Will a Shih Tzu Be Good With My Kids? Everything You Want to Know! (Vet-Reviewed)
Shih Tzus are adorable dogs that are sometimes thought of as high-maintenance pets that may not be ideal for homes with children or more active households. However, this is often a misconception about the breed.
Shih Tzus are charming dogs that can be quite adaptable and suitable for a variety of home environments, including with children. If you’re considering adding a Shih Tzu to your family, here’s everything you need to know about having a Shih Tzu in a home with kids.
Do Shih Tzus Like Kids?
Not only are Shih Tzus good with kids, but they’re often considered to be highly kid-friendly dogs. They can be gentle and affectionate, while also enjoying playtime and the occasional romp around the backyard with children. They are gentle and social enough that it’s not uncommon to spot Shih Tzus working as therapy dogs.
Their small size can make them easier to manage than larger dogs when interacting with children or frail or elderly individuals. Shih Tzus are relatively sturdy dogs for their size, though this doesn’t mean children should be allowed to be rough. Many will enjoy gentle, supervised play with kids.
One of the main keys to ensuring a happy relationship between your Shih Tzu and children is to properly socialize your dog. Whether you’re bringing home a puppy or an adult dog, proper socialization and slow, gentle introductions are important. It can be difficult for a dog to adjust to a new environment, and if they have not been socialized, it can be even more stressful.
Be prepared to be patient and ensure the entire household is on board with the plan for integration into the family.
Is It Safe to Keep a Shih Tzu With Kids?
The main thing to consider when selecting a Shih Tzu as the breed to have with your kids is how gentle your kids will be with the dog. No dog should be subjected to inappropriate handling by children, including hitting, tail and ear pulling, climbing on, and so on.
While they may be sturdier than many of their small-breed counterparts, they are still small dogs that can be injured if handled too roughly by children. They also may nip or bite if they feel threatened or are being hurt or mishandled by children.
Your kids should be thoroughly taught proper boundaries, respect, and handling for the dog before you ever bring it home, and small children must never be left unattended with your Shih Tzu. Leaving rough or small kids alone with your dog sets your dog up for failure and your children or dog up for injury.
Conclusion
Shih Tzus are often regarded as kid-friendly dogs. They are intelligent, trainable, loyal, gentle, and playful pups that are adaptable and suitable for a home with children. Proper handling from the kids is necessary, though, and ensuring your dog is given a slow, gentle introduction to their new home can help set everyone up for success.
If your new Shih Tzu feels frightened or stressed during their introduction to the home or socialization period, it may make bonding with your children more challenging at first.
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Featured Image Credit: Pressmaster, Shutterstock
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Brooke Billingsley spent 9 years as a veterinary assistant before becoming a nurse in 2013. She lives in Arkansas with her boyfriend, and loves all animals; currently sharing a home with three dogs, two cats, five fish, and two snails. She has a soft spot for special needs animals and has a three-legged senior dog and an internet famous cat with acromegaly and cerebellar hypoplasia. Fish keeping has become a hobby of Brooke’s and she is continually learning how to give her aquarium pets the best life possible. Brooke enjoys gardening and keeps a vegetable garden during the summer months. She stays active with yoga and obtained her 200-hour yoga teacher certification in 2020. She hosts a podcast focusing on folklore and myth and loves spending her free time researching and writing. Brooke believes that every day is an opportunity for learning and growth and she spends time daily working toward new skills and knowledge.
