Shih Tzu dog breed

You'll need to feed your puppy 3 or 4 times a day for the first 6 months. As your puppy grows, you can reduce the number of times you feed it. As an adult, you’ll only need to feed them once or twice a day. It's usually best to continue feeding your puppy the same food as the breeder until they're settled. Then you can look to change it but, remember to do this gradually to avoid a poorly tummy.

It can be confusing to know which dog food is best for your dog, so speak to your vet if you are unsure. They’ll be able to recommend the best diet for your Shih Tzu.

Shih Tzus have a long, dense coat with a short, dense undercoat and longer topcoat. This is often called a ‘double’ coat and requires regular grooming. If you have a puppy, start grooming them at an early age so they get used to it quickly.

If your dog has a particularly long coat, you’ll need to groom it every day to prevent the hair from matting. A matted coat can be very unpleasant for your dog. If you’re not sure how to groom your Shih Tzu, it can be easier to visit a dog groomer. They can give them a haircut, trim their face and tackle their claws at the same time. This makes grooming much easier for you and less stressful for your dog.

Bathing your Shih Tzu is also an important part of keeping your pet’s coat clean and their skin healthy. Generally, a quick bath every few weeks should do the trick.

They’re a lively breed and will need plenty of exercise each day to keep them active and healthy. They’re only small, but a Shih Tzu will still need exercising for 30 minutes, twice a day.

They’re also known for being very agile, so you could set up some simple obstacles in your garden. This will ensure your dog gets the exercise they need while having fun in the process.

Shih Tzus can be a bit of a handful to train and are known for their stubbornness. However, they’re intelligent and enjoy learning, so stick at it.

House training a Shih Tzu puppy can also take a little longer than other breeds. Puppies need to go to the toilet every couple of hours. Take your puppy outside when they wake up and after eating or drinking – this will help them learn where to go to the toilet.

Puppy pads are a great way of encouraging your puppy to go to the toilet in a specific place. Once they learn to use the pad in the house, you can then gradually move it outside and, eventually, remove the pad completely.

The condition also results in noisy breathing and sometimes loud snoring when they’re asleep. In severe cases, dogs can suffer from a lack of oxygen which means they struggle to even do gentle exercise.

Surgery is possible, but your vet will be able to advise you of the best treatment for your dog.

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is common in this breed. This will eventually lead to tooth loss if it’s not treated.

You can help prevent dental disease by cleaning your dog’s teeth from an early age. However, if your dog does have dental disease, your vet might need to remove some of your dog’s teeth.

When you buy a puppy, it’s important to find out if the puppy’s parents have had their kidneys checked out to make sure they’re normal. This will lessen the chances of your puppy inheriting the condition.