The American Kennel Club, or AKC, states that the Shih Tzu is currently the 20th most popular purebred dog breed in the United States out of nearly 200 registered breeds. This tells you that the Shih Tzu is a very popular pet dog! As with so many things in life, demand can have a direct influence on the price you pay. But demand can also have some unforeseen consequences you need to know about as…

Dealing with dog poop is likely never going to be your favorite part of having a canine companion. But examining your Shih Tzu poop and tracking pooping frequency is going to be one of the most important things you can do for your dog’s health. Just like with people, dogs give a lot of signals about their health through their bowel habits. The color, consistency, and frequency of your Shih Tzu poop is an early…

Shih Tzu dogs are very popular small dogs that love people. In fact, out of nearly 200 purebred dog breeds, the Shih Tzu is in the top 20 most popular dogs in the United States! Some canine researchers theorize that licking is one way that dogs show affection and love to their people. Other researchers believe that dogs lick because they are gathering information about their world. There can also be medical or behavioral reasons…

Shih Tzu dogs are small and adorable. But many people think that their small size and long coat mean Shih Tzu dogs are not qualified to become service dogs. Nothing could be further from the truth! Any dog of any size or breed can be a candidate for service dog training, as Service Dogs of America explains. In this article, learn more about why Shih Tzus can make good service dogs and what jobs these…

No matter how much you hope for it, your adorable Shih Tzu puppy won’t be a puppy forever. In fact, puppyhood is an incredibly brief period in your dog’s life. The way you can know your Shih Tzu is no longer a puppy is when she goes into heat for the first time. While she still may have more growing and developing to do, the first heat cycle marks the permanent transition toward adulthood. In…

Shih Tzu dogs are so tiny in every way. It can be hard to imagine how these dogs’ small mouths can accommodate a full set of upper and lower teeth! But while their mouths do try to find space for all those teeth, because of their small size, the Shih Tzu is prone to more dental issues than many larger dog breeds. As well, the first year of your Shih Tzu’s life is action-packed from…