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Well you can buy a dog just like you can have a baby but neither will come fully trained
Even a small dog is a huge responsibility. I have a Shih Tzu now and I was able to train it but I had several big dogs before and had to change my methodes. There is something like small dog syndrome (like to dominate, because the are phisically weaker) and big dog syndrome (they are strong enough to obey the rules because they dont want to hurt you).
Moreover, it demands everyday brushing and visiting a groomer once every two months. I have to be very careful with the food because Shih Tzus may be allergic to many products. They are also susceptible to heat strokes so I am careful with long summer walks. I always have a small bowl and a bottle of water in my bag.
I dressed him once when he was a puppy and I was presented a very nice sweater for him. He didnt mind but I feel its a kind of cruelty and dont do that.
What he really should get is a cat! What he is looking for in a dog does not exist and sorry to sound like debbie downer but people like that who treat the dog as if it is the newest toy in their life are the same who are quick to dump off at a shelter. You have to be prepared to put in the work to train your dog properly. Not just potty train. If that is a daunting task.. DO NOT GET A DOG!! I beg of you. Get a cat!! It's not fair to you or the dog if you don't walk in prepared and educated.
Look into pugs!!! They are the sweetest little dogs in the world, you have to be careful about cleaning their folds really good and watching their skin for flare ups but well worth it, mine snores but I think it's cute (yes yes I have already been to the vet and a specialist he is fine) <- anyone who has pugs knows they can potentially need surgery due to their squished faces to correct breathing problems...but he is not yippy like a lot of little dogs, very chill dog, sort of just goes with the flow.
Look into pugs!!! They are the sweetest little dogs in the world, you have to be careful about cleaning their folds really good and watching their skin for flare ups but well worth it, mine snores but I think it's cute (yes yes I have already been to the vet and a specialist he is fine) <- anyone who has pugs knows they can potentially need surgery due to their squished faces to correct breathing problems...but he is not yippy like a lot of little dogs, very chill dog, sort of just goes with the flow.
I have a pug and they are VERY high maintenance. Most pugs do NOT need surgery for their small nares or elongated soft palate. They grow into their noses. But the do shed like the dickens. They have to have A/C in the summer, have eye issues such as pigmentary keratitis which requires medication that costs me about $400/year not including the veterinary ophthalmologist visits and are also prone to hip dysplasia.
And like all small dogs they are also more prone to have luxated patellae (kneecaps). I do not recommend a pug for someone who is not willing to put in the time or money required to maintain these dogs. They're more delicate than first impressions would indicate.
Don't get me wrong - I LOVE my pug. But I went into getting a pug completely informed about their needs regarding eyes, hot weather tolerance, hips and knees. Not to mention pug dog encephalitis, a fatal nervous system disease that strikes young pugs.
Last edited by Viralmd; 08-10-2009 at 05:34 AM..
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