How to Adopt a Shih Tzu in California

When you want a friendly, adorable, and playful breed, it’s hard to beat the shih tzu. These dogs are incredible for families that want a little cuddle buddy. Shih tzus are also emotionally intelligent, smart, and easy to train if you go about the process the right way. Plus, with proper socialization, they can become a great fit for families with small children and other animals.

That said, this is only half the story. There are some factors you need to consider about shih tzus before adopting them. For example, it’s important to understand how to groom them and what to look for health-wise. Plus, the adoption process in California isn’t always smooth and there are several things you can prepare for to make the experience less of a hassle.

The good news is that we’re here to help. Read on to learn more about how to adopt a shih tzu in California below.

What Are Shih Tzus Like?

The shih tzu is a dog breed that’s been around for a while. You’ll find these dogs just about everywhere, especially in California, where their small size and manageable temperament make them a good choice for apartments in cities like Los Angeles and San Diego. In fact, with the right training, barking isn’t even a problem for shih tzu owners in California.

While shih tzus may look like little teddy bears with floppy ears, fluffy coats, and happy-looking smiles, don’t let their cute appearance fool you – shih tzus are highly intelligent. Not only are they smart but they’re also emotionally intelligent which is why it’s not uncommon for shih tzus to work as emotional support animals (ESAs).

Shih tzus are also easy to train and don’t cause too many problems for families with the right socialization and training. Speaking of training, shih tzus can learn advanced commands, tricks, and even agility, so this is a flexible breed for California residents.

What Is a Shih Tzu’s Temperament? Shih tzus are happy little dogs. They love to please their human companions, and you’ll find that this makes them easy and fun to train. You’ll also find that they’re smart enough to learn commands and handle training with ease – as long as you go the positive reinforcement route. What’s more, shih tzus bond deeply with their favorite human (if you need a little incentive to spend more time with them). shih tzus are also calm around many other animals and children. However, they do like to speak their mind, so prepare for some barking. Fortunately, if you have any problems you can work on them with productive training to end excessive barking.

How Active Are Shih Tzus? Shih tzus aren’t the most active breeds around but that doesn’t mean they don’t need a little playtime. You’ll want to spend about 30 to 60 minutes playing with them daily. This will strengthen your bond and tire them out. To ensure that they’re getting enough mental stimulation, we also recommend adding in puzzle toys and a structured training routine. It’s also a good idea to take them for a few short walks daily (around 15 to 30 minutes). When you combine this with playing and training, your shih tzu will be perfectly worn out by bedtime. Dog Training with Dog Academy

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What Size Are Shih Tzus?

One of the main appeals of shih tzus is their small size. These dogs typically weigh 9 to 16 pounds on average. However, shih tzus may be prone to gaining weight as they get older and less active, so keep an eye on them and adjust their diet accordingly to ensure they maintain a healthy weight.

When it comes to their height, shih tzus only reach about 9 to 11 inches at the shoulder. There may be some outliers and males may be slightly larger than females but there isn’t a lot of size variation to worry about with this breed.

What Are a Shih Tzu’s Grooming Needs?

Shih tzus have a long and fluffy coat, and while it’s beautiful and comes in many colors, it’s important to brush it. In fact, we recommend daily brushing for the best results. Not only will this prevent matting, remove loose hair, and prevent debris from accumulating, but it will improve your bond; more chances for you to become their favorite human.

That said, a shih tzu’s grooming needs don’t stop there. Be ready to trim their nails every seven to ten days and keep an eye on their ears, teeth, and eyes. Brush their teeth ideally daily and keep their ears and eyes clean; you may have to wipe their eyes. Due to their intensive grooming needs, it’s not a bad idea to have them professionally groomed every other month.

What Are Common Shih Tzu Health Issues?

Shih tzus can have some health problems, especially as they get older, so regular trips to the vet, proper nutrition, and moderate exercise are important to keep them healthy. One of the more notable health issues you’ll have to worry about is brachycephalic syndrome, which is common in dogs with flat faces. This condition can be difficult to manage in California during the summer months, so keep an eye on them during the hotter parts of the year.

Unfortunately, the health risks don’t stop there. Shih tzus may deal with knee problems, like patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. They may also struggle with obesity as they get older, and eye problems become common in old age as well. Liver shunts, ear infections, and other health conditions may also develop in this breed.

What Is a Shih Tzu’s Lifespan?

As long as your shih tzu is in good health, they can live for 12 to 16 years. Shih tzus have a long lifespan, which means you’ll likely have many years to come with your adopted shih tzu, especially if taking a puppy or a young adult. As long as your shih tzu is in good health they can live for 10 to 18 years.

Are Shih Tzus Good With Other Animals or Kids?

Shih tzus tend to be gentle and affectionate dogs. While this applies to bonding with you, it also applies to your entire family, ranging from children to other animals. The only thing to worry about is your child being too rough; if they’re a toddler or adolescent, they may not understand that shih tzus can be fragile. The good news is that you can also monitor this behavior and ensure that your shih tzu and children are getting along well.

When it comes to other animals, shih tzus don’t usually cause problems. However, if you notice difficulties you may want to work on training and socialization. Also, some bigger dogs can accidentally hurt shih tzus due to their small size, so always keep an eye on them as they’re playing.

Are Shih Tzus Good for First-Time Dog Parents?

Shih Tzus are excellent dogs for first-time dog parents. In fact, they’re basically an ideal dog breed for first-time dog parents because they are affectionate, easy to care for, and safe to have around children and other pets. What’s more, anyone can train a shih tzu with a little time and patience due to their people-pleasing personalities.

The only thing you have to consider is their grooming needs. This can be a bit expensive and time-consuming but that’s about all you have to worry about aside from some health conditions.

How Do You Adopt a Shih Tzu in California?

Adopting a shih tzu in California isn’t difficult, but it is a bit of a process. First and foremost, you need to find one available at a shelter, rescue, or through a foster program. Once you find a shih tzu, we recommend spending some time with them, learning about their personality, and having them interact with every member of your family. This ensures that you don’t have to run into any surprises once you bring them home if approved.

Speaking of approval, it’s important to note that if you want to adopt a shih tzu in California you need to be over the age of 18 and have a photo ID present. Without meeting these requirements, you’ll need a parent/guardian or a spouse to adopt the shih tzu on your behalf. If you do meet these requirements, you can proceed with the paperwork.

Filling out the necessary paperwork isn’t difficult but you will need to provide some background information about yourself. Shelters, rescues, and foster organizations will also want to learn more about your living situation and they may even do a home visit. What’s more, many organizations will speak with references and want to know about your history with other pets.

Once you pass this mini background check process that takes around three to five days, you can pay the adoption fee and take your shih tzu home with you. That said, you may have to take them for additional shots or vaccinations, depending on how old they are when you adopt them.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Shih Tzu in California?

The cost to adopt a shih tzu in California varies depending on the shelter. That said, you can expect to spend around $50 to $350 on a shih tzu. Ultimately, it comes down to the county where you plan on adopting the shih tzu and the rescue or shelter.

How Should I Train a Shih Tzu?

Don’t worry, training a shih tzu isn’t rocket science. In fact, you’ll find that shih tzus are easy dogs to train due to their people-pleasing personalities. Still, there’s a right and wrong way to train your shih tzu.

The right way to train your shih tzu is with positive reinforcement. What makes this training method effective is how shih tzus respond to the rewards and praise that you give them; this genuinely makes them happy.

The wrong way to train a shih tzu is with aggression, yelling, or otherwise being mean to them. This is because it will cause them to hate training sessions. Once this happens, you’re left with a dog that has a negative association with training, so this must be avoided – period.

Shih tzus are smart enough to learn commands, agility courses, and much more, so it’s important to have fun with it. As long as you’re positive, develop a routine, and give them enough attention, training a shih tzu is a breeze. Plus, if you don’t know where to begin we have plenty of online dog training courses available.

Find the Right Shih Tzu in California for You

When it comes to adopting a shih tzu in California, you really can’t go wrong with this dog breed. In fact, once you learn how to adopt a shih tzu in California the hard part is over because it’s easy to care for them.

Just make sure you’re attentive to their grooming and health needs, especially during California’s hotter months. Otherwise, raising and enjoying your time with a shih tzu in California is a great experience that we can’t recommend enough.