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Are Shih Tzus Good with Kids?

a little baby playing with a shih tzu
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Are Shih Tzus Good with Kids?

If you have children and you are thinking about getting a Shih Tzu, you might be wondering are Shih Tzus good with kids. It’s not as easy to answer this question as you might think. Instead of a definitive yes or no, we’ll have to start with a maybe.

Are Shih Tzus Good with Kids?

Shih Tzus can be good with kids, but you need to make sure that when you get a Shih Tzu puppy you completely socialize it with children.

If your young Shih Tzu doesn’t spend time with children as a puppy, it may be standoffish once it is an adult.

This happened with my Truman.

He wasn’t around children when he was a puppy and he never liked them as he got older.

Honestly, he wants nothing to do with them and never has.

Even so, that doesn’t mean Shih Tzus can’t play well with children in general.

Most Shih Tzus are friendly with everyone, and that includes kids.

Some even play the role of a therapy dog with kids and adults alike.

So, don’t rule out a Shih Tzu just because you have kids.

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The Pros of Having a Shih Tzu When You Have Children

There are some advantages of having a Shih Tzu as a pet when you have kids.

These dogs are loyal and loving.

For the most part, they are not aggressive.

You will find that they are affectionate and love people.

If you have small children, a Shih Tzu is just their size.

Your child won’t get overwhelmed or scared when a Shih Tzu runs to their side as they might with a larger dog.

You don’t have to worry about a Shih Tzu hurting your child either.

When your Shih Tzu is younger as a puppy and young adult, they like to play and can be very playful.

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Some of the Cons of Owning a Shih Tzu when You Have Children

While Shih Tzus are great companions and most love children, there are some issues you may have to deal with.

Young kids may not understand how to play with a Shih Tzu without hurting it.

Little kids like to pull hair and tails and may not know how to pet a dog gently.

Due to their size, Shih Tzus can be hurt easily and should be treated as if they are fragile because they are.

You’ll need to supervise the play and guide your young child.

As your Shih Tzu gets older, it isn’t as active and tends to play less.

Just hanging out next to you on the sofa is a good day for a senior Shih Tzu.

Health issues can make your dog less social and easier to hurt.

For example, my Truman, who is 17 years old now has pretty bad arthritis.

He has had it for a number of years, but like with most things, it has gotten worse as he has gotten older.

He no longer enjoys chasing balls or playing with toys.

While he has never been a fan of children, he hides from them now if any come to the house.

He also has hip dysplasia, so any kind of rough play would cause him pain.

Another possible issue is that Shih Tzus tend to be a one-person dog.

While they might like everyone, they only love one person.

They can become possessive and jealous.

You might notice that they become unhappy if someone else tries to get your attention or if there is another dog or child in the house that you are paying attention to.

They can even become aggressive and growl or nip.

While Shih Tzus can be great family dogs, you need to pay close attention to how they behave around others and especially children.

If they show any aggressive behavior for any reason and especially for no reason at all, you might not want to push your child and Shih Tzu together.

You want both your human family and your furry family to have a happy and stress-free environment to live in.

You might also enjoy:

Shih Tzu Barking – What Can You Do About It?

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To Sum it All Up:

Shih Tzus can be a great choice for families that want to have a  pet and can be a great companion for kids. When they are young, they have the energy levels to keep up with the most active child. Just keep in mind, that Shih Tzus can also be possessive and jealous and might not enjoy the attention of a young child. Families with kids just need to keep a close eye on the interaction between their child and Shih Tzu to make sure both are happy and stress-free and you then might find that Shih Tzus end up being the perfect companions for your family.

 

 

Please Note:

This article is informational only and does not substitute for veterinary or medical advice. Always check with your veterinarian or doctor if you are concerned about your Shih Tzu’s or yourself. This article should not be considered in any way as a veterinarian or medical advice.

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