Shih Tzu Puppies for Sale in Scotland

With a name that means ‘Little Lion’, the proud-looking little Shih Tzu is an adorable companion that is thought to have originated from Tibet and been developed in China from breeding the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingnese breeds.

The Shih Tzu is a playful, outgoing little dog that loves to be with his humans! He’s a fairly easy going little fellow, not too assertive, nor sensitive, so he would make a good dog for a first time owner.

This little guy was never meant to be a search and rescue dog, a gundog, nor was he meant to herd sheep. In short, he’s not a working animal; the Shih Tzu was bred as a loyal companion and that’s exactly what he is.

If you’re looking for a Shih Tzu puppy for sale in Scotland, type in your postcode and let Pets You Love find a pup for you.

Temperament

Charming in looks and personality, the Shih Tzu is an endearing dog who likes to be everyone’s friend. If you’re looking for a Shih Tzu puppy in Scotland and want a friend for life, then know that this dog will become your shadow! He loves to be in the middle of everything; whatever his family is doing, he wants to be in on the act.

He loves to play and though small in stature, makes for a pretty lively playmate – though he also loves his snooze time and will find his way onto the lap of any available member of his family who is sitting down.

Because of his eagerness to please, the Shih Tzu is relatively easy to train, however, he can have moments when he has a mind of his own, but he will mostly respond well to patient, consistent training and positive appraisal. Like most dogs, the Shih Tzu is very food motivated and will co-operate when treats are part of the deal!

One negative trait of the Shih Tzu is that they can get into a habit of eating their own poo and this is something that has to be nipped in the bud from early puppy-hood. When toilet-training a Shih Tzu, owners must ensure that his dirt is picked up immediately to avoid allowing the dog to get into this disgusting habit.

The Shih Tzu that is well socialised from a young age will do well around children, however, as with all dogs, owners must ensure that they train their children simultaneously to know a dog’s boundaries, so that the dog is never rough-handled. The Shih Tzu does best when playing with older children who have developed leadership skills, though play between with all dogs and children should be supervised at all times.

The Shih Tzu is not a bothersome barker, but will bark when a stranger comes into the home. He is most likely to back away until this new person becomes known.

Shih Tzus cope well with other animals in the home if this is something they have been brought up with, however, owners should take care when introducing the Shih Tzu to new dogs as he can be a bit wary and narky.

The Shih Tzu does best when he has a constant companion who works from or is always home. If not, he can become an excessive barker as result of separation anxiety. He adapts well to his environment and can cope with apartment-life as long as he is exercised, as well as a larger home.

Description of the Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is an attractive little dog with his silky coat, cute flat face, large round eyes and muzzle with its deliberate underbite.

He’s an affectionate, little guy with a bit of a mischievious personality – this is what makes him a popular family dog and also a favourite with the judges in the show-ring!

Although small, the Shih Tzu is a sturdy little dog with a soft and long double coat that needs to be well-looked after. Recognisable colours for this breed’s coat include gold, dark and light brown, white, black, black and white, grey, brindle red and blue.

DNA from the Shih Tzu sees it recognised as one of 14 ancient breeds of dogs along with the Tibetan Terrier and the Lhasa Apso and this breed is said to have been very popular with the Chinese emperors.

The average height for a Shih Tzu stands between 20 and 28 cm and weighs in between 4 – 7.5 kgs.

Lifespan

If you’re looking for a Shih Tzu puppy for sale in Scotland, it’s worth knowing that they can live between 10 - 16 years – this is a long life for a new furry friend, so be sure you’re prepared to make this lifelong commitment.

Exercise

These little dogs love walking with their humans but a short walk in the morning with a longer 30 to 40 mins walk in the afternoon is enough for the Shih Tzu. This breed also loves to play and it’s good for his to have this kind of mental stimulation or he could look for other ways to amuse himself. Owners should know that he Shih Tzu can be a bit mischievious and this can include barking and chewing his owner’s belongings for attention!

Care should be taken in hot weather not to keep this breed of dog from playing outside too long as his flat muzzle means the Shih Tzu can have some breathing issues in hot climates.

Grooming

There isn’t any doubt that the Shih Tzu is a cute bundle of fur, however, grooming can be high maintenance for this particular breed otherwise their coats can become matted and tangled. The Shih Tzu needs brushed daily and to have its face washed daily too as food can get stuck in the hair around its mouth, and this can become stale and smelly and cause an infection that can be hard to get rid of.

The hair on the bridge of a Shih Tzu’s nose actually grows upwards which some owners prefer to tie up in a pony tail to keep him neat and tidy.

These dogs need to attend regular professional grooming sessions too. This will make for much easier brushing and combing for the owner in between and keep the Shih Tzu’s coat and skin in peak condition. Many owners will opt to keep the Shih Tzu’s coat short and sweet in a ‘teddy bear’ or ‘puppy cut’ to make life easier.

Feeding

If you’re looking for a Shih Tzu puppy in Scotland, it’s worth knowing that good quality wet or dry food will set you back around £30 - £40 per month. A Shih Tzu puppy should be fed on the directions of your vet with the same food they had originally been fed by the breeder. An adult Shih Tzu should be fed two meals per day and owners should keep an eye on their dog’s weight as the Shih Tzu’s waistline can increase quickly if they’re given too many treats.

Owners should be aware that treats should make up now more that 20 per cent of a dog’ diet. Drinking water should always be made available. Cost of Keeping a Shih Tzu

Those looking to buy a Shih Tzu puppy in Scotland, should know that it will cost between £400 and £1000 to buy a well-bred puppy. Owners should always ask to visit the breeder in person to see where the puppy has been bred and the health of its mother and the litter before buying any dog.

Sharing your life with a Shih Tzu could cost you between £50 and £100 per month. This includes vaccinations, food, insurance and neutering your new friend.