OpenBook said:
Hi all
Our family is looking at getting a puppy. At the moment our choices are either a terrier or [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]szu (SP).
Wondering if anyone has any info on either dog. And if they age good dogs to have around kids.
If you know of any web page with info too, that would be great too.
Thanks
OB
I'm going to echo the "what kind of terrier?" There are dozens of breeds in that group and they have a wide range of temperaments. There are some characteristics common to most, if not all, terrier breeds, but other aspects can differ tremendously. I would reccommend first deciding what specific set of characteristics you are looking for and prioritize them. Then you need to make an honest assessment of your living situation, your activity level, your time commitments and your personality. All of these will affect the type of dog that will best suit you.
Shih-Tzus are generally very sweet dogs, but many that I've met had energy to burn. Not the best dog for someone who is fairly sedentary. Other than that I've heard very few complaints.
The one thing common to most terriers is stubborness. Most of them will not hesitate to engage you in a battle of wills over anything from food to chewing to where they sleep. They tend to require a great deal of patience in training, but they are very bright. If you find the right motivation, they will work very hard for you.
With any breed of dog the most important consideration is the breeder. You MUST (let me repeat that MUST) find a reputable breeder. This can often be a great deal of work, but it will make all the difference. Every extra bit of research you put into finding the right breeder will save you tons of problems and possible heartache down the road. A great breeder is not an ironclad guarantee. Any dog can have problems, but it is a tremendous advantage to have someone who has carefully managed their breedings and will stand behind what they sell you.
I would recommend finding people in your local area that are active in breeding or training the breeds you are considering. Contact local breed clubs and find out what kind of activities they put on that are open to the public (shows, obedience trials, etc.). Reputable breeders will talk with you at length about their breed. They will tell you the good and the bad aspects of the breed and they will grill you about your situation as well. As a general rule, if you weren't a little bit uncomfortable with the level of information they asked for, they probably weren't thorough enough.
One final thing to remember, AKC registration means nothing when it comes to quality. The AKC registers any litter where both parents were AKC registered. The only think that this tells you is that your dog is purebred. That's it. They don't care if the dog is a raving monster or cowers in fear at every new experience. So you must do your research. The right dog will bring years of joy and fun. The wrong dog will bring torment and unimaginable heartache.
_brett
