Hi! I have a Shih Tzu that is 1yr. and I'm considering getting
another puppy. I have always loved the look of Poms.& Yorkies.
What do you think? Should I get another Tzu or get her a playmate
of a different breed?
If you have a toy could you please give me the pros & cons of your breed.
Thank You.

Sorry about my foot.LOL This is Jouet...I love her dearly.

I know I do not post here on a regular basis...but doesn't
anyone have an opinion on this subject...I'm sure people on this site have
toy dogs.

[Lara's mom]

I have a shorty jack russell. She weighs 14 pounds. I'm not sure if she would be considered a toy breed. She is smaller than my friends Pomeranian.

Anyway, to answer your question, this is not a breed for everybody. They are notoriously stubborn, difficult to train and "every inch a terrier." They have endless energy. On the other hand, they are very intelligent, make wonderful loyal companions, and once their energy has been expended, love to cuddle. This is a breed that requires a fair amount of time. They become very bonded to "their human" and want to be with you all the time. They are so much fun to be with!

Thank you for replying. Spending a lot of time is not a problem.
I have C.D....so I'm home a lot...but my energy levels fluctuate.
I want a dog that's fine with more inside exercise than long walks.
Also a breed that will not pass 10-13#...under 10# would also be
great.

[Lara's mom]

I have a friend who has two little teacup yorkies. They are absolutely adorable. They can pretty well get most of their exercise just running around the house playing with their toys. The problem though is that they're so small, I'm always terrified I'll step on one of them. Whenever I'm over at her place, I shuffle my feet and try not to pick them off the ground, just in case!!!

In looking for a toy breed make sure you do not buy from a breeder who sells "teacup" dogs. There is no such thing as a teacup yorkie, maltese, poodles or any other breed. Often these teacups are the result of breeding undersize runts to undersize runts and produce tiny puppies that are rittled with health problems and have very short life spans. All the "teacup" dogs I groom are extremely unhealthy! I used to groom a 2.5 lb. "teacup" Yorkie. She was 3 years old had arthritis, cataracts and skin problems and looked like she was about 14! Just a word fo warning.

I would recommend visiting a local dog show where you can see all the breeds and talk to breeders and owners about the pros, cons and care requirements.

Make sure the breeder you buy from is a member of their breed's parent club (ie: Yorkshire Terrier Club of America), many good breeders are also members of area breed clubs.

FYI: a breeder who says they are a member of the AKC is a red flag... individuals cannot become AKC members, only clubs. Individuals can register dogs with AKC.

[Lara's mom]

Yikes!!! I didn't know that! Those tiny little dogs have gotten very popular due to certain celebrities who carry them around like fashion accessories. How awful to think that people would breed in a way that they know will produce unhealthy dogs. Some people will do anything for the almighty dollar! Thank you for the information.

That is why it is so important to get a dog from a quality breeder and not a pet shop, puppy mill or backyard breeder.

Thank you for the info...I live on an Island in The Bahamas...
dogs shows/dog rescues are not possible...not for a toy dog.
I have 3 mutts that I rescued but they need a little more exercise
than I am capable of..although I do try.
My property is 1/2 an acre and they seem happy..along with trips to the beach.
This is the reason for another toy...I will have to buy it from S.Florida
..so if you know of a good breeder in that area you can let me know.
Does anyone know about Poms or Maltese.etc...I think they are all
under 10#?

I raise chihuahuas but they are not for everyone. They are wonderful, snuggly, lap dogs, but if you don't train them, they can become yappy, snappy and dominating. It is all up to the new owners. Any breed can be a bad dog if they are not trained right. Chihuahuas are not good for homes with small kids or the elderly unless they want to go through the woes of housetraining, injuries and dealing with the 'big dog' syndrome. However, as far as having a dog for a companion to another, or as a nice lap dog that is unbelievably loyal, I think they are fabulous when trained right.

[jnc_mcguire]

I also have a little chihuahua her name is cheyenne and i also do resuces i have a little male one right now but he will be going to his forever home pretty soon. I named him Raven sidekick. I will miss him when he is gone. I do think that they really make nice pets. They love to lay in your lap and they sure are loveable. When i leave to go to the store and come home they act like that they haven't seen me for a year. They will just jump and turn around and i will asked them did you miss your mommy. They will just keep on jumping up and turning around and wanting me to pick them up. I treat them just like that they are one of the kids.

