Shih Tzu, Havanese or Toy Poodle??

[BlueRaspberry7]

I've researched for many months to whittle our breed shortlist down to these 3 - removing cockapoos and Cavapoos along the way - having learnt of behavioural issues eg. SA.

I wfh, go on 2 short daily walks and have a private garden, have a husband who also wfh half the week, two young teens and 3 cats, and rarely travel.

Can anyone please advise which breed would be best suited to us as first time dog owners?

All the ones I've come across have been friendly

My Shih Tzu isn't aggressive at all but is very much a family person! Slightly hates everybody else...

Our Shih tzu was wonderful. Calm, confident and super easy going.

Now have a Havanese and she's lovely. Sweet and placid.

We got the Havanese used to being left alone from as soon as we took her home (shorter periods initially). I've read on here some people don't leave their puppy alone at all for the first few weeks, which seems like a recipe for SA.

Our Havanese has been healthy so far, but he is only 7. One good thing is that they are fussy eaters so don't go around eating mince pies etc which cause other dog owners big bank holiday vet bills! They do change colour, but it is pretty easy to tell which ones will stay dark.

I think you are thing of Maltese, not Havanese.

i have a Lowchen, closely related to the Havanese. She is a hilarious delight.

I have a wonderful Shih tzu.He's my best friend.Toilet trained easily, not very barky.Doesn't like walking much, doesn't like rain, won't walk in the rain.
He's very brave thinks he's much bigger than he is.

Havanese can be white too. They often change colour in their first year as well.

I have a Shih Tzu & theres 3 other similar ones on my estate. I didn’t choose him, he was homeless at 2 & he is absolutely the BEST in every single way. Loving, funny, clever & everything in between. He adores me & my little girl, plays with us like we’re his litter mates, I absolutely trust him, he’s just the best in every single way.

Oh my word! I thought it was just me that had a walk hating, rain hating Shih Tzu! Theyre the best!😍

I have a toy poodle. He is a bit barky but he is so affectionate. He is my world and I am his person . So based on nothing more scientific than that I heartily recommend poodles

I cannot recommend shit tzus enough. I am a first time dog owner with primary aged children and my dog is the cutest, snuggliest, best behaved dog.

The breed is prone to barking at everything but mine is okay, he's very active in guarding the house but is great with other dogs (make sure you socialise then early), he's great with kids, cats and is generally a great dog!

Shih tzus don't tend to need really long walks but my dog can go on long ones if we decide to go out on a day out.

Shih tzus not shit haha.

I know they can be, and I know about colour change - but the poster I responded to said they are generally white, which is not true.

Join a FB group about each of them and see what complaints come up time and again. We have a minature labradoodle, was going for a cavapoo but read about SA. Ours was great by about 15 months.

We have a miniature poodle and she is wonderful. I’ve had dogs before, so I was dreading the puppy stage but she’s been incredibly easy. Poodles are very intelligent, keen to learn and very agreeable. She’s the perfect dog.

Does your Shih tzu pretend to be a fur rug when out walking?I look down and I'm dragging him along he's stopped walking.Sometimes if mine's had enough he lies flat and won't walk anymore.Some of the neighbours call him the dog who doesn't walk.He will walk and can be fast but, it must be interesting for him.
Shih tzus can be stubborn.
He's also a bit of a Houdini, opens doors climbs stairs, get out of his lead to folllow me into a shop.
Quite a fun dog , makes me laugh a lot.

Perhaps they are afraid of the bigger dogs.
My Shihtzu who is really a little friendly love, was attacked by a large dog who was not on a lead.
My daughter who was alone managed to hold him up and away from the other dog.(Which is aparently the wrong thing to do.) He nows barks aggresively at this particular dog who we see often and others like him.

We have a shih tzu. He’s fabulous. Never barks (always ignored any barking from day 1), never chews any thing. Not remotely food obsessed so more tricky to train, but got there with recall. Very loving. Great with other dogs. He’s the best decision we made. As others have said - he’s expensive to groom (every 7-8 weeks).

I have go tell you from my experience Poodles, Shihtzu and Havernese have all got lovely traits.
My Shih tzu has an eye problem though, but he's a wonderful friend.I also have a poodle mix, she's really cuddily came from a rescue, like the previous poster said trys to please.

These dog breads need to have their fur/hair cut regularly.I go every 2 months.I have a friend who does it herself.

Two short walks and a garden translates as very little exercise.

What about a stuffed toy instead?

It's lovely to hear an thirst Shih Tzu recommendations.

As a pp said (thanks!) I've joined owner Facebook groups for each breed. The Shih owners seem very happy and there are very very few behavioural problem posts - a few about health issues, though.

I'll research this of course, but what are the essential genetic health tests that should be done when breeding Shih's?

Have you seen the size of the breeds that the OP is talking about? They don't require that much exercise so 2 short walks and stimulation from the garden is plenty.

He absolutely does🤣 it doesn’t matter if he’s in the middle of the road, if he doesn’t want to walk, he just stops! He’s well known round here as I have to carry him. He also likes to choose the route we walk🙄 He’s also deaf if I ask him to do something but surprisingly, he can hear a crisp packet opening over 3 fields away🤣. He’s so fun & amazing though & my DD & I will need bereavement therapy when he goes.

Poodle owner here. Here to tell you they are very clever little dogs, highly trainable and very affectionate. Downsides are they need regular grooming (can be expensive) lots of mental stimulation (can be exhausting) and prone to ear and eye issues.

Thanks @Icedlatteofdreams

Am choosing not to engage with that poster's judgemental comment.

We've done research into the breeds that best suit our lifestyle and that we can offer a happy life.