Are shih tzus as unhealthy as frenchies

[Letmeout21]

I’ve pretty much narrowed my search down to a shih tzu (or shih poo if I can find a decent breeder)
After ruling out others on my list for reasons such as excessive barking, bad health, bad breeders, too sensitive, or suffers more with seperation anxiety, not great for first time owners ect

Now I’m finding out more about shih tzus breathing issues due to flat face. Is this as bad as French bulldogs as I’d ruled them out early on because of how many health issues they have and I didn’t want a dog that couldn’t go on longer walks or run about due to that.

Are shih tzus on par with frenchie or nowhere near as bad??

Other breeds on list were cavs, cavapoos, mini schnauzers, bichon frise, or a terrier (westie, cairn or border)

We have ended up with a shihtzu puppy 🤦🏻‍♀️. Absolutely wasn't looking for a dog at all but a family friend had bought him and then couldn't actually look after him. He's 13 weeks. Very cute but omg he barks all the time. Barks to say hello, barks to be fed, barks just because he wants to. He will lie upside down and have a little bark conversion with himself. Bonkers. Vets have said he seems pretty healthy as far as they go, but time will tell I suppose.

We have a shih tzu bichon cross and he's lovely. Can't see any reaaon why you'd go for a shih tzu bichon cross over a straight bichon really but it's something to consider if you did like a shih tzu. He's got a lovely face with longer snoot and eyes set into his head rather than bulging.

Our pup doesn't snore or make any noise at all even when tearing around.
Our old jrt snored so loudly though!

We have a Shih Tzu. No health issues, doesn't snore, breathes fine. He is a diva though. HTH

We have a Lhasa JRT cross. Best wee dog we've ever had and we've always had big dogs before. Full of energy. Can run for miles daily. But loves to lounge. Great with our kids, very friendly with other dogs. Not a barker. Not especially obedient, but such a 'good' wee character it doesn't really matter. Devoted to me, absolutely has made her mind up that I'm hers, much to DH annoyance.

Oh-health issue wise; an ingrowing eyelash is about the height of it so far. She's 3.

Whippets are small, very healthy, very elegant couch potatoes... Italian greyhounds are a bit similar but even tinier. Far healthier and less complicated generally than most other small breeds

I have a Shih Tzu and think they are fine touchwood had no health issues so far.

They are a great dog but sometimes a little needy. Mine was fairly easy to train but they can be very stubborn.

Lovely pic @Loveacoseynightin

I grew up with bichon frisées. My mum has always had one or two! Such lovely dogs and have all been really healthy. Very trainable. Happy to walk for maybe 45 mins to an hour when grown. None of them have barked.

Another possible breed that could work for you is a poodle - toy or miniature. I have a toy poodle and he can run and run, but is also a lovely and relaxed companion dog who loves a cuddle. He’s more confident than my older Yorkshire terrier as well. Also they don’t have health issues (as far as I know) and they don’t shed fur all over the place.

However the yapping/squeaking could be a problem but not sure if that’s just mine...

My pure Shih Tzu lived to nearly 15 and had no breathing problems at all apart from the occasional snore at night !
She was like a whippet in the park off her lead and went for very long walks up to the week I lost her.
She was happy with short walks too though, and pottered around her garden.
Brilliant in the car, lovely with children, I wouldn’t have any other breed now.
My neighbour has a FB and it’s a great dog for them so they’d probably say the same

We have the most amazing Cavachon (cavalier/bichon mix), she made herself at the heart of our family from the beginning & always knows her place... She's an absolute dream😍 Loves meeting other dogs

We have a shih tzu bichon cross and he's lovely
Us too. He's absolutely perfect and yes longer nose. Doesn't shed. Lots of energy but loves to snuggle up with you and laze as well. Loves other dogs and people. He really is an absolute dream. Look up Zuchons. Its a bit harder with cross breeds to find good breeders but they are out there

I have a shihtzu Maltese cross - doesn’t have a particularly flat face. He is by far the most “cuddly” dog I’ve ever had and has a great temperament.

On the downside - yes he does bark at everything.

My parents had 3x shi-tzus. I wouldn’t say any of them were overly healthy but they did all live to about 10yo. Think they were on all medication from about 7yo though (frusimide ¿). They all developed heart murmurs from being a few years old and the murmurs got worse as they got older. None of them were the sort of dog who you could take for a decent walk, they’d lag behind and looking back I think they were struggling breathing. One in particular his tongue used to have a blue tinge to it at times.

This is my Zuchon pup

Oh he’s like a mini wolf! ❤️❤️

Mine is a shihtzu cross breed. He is nearly three. We got him from a kennel at 6 months. He had never been Groomed or even brushed. Not a barker and loves other dogs. But he is no athlete. We did a three mile walk yesterday afternoon and he slept all evening. He is sat on my knee now preventing me from doing yoga.

... he has now moved and so I am left with no excuse

I have shih tzu. Pros: great to train, very easy going with children, quiet, affectionate and protective of children, doesn't bite (as was trained) cons: grooming ( especially around eyes as prone to infection), dietary requirements (you have to be careful if not eating anything from the children plates). It doesn't require a lot of exercise, however, long walks we have to carry her as too tired.

Coton de tulear?

We have the most gentle, loving & affectionate cavachon (cavalier/bichon). She is so clever, was toilet trained within a week, had no accidents since she was 10 weeks, isn't a chewer or a barker... 40 minutes walk a day is plenty of her. All the cavachons we meet on our walks are a similar temperment. Our one is quite independent, loves her cuddles with us but is more than happy with her own space also. Look them up. It's hard to come accross a good breeder, we were on a waiting list for ours for 18 months.

As a groomer I see More frenchies with breathing issues than shih tzus and that is saying something when they don't even come in as often!

The nose length can vary so much so avoid a flat face. Often they have the Queen Anne bowed legs so I'd maybe avoid that too.

You can never have any guarantees whatever breed you choose about their over all health but you can definitely keep an eye out for some of the above avoidable pointers.

I wonder how similar zuchons are to shihpoos as shihpoos are high on my list if I can find a breeder. I like the idea of hopefully less of a flat face, so healthier and also the mix with a more intelligent and energetic breed.

@TashieWoo I’ve looked at poodles a lot but they seem too sensitive to deal with my children (8 and a teen but possible sen) and possibly too much energy, seperation anxiety and as you say barking. I love the sound of their temperament in other ways and how easy they are too grown though.

I love cavapoos but again, the breeders are an issue and I’m wary of anything crossed with cavaliers unfortunately because of their health.

I’ll have another look at bichons