wanda573
missouri
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Joined: 05/31/2006
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Hi,
I want a "little pal" for home and camping. All the shih tzu's that I meet at campgrounds seem to have such really sweet personalities? I've read what they say about the breed in general, but nothing like talking to someone who has one. So if you have one, are they as sweet as they act and look? Thanks for your help.
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Alpenliter
Fulltimer: Wherever we are!
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Joined: 04/10/2005
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Wanda, we have a 3 year old Shihtzu that was a rescue dog. We have had her for about a month, and despite the abuse she suffered when she was found, she has adopted us with all her heart. She isn't a yapper, sleeps with us all night with no problem, and loves people. Our Molly is a great traveler and companion. While at Quartzsite this year I counted dozens of RVers with this breed. Good luck!
My first Wife Linda, 45+years
2004 F-450 CC, DRW 6.0 Classy Chassis Upgrade
Bulletproof Diesel upgrades
1997 33' Alpenlite
400 Watts Solar
Lifetime Good Sam Member #39644174
Escapees SKP#89882
Vietnam Vet '67-'68
Extreme Makeover RV Style!
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Ramblin Recks
GA
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Joined: 01/16/2011
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We had our shih tzu "Princes" for 12 years. She was not a barker but a licker! She was a great lapdog that was always where she was supposed to be, if not on our lap she was right behind our feet. Keeping her coat was a pain,if we didn't keep her in a puppy cut her hair would mat quickly. She was a great dog and companion.
George and Ann
2008 Toyota Sequoia, prodigy, Dual Cam Hitch
2008 Keystone Springdale 291RK
Retired Army, but still working....until 2015
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rv2go
Fulltime (Knoxville, TN).... or someplace else
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Joined: 12/26/2000
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We have friends that have 2 and I believe that they are the best RV dogs that I have been around. If I were to have a dog, that the breed that I would want.
Winnebago Journey
TN Lic. RV 2 GO
Jeep Cherokee 4x4
www.rv2go.us
I'm here #4335
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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Joined: 07/10/2002
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Take advice from the Dog Whisperer and take inventory of what kind of dog is best for your lifestyle. For example an elderly lady probably should have a German Shepherd and a very active person shouldn't have a dog that just wants to sit around. Don't pick a dog because they are cute. Once you pick the breed go to the kennel and pick out the one of that breed that seems to like you and you him.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
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Deetour
Washington
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Joined: 06/01/2011
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A friend asked me to care for one "just for a month" and then really wanted me to keep it permanently.
When the month was up I couldn't wait to get rid of that nasty little dog. It had a nervous disposition, smelled bad shortly after a bath, hair a mess, etc.
Sorry, but if it isn't a German Shepard, we don't want it.
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Code2High
One hour past Nowhere, CA
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Joined: 12/21/2004
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They show up in shelters quite a lot and are commonly produced in puppy mills. So please consider looking for a rescue/shelter dog to adopt!
They don't shed, but they do need regular grooming and unless you make a study of it, that will have to be paid for every few weeks. In between, brushing will be required to prevent matting as the coat grows in. That's just something to be aware of. No shedding is nice in an rv, but professional grooming does require money and time as well.
susan
You know, there's really quite a lot to be said for having your life turned upside down!
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Pawz4me
North Carolina
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Joined: 06/05/2007
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We added an 11-week old Shih Tzu pup (from a very good breeder) to our family back in November. He's now a little over five months old.
I'm a huge advocate of rescue (including volunteering lots of my time to a local rescue group), but given our particular situation at this time we felt a puppy from a reputable breeder would be the best choice for us.
Yogi is incredibly smart, incredibly cute and loving. The breed, especially males, has a reputation for being difficult to house train, but I haven't found that to be true. With the use of puppy pads he's been no more difficult to house train than the other pups I've had or fostered.
So far the only time he barks is when he's playing. He's absolutely not inclined to sit at the front door and bark at people walking by (although sometimes that comes with maturity so it's something that will need monitoring for awhile).
He rides very well in the car and in the RV, very content to hang out in his crate.
The cuteness is a double-edged sword. He knows how to use it to his advantage and will throw on the charm when he knows he's been a little naughty. So you have to steel yourself to enforce the rules and not be suckered in.
Grooming is an issue. Yogi needs a thorough brushing and combing at least every other day, and when his adult coat starts coming in he'll need it daily. To keep him looking his best he needs a complete grooming about every six weeks, and at least one bath in between full grooms. The full grooms could probably be stretched out to every seven or eight weeks, but I'm kind of a stickler about having my dogs look nice. I plan on eventually doing it myself, but prefer to pay someone to do it while he's in the wiggly puppy stage.
Their faces, unless trimmed short, usually need washing at least every other day since they tend to collect food and other stuff (leaves and grass from the yard, etc). Many people use water bottles with Shih Tzus to keep their hair dry when drinking (constantly wet hair can cause red staining over time). On our breeders recommendation we did try that, but since we have another dog and two cats, Yogi quickly let us know that he much preferred drinking out of their bowls. So we keep an old towel or wash cloth handy and wipe his face after drinking.
Me and the DH 
Two boys and two dogs (and two cats who prefer to stay home)
2008 Forest River Georgetown 350DS (bunkhouse model)
2001 Honda CR-V
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nabi
Ont
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Joined: 04/24/2010
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I think Pawz4me gave sound sound advice....I see lots of S/Tzus in my visiting nursing job and if they aren't groomed they are a mess...and uncomfortable...other than the maintenance required I find them to be adorable little creatures...very easy going and clever...I noticed a lot of them when we were camping last fall...
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cm
Dillon, CO USA
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Joined: 08/01/2002
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My neighbor has had three. The first was a female and her personality was sometimes more like a cat than a dog. But she did not bark. She was killed in his yard by a Coyote.
They were going to get one dog to replace her. His wife showed us pictures of two males in a breeder's litter when they were 8 weeks old. At one of our car guys meetings we told her get both. They will "keep each other company".
They are 1 1/2 years old. Their personalities are completely different from the female. The runt of the litter got named first. His name is "Trouble" and it fits him. And at times they are yappers. Especially when a stranger comes by or other dogs are around.
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