Your guide to finding and caring for a Shih Tzu in St. Joseph
A Shih Tzu is a good match for the older, walkable parts of St. Joseph. A toy dog needs little more than a daily stroll, and the brick sidewalks around Museum Hill or the historic streets of Cathedral Hill make a pleasant loop. Most Shih Tzus greet neighbors like old friends, so expect plenty of stops along the way. They're small enough for a rental or a house with a yard. The real work is the coat, which needs brushing every day or two.
A Shih Tzu is ready for you
While we don't have enough dogs near St. Joseph, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 3-7 y., 1466 miles
Shih Tzu
M, 3-7 y., 1466 miles
French Bulldog, Shih Tzu
M, 1 y., 1468 miles
Maltese, Shih Tzu
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 1468 miles
Maltese, Shih Tzu
M, 1 y., 1468 miles
Maltese, Shih Tzu
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 1468 miles
Maltese, Shih Tzu
M, 8 y. +, 1468 miles
Shih Tzu
F, 0-6 mo., 1468 miles
American Staffordshire Terrier, Shih Tzu
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 1470 miles
Shih Tzu, Havanese
M, 4 y., 1474 miles
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus were developed in China from small Tibetan dogs and kept as companions at the imperial court, and that job description still fits. They're sturdy toy dogs, usually 9 to 16 pounds, with a flat face, large dark eyes and a long double coat in nearly any color. Most are affectionate, outgoing and happiest close to their people.
Care centers on the coat, eyes, teeth and breathing. Without regular brushing or a trim every few weeks the hair mats quickly, and the short muzzle makes heat and hard exercise tougher on them. In St. Joseph, that means a groomer routine, a cool spot indoors on summer afternoons and a warm sweater for January walks. Dogs vary, so each Shih Tzu's energy and temperament will differ.
Having a Shih Tzu in St. Joseph
Shih Tzus are sociable, low-key companions that suit small spaces, but they ask a lot in grooming and in care for the eyes, teeth and airway. St. Joseph's cold winters and warm summers make weather planning part of that routine.
Many Shih Tzus are friendly, playful and quick to make friends with visitors, gentle children and other pets. That suits St. Joseph's residential streets and leashed neighbor encounters. Housetraining can take patience, and some are stubborn, so short, upbeat sessions with small treats work best. Temperament varies from dog to dog.
Short daily walks and indoor play meet most Shih Tzus' needs. In St. Joseph, a leash of six feet or less is required off your property, and the paved Urban Trail and the parkway offer flat, easy strolls. Keep outings gentle in warm weather because of the short muzzle, and use puzzle toys on icy or stormy days.
Shih Tzus are prone to eye problems, dental disease, ear infections, patellar luxation, back problems and breathing trouble from the flat face. Daily eye checks, tooth care and a lean weight help. Watch for squinting, discharge, noisy breathing or limping, and have a veterinarian check eyes, teeth and knees after adoption. Year-round flea and tick treatment is wise here.
A Shih Tzu fits apartments, duplexes and houses alike, needing little room and usually barking less than many toy breeds. A yard is a bonus rather than a need. Keep the dog indoors, with air conditioning in summer, and add furniture steps to protect its back and knees.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $15 to $35 per month | $180 to $420 |
| Pet insurance | $35 to $70 per month | $420 to $840 |
| Routine vet care | $200 to $400 per year | $200 to $400 |
| Other* | $935 to $2,325 per year | $935 to $2,325 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,735 to $3,985 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* The city dog license, professional grooming every four to eight weeks, dental care, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, and toys and bedding.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have dogs available in and near St. Joseph.
These St. Joseph shelters and rescues list adoptable dogs, and the pets available change often. Here are the rescues & shelters in the St. Joseph area with dogs available for adoption, worth asking whether a Shih Tzu is coming in.
Yes, a Shih Tzu is a good fit for many St. Joseph households, especially those wanting a small, sociable companion and willing to brush daily. The city's walkable older neighborhoods and parkway paths suit short strolls. It's less ideal if you're away long hours or can't manage grooming and summer heat, since this breed wants company and a cool home.
Yes, a Shih Tzu is a natural apartment dog. Its small size and low exercise needs work well in St. Joseph's rentals, and many bark less than other toy breeds, though barking varies by dog. Persistent barking can become a nuisance complaint under city rules, so teach calm greetings early. Landlords set their own pet policies, so read your lease for fees and limits.
Yes, with some help. Shih Tzus do fine in St. Joseph winters as indoor dogs, but a trimmed coat offers little insulation when nights drop well below freezing. Use a sweater or coat, keep walks short, and dry the coat and paws afterward. The city bars tethering a dog outdoors below 32°F, so never leave a small dog outside.
A Shih Tzu needs brushing every one to three days to prevent mats, plus a professional trim about every four to eight weeks. In St. Joseph, wet spring walks, fall burrs and winter dampness all tangle a long coat, and a shorter cut makes summer easier. Budget grooming within the roughly $935 to $2,325 a year in other costs.
Corby Dog Park is the city's one off-leash park, and its small-dog yard suits a Shih Tzu. For leashed outings, the St. Joseph Parkway, from Krug Park to Hyde Park, and the paved Urban Trail give flat, easy walking. Go early or late in summer, and use tick prevention, since local parks have ticks, chiggers and burrs.
Yes, St. Joseph has no breed ban and no limit on dogs per household. Dogs over three months must be registered with the city and wear a tag, and the license costs less for spayed or neutered dogs. Leashes must be six feet or shorter off your property, and tethering is restricted, so plan on a secure indoor routine.
St. Joseph's public transit is the Go St. Joe bus system, with eight routes and no subway. No pet policy is known, so don't count on bus access for a Shih Tzu. If you ever ride with one, a closed carrier is the safest bet, though most outings are easier by car.
Restaurant patio policies are up to each business, so don't assume a Shih Tzu is welcome. Dining rooms generally don't admit pet dogs. If a patio does allow dogs, keep your Shih Tzu on a short leash or in a carrier, bring water, and avoid hot afternoons because of the flat face.
A Shih Tzu is a small companion dog developed in China, known for its long flowing coat, short square muzzle, large dark eyes and plumed tail curled over the back. It belongs to the AKC Toy Group and usually weighs 9 to 16 pounds. Many Shih Tzus are friendly, outgoing and affectionate, bred for centuries purely to keep people company.
Expect about $15 to $35 a month for food and $35 to $70 for insurance. Routine vet care runs roughly $200 to $400 a year, and other yearly costs, mainly professional grooming, dental care, parasite prevention and the license, add about $935 to $2,325. Grooming every four to eight weeks is the biggest variable.
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