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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

New puppy is just too quiet..

20 replies

GoingtobeRuth · 12/03/2013 07:41

It is a very long time since I had a puppy - our last 3 dogs have been rescues.
We picked up our 8 week shih tzu x jr yesterday and he is sleeping all the time.
He has been wormed but has not had first jab (booked Friday) he is a little snuffly but not chesty, is drinking water but has had very little food (literally two mouthfuls since 2pm yesterday)
Several wees which is good (on paper too which is very good)
He didn't squeak at all last night in fact it looked like he had left his bed for a pee but nothing else had moved.

I think I should take him to the vet today, he definitely came from family pets, he is used to people and I did expect him to be playing a little rather than sleeping all if the time

Can I have a reality check/advice please?

OP posts:

thegriffon · 12/03/2013 08:26

Good idea to get any new puppy checked ASAP even if they seem well in case there's a problem that's been missed, e.g. heart defect. Reputable breeders would have pup back if it had something serious.

blinkedandmissedit · 12/03/2013 10:24

Hopefully all ok but if you are worried best to get him checked. Our puppy was ten weeks when we got her as she's from rescue but still slept a lot then

ExpatAl · 12/03/2013 10:27

Puppies do tend to sleep a lot. Mine have always had a mad few moments zooming all over the place and then zonk out again.

digerd · 12/03/2013 11:16

Was the puppy lively when you saw it with its litter siblings?
You only got him yesterday and is still so young to be taken away from mum and siblings. Could be a sensitive little soul.

Pollykitten · 12/03/2013 11:20

My dog (now 10) was in a low way for about 48 hours after we picked him up - same thing with little food etc. I think they miss their mums to start with poor scraps. If he isn't better in a day or two, I second the vet.

digerd · 12/03/2013 11:21

The snuffling is worrying though.

marmite69 · 12/03/2013 11:29

Our puppy was 12 weeks when we got him and for at least two weeks only came out of his crate to eat,drink and wee!

We put a big stuffed dog in with him and he just snuggled up with that, was just adjusting to a new environment I think.

He is 3 now and is very yappy lively now

ExpatAl · 12/03/2013 11:30

shih tzus snuffle anyway don't they? They have great characters.
I think just make sure he's warm and cosy because he'll be used to snuggling up with other warm furry bodies and let him sleep his stress off.

DeepRedBetty · 12/03/2013 11:32

One of my staff collected her own new puppy at just seven and a half weeks, it took about 10 days for him to start really engaging with his new life, but he's a little cracker now (2 months later).

digerd · 12/03/2013 13:23

ExpatAL
The pup is a cross with a Jack Russell, and they have long muzzles.

ExpatAl · 12/03/2013 13:29

digerd, the OP said that it's a shiz tzu pup.

ExpatAl · 12/03/2013 13:30

Oh, sorry, just seen the x jr.

Still, depends on what characteristics the dog has inherited.

digerd · 12/03/2013 15:40

Yes.
This cross is very popular, but the 2 breeds are completely different, and ones I have seen look more like the JR than a Shitzu. But in each litter they could all be a different.
At least the sizes are similar. It does depend on the how the genes mix and which breed/dog has the dominant ones, I suppose.

It is the different bites that worry me - Shitzu is undershot and JR is the usual scissor bite.

Original poster

GoingtobeRuth · 13/03/2013 19:27

Thank you everyone, Bertie has been to the vet been thoroughly checked and is fine
The vet checked his nose for typical shih issues but the 1/4 jr has lengthened his nose a bit and the snuffles will reduce as he grows up.
No temperature, no joint issues and she checked his jaw in case of over/under bite issues and she said he has the best of both breeds
Today he has brightened up considerably and has bounced around a little, such a sweet little thing
Just need to stop him having a poo in my slipper and all will be good...

OP posts:

YouveCatToBeKittenMe · 13/03/2013 20:12

I also have a Jack Shit (that's my official not-so designer name for him )

Mine is 4 and half months now
He is lovely but quite naughty!

digerd · 14/03/2013 08:38

Is Jack Shit looking like a Shit - a bundle of fur with a button nose, or a Jack with short hair and pointed nose?

digerd · 14/03/2013 08:58

That is good news about his bite. Laughed at him pooing in your slippers !!
When you haven't got them on make sure they are out of his reach.
Breeders use paper training for puppies.

I bought a 2 year-old Lhasa Apso 2.5 months ago, and put newspaper down at night, just incase, and she did it in the night at first.

She also wouldn't eat or drink much for the first week or 2, but fine now.

She is similar to a Shitzu, but very quiet in the house and never barks.
Her best friend is a Jack Russell.

YouveCatToBeKittenMe · 14/03/2013 09:55

mine looks like digerd's first option....which seems to be the shit bit rather than the jack , he looks like a jack when he is wet.

Original poster

GoingtobeRuth · 15/03/2013 19:12

He is going to be a 90mph mop head
With only 1/4 jack I guess there is going to have the attitude but looks 100% like his pure breed Shih
I thought about the grooming costs after we met him, too late for serious thoughts then lol

OP posts:

digerd · 15/03/2013 19:29

My Lhasa is fully grown but cut very short in a puppy clip.
Her coat is so thick on her legs, and the main problems are front joint to foot and same at the back for matting, so get him used to being combed with a wide tooth comb, starting from the outer hairs and move towards the thicker fur by the skin. Hold the skin with other hand so it doesn't pull and hurt.
Also the thick neck hair is best without a collar indoors as can also matt it.

Good luck.

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