Shih Tzus are cute, fluffy little dogs and most people fall in love with them the moment they lay their eyes on them.
They are friendly and love human companionship but sometimes they can be feisty too.
If you are the proud owner of a Thih Tzu and you are looking to get another one or maybe a different breed companion for your pup, there are some things you might want to consider.
Below we discuss the different types of dog breeds that will make the best companion for your Shih Tzu and if it is a good idea to get another pooch or not.
Do Shih Tzus Get Along With Shih Tzus?
Getting two Shih Tzus together as puppies is probably the best thing you can do. They make the best companions for each other and would love to have a friend to play with. It might be a bit tricky to get two grown-up Shih Tzus to get along with each other. Another good combo is a Shih Tzu puppy and a senior Shih Tzu.
Are Shih Tzus Better In Pairs?
Shih Tzus are social animals and like companionship. They enjoy attention from their human parents and get along well with other Shih Tzus.
Your Shih Tzu will be completely fine on his own if you give him the attention and love that he needs but will be especially happy if he has another Shih Tzus to spend his time with.
If your pup has been an only pet for a long time it might be difficult at first if you decide to introduce another Shih Tzu to the family. They are however loving little dogs who would love another dog to keep them company.
If you have the time and financial ability your pup would benefit greatly from having a dog to keep him company and if you can get another Shih Tzu it will be ideal.
What Dog Breeds Do Shih Tzus Get Along With?
Shih Tzus get along with most dog breeds as long as they are properly socialised and not neglected by their owners. Make sure to always give your Shih Tzu a lot of attention and love.
When introducing a new dog into the family make sure that it is the right fit for your dog. Dogs have their own personalities and while most dogs will get along, not all dogs enjoy having another dog come into their life. Make sure both dogs are properly trained and socialised. When introducing them, do so slowly and never leave them alone.
Best Companion Dogs For Shih Tzu?
When thinking about getting a dog friend for your Shih Tzu there are some things to consider. Shih Tzus are friendly and get along with most dogs but they are small and need a friend that they will be able to play with without getting hurt.
It is best to choose a small dog or a calm breed if you are looking at getting a bigger dog. Below are some of the best dogs suited to be a companion for a Shih Tzu.
Small dogs
- Thih Tzu
- Pomeranian
- Italian Greyhound
- Maltese
- Pekingese
Big dogs
- Gray hound
- Labrador
How To Introduce A Shih Tzu To A Puppy?
Introducing a new puppy into your family might be exciting for humans but for dogs it can be confusing and upsetting. Be gentle and patient when introducing a new puppy to your Shih Tzu.
If you are concerned that your Shih Tzu might not accept the puppy you can try to introduce them in a neutral area, that way your Shih Tzu won’t think that the puppy is trying to intrude on its territory. Once they have gotten to know each other and hopefully played a bit, you can take them home together.
Make sure that you don’t change your behaviour towards your Shih Tzu, stick to the routine they are used to and don’t give more attention to the new puppy than to them.
Do Shih Tzus And Huskies Get Along?
Huskies usually get along well with other dogs; they are loving dogs and have humorous personalities. They are however known to get aggressive when introduced to new dogs if they haven’t been socialised properly from a young age.
Huskies are playful, big and enjoy chasing smaller animals so if you decide to get a husky friend for your Shih Tzu you will have to be careful when introducing them and make sure to keep an eye on them when they are interacting.
Do Shih Tzus And Goldendoodles Get Along?
Both Shih Tzus and Goldendoodles are loving, friendly dogs and get along well with other dogs.
They should get along just fine and might even become the best of friends. Goldendoodles are much bigger than Shih Tzus so keep an eye on them in the beginning to ensure that your Shih Tzu does not get hurt while they are playing.
Do Shih Tzus Get Along With Labrador Retrievers?
Labradors are big dogs but they are gentle and have a friendly demeanour. It is recommended that you take your Labrador for obedience training and teach them proper socialisation from a young age.
If they have the proper training and socialisation they should get along with your Shih Tzu just fine and might even become best friends.
Do Shih Tzus Get Along With French Bulldogs?
French bulldogs are confident and playful. They love humans and other dogs. They are not very big and should make a great playmate and companion for your Shih Tzu.
Do Shih Tzus Get Along With German Shepherd Dogs?
German Shepherds are very protective of their owners. They are also known to be very territorial.
If you are thinking of getting a German shepherd friend for your Shih Tzu you might have to think again. German Shepherds like chasing and hunting prey and if they see your small Shih Tzu as prey you are going to have a problem.
This does not mean that a German Shepherd and a Shih Tzu cannot get along though. If your German Shepherd is properly trained and socialised they might get along fine but you should always keep an eye on them when they are together and never leave them alone to play.
Do Shih Tzus Get Along With Golden Retrievers?
Golden retrievers are very affectionate. They are playful and gentle dogs that get along with most other dog breeds as long as they are socialised.
Golden retrievers do not like being left alone for long periods of time so having a Shih Tzu buddy will be perfect as they get along with small dogs.
Do Shih Tzus Get Along With Bulldogs?
Bulldogs are stubborn dogs that drool a lot but they are adorable and loving. They are calm and some might even say lazy. They make wonderful pets if you are patient and willing to give them the attention that they need.
Bulldogs can get along with other dogs if they were brought up together and properly socialised, they are however not the most gentlest of dogs and could hurt a small dog.
They are also known to have food aggression and older males seem to be aggressive towards other male dogs.
A Shih Tzu and a Bulldog might get along but they are probably not the best combination for each other.
Do Shih Tzus Get Along With Poodles?
Poodles are loving dogs and easy to train. They are intelligent and will get along with most dogs if they are well socialized.
A Poodle will make a great companion for your Shih Tzus but make sure to introduce them to each other slowly.
Do Shih Tzus Get Along With Beagles?
Your Shih Tzu should get along well with a Beagle. They are friendly playful dogs that like to have a companion. They are not to big and will enjoy playing with a Shih Tzu.
They are however hard to train and extremely curious so make sure to always keep them on leash when going for a walk.
Do Shih Tzus Get Along With Rottweilers?
Rottweilers are big, strong dogs that love to protect their humans. They are dominant and might be aggressive towards other dogs.
They can get along with your other pets but you will have to introduce them to each other at a very young age.
Rottweilers are intelligent dogs but will need to be trained and socialized extensively from an early age if you want them to be around other dogs.
Rottweilers get attached to their owners and would much rather spend time with a human companion than another dog so even though your Shih Tzu won’t mind being friends with a Rottweiler, it is probably not the best idea.
Do Shih Tzus Get Along With Pointers (German Shorthaired)?
Your Shih Tzu will get along with a Pointer but you will have to be careful as Pointers have strong prey drive. They have a will of their own and were bread to hunt small animals.
If your are considering getting a Pointer as a friend for your Shih Tzu you will have to make sure that he is socialized with small dogs from a young age. Obedience training is also very important as pointers have a strong will and can get distracted easily.
Do Shih Tzus Get Along With Dachshunds?
Dachshunds are knows to be jealous, independent and territorial. It is possible for them to get along with other dogs and some of them might enjoy having a companion but some might not like it at all.
If you do decide to get a Dachshund as a friend for your Shih Tzu you will have to make sure that your Dachshund in properly trained and socialized. Introduce them slowly and keep an eye on them. Dachshunds are possessive of their toys and might get jealous if you give more attention to your Shih Tzus.
Shih Tzus are loving little dogs and get along with most dogs, big or small.
If you have decided that you want to get a companion for your Shih Tzu you will have to make sure that the other dog you choose is a good fit for your pet. Shih Tzus might be accommodating but not all other dog breeds are.
Make sure that your new dog is well trained and socialized from a young age and introduce them slowly to make sure that they get along and form a loving friendship.
References
https://www.allshihtzu.com
https://www.everythingshihtzu.com
https://www.friendsofthedog.co.za
https://www.petcoach.co
https://www.thesprucepets.com
www://hillspet.com
https://www.anythingrottweiler.com