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DH and I are currently trying to decide which of these two breeds is best for us. This is a really big decision since we plan on adopting or buying from a reputable breeder through the AKC (please let's not debate about this issue) and having a new dog be part of our family forever.
There is a ton of information online about the two breeds, but I want to hear from actual dog owners or those of you who have personal experience with either of these breeds. What has your experience been with Pomeranians and/or Shih Tzu's? What is the temperment like in general? Any challenges? What would you point out to a potential new parent?
So far, I know both dogs are good for apartment living and can be left alone while DH and I are at work. And with training, both have potential to be great companians. I'm fully aware of how much work is required in being a dog owner.
Thanks for the insight!
ETA: I'm fully aware of how to find a reputable breeder and take all the necessary precautions. I'm opening this up to the hive for real life experiences in addition to our other research.
I have never owned either, so I can't comment but have you contacted breed specific rescue groups in the area?
They may be able to help you with your decision.
You may also be able to foster a dog of your choosing to see if they really do work for your lifestyle.
Good luck!
And if you do go the breeder route make sure you go through the national breed club website to find a list of reputable breeders in the area (it's easier to let the educated breed club members do the screening/legwork for you)!
@KatNYC2011: Thanks I just edited my OP to specify that I know how to find rescue groups and reputable breeders, etc. I want to get opinions from the hive on the breeds if anyone has personal experience. Fostering is actually a really good idea for us, although I don't know how likely it will be in NYC to find one of these two breeds in need of a foster home :)
I have 2 shih tzus and they couldn't be more different (one is hyper and insane but easygoing, the other is particular but low engery). It just depends on the dog. However, if you are not going to be home a good part of the day, I would suggest looking for a different breed. They are a breed that tends toward seperation anxiety when left alone for too long.
Wow, I am completely biased because I am totally a Pom person, but my friends have Shih-Tzu's and love them.
I show & breed Poms as a hobby also, so if you need help finding a good breeder, I'd be more than happy to help you. Two of my Poms are from the US.
I'm not as familiar with Shih-Tzu health issues, but they seem pretty hardy, especially if you are planning to have kids down the line (or have young kids), they are far less delicate than a Pom and would be better suited with young children. Don't get me wrong, Poms are excellent with kids, but they are fragile, you might want a larger Pom closer to 7 lbs if you will have young kids around them.
Shih-Tzu's have hair and do not shed... Poms shed seasonally... I don't find it that bad, but you have to keep up on the grooming with either dog anyway. Shih-Tzu's would also be less likely to cause allergies than a Pom because they have hair and not fur.
Shih-Tzu's seem more laid back, Poms are very outgoing and spunky. They are full of themselves!!! That's what I love about them most, they always act like puppies, even in old age, and demand to be noticed.
If you decide on a Pom, a few issues to watch out for... luxating patellas (slipping kneecaps) #1, its very common in the breed, but not life threatening, and usually does not require surgery. Another is collapsing tracheas, use a harness to prevent issues with the trachea. Another problem plaguing our breed is black skin disease or alopecia X. For no known reason, Poms will sometimes lose their coat :( It's sad, but strictly cosmetic, and sometimes there are harmless ways to recoat them, but does not always work. They say males are more likely affected than females.
And, I think Poms are cuter :) I will pm you my website :)
Good for you for doing your research, and for supporting reputable breeders, and not pet stores or puppy mills.
Good luck on your search for your new family member! Any questions about Poms, just ask!
This is a great page with pretty much what you need to know about shih tzus. Love mine and wouldn't trade them, but like all breeds, they have their challenges.
http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/shih-tzu-training.html
My mom has two shit-tzus (her mid-life crisis dogs, haha!) and while they aren't really my thing I do have to admit that they are just the sweetest dogs. So kind and loving but FULL of personality. They love their walks but are kind of 2-speed dogs; quiet and lazy in the house and wild at the park. The only downside with them is that you will have to take them to get clipped/groomed (I always think they look cute when they're all scruffy - like little ewoks!). Great, great dogs though.
