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Do Shih Tzus Like to Cuddle?

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Have you been dreaming about having a cute, little, lapdog to cuddle and love on? If so, you might be thinking about a Shih Tzu, but do Shih Tzus like to cuddle? Well…it depends.

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Do Shih Tzus Like to Cuddle?

I always wanted a lap dog. A dog to cuddle and love on. I’ve also always been a fan of Shih Tzus.

Being that they are little dogs, it made sense to me to get a Shih Tzu because I assumed it would love to cuddle and sit in my lap.

While it is true that most Shih Tzus love to cuddle, that’s not true for all of them.

In fact, my Shih Tzu, Truman, wants nothing to do with cuddling or even sitting anywhere near me. (You can learn more about Truman here.)

He is perfectly happy sitting at the other end of the sofa or in his bed on the floor next to the sofa.

It’s true that there are moments he wants some love and I certainly give it to him, but these moments only last a couple of minutes.

Then he is perfectly happy to go about his business by himself.

He has never even been one to follow me around the house unless he thinks he is going to get food. 

So, while I thought I was getting a cuddler and lap sitter with Truman, the reality couldn’t be further from the truth.

Of course, not all dogs are the same and that goes for Shih Tzus too.

When Truman was about five years old, I got a second Shih Tzu whose name is Sammy. (You can learn more about her here.)

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Sammy is actually half Shih Tzu and half Pekingese. She is just the cutest little thing.

Anyway, she is the complete opposite of Truman.

She doesn’t want to get a foot away from me and her favorite place to be is on my lap or being cuddled with her head resting on my shoulder.

She is a real sweetheart.

So, the point is, some Shih Tzus love to cuddle and some are a bit more independent.

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Shih Tzus are One-Person Dogs

You’ll also need to keep in mind that while Shih Tzus are generally friendly and like most people and other animals, they only love one person.

They are one-person dogs. 

So, for example, if the Shih Tzu belongs to a family member or even your partner, they may love to cuddle with that person, while still being a little standoffish with you.

Don’t take it personally. 

This is just how they have been bred over hundreds of years.

Both of my Shih Tzus are friendly and are super happy to see new people whether they come over to the house or when we are out walking, but it is clear that they hold me in higher esteem than anyone else they meet.

Also, I can tell, they don’t like to be handled by others either.

This is especially true of kids. 

Neither of my Shih Tzus is fond of kids and after being around them for a very short period of time, they will look for other areas of the house to hide in, so they can relax. 

They get stressed out pretty easily.

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Do Shih Tzus Like to Be Hugged?

There was a study put out recently that said that dogs hate being hugged. Personally, I found that statement to be a little generalized.

It’s true some dogs and even some Shih Tzus hate being hugged.

My Truman isn’t a real fan and I can tell that because he becomes ridged and wants to get away as soon as possible.

Sammy, however, loves being hugged. She just curls up and rests her head on my shoulder like a little baby.

I think she would stay that way all day if I let her.

The point is, some Shih Tzus, just like some people, like to be hugged and some don’t. 

You should be able to tell pretty quickly by their body language whether or not you have a hugger. 

Related Questions:

Why Are Shih Tzus So Affectionate?

Shih Tzus bond with their owners very quickly and easily. They were bred to be companion dogs. They don’t actually have any other function. 

If you’re looking for an affectionate pet, then a Shih Tzu is a great option.

Are Male or Female Shih Tzus More Affectionate?

You might think that female Shih Tzus would be more affectionate, but in general, it is male Shih Tzus that fit that bill.

They are usually better with kids and other pets as well.

How Do You Know If Your Shih Tzu Loves You?

Shih Tzus show their love in many ways. For example, when they sit there and gaze up at you, this is a sure sign of love.

They will also get very excited when you come home. This includes jumping, wagging their tail, and licking your face.

How Do I Tell My Dog I Love Him?

There are a number of ways you can show your dog love. Dogs gaze into your eyes to show you that they love you. You can do the same to them.

If you’ve ever noticed your dog leaning on you, that is also a sign of affection. You can also mimic this behavior and lean on your dog. They will know what it means.

While humans tend to pat their dog’s head to show affection, your dog doesn’t see this in the same way. Instead, rug them behind the ears. You’ll notice when you do that they will push their head into your hand. They love this.

To Sum it All Up:

Most Shih Tzus love to be cuddled. There are exceptions, of course. Every dog has its own distinct personality, so there are Shih Tzus, like my Truman, that doesn’t want to cuddle at all. Even so, chances are you will find that your Shih Tzu will want to spend its days sitting next to you or on your lap.

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