Your guide to finding and caring for a Shih Tzu in Mentor
A Shih Tzu suits Mentor's residential streets because it needs a short stroll more than a long hike. The paved paths at Presidents Park and the boardwalk at Springbrook Gardens give a small dog plenty to sniff, and a fenced yard handles the rest of the day's play. Shih Tzus want to be wherever their people are, so they do best in homes where someone is around. Lake-effect snow means a sweater and a towel by the door come December.
A Shih Tzu is ready for you
While we don't have enough dogs near Mentor, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 3 y., 1040 miles
Standard Poodle, Shih Tzu
F, 3-7 y., 1050 miles
Shih Tzu, Mixed Breed
M, 6 y., 1059 miles
Shih Tzu, Chihuahua
M, 1 y., 1060 miles
Shih Tzu
M, 3 y., 1060 miles
Shih Tzu
F, 8 y., 1060 miles
Shih Tzu
M, 3-7 y., 1060 miles
Shih Tzu
M, 10 mo., 1069 miles
Chihuahua, Shih Tzu
F, 6 mo., 1069 miles
Shih Tzu, Standard Poodle
F, 10 y., 1079 miles
Shih Tzu, Maltese
Shih Tzus were developed in China as palace companions, descended from small Tibetan dogs given to the imperial court. Their name means "lion," a nod to the lion of Buddhist art. A Shih Tzu is a sturdy toy dog, usually 9 to 16 pounds, with a short square muzzle, large dark eyes and a long, flowing double coat in almost any color.
Most Shih Tzus are friendly, outgoing and happiest close to their people, though each dog has its own personality. Their care centers on the coat, which mats quickly without regular brushing or a trim, and on the eyes, teeth and breathing of a flat-faced dog. In Mentor, that means towel-drying after wet walks and keeping up with grooming through muddy springs and snowy winters.
Having a Shih Tzu in Mentor
A Shih Tzu asks for little exercise but a good deal of daily care. Brushing, eye and teeth checks, and careful breathing management in warm weather matter more than mileage, and Mentor's snowy winters add a few cold-weather chores of their own.
Many Shih Tzus are affectionate, outgoing and playful, and they usually greet visitors and other dogs warmly. That suits a suburban routine of daily walks and neighbors stopping to say hello, though each dog differs. Housetraining can take patience, and some Shih Tzus dig in their heels, so short, upbeat, reward-based sessions work best.
Plan on a couple of short walks a day plus indoor play. Paved loops such as Presidents Park or Springbrook Gardens suit a short-legged dog, and sniffing walks tire a Shih Tzu mentally. In snow, ice or humid July afternoons, shorten outings, since a flat face makes heat and hard breathing risky.
Shih Tzus are prone to eye trouble, dental disease, ear infections, kneecap and back problems, and breathing difficulty from the short muzzle. Check eyes daily, brush teeth and keep weight lean. A veterinarian can check eyes, teeth, heart and airway after adoption. Daily tick checks matter in Mentor, since Lyme disease is present in Ohio's wooded areas.
A Shih Tzu adapts to a house or an apartment, since it needs little room and should live indoors. In Mentor's mostly single-family neighborhoods, a fenced yard is a bonus rather than a requirement. Keep air conditioning for humid summer days, a spot for daily grooming, and ramps or steps to protect its back.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fee | $300, one time | $300 in year one |
| 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* | $940 to $2,340 per year | $940 to $2,340 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,740 to $4,000 | |
| First-year total (with adoption fee) | $2,040 to $4,300 | |
Adoption fee is the fee on Shih Tzu listings in Mentor on GetBuddy today. Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* The $20 Lake County dog license, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, dental care, toys and bedding, and professional grooming every four to eight weeks.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have Shih Tzus available.
Mentor and the surrounding Lake County area have shelters and rescues that care for small dogs and many other dogs waiting for homes. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Mentor area where you can find Shih Tzus and other dogs available for adoption.
Yes, a Shih Tzu can be a good fit for Mentor if you're willing to brush daily and want a companion that stays close. Short walks on paved paths and a bit of yard play cover its exercise, and its small size suits most homes. It's a harder match for people who are away all day or dislike grooming.
Yes, you can own a Shih Tzu in Mentor, and no breed ban is known. Ohio defines dangerous dogs by behavior rather than breed. License your dog with Lake County within 30 days of bringing it home; renewals run December 1 through January 31, and a one-year license renewed after that carries a $20 late fee.
Yes, most Shih Tzus handle Mentor winters with some help. Lake-effect snow and freezing nights are hard on a toy dog, so keep walks short and shovel a small potty patch. Trim the hair between the paw pads so ice and salt don't clump, and dry the coat fully afterward to prevent mats.
Mentor Dog Park on Hopkins Road is the top pick, since it has a separate small-dog area for off-leash play. Nearby Veterans Park has a 1.78-mile loop trail where dogs stay leashed, and Wildwood Cultural Center & Park offers about two miles of hiking trails. Part of any loop is plenty for a Shih Tzu.
Yes, a Shih Tzu can live in an apartment in Mentor, since it needs little space and only modest exercise. Rentals are the minority here, so start your search early. Plan for outdoor potty trips in snow, and work on quiet habits, because city rules say barking can't disturb the peace.
A Shih Tzu needs brushing every one to three days, plus professional grooming every four to eight weeks. In Mentor, wet snow, spring mud and fall leaves tangle the coat faster, and a short puppy cut makes upkeep easier. Grooming is the largest part of the $940 to $2,340 yearly Other budget, which also covers dental and parasite care.
Only to outdoor patios, and only where a restaurant chooses to allow dogs. Ohio law lets restaurants welcome dogs outside but not indoors, owners must keep them under control, and dogs can't be fed in the dining area. Pets are also not allowed on the grassy area of the Civic Amphitheater during Mentor Rocks concerts.
Plan on driving. Laketran runs buses in Mentor rather than rail, and service animals are welcome, but a pet Shih Tzu shouldn't be assumed to ride. Check Laketran's current rules before bringing a pet on board. For vet visits and errands, a secured carrier or crash-tested harness in the car is the safer choice.
We have 1 rescue with Shih Tzus available: Marilyns Voice Inc.. You can see every rescue with Shih Tzus available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the Shih Tzus near Mentor.
Expect about $15 to $35 a month for food, $35 to $70 for insurance, $200 to $400 a year for routine vet care, and $940 to $2,340 a year for other costs, mostly grooming and dental care. That adds up to roughly $1,740 to $4,000 a year, before any emergency or illness.
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