A Brindle Shih Tzu is a small dog breed that is known for its short, but dense coat. They are often called the “little lion” because of their mane-like appearance and personality. These dogs are very intelligent and have an independent streak, making them perfect for those who want to train something other than a typical lap dog.
The first thing you will notice about these animals when meeting one in person is how confident they can be towards strangers; this trait makes them great watchdogs! This article will talk about how to care for them, tips on how to train them, and what to expect from these special Shih Tzus.
What is a Brindle Shih Tzu?
The Brindle Shih Tzu is a crossbreed that originated from two different dog breeds, the Shih Tzu and the Miniature Pinscher. The breed can trace its roots back to the early 1900s when a group of Chinese immigrants brought this hybrid into England. They were bred as miniatures in order to fit in with the city lifestyle they were living at the time.
Their brindle coat pattern is one that has stripes or streaks of shades of brown and black within each hair shaft. This makes it difficult for those who do not know what they are looking at to distinguish between them and other Shih Tzus (which have tan or off-white fur). Their bodies are compact and small, rarely over seven pounds at maturity. However, they can have large appetites due to their high metabolism (which makes it a necessity to feed them approximately two meals per day).
How to Care for a Brindle Shih Tzu
Brindle Shih Tzus have a low-maintenance coat that only needs to be brushed once per week. Although this may seem like it takes a lot of work, the lack of shedding is more than worth the time spent! The only downside they have is their sensitive skin which can cause them to scratch themselves due to allergies or fleas if you do not give them enough baths.
Advantages of Owning a Brindle Shih Tzu
The Brindle Shih Tzu is an extremely active breed that can fit into just about anybody’s daily routine. Their very affectionate, playful, and clever personalities make them great companions for both adults and children. This dog knows how to get its way even if it means throwing a temper tantrum in order to do it! There are not many downsides to this animal (given that you feed them on time), which makes them a great option for those looking for an obedient pet. However, be aware that they will require lots of attention from their new owner when coming home from work or school; otherwise, they tend to misbehave.
Disadvantages of Owning a Brindle Shih Tzu
Because this breed has not been bred to be family dogs, they have a very high prey drive which makes them chase small animals that run away from them. This can lead to serious injuries if you are not careful and find it within yourself to train them out of such behavior – or at least minimize its impact on your lives!
Brindle Shih Tzu puppies need plenty of attention and proper socialization in order for you to prevent any arrogance or separation anxiety issues from developing in the future. There are many ways that you can reinforce good behavior such as giving verbal praise whenever he does something right, rewarding him with treats when he learns positive commands, and even simply spending time with him by playing around or petting him when he is calm.
Brindle Shih Tzu Training Tips
While these dogs are not generally aggressive, they will learn the fastest when using positive reinforcement. It is important to establish a strong relationship with them from day one; that way you can get your hands on them as soon as they act up or start acting out of line.
They tend to be stubborn and independent – this makes it difficult for them to follow commands given by someone who does not have authority over them. As long as you show confidence in yourself and have patience, they will eventually come around! If an instruction is given and the dog does not listen, use negative punishment in order to let him know he made a mistake.
Potential Health Issues with Brindle Shih Tzu
Like all other animals, purebred Shih Tzus are prone to certain health conditions that their owners need to be aware of. Some of these issues include:
Although health problems may not directly affect the lifespan of this breed, it is always important to be informed about what your new pet has the potential for developing. Your veterinarian should help you schedule proper checkups and set up immunizations accordingly so that your dog stays healthy and happy!
A perfect match for a Brindle Shih Tzu would be an owner that has lots of time to spend with him each day, is very patient, and can deal with some misbehavior such as nipping or excessive barking.
Because of their differences when compared to other types of dogs, they may not do well in homes where children are involved. They also tend to have issues with dominant animals because they feel the need to show off their authority; therefore, it is best if he lives by himself in a one-dog household.
How to Socialize Your Brindle Shih Tzu
While your Brindle Shih Tzu is still a puppy, it will be very important to start potty training them at an early age. This way you can avoid any accidents from happening in the house once they reach the age of 1 and are able to control their bladder and bowels better.
It is also important that you focus on positive reinforcement during this time so that your dog begins learning proper behavior almost immediately! Brindle Shih Tzu puppies love attention – let him know when he’s done something wrong by barking or whining excessively by scolding him verbally or giving him a little slap across the nose if necessary as a negative form of punishment.
In many ways, these dogs are easy to train; however, there are certain things you need to keep in mind when handling them.
It is important to show your new Brindle Shih Tzu who’s boss from the very beginning. Don’t be shy about giving him commands, taking things away from him or just setting boundaries for him to stick within.
If you try to baby him too much during his first few days with you, he is going to assume that you are weak which will make it harder for him to listen! It is also important that your dog start socializing early on so that they can get used to being around other animals and people faster – especially if you plan on having small children run around the house!
Conclusion
The Brindle Shih Tzu breed is a great companion for anyone that wants an affectionate, playful pup. They are loyal and want to be with their humans all the time! But they can also be stubborn and mischievous so make sure you have plenty of patience when training this intelligent dog.
If you take care of your pet as well as possible through proper nutrition, exercise, grooming, and socialization then there’s no telling how much joy your new family member will bring into your life! We hope these tips help answer any questions about owning a Brindle Shih Tzu or led you to consider adopting one today!
