. Try to visit them, if possible. Ask if the breeder is prepared to help you after you have bought your puppy, and to help you find solutions for any problems that may come up. If you are looking for an adult dog, it's best to contact the breed association among others, who often help re-home adult dogs that can no longer be kept by their owners because of personal circumstances. Finally, you must realize that a pedigree is nothing more or less that a proof of descent. The Kennel Club also issues pedigrees to the young parents that suffer form a congenital condition, or that have never been checked for them. A pedigree says nothing about the health of the parent dogs or of your puppy.