Why Shih Tzu are the Worst Dog

Why Shih Tzus Are The Worst Dogs: A Vet’s Honest Truth Revealed

Shih Tzus look adorable with their fluffy coats and big eyes. I’ve found they’re actually the worst dogs for many owners. These small companions can live 10 to 16 years, but this long lifespan brings challenges that most people don’t expect.

They often face respiratory problems, eye conditions, and dental complications. Training becomes a real challenge due to their stubborn personality. They tend to develop “Small Dog Syndrome” that leads to aggressive and dominant behaviors. Their endless grooming needs, constant barking, and clingy nature create a demanding care routine that can exhaust even the most dedicated pet owners.

Let me break down the specific challenges that make Shih Tzus tough pets. We’ll look at everything from their genetic health issues to their behavior problems and the detailed care they just need.

Genetic Health Burdens of Shih Tzus

My work as a veterinarian has shown me countless Shih Tzus that deal with genetic health problems that lower their quality of life by a lot. These aren’t just small issues – they’re serious medical conditions that cause ongoing pain and need expensive, long-term treatment. Let me get into why these genetic health burdens make Shih Tzus a poor choice for many potential owners.

Brachycephalic airway syndrome and breathing difficulties

That “cute” flat-faced look is actually a serious deformity. Shih Tzus suffer from brachycephalic airway syndrome, which has several abnormalities that block their breathing. These dogs have stenotic nares (abnormally narrowed nostrils), elongated soft palates that block their trachea, and everted laryngeal saccules that make it even harder to breathe.

My patients often show these symptoms:

• They can’t exercise normally without gasping for air
• They snore too much and struggle to breathe even while resting
• They collapse or faint after just a little activity
• Hot or humid weather is really tough on them since they can’t cool down

Their breathing gets worse over time as the dog works harder to get air, which creates a cycle of airway inflammation. Even mild cases need lifestyle changes, and worse cases require expensive surgery. About 50% of Shih Tzus with airway syndrome have both elongated palates and stenotic nares.

Eye problems that guide them toward chronic pain

Shih Tzus’ shallow eye sockets leave their eyes exposed to danger. These dogs all have brachycephalic ocular syndrome to some degree, which causes constant discomfort and might lead to blindness. Their eyes stick out and often get corneal ulcers – Shih Tzus rank among breeds that get this painful condition most often.

It also doesn’t help that many develop distichiasis, where eyelashes grow the wrong way and keep scratching their corneas. Without help, these problems cause ongoing pain, redness, tears, and eventually, scarred corneas and lost vision.

Joint and skeletal issues affecting mobility

Despite their small size, Shih Tzus often develop joint problems that disable them. Their kneecaps tend to dislocate (patellar luxation), making them skip or hold up a leg while walking. Hip dysplasia, usually seen in bigger breeds, is common in these dogs too.

Arthritis hits 25-30% of all dogs but causes special problems for Shih Tzus because of how they’re built. The pain from these conditions limits their movement and makes life much harder, especially as they get older.

Dental overcrowding and oral health challenges

A Shih Tzu’s tiny mouth must fit the same 42 teeth as bigger dogs, which causes severe overcrowding. This makes them really prone to periodontal disease – more than 80% of dogs over three years have active dental disease, and small breeds like Shih Tzus get it worse.

Overcrowded teeth end up rotating, wearing down too much, and hurting soft tissue. The resulting infections don’t just hurt and cause tooth loss – bacteria can get into the blood and harm vital organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys.

The way these genetic health problems keep showing up proves why Shih Tzus aren’t great for people who want a healthy pet. Each condition needs lots of vet care, causes ongoing pain, and makes the dog’s life much harder. Even though expensive treatments can help manage these issues, the breed’s basic genetic makeup means they’ll never go away completely.

Behavioral Challenges: Are Shih Tzus Smart or Stubborn?

My experience with Shih Tzus shows they face many behavioral challenges beyond their genetic health problems. These cute companions rank surprisingly low on canine intelligence scales, which shocks many new owners.

Intelligence ranking among dog breeds

Shih Tzus perform poorly in standardized intelligence tests. Coren’s respected dog intelligence rankings place Shih Tzus 70th out of 79 dog breeds. They sit in the sixth tier, which experts call the “lowest degree of working/obedience intelligence”.

The real-world impact? A Shih Tzu needs 80-100 repetitions to learn new commands and follows first commands only 25% of the time or less. Border collies and poodles learn the same commands in under 5 repetitions with 95% success rates.

The data shows why Shih Tzus don’t work well for owners who want trainable pets, despite claims about their cleverness. They show problem-solving skills in certain situations but can’t retain or obey commands like working breeds.

Training resistance and attention span issues

Shih Tzus got their stubborn streak from their royal background. Chinese royalty bred them as palace companions, not working dogs. This heritage creates real challenges for today’s owners.

These dogs typically show:

• Strong resistance to unwanted commands
• Quick loss of focus during training
• Constant testing of boundaries, especially as teenagers
• Fast drop in training motivation

My clinical practice shows Shih Tzus often know commands but choose not to follow them. This isn’t just stubbornness – it’s selective hearing passed down through generations of pampered royal pets. A recent poll found 22% of Shih Tzu owners listed “refusing to listen” as their biggest challenge.

The myth of untrainability versus actual cognitive limitations

Shih Tzus aren’t completely untrainable, but they do face real cognitive limits along with their independent nature. This needs special training approaches.

The reality falls between these extremes. Shih Tzus can learn, but they have clear mental limits. House-training often takes up to eight months, much longer than other breeds. Their moods change fast – they might follow a command today but ignore it tomorrow.

These dogs struggle to focus, retain commands, and link actions with results. They also tend to develop separation anxiety, which adds more behavioral issues.

Yet they can learn simple commands with the right approach. Standard training methods that work for other breeds often fail with Shih Tzus. Short 10-minute training sessions several times daily work better. Positive reinforcement brings the best results.

These behavioral challenges, combined with their health issues, make Shih Tzus a poor choice for first-time dog owners or families who want an easy-to-train pet.

The Excessive Barking Problem

A Shih Tzu’s endless barking can transform your peaceful home into chaos. These dogs will test your patience with their constant yapping. Their barking habits make them the worst dogs for many households, and with good reason too.

Why Shih Tzus bark more than other breeds

Shih Tzus love to make noise more than most breeds. A complete poll shows 78% of Shih Tzus bark at triggers, while 3% bark non-stop. These dogs were bred as companions rather than working dogs. This makes them extra clingy to their owners and anxious when left alone.

Their territorial instincts make everything worse. These dogs think they own your home and bark at anything that moves – people, animals, or even the mail carrier. Their natural suspicion of strangers only adds to this behavior.

Four main triggers make Shih Tzus bark too much:

• Attention-seeking (“Look at me or play with me”)
• Alerting (“I sense danger or see something”)
• Warning others (“Keep away”)
• Distress (“I’m bored, lonely, or in trouble”)

Unlike other breeds that bark with purpose, Shih Tzus react to things we can’t even notice – wildlife outside, sounds too high for human ears, or just people walking by.

Separation anxiety and attention-seeking behaviors

Separation anxiety runs deep in Shih Tzus. Surveys rank it as their second biggest behavioral challenge, right after housebreaking problems. These companion dogs need lots of attention to feel safe.

Left alone, they’ll bark, whine, and howl without stopping. This isn’t just simple crying – it shows real psychological distress with extreme anxiety and destructive behavior.

Shih Tzus learn fast that barking gets human attention. Even negative reactions like pushing them away or yelling actually reward their behavior. Owners end up accidentally encouraging the exact behavior they want to stop.

Effect on owners and neighbors

A Shih Tzu’s non-stop barking disrupts everyone nearby. Neighbors can’t sleep, can’t enjoy their yards, and feel constantly annoyed. This becomes a bigger headache in cities where homes sit close together.

The housing market tells the story – homes next to properties with barking dogs lose buyers completely. House hunters walk away when they hear constant barking during viewings, whatever other great features the home might have.

Owners face endless stress from managing these noisy pets. Neighbor complaints, housing restrictions, and the mental drain of constant noise can make life with a Shih Tzu exhausting.

Grooming Nightmares and Skin Conditions

Most dog owners don’t realize what they’re getting into with a Shih Tzu until they face endless grooming challenges. Their beautiful coat becomes the exact reason these dogs don’t fit well in many homes.

The hidden costs of Shih Tzu maintenance

A Shih Tzu’s coat demands shocking amounts of money. Owners spend about $720 yearly just on professional grooming. The costs don’t stop there – you need home grooming supplies too. These dogs need brushing 2-3 times every week and baths every 1-2 weeks. Summer makes things even harder when grooming visits jump from every 4-6 weeks to every 2-3 weeks.

The expenses never go away because their coat grows non-stop. Many people learn too late that these financial commitments last through their dog’s entire life. A Shih Tzu becomes a major investment over time.

Common skin infections and allergies

About 20% of Shih Tzus struggle with allergies that seriously affect their quality of life. These pups often develop atopic dermatitis, hot spots, yeast infections, and bacterial skin problems.

Symptoms typically include:

• Excessive itching and scratching
• Redness and inflammation
• Dry, flaky skin
• Recurrent ear infections
• Eye discharge and bloodshot eyes
• Hair loss and thinning

These dogs react badly to multiple triggers at once – environmental allergens, food ingredients, and things they touch. Testing and treatment help, but allergies in Shih Tzus often remain partly manageable. Many dogs live with ongoing discomfort.

Matting issues and pain points

A Shih Tzu’s double coat creates painful mats that pull their skin. These tangles become perfect hiding spots for parasites. Fleas and ticks burrow deep in the matted hair. Owners might miss these infestations until they become severe.

Matted fur blocks air from reaching the skin. This leads to inflammation, infections, and painful hot spots. Bad cases of matting can become tight enough to cut into the skin. Sometimes this requires surgery or even amputation.

Grooming a Shih Tzu goes beyond looks – it’s a health necessity. Yet professional grooming comes with its own risks. Many Shih Tzus have gotten hurt or died during grooming appointments because of poor handling, equipment problems, or lack of supervision.

Why Shih Tzus Often Struggle as Family Dogs

Dog owners often overlook how Shih Tzus get along with family members before getting one. My years of professional experience tell me these cute-looking companions can be challenging family pets.

Territorial behaviors around children

Shih Tzus tend to act aggressively toward kids they don’t know. They might bond well with children at home but usually become cautious around unfamiliar ones. Research points out that male Shih Tzus act more aggressively than females. These dogs react badly to noise, chaos, and physical punishment. Active children create exactly this type of environment, which makes these dogs a poor choice for families with young kids.

Fragility concerns and injury risks

Shih Tzus have a delicate build that raises safety concerns around children. Small kids tend to handle tiny dogs roughly like toys, which can make the dogs snap back. More than 50% of dog bites on kids under 4 happen on their head or neck. Their fragile bone structure makes them easy to hurt when kids who haven’t learned gentle handling pick them up.

Resource guarding tendencies

Resource guarding runs common in Shih Tzus. These dogs become protective of their food, toys, spaces and favorite people. This behavior comes out as growling, body stiffening, lunging or biting when someone comes near their treasured items. The situation turns dangerous when kids approach a guarding dog because children can’t spot warning signs reliably.

Compatibility with other pets

Shih Tzus can become jealous and territorial toward other pets in the house. They usually get along with other dogs, but clingy ones might need to be the only pet. Testing how a Shih Tzu reacts to house cats should happen before bringing one home. Pets with matching energy levels and personalities work best together to avoid fights.

These challenges mean Shih Tzus need specific living conditions that most families can’t provide.

Conclusion

Shih Tzus can become loving pets in the right situation, but they definitely rank among the worst picks for most people looking to get a dog. These little dogs need constant medical care because of their breathing problems, eye conditions, and joint issues. Their stubborn personality, loud barking, and demanding grooming routine make daily care a real challenge.

New dog owners should think over these drawbacks before getting a Shih Tzu. Other breeds might work better for families with small kids, active lifestyles, or tight budgets. These dogs look cute and cuddly, but their many health and behavior issues often lead to owner frustration, big vet bills, and a tough life for both the dog and its family.

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