Shih Tzu Newsletter:  Tzu Tips Newsletter January 2022

Welcome to Tzu Tips Newsletter, January 2022

As it continues to get colder outside, we not only need to protect ourselves from freezing temperatures, but also our beloved Shih Tzu Dogs.

How are you doing? 

I do hope you are safe and staying healthy and warm.  

Stay safe and warm this winter

Shih Tzu dogs love the cold but particularly enjoy romping in the snow. Most Shih Tzu dogs have thick coats to protect them from the cold but not freezing temperatures. What are some ways we can keep our dogs safe in the winter?

For one thing, a warm sweater or jacket is welcome on cold days. We don’t want to feel we must stay inside when the weather is chilly, but be careful about paw care. Ice and salt on the roads can be harsh on young paws. When paws become cracked, there’s always pain involved, and many dogs will be reluctant to put weight on the paw with cracked paw pads.

Read more Cold Weather Safety Tips

10 Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe This Winter

Winter Coats for Dogs: Reviews and Recommendations 

9 Indoor Dog Games to Keep Your Pup Entertained During the Winter 

What you need to know about Paw Pad Care:  Experiencing Dog Paw Pad Problems?

Shih Tzu Dry Skin

Dry skin is another issue that many Shih Tzu owners face when the weather turns cold and low humidity. Warm, dry air in the home can exacerbate the problem. Luckily there’s good news, and you can do simple things to improve your dog’s dry skin, some as simple as adding a little oil to your dog's daily food.

What can we do about dry skin on Shih Tzu dogs?

To Clip or Not to Cut the Coat During the Winter Months 

Many people are worried that if they clip their Shih Tzu’s hair in the winter, it will increase their baby’s discomfort. For this reason, many people do not groom their dogs all winter long. This can lead to long matted hair and even more discomfort.

Matted hair can be especially problematic if the dog regularly wears sweaters inside. The friction of the sweater and reduced number of brushings can play havoc on an otherwise healthy crop of hair. Mats are no fun at any time of the year, but if they must be clipped out in the winter, the groomer is more likely to clip the hair very short, leaving little undercoat. That means that the dog will be even colder than if he had been cared for regularly.  

The best way to solve wintertime grooming problems is to continue brushing regularly by removing the sweater every other day, brushing and combing, and then replacing it. Alternately, keep a couple of sweaters around and dress your dog in a clean sweater every couple of days. If your dog has no mats or tangles, your groomer will be able to get a clipper through the hair while still maintaining a decent length.

Shih Tzu Grooming Articles You Might Find Helpful

Tips for Grooming Your Shih Tzu

What tools and supplies do you need for grooming a Shih Tzu?

What are the best brushes to use on Shih Tzu dogs?

We have puppies

Are you interested in a new furbaby? We currently have three litters on the ground, two of which are ready to go to their forever homes.

Please let me know if you asked to be on our waitlist and were not notified of our current litters. We do have some available puppies to go to their forever homes. Visit to see photos and more information or contact me.

Visit Shih Tzu Puppy Nursery Pages

Until Next time,

Janice

Shih Tzu Reference Pages at Your Finger Tips

Index of all Site Pages

Miracle Shih Tzu Site Map

Small Dog Place Site Map  (my larger dog site)

Health Concerns of the Breed

Shih Tzu Overview with List of Diseases

Fleas     

Ticks

Parasites

What you should know about worming puppies

Grooming Tutorials You Might Find Helpful

DIY Grooming Overview

Typical Breed Behaviors & Tips to Conquer Them

Shih Tzu Training Overview

Barking

All About Shih Tzu Puppies

About Shih Tzu Puppies:  Start Here

Breeding and Reproduction for the Would-be Breeder

Interested in Breeding?  Here is a good place to start

Litter News from Miracle Shih Tzu

I breed fewer litters these days, but it doesn't mean that the quality of the puppies has changed in any way.  In fact, quality has improved because I can devote so much more of my time to each litter.  I breed for conformation, health, temperament, and socialization is my specialty.  With my background in psychology and working with children, I have developed a unique perspective on what puppies need to be to make perfect pets.  Feel free to check out my About Me page to learn more about what I'm all about.

You can also learn about my online story by visiting SBI YouTube Channel.

Products I Love

NuVet Plus