Shih Tzu Puppies for Sale in Rhode Island, RI
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Reviews
Debbie B.
01/29/2023
Shih Tzu
Searched the Puppy Spot website and fell in love with this puppy. My puppy was delivered in my arms in less than 2 weeks. It seemed longer but was well worth the wait. I named him Buddy and he is very health and so lovable, playful and brings much joy and happiness to our home. So glad that I searched Puppy Spot website!
Shih Tzu Characteristics
Shih Tzus are spunky little charmers with giant eyes and perky tails. They were originally bred as companions for Chinese Royalty! As royal pets, they’re playful and lively. And let’s not forget the affection – Shih Tzus often follow their owners around to keep good company. Shih Tzus are small and fluffy, and ideal for naps on laps. They’re great for even apartment living as they’re small and don’t need too much space for exercise.
Fast Facts
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Energy Moderate
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Size Small
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Trainability Determined
Shih Tzus are a toy dog breed originating from Tibet. The name means “little lion,” and while they sure have big personalities, Shih Tzus are lovers more than a fighