Overview
The Shih Tzu was bred in the palaces of China and Tibet as a companion, and it carries itself accordingly. It is friendly, a little stubborn and perfectly happy with a short walk and a long sit. Despite the glamour it is a surprisingly sturdy dog that enjoys being out.
The two things to plan around are the face and the coat. The muzzle is short, so heat and hard effort are a problem, and the coat, even when clipped, collects mud and tangles around the eyes and feet.
Exercise and walking needs
Two walks of fifteen to twenty minutes a day are enough for most adults, taken at a potter with plenty of sniffing. A Shih Tzu is not a dog to hurry, and it will tell you so by sitting down.
In warm weather keep the walk short and shaded, carry water, and watch the breathing; the short muzzle makes cooling down hard. In wet weather the coat gets heavy and cold, so keep it shorter still.
On the walk
- Recall: Moderate. They stay close but are not quick to come when called. An enclosed area is the safe place for off-lead time.
- Pulling: Minimal. Use a harness; the neck and the prominent eyes should not take pressure from a collar.
- Other dogs: Friendly and unbothered, though an underfoot Shih Tzu can be hurt by a boisterous large dog.
- Eyes: Large and easily scratched. Keep the dog out of brambles and long grass, and mention any redness or discharge.
- Coat: Mud, wet and burrs all stick. Clean routes before a groom, and a wipe of the feet and face at the door.
Tips for professional walkers
- Keep walks short, slow and cool; this is a companion, not an athlete.
- Carry water and watch the breathing on warm days.
- Wipe the eyes and feet at the end of a walk if the owner likes; hair around the eyes traps grit.
- Walk on a harness and avoid retractable leads.
- Treat sitting down as information: the dog is hot, tired or has had enough.
What to ask the owner
- Any breathing issues or airway surgery, and what has the vet said about heat and exercise?
- Any eye care routine, and does the dog have a history of eye ulcers or infections?
- When is the next groom, and should the coat be kept dry or tied up on walks?
- How far does the dog normally walk, and when does it usually decide it has had enough?