Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso or something else?

[DearShirt]

Firstly, I am looking around the rescues as I'd like to rehome a rescue dog, but I'd also like to get a bit breed specific as we have some particular requirements. I have seen rescues of both breeds. I am willing to wait for the right dog.

I have three DC aged 6 to 4 and I'd also like the possibility down the line of a cat or two, so the dog needs to be good with children and other animals.

My friend has both a lhasa and a shih tzu and they are both very quiet, friendly, patient dogs, which is exactly what I want.

DP is after a cockerpoo but I want to be a bit more sure what we're getting temperament wise.

Don't want anything huge or untrainable - I had a cocker which was an absolute handful even as an older dog, food obsessed, crap recall, barking etc.

The dog will go to work with DP in the daytime so will be out and about a lot as he works outdoors and indoors in different places. We'd like to go on longish walks at the weekends with the kids.

The less hair they shed the better although we don't have any allergies.

Can anyone advise which might be the dog for us?

TIA

I've no experience with either breed. I do, however, think that a papillon could also fit the bill - small, good with kids, very trainable (often used in agility), tougher than they look - they're fine with long walks but aren't destructive if they have shorter walks. No breed specific health problems. Being good with cats or not is more of an individual thing, but there's no real prey drive. Only thing is they are long haired and do moult, but I think both Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus do too?

Fairly rare breed, but there is a breed rescue and they do periodically show up in normal rescues too. I'd have another in a heartbeat.

I'm sure someone with a more useful answer about the breed you are actually thinking of will turn up soon!

Interesting, I don't anything about Papillons so I'll definitely have a look.

I was always one for spaniels/labs but frankly with three young kids I could do without the bounciness and food obsessions.

Papillions were originally known as continental toy spaniels op. You can get a drop eared version known as a phalene. They look just like mini spaniels.

I used to show papillions growing up as my mother bred them. Such beautiful dogs, with very sweet loving natures. They are definitely tougher than they look though and love long walks. They do shed however (then again so does the Shih Tzu I have now) as they have long hair. They have no undercoat though, so a brush through once a day keeps it in order.

Having said that...my Shih Tzu is the most adorable dog I've ever owned. So devoted and sweet. She loves people and other dogs. Loves a good walk, but also loves just snoozing under the duvet. They are a fantastic breed. Her coat does take a lot of looking after though. I keep it fairly long and it's definitely high maintenance. You can always clip them of course to keep life easier.

You couldn't go wrong with either breed imo

My Shih Tzu also has fab recall (although I worked hard when she was little to establish it) They have a reputation for being stubborn, but my girl isn't at all!

Wow thanks for that, I'm even more excited now!

I've a shitzu Lhasa cross puppy and he is a friendly happy dog and very cute! We're first time dog owners and so far he's been a dream.

Hi I’m also a shin tzu owner and she absolutely loves my two DDs and is the best behaved, most affectionate dog ever. She was super easy to house train, never wanders off and is nice and quiet. She loves a play and we walk about 5 miles 6 times a week and 10 miles on the other day. Equally when I have been ill and unable to walk that far she is quite happy just to lay around.

I can also leave her alone and she is good as gold on the odd occasion I have left her all day. She als regularly does hilarious things :)

Forgot to say I have her trimmed every 8 weeks, costs £30 to have that including anal glands cleared if necessary and nails clipped.

She doesn’t moult in between and is easy to keep clean.

I don't think you can go wrong with a Cavalier. I have two at the moment, they are so lovable, and extremely patient with my four year old niece. I also have a cat, they don't bother her at all, in fact they are all curled up asleep at the moment. My choice of breed will always be the Cavalier, but not the ones with the squashed nose, I prefer those with a proper muzzle. Good luck, I'm sure you will find the perfect breed.

Get a mini schnauzer! Non-shedding, loving, sweet matured and happy to join in with whatever you’re doing whether that’s running a marathon or having a snooze! My old boy loves other dogs, kids, cats, hamsters, horses, just everyone.

I was in a similar position.

I was open to papillon, Yorkshire terrier, chinese crested, poodle, any of those small breeds. For the reasons above, tough, long or short walks, trainable. Probably would have considered a westie or a cairn too.

Got a yorkie in the end and he’s fab.

One word of warning- these dogs are very, very popular in rescue. Most rescues don’t operate waiting lists, it’s a case of constantly checking the websites and shelters, filling in your application form and being ready to drop everything to be first to visit and reserve the dog. It’s basically first come first served, you reserve the dog, then they do home checks etc. We waited 2 years and never got any nearer to getting a dog, despite being suitable for nearly a dozen- we’d arrange a visit, then get a call saying someone else had been there that morning and reserved it. I was beginning to feel pressured- i knew if we ever got to meet a dog i’d feel pressured to reserve it there and then or we’d be another few years waiting for another chance.

The only charity i did find was in the east midlands- angel small paws dog rescue, they’re on fb. They do the home checks first, then when you see a dog you like you ask to be added to it’s file. When it’s been assessed and ready to be rehomed they go through all the applications and select on suitability.

I ended up getting our yorkie via a different means- a (reputable!) show breeder had one with a medical issue and agreed to let us have him once he was neutered, she couldn’t sell him or show him, and he needed the “right” home.

I have a Mini Schnauzer too and she is great with kids, but she is also mad as a box of frogs and no way could she co-habit with a cat and her recall is either fab or it isn't, depending on the distractions on offer, nothing on earth will get her back from a squirrel!

I'd love a Papillon so in your shoes I'd be looking at them 😄😄