The Shih Tzu is a breed that leaves anyone enchanted, and it is not for less. Known for being docile, friendly and a great companion, this little dog gives full meaning to that famous expression that says that "the dog is man's best friend". So, when we talk about the Shih Tzu, the affectionate personality is one of its greatest qualities, as well as its independence. However, even though it ispopular, the breed often has its intelligence questioned - but we already say that yes, the Shih Tzu is smart!

If you want to know more about living with the Shih Tzu, characteristics and temperament of the breed, we are here to help you. Read the following article about the breed and find out why Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso are very different when it comes to personality, intelligence and habits!

The Shih Tzu is an intelligent but scattered dog

For those who live with a Shih Tzu, intelligent personality is noticed in the details of everyday life, but raises many questions because of the difficulty the breed has in learning certain commands. This is usually more noticeable during training, but it is not something to worry about: with the right tricks, it is entirely possible to train the Shih Tzu breed dog.

The tip is to be patient: it is common for the dog to have a little more difficulty concentrating and staying focused. Therefore, the training commands may need to be repeated several times until they respond, but it's all about persistence! For those who like faster results, using positive reinforcement - such as treats - always helps. In addition, there are some things that the ShihTzu can learn more easily, such as:

• Where to go to the toilet;
• The right place to eat, eat and sleep;
• Playing games (like catching the ball);

More specific commands - such as sit, lie down or roll over - require a little more focus from the breed, which tends to be very dispersed. So patience and persistence are the key words!

Shih Tzu: breed personality has a hint of stubbornness

The Shih Tzu is intelligent, but stubborn! This trait is one of the reasons why the dog of the breed can not always learn tricks and commands quickly, requiring several repetitions until he gets the hang of it. The stubbornness along with the natural dispersion of the Shih Tzu makes the training sessions last longer than other breeds. Among the "stubborn" behaviors of the Shih Tzu, there areEven though it is small, this is a dog that can bark considerably, as we will see later.

Shih Tzu characteristics involve a lot of loyalty and companionship

All dog breeds have specific characteristics that need to be taken into account before purchase or adoption. In the case of the Shih Tzu, they are extremely companionable and loyal - which can serve as a source of inspiration when choosing the best names for Shih Tzu. The Shih Tzu chooses the owner, who will be his "favorite" person and with whom he will have more affinity,requiring a little more attention on a daily basis.

As they love to play and have a lot of energy, they are also super suitable for families with children, but they do not need to be in constant movement. In fact, because of their flattened snout, they may have a little difficulty breathing, so it is good to avoid very long and heavy exercises.

The Shih Tzu is one of the best dogs for apartments

For those looking for good options for apartment dogs, the Shih Tzu has everything to win your heart! In addition to being present, docile and attached to their owners, they also know how to manage very well on their own and, therefore, can handle being away from their guardians for a few hours without major problems. There is an explanation behind this behavior of the Shih Tzu: the independent personality of the Shih Tzu.race!

The Shih Tzu is among the most independent of dog breeds, so they don't need company all the time to be fine. They are hardly ever bored, and always find a way to have fun. But that doesn't mean you should leave your Shih Tzu alone all the time, okay?! They also need attention in their free time.

Shih Tzu: temperament of the breed is marked by barking

Despite being an intelligent dog breed, the Shih Tzu is a puppy that is not as quiet as other breeds. It will never bark for nothing, of course, but it is important to keep in mind that barking will be part of the routine with some frequency (no matter what the Shih Tzu's colors are). This is because one of the main personality traits of the Shih Tzu is that this puppy isAny novelty or strange situation will have the dog barking as an attempt to warn you that something is wrong. With training, it is possible to correct this.

Shih Tzu puppy: play and walks

The Shih Tzu is far from being a very agitated or destructive breed. On the contrary: when it comes to the Shih Tzu, the dog breed is very quiet and calm. Because they are brachycephalic dogs, like the English and French Bulldog, these dogs are not so willing and require little physical activity. High intensity exercises should be avoided, mainly because of the limitations that the Shih Tzu has.However, this should not be a reason for the Shih Tzu not to exercise, as a sedentary lifestyle can also be a problem.

The Shih Tzu is playful and should be encouraged to move around in everyday life with low-impact activities. Throwing a ball for him to fetch, for example, is a great way to do this, but there are also other games that can be inserted into the routine, such as hide and seek, tug-of-war, obstacle course, chase-race and offer interactive dog toys.

The Shih Tzu's relationship with children, the elderly, strangers and other pets

The sociability of the Shih Tzu is very high: if he is used to other people and animals from an early age, he will be able to get along very well with different types of company. See below how the Shih Tzu dog breed coexists separated by groups:

Shih Tzu relationship with children - If you're wondering if the Shih Tzu likes children, the answer is yes! This is a breed that gets along very well with the little ones and they have everything to be best friends. With a docile and friendly way, the Shih Tzu knows how to relate well with the little ones and gets attached quickly.

Shih Tzu's relationship with the elderly - The Shih Tzu is a great dog for seniors. Because they are calmer and less agitated dogs, they do not need to leave the house often and adapt well to the home environment. In addition, they have a calm temperament and only need a lot of love and affection from their guardians, making them great partners for seniors.

Shih Tzu's relationship with strangers - If socialized from an early age, Shih Tzu are super friendly even with those they don't know. This means that the puppy won't have any problems or resistance with visitors. But for this, it is important to socialize the breed in the first few months, or the Shih Tzu barking may arise!

Relationship of the Shih Tzu with other animals - The Shih Tzu is very affable with other animals, especially if they are used to it from a young age. They hardly find other dogs and pets strange, and they get along very well even with cats. Therefore, you will not face great difficulties in socializing the Shih Tzu dog with other pets!

Shih Tzu: dog breed needs to be trained the right way

Even if many doubt the intellectual capacity of the Shih Tzu, dog breeds always prove us wrong! Shih Tzu can learn, but they need to be educated correctly. That is, do not punish or punish your pet because he made a mistake or did not do what you asked.

The best way to teach your dog right from wrong is through positive training, which means rewarding your Shih Tzu every time it does something right, whether it's with treats, toys, affection or words of encouragement. These rewards create a positive association in your dog's mind, and it will repeat the commands until a time when the rewards are no longer necessary,because it will do it automatically.

Life with a Shih Tzu puppy is usually pretty peaceful

Precisely because he is very docile and companionable, the Shih Tzu is a puppy that will not give you much trouble or a life full of adventures, since, in addition, he is very obedient and calm. Behavior that deviates from this pattern may mean that he is experiencing difficulties with different causes, ranging from the accumulation of energy to separation anxiety, if he stays too longStay alert and at the sign of any abnormality, be sure to visit the vet!