Shih Tzu Puppies For Sale in Fargo North Dakota (2023)

FAQs

What are most common problems with Shih Tzu? ›

What should you budget for acquiring him? The price could be as low as $250 if you get your puppy of off Craigslist – or around $1,200 if you get him from a registered breeder. Dogs with exceptional pedigrees may run as high as $3,000. Rescues charge about $350 for Shih Tzu puppies.

What is the rarest color in a Shih Tzu? Although black is one of the most dominant genes, a completely black Shih Tzu, without any white markings, is arguably the least common. Similarly, a pure white Shih Tzu is only seen rarely and a white puppy with black markings is virtually unheard of.

Bred solely to be companions, Shih Tzus are affectionate, happy, outgoing house dogs who love nothing more than to follow their people from room to room. Since ancient times, they've made themselves comfortable on the laps of people from all walks of life, even emperors!

So, at what age can you leave a Shih Tzu alone? In a perfect world, it wouldn't be until the Tzu was 8 or 9 months old. However, since you most likely need to work/go to school/run errands, a puppy of any age can be left for the day... 7, 8 or 9 hours.

There are different opinions, as well as a variety of factors, that influence the answer to this question. However, most veterinarians and breeders would put the optimum age to bring home a puppy somewhere between 8-to-10 weeks old.

10 – 16 years

Shih Tzu / Life span

The Shih Tzu is an energetic, vibrant little dog with a surprisingly low-maintenance and easygoing temperament. The only thing they love more than following their humans around their house is being petted and pampered! They'll happily sit in your lap for hours, and can even be prone to laziness.

How often should you bathe a shih tzu? The thick, curled coat on a shih tzu is more high maintenance than what you'll find on many other breeds. Typically, a shih tzu should be bathed every three weeks to keep its skin and hair healthy and to avoid bad smells from developing.

The Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu are two of the most difficult breeds to tell apart, and that's because their ancestries are closely intertwined.

Are Shih Tzu hard to potty train? ›

House training is one of the most difficult obstacles owners of Shih Tzus face, because these dogs have small bladders and are prone to anxiety. To properly house train your dog, begin as soon as you bring your puppy home. Take them outside every two to three hours, after eating, after a nap and after play sessions.

The Shih Tzu is a breed prone to barking. They tend to bark at people and dogs passing the window, or off in the distance when walking. They love to bark at the front door when visitors arrive as if saying please pet me, bark. Barking while travelling in the car can be a problem that is easily rectified.

They can be a one-person dog, or the loveable family companion. They're naturally confident, dignified, and affectionate. For a toy-breed, the Shih Tzu expresses one of the most well-rounded personalities.

If possible, use gates or other blocking methods to prevent your Shih Tzu from going over to an area that he habitually urinated. If you are not able to do this, an opposite approach may work. Turn the area into one that is used to give treats, new toys, to play games, and/or where grooming is done.

Tips For Choosing Where Your Shih Tzu Should Sleep

They also need to have their alone times and sometimes like to retreat to a place where no one can bother them. You must decide whether or not you want this place to be in the room of a family member or in a common area. Once you decide, do not change it.

A young dog can hold their pee for up to 10-12 hours if needed, but that doesn't mean that they should. The average adult dog should be allowed to relieve itself at least 3-5 times per day. That's at least once every 8 hours.

Male Shih Tzus are actually more affectionate and attentive than females. They have also proven to be more reliable, more accepting of kids and other pets. The reverse is almost always the case when you compare the expectations most persons have of Shih Tzus and the realities.

Gentle but firm persistence with this breed is best, as they're people-pleasers and ultimately want to make you happy. Puppy training classes are key so they learn how to socialize with other dogs and understand simple commands. Shih Tzus love being in the great indoors, but still benefit from short walks and playtime.

Shih Tzus – Owners of shih tzus are friendly and nonjudgmental and are dearly loved by their friends. They are great confidants and enjoy a calm relaxed lifestyle. They aren't one to take on extra tasks at work and prefer to be taken care of.

Shih Tzu

They're playful and welcoming to both family and strangers, and their gentle temperament makes them a good choice for seniors with grandchildren and other pets.

Are Shitzu good dogs for seniors? ›

Shih Tzu's are less demanding and quieter than other small dogs. They don't bark much which makes them a good option for senior living communities. This breed only needs a short walk daily, making them a good match for most seniors.

You should bathe your puppy about no more than once a month unless necessary. Puppies and adult dogs have natural oils in their coat to prevent their fur from getting brittle or damaged and to keep it soft and silky. Bathing your dog too often can strip away those oils.

Heart failure is a leading cause of death in older shih tzus, and 75% of the heart disease is caused by valve deterioration.

Use a soft, moist cloth with some mild, tearless shampoo on it to gently clean your dog's face, concentrating around the eyes to battle unsightly tear stains. Then rinse your dog's face with a cloth with only water on it, and dry as you brush out the hair.

The shih tzu tends to require a large amount of personal attention each day. They thrive on human company and can easily become spoiled. They enjoy training and learning tricks, making them the center of attention. Shih tzu should be socialized to children early on, but they enjoy people of all ages.

A. No, it is not normal for your Shih Tzu to have terrible body odor. These dogs are usually clean little pets, sweet, cuddly and minimal shedders. The first thing you should do is to have your vet examine him thoroughly to see if an underlying health issue is responsible for this smelly situation.

It's recommended that you feed your Shih Tzu at least three times a day when they are of adult age. If they are still a puppy, they may require 4-6 meals a day. This is due to the fact that this breed is susceptible to hypoglycemia. With such a fast metabolism, they lack the ability to hold much of an energy reserve.

Most Shih Tzu puppies are only going to eat 1/2 to 1 cup per day; this is such a small amount that us humans may have trouble comprehending that that is all a pup needs. And the same goes for adult Shih Tzu, that average 3/4 to 2 cups per day.

How often should you expect your Shih Tzu to go to the bathroom? For normal, healthy puppies and dogs, 2 times a day is normal. Puppies that are still eating 3 meals per day may have 2 or even 3 movements. Adults that eat just one time per day may only have 1.

Shih Tzu are fiercely loyal to their family—but there's not an ounce of ferocity in the companion breed. They're alert and will often bark when a stranger approaches the home, but they are polite and friendly with guests.

Are 2 Shih Tzus better than one? ›

Having a pair of Shih Tzu can boost their mental and physical health, and enhance their quality of life. Being a social breed, not only do they love to be around humans, but enjoys the company of other dogs too. There are plenty of good reasons in having a pair of Shih Tzu.

Remember your Shih Tzu puppy should be let outside to go potty every hour or two. If he's older than three months, old, he might be able to wait up to three hours.

Plan on taking your Shih Tzu out many times a day, including whenever they wake up, after meals, and before bed. Use a harness and leash to bring your pup outside and remain in the potty area with them for up to 15 minutes. Give enthusiastic praise and reward when they have gone pee or poo.

Some of the most common reasons doggos poop or pee inside after walking include medical issues, substrate preferences, and poor potty-training at the outset. Go easy on your dog. House-trained dogs commonly have accidents due to stress, a change in environment, or illness.

Shih Tzu's need around 70 minutes of exercise a day and because they're small dogs, it's best to split up their daily walks into 2 or 3 outings. Don't forget that playing with your pup is also exercise, so make sure you schedule in some rest time so they don't become too tired or overstimulated.

Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!

Each time your Shih Tzu goes for a pee on the pad, you need to give them a reward. You can use some food or you can play around with a toy for a minute. Also, if you use a clicker when you train, click after each successful pad visit, this will tell them they have done something right.

Bred for companionship, the Shih Tzu is a pro snuggler and champion lap dog. They love to stay close, follow you from room to room, and quickly curl up beside you if given the chance. They're likely to demand the best possible spot in the nook of your arm or the lump of your lap.

Because they adore their owners so much, shih tzus love to be carried around. But ensure you hold them securely—they tend to be front heavy—and don't let them jump.

10 – 16 years

Shih Tzu / Life span

What is the life expectancy of a Shih Tzu? ›

Health. The Shih Tzu has a lifespan of 11 to 16 years.

Due to their abnormally small size, Shih Tzu's have difficulty obtaining the proper amount of oxygen they needs to regulate their body. The initial symptom is of course difficulty breathing, and this is often noticed immediately by the owner.

The Shih Tzu is an energetic, vibrant little dog with a surprisingly low-maintenance and easygoing temperament. The only thing they love more than following their humans around their house is being petted and pampered! They'll happily sit in your lap for hours, and can even be prone to laziness.

Shih Tzu's are notorious for lying in their owner's lap. Shih Tzus only require one short walk a day, or they can burn off their energy by running through the house. Shih Tzus are also very friendly dogs.

Average Lifespan for a Shih Tzu

Typically, female Shih Tzus tend to live a year to a year and a half longer than male Shih Tzus but the generalized average for both Shih Tzu genders, according to the UK Kennel Club, is 13 years and most live longer than a minimum of ten years.

With the Shih Tzu, the average life span is 13 years, though this can range from 12 years to 16 years; for this reason, Shih Tzu dogs are considered to be seniors by the 10 year mark. If a Shih Tzu has certain health issues, the veterinarian may make this declaration a year or two early, at the 8 to 9-year mark.

Shih Tzus are typically considered to be smart dogs and have even been to assist farmers and tradesmen in the past. However, Shih Tzus can also be stubborn at times. Shih Tzu's intelligence varies from individual to individual, but most people agree they are pretty good problem solvers.

End-of-life symptoms in your Shih Tzu might include depression and loss of coordination, odd breathing, excessive lethargy, and changes in appetite, as well as issues in the digestive system. If you notice these signs in your Shih Tzu, get them to your vet asap.

If your dog follows you everywhere then it's a sign that they trust and love you and that you make them feel safe. Following you very closely can be a sign that they're bored, they want something, they're feeling scared or are just being nosy.

Shih Tzu's need around 70 minutes of exercise a day and because they're small dogs, it's best to split up their daily walks into 2 or 3 outings. Don't forget that playing with your pup is also exercise, so make sure you schedule in some rest time so they don't become too tired or overstimulated.