The Good and Bad Points of Owning a Shih Tzu as a Pet

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The Shih Tzu is among the most popular of dogs and ranks quite high in ownership according to the American Kennel Club. Even though it is highly ranked as dogs adopted or purchased each year, there are some pluses and minuses to owning this particular breed of dog as a pet. Below you will find some of the more important reasons for and against owning one these lovable little pets.

Pros:

A Shih Tzu is a highly outgoing and friendly pet with everyone they come into contact with. They will almost turn themselves inside out when attention is paid to them. This particular breed is also very loyal to their owners and loves to please them. They are going to get 메리트카지노 along with nearly every type of animal that it comes into contact with as well.

One very good trait this breed of dog possesses is that they don't bark as much as some of the other breeds of toy dogs. Most other toy types of dogs will bark at everything and everyone while the Shih Tzu normally only barks when needing attention or when attention is paid to it.

Another plus for a pet Shih Tzu is that they will require little exercise. This makes them an especially good pet for someone that isn't very active. If you are someone looking for a companion dog and have little space in your home or apartment, this would be a good breed of dog for you. Aside from walking the dog on a daily basis, the dog has little interest in participating in other activities. This does not mean that they do not enjoy a good ball game every now and then but that they simply do not require much more than that.

Because they aren't as active as other dogs, they will eat less and along with the fact they are generally hardy little guys, means they usually cost less than other dogs to maintain.

Cons:

A Shih Tzu is going to crave attention from you and can become quite jealous of other individuals and pets. This can become a problem over time and therefore is more enjoyed as a companion for someone who is single or who lives on their own. If you introduce a puppy to your family at a young age, you will likely have less problems than if you wanted to acquire one at an age of 5 years or older.

If you have children and have an older Shih Tzu, at times this pet can be snappy towards them. This is especially true when they want to play with them and your pet doesn't want to be bothered or the kids play too rough with them. This can be a problem and may be one of the reasons that many older persons that don't have children around very much choose them as the ideal pet.

Another thing you want to consider is that you will require constant grooming of the Shih Tzu. You will find that if the dog is not brushed daily and groomed weekly, your pet's coat can become tangled and knotted. Many owners have their pets coats trimmed so they are easier to care for.

Some of the medical problems with Shih Tzus are that they may develop ear infections and eye problems and can have early tooth loss. They do tend to wheeze and snore and may develop respiratory problems. These dogs should not be overfed as they gain weight easily.

Even though there are several cons to owning these adorable little dogs I believe the pros outweigh them by far. Even though they aren't the ideal older pet for a young family this can usually be overcome by getting a puppy and then teaching the children how to treat the pet and at the same time teach the dog how to interact with its humans. Ask a Shih Tzu owner about their pet and you will probably get rave reviews and many reasons why you should get one.

What do you think is the most dangerous dog? A pit-bull, right? Nope, wrong. Surely then it must be a Rottweiler, a German-Shepherd, or maybe even a Chow-Chow. Again, nope, no-way, and incorrect. The correct answer is... a Dachshund. Yes, you read that correctly. Dachshunds are the most dangerous type of dogs. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania recently surveyed 6,000 dog owners and found that "one in five dachshunds have bitten or tried to bite strangers, and a similar number have attacked other dogs; one in 12 have snapped at their owners."

So, surely the number 2 dog on the list must be a pit bull, right? Wrong! It appears that Napoleon Syndrome is real because the number 2 dog is a Chihuahua. Chihuahuas have similar statistics to dachshunds when it comes to biting strangers, their owners, or other dogs. Completing the top 3 list is the Jack Russell Terrier. So, why is that we assume pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Chow Chows are the most dangerous dogs?

The answer is actually quite simple. It's because most clinical studies on this subject use medical data as the basis for their research. Since big dogs create bigger wounds they're reported more frequently and this causes the medical data to be skewed inaccurately toward big dogs. Truthfully, all breeds can be provoked to bite. Whether or not a dog actually bites is generally a result of how well it's been trained and treated. So, the question really is what dog breeds are genetically predisposed to aggressiveness? Here's a list, in no particular order, of the 15 most dangerous dogs.

