Who is the Shih Tzu, the perfect dog for? Many people often love the look of these dogs but do not realize how physically limited this breed is.
Shih Tzus simply cannot exercise for too long, run very far, or even stay outside for extended periods in hot weather.
Shih Tzus are highly susceptible to heatstroke in hot weather, and they do not like the cold, which is ironic because their ancestors originated from the cold weather of the mountains of Tibet. However, today Shih Tzus are not bred as dense as their past relatives were.
Shih Tzus are The Perfect Dog for a Couch Potato
If you are a couch potato, your Shih Tzu will be your happy and wholehearted friend, companion, and armchair pal. Also, if you want to watch sports all day, your Shih Tzu will be more than glad to help you cheer for your favorite team just as well. These dogs will be more than happy to lounge on the lazy-boy with you and be pampered all day.
One exception to the rule is the competition, Shih Tzu. Very few Shih Tzu owners train their dogs to compete in obedience (a highly ready for action sport that measures how well a dog can follow instructions), or agility (a super-dynamic obstacle course sport). However, these athletic Shih Tzus are few and far between and will have to be obtained via a specialized breeder.
Therefore, if you are a professional or amateur athlete and want an exercise companion, please consider a sporting or herding breed instead.