I have a male Maltease. It is not a breed I'd ever thought about owning, but I'd recently lost my two elder dogs and people were trying to give me a dog. This fella's owner was giving him up because he was staying boarded all the time because of the owner's excess traveling. He was offered to me and I was told he needed a good home & after hearing he had spent most of his life boarded, I took him. The first thing he did was kiss me on the face.

He is wonderful. He is now even going to the office with me when I don't have Court (I'm a lawyer.) He is real sweet to everyone he meets. He loves to kiss and is a real lap dog. His name is Boo. He has not made any mistakes in the house and will even come up and use a distinct cry when he has to go out. I found out by accident that he likes to "sit" and "roll" for a treat. He has a good grasp of words as well. I don't think I have ever had a dog so calm and easy-going. He barks very, very little (I 'd even call him "quiet."); he'll bark in playing and when the doorbell rings. He came only with a little stuffed dog, his "baby" which he is very attached & loyal. He gets it and takes it with him wherever he goes (to bed, the couch, to my office). He'd make a good therapy dog as he'd never bite--never been snappy & is great with children-- he loves small children and lets them tug and pull on him-- stays relaxed. He is not protective of food, toy or treat _- and growls only in play (like a puppy). He likes other dogs and loves our cat. Never meets a stranger. Boo has those beautiful dark eyes of the Maltease.

The difficult thing is his coat. I've had short haired dogs (& so is what I am used to), but this one needs a bath weekly and must be brushed a couple of times a day (more if it is more than 3 days since the bath). His hair grows fast. I have taught myself to believe brushing him is not a chore but a "relaxation technique" for me so sort of like therapy for the soul & I've come to look forward to it (it is all in the mind, a "heaven of hell or a hell of heaven" thing).

I like to walk my dogs, and he is not a big walker-- sometimes he'll take a good walk but he likes to stay in the yard-- he is good about not wandering off while I am feeding the chickens. Oh yeah, he loves golf balls? He will not walk on a leash but stays with you & is obedient (this all goes back to his first couple of years though & what he got accustomed to doing). Boo is now 10 y.o.

Not sure if that is what you wanted to hear. Sorry if TMI.

[Kingsbridge Cav]

I like what i read about the Chi's in above posts. It's not everybody who will admit that their Chi needs different training! Kudos to you!
The Maltese sounds much like my Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, though I have never met a Maltese.
The Cavalier was bred in the palaces of England, France, Scottland as companion dogs to the aristocracy. They spent their days in the lap of a lady and are often referred to as Comfort Spaniels, or Parlor Spaniels. I started with the Cavaliers for therapy dogs while working in a group home for developmentally disabled adults. They have never met a stranger, and prefer the company of people to any other being. Many breeders won't place a Cavalier with a family or single unless they will have someone with them most hours of the day. (Not gone more than 4 or 5 hours at a time.) They are considered a natural breed and grooming is discouraged. I comb or brush mine probably about weekly and only bathe them if they have gone for a romp in the neighbors pasture where they get the chance to roll in anything that may disguise their own scent - if you know what I mean! The coat is so soft that most everyday dirt falls off. They are quiet dogs and do well in an apartment or on a farm. Very versatile as long as they have their companion. The size may be of concern to you. They range from 13-18 pounds, but are still considered a toy breed. My male is 17.5 pounds and fits nicely in my lap!

I'm sure it's obvious that everyone here loves their own breed, but I really researched this one, and am convinced it was a very good choice for therapy, whether for others or for myself!~

Good luck in finding the right dog for you! It's worth the time spent to research it fully!

Thank you all for the replies...would love some
more suggestions.

hi! i currently have 7 shih tzus. I started with one boy (Crumpie) and my boyfriend gave me a girl (Chewy) after about 2 years of my eldest shih tzu being the king of the house. At first he wasn't happy with the idea that he had to share the attention with a new puppy. He got used to her though after 6 months and they had 5 kids. And well, I just had to keep them because they are the most adorable babies in the world. Im partial to shih-tzus so if you're planning to get a playmate for your baby, get another shih tzu