1. Giant Schnauzer - Similar to German Shepherds, the Giant Schnauzer was trained in Germany to assist soldiers. This dangerous dog possesses the size of a Great Dane with the intelligence of a Schnauzer. These qualities in addition to his natural tendency to be fiercely loyal make this a dog of which to be aware. Stranger anxiety in the Giant Schnauzer is more common than other dogs.

2. Akita Inu - The Akita Inu is a heavy boned, powerful, and alert dog. He possesses a dignified and courageous persona and has a tendency to be aggressive toward other dogs.

3. Chow Chow - According the American Kennel Club, "... the Chow is reserved and discerning with strangers. Their cat-like personalities make them independent, stubborn and less eager to please than other breeds. They require early socialization and training, and some kind of exercise daily.

4. Bullmastiff - The Bullmastiff is fearless and confident. They were originally bred to guard natural game preserves from poachers as such they are natural guardians of the home, but do not bark much, as silence was a virtue when guarding the preserves. Bullmastiffs are independent thinkers and may not respond to traditional obedience training.

5. Papillion - The Papillion, is very small and very loyal to its family. It can be weary of strangers and though they are generally sweet tempered they need to be watched carefully around non-family members or other dogs visiting their home.

6. Old English Sheepdog - Old English Sheepdogs (OES) are athletic and energetic and require lots of exercise. The OES was bred to herd sheep. He has retained his natural tendency to herd whether or not there are sheep and accordingly he may try to herd people or other objects. He is generally a loving, sweet animal but may become aggressive if he feels someone or something is interfering with his herding job.

7. Dachshund - The Dachshund, meaning "badger dog" in German, was bred to dig into holes, hunt for, and fight to the death with badgers. Dachshunds tend to be territorial and in order to make the integration into family life as smooth and happy as possible he requires consistent assertion from his owners throughout his lifetime.

8. Llasa Apso - Llasos were bred for hundreds of years as indoor watchdogs. They are naturally suspicious of strangers. Additionally, the dog possesses an aloof and independent personality - it requires consistent handling throughout it's life and requires daily walks or exercise. Llaso's are best for adult only families.

9. Miniature Pinscher - Miniature Pinschers are fearless, animated, and independent creatures. They are spirited, and require consistent reminders about who the true alpha dog is in the family.

10. Jack Russell Terrier (officially known as Parson Russell Terriers) - These little dogs are bright and very energetic. They require lots of exercise and are better in families with older children as they do not tolerate rough handling from small children.

11. Pit Bull - What is commonly known as the pit bull is officially known in England as the Staffordshire Bull-Terrier and in the United States it's known as the American Staffordshire-Terrier. Whatever you call it, this dog is actually very people-oriented and is happiest when he is made part of the family and given a job to do. He is generally very friendly but is loyal to a fault to his family and will protect them from any threat.

12. Rottweiler - Rottweilers love their people and are protective of their territory. They do not welcome strangers until properly introduced. Obedience training and socialization are musts.

13. German Shepherd - The German Shepherd is a renowned guard and military dog. It is also a loving family companion. The breed is direct and fearless, with a strong, muscular body. He is a great family dog and is only on the most dangerous list because he can be trained to be aggressive (as can most dogs)

14. Dalmatian - The Dalmatian is the only horse "coaching" dog in the world and he has retained a natural affinity for horses. Dalmatians are very energetic and require daily long walks or romps in a fenced yard. Without regular exercise he can become destructive.

15. Chihuahua - Swift moving and terrier-like in behavior, Chihuahuas are highly intelligent and should not be underestimated even though small in size. They do not tolerate the rough handling that comes with young children so they are best for families with older or no kids.

Remember, all dogs can be provoked and all dogs, given the proper training, can be well mannered