I have a cousin who has a Pomeranian and I swear the thing doesn't shut up. It barks at EVERYTHING. That could be limited to just her dog but it has kind of tainted the breed for me anyways. I LOVE dogs, but if the opportunity arose to punt a fieldgoal with that dog, I might take it! JK!! Sort of... ;)
How about a pomapoo? hehe not that I'm biased at all...
I've never had a pure bred pom or a shih tzu, but I can tell you my pomapoo is very smart, incredibly cute and fluffy, really cuddly, easy to groom, and seriously attached to me. He was also easy to house break, much easier than my yorki-poo (yorkies are notorious for house breaking issues). One of my BMs has a pomeranian and he's also adorable and cuddly and sweet.
Poms are actually descendents from much larger breeds, including malamule & husky. So, they seem to not fully understand that they're small dogs :) My experience is that they're very loving to their owners, and therefore extremely protective. I've also heard that they're very hard to train.
Both my parents and sister have owned shih-tzus and they have been wonderful dogs (other than a few health issues). They're great around little kids and I'm pretty sure they don't have an aggresive bone in their bodies.
Both dogs do require regular grooming, and shih tzu's are prone to some eye issues because of their protruding eyes.
Have you considered a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? They're an amazing breed that do well in apartments, and Cavalier Rescue USA is an amazing organization that has lots of these adorable dogs that need homes.
I have nothing to add except: puppy! So cute!
Well, actually, I will say that I've lived near a Pomeranian and it could be a touch unpleasant. If they aren't properly trained or are left alone too long they get yappy.
@MaiFuture: That is very good feedback, thank you! I've read a lot about the importance of training to avoid 'small dog syndrome', I am especially afraid of our new dog developing separation anxiety. That is no fun for anyone since it's just so stressful and you can't go anywhere without the dog ever. And since we live in an aparment building, I could actually get kicked out if the dog is loudly wimpering when I'm gone or barking too much in general.
@europomme: Thank you, I didn't realize that Poms shed. I agree they are so so soooo cute :) My DH fell in love with one recently and thinks this is our breed.
@Miss Lilac: I've heard that about shih tzu's too, that they are really calm and lazy while at home but active when out on a walk or at a dog park. That is exactly what we are looking for in temperment.
@Pomapoo: Lol I've never heard of that breed! I will look into it. DH and I dogsit for a yorkie and she is terrible with bathroom issues. If we leave her alone for one minute, she poops and pees everywhere and tears up everything in her path. It looks like a hurricane came through the place, and this dog is only like 4 lbs.
I grew up with a Shih-tzu/Poodle mix who was a sweetie, and I now have two Pomeranians.
I loved my Shih-tzu/Poodle, but I have to recommend Pomeranians. They are wonderful!
1. They are the smartest dogs I've ever had. They are quick to learn what I ask them to do. I think it's because they are a type of Spitz and were bred from sled dogs.
2. My pomeranians are quiet except for a couple barks if there is someone at the door. They immediately stop barking when I tell them to. I think people who treat them like babies that have to be coddled if they bark end up with yappy dogs because they unintentially teach the dog to bark.
3. They are really loyal to their owners. My poms are crazy about me and Fi. They are happy to follow me around and love cuddles.
4. They are easy to groom and don't shed much. They only shed seasonally, and some brushing pretty much takes care of it. Otherwise, I barely have to brush them at all, and they always look poofy and beautiful. Shih-tzu hair takes a lot of maintenance and daily grooming to avoid matting. A lot of people I know with Shih-tzus end up shaving them down because it's easier. If you want a fluffier, prettier look that won't take hours of grooming each week, go with a Pom.
I've always liked Shih-tzus, but now that I've had Poms, I don't think I will ever go back.
Here are our 2 shih tzus and my moms poodle. As far as grooming goes, we keep our shih tzus groomed short because of the Texas heat and how dirty they get in the yard. We take them every 6-8 weeks and it costs $40 a dog per visit. The dog on the far left is 2 years old, the one in the middle is 7 years old. As you can see, their sizes range a bit.
I just wanted to add about the Pom barking... with one, I never found it to be an issue. Yes they are inquisitive, and will bark at strange things, but they are just doing their job, and it's not excessive. They are very protective and loyal dogs.
Mine are perfectly fine being home alone when I work, and are fine in a crate. My friends' shih-tzu's get separation anxiety and cannot be crated, but I dont know if thats just the way they were raised.
They CAN be stubborn though, and some people find them hard to train. I've only had a hard time training when I bought an adult instead of a puppy, just being honest.
Either way I don't think you can go wrong, they are both lap dogs, and very sweet. But for me there is no going back :)
Pom! Pom! Pom! :) They're very smart and so long as make sure they're trained you don't have to worry about excessive barking, etc.
Breed aside - a HUGE part of how any dog acts is due to training. Any dog with little training will have bathroom issues and "misbehave". Also dogs do have their own personalities - one of ours is a maniac while the other is laid back, one is independant and the other loves being held, one never meets a stranger and the other is more cautious when meeting new people.
Grooming can be a big deal with Poms if you keep them long - we actually get ours cut in a "Lion cut" for most of the year. It's where their head is long but their bodies are short and they have a little pom on their tails - it cuts down on shedding - and if they're indoors they don't really need their full coat.
Plus they're sooo adorable! (gratuitous pictures of my poms)
@moderndaisy: A "pom-a-poo" is Pomeranian/poodle cross.
We've had both. I can honestly say that we tried 3 different shih tzu's and had to give them back :( They were a PITA to train and were so defiant. You'd take them out and walk them for 30-45 minutes then bring them in and they'd shit all over the carpet... just looking at you... like, "yeah!! What now? Bring it." We decided it wasn't the breed for us. Got one pom puppy and have loved him ever since! I will cry when he passes :(
@firsttimemom: You "tried out" 3 (!!!) different shit-zus?
Sorry, but that irks me. There is only one constant in that equation. Dogs aren't shoes.
Hard choice. I would go with a different breed. Yorkshire terriers are adorable. Also breeds like the boston terrier and pug are great because they have short coats.
@Miss Lilac: I agree. Once a pet comes home with me, the pet is with me for it's natural life. It is my responsibility to properly care for it and make sure it is happy, healthy and properly trained.
Unless you are part of a foster program there really is no "short term ownership" or "trying periods" that sit well with me.
@KatNYC2011: Agreed. My dogs are like my babies. And I certainly wouldn't get rid of my child if it proved to be a challenge. All puppies have rough patches.
@Miss Lilac: LOL, yeah. The owner of them said they weren't selling and were constantly being brought back so told us she had no problem with us bringing them back. I thought something was wrong with the other people who had "tried them out" because I've been successful at training several different dogs/breeds but it just seemed this litter was impossible.
Thanks for all the pictures, everyones doggies are sooo adorable! :) This decision is not any easier than when I started, for sure. I know dogs are just born with certain temperments and of course the #1 most important thing is training. DH and I actually plan to take a week off from work and have a trainer come to our apartment every day, more to train us than the dog, but it will help us get acclimated.
We have a Shih-Poo (Shih Tzu Poodle) and I looooveee him. I like the poodle mixes because they don't shed and help with allergies. I've never had a Pom so I don't know about them. Ours is very attached like other people said, but we both have full time jobs and he's just find by himself during the day. He sleeps all day or will watch TV with us, but loves to go for walks or to the dog park. When he was a puppy he was almost always a ball of energy, but now that he's 5 he's a little more laid back but still plays whenever we want.
Let us know what you decide!
My mom has a pomeranian, my sister has 2 pomeranians and I have a pomeranian/papillon mix. Love poms! Biggest advice is to really research the breeder. My mom got her pomeranian from a breeder who is not breeding anymore. Her dog is super smart! She can sit, stay, shake, lay down, and roll over. haha But my sister's pomeranians came from another breeder and are not nearly as bright. They actually are having a hard time with just potty training and one of them is a year old already. I think this is because they have been bred for their small size. Maybe too much inbreeding too. One of my sister's dogs was $1000 and the other $500. For how not smart they are, that was ridiculous pricing.
My fiance and I paid for my dog so we found a cheaper breeder who was a bit of a hick, unfortunately my dog was not that well taken care of by her. My dog was returned to the breeder a month or two after someone else bought her. I'm so thankful the person returned her b/c she is now my loving little doggie. She is SO smart. She knows how to play fetch! None of my mom or sister's dogs have ever done that! My dog does have anxiety issues and is overly attached to me even though I am still trying to break her of it. I think this stems from her being returned to the breeder so she has abandonment issues. Is that weird to think?
Just remember research the breeder. And usually they will let you visit the dog beforehand to make your final decision. This can be hard because breeders aren't always closeby!
I have a Shih Tzu. He is SUCH a good dog. He is very quiet and easygoing...dare I even say lazy! But he gets super excited when we come home or give him a treat. His personality sort of ranges depending on what's going on. But he's never been out of control hyper or anything, even when he was younger. He is good around new people. When we first got him he was a little standoffish around new faces. However, we think the people who we got him from abused him :(. But he is a sweet dog and he wouldn't hurt a flea. He likes to play bite, but would never nip at anyone.
A challenge would be that he begs...like CRAZY! That's mostly our fault because we never trained him otherwise. He's very smart. He only barks when the doorbell rings...and I think it's because he's confused. He was very easy to house break and rarely has accidents. One thing I have to say about him is that he digs on stuff. I don't know how else to explain it. It happens on stuff that's fabric (my sheets, for example). He puts his head down and then moves his legs like he's digging. I find it hilarious, but I could see someone getting annoyed by it. It has never damaged anything I own. Aside from his love of dryer sheets, I can't say anything negative about him really. He's a sweetie!! They are great dogs. I attached a photo for good measure. Good luck! 
@casjojo: AKC.org is really the best place to start. Then from there the breed club websites.
Puppyfind.com seems to have a lot of "hybrids" and "designer" breeds (i.e. high priced mixed breeds) as well as links to online (irreputable) puppy sellers.
Since we're sharing pics and all......... :)
adding a couple more.... one of my Poms with a lion clip :) And my pups when they were 5 weeks old!
@europomme: GAH! They are so FUZZY!!!! They look like stuffed animals. Adorable!
Have you considered a mix of the two? I know you can get pom shih tzu mix.
I don't have any personal experiences with either but I will throw in that my best friend has a pom and she is SUCH a smart dog like others have said. She is very very well trained but even beyond the training, she's one smart cookie!
Such cute dogs, I would take either but I voted for a Shit zu cause my grandma had one and it was such a good peaceul dog for her. I want to get a pug or king charles cav when we get a house with a yard someday.
Thanks everyone :)
Also to the OP... eventually you might think of adding a second dog.. it was the best decision I ever made. When they're home alone, at least they will have someone during the day and not feel so lonely. They also entertain each other, so it's less demanding of your time. Maybe you could get a Shih-tzu AND a Pom ha!
We've had two mixes. One was a Bichon/Shih Tzu and this one is a Beagle/Shih Tzu. Both have been fabulous loving dogs that were really easy to train. When I was working, one was home all day alone and never had an accident or tore anything apart. She had run of the house and was an easy, happy dog.
The new one is still a puppy and is more high energy, but again is an easily trained loving sweetheart.
We had a shih tzu (not sure if it was pure bred or not, it was a rescue) growing up and she was the sweetest little thing ever! Shih tzu's are not the smartest dogs ever but honestly most people need dogs that are just a little dumb because they don't get as bored. Gertie was super chill and it was VERY nice she didn't shed. She lived to the ripe old age of 20. Great dog!
I love POM POMs!! Makes me sad that my apt isn't pet friendly. I grew up with Spitz type dogs and both my mother and my sister have Poms. They have great personalities, are very smart (my mom's waves bye bye on command) and only require the occasional bath and brushing. They make great watch dogs and can be very affectionate. Here I am with my sisters Pom Joey.
@Cash000: I LOVE english bull dogs!!!
Keep the pics coming I almost can't stand it they are so cute!!!! :)
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