If you’re in the market for a cute and cuddly dog, you might want to give the Shitzu a look. They’re no other dogs in my opinion that’s cuddlier than a Shitzu; they’re small little dogs with a lot of fur that makes them soft and cuddly to the touch. Women love this breed; it might have something to do with all that hair. You can brush the Shitzu’s hair all day long as well as put little accessories in their hair. However, I’m sure that they’re some men out there that don’t mind having a Shitzu around, but generally men are more interested in more muscular dogs that enjoy doing outdoor activities. Good luck trying to get a Shitzu to fetch anything but your lap.
This breed is so cuddly that if you’re not careful you could mistake it for a stuffed toy that you see in the stores. However, you’ll be able to tell the difference between the dog and the toy when you see the price tag. First of all, I am not going to get you all worked up about owning a Shitzu only to find out about the price, when you’re all ready to buy. These dogs are not cheap. In fact, they’re not only expensive when it comes to money; they’re also expensive when it comes to time. They’re very high maintenance dogs and will require a lot of attention. Be prepared to spend more than $600. I’ve personally seen these dogs sell for $3500 easy. It depends on where you get the dog. For example, If you purchase from a reputable breeder (recommended), it will cost you more, but if you purchase from a pet shop (not recommended), it could cost you less.
As I mentioned earlier, these dogs are very high maintenance, they need (demand) a lot of attention. They’re very environment sensitive. They’re not outside dogs; you cannot leave a Shitzu outside chained to a fence. They’re very sensitive to heat and will suffer from heat stroke if left out in the heat. They’re also susceptible to certain ailments that are indigenous to the breed such as breathing problems and hip dysplasia. Shitzu’s are very energetic; however, they’d rather just worship you and sit in your lap more than anything.
Like all other dogs, Shitzu’s need to be house-trained, it is best if you accomplish this when they’re still puppies. It’s in your best interest to train your dog as young as possible, especially Shitzu’s! They’re very proud dogs and get bored very easily. This makes them one of the most hard to train dogs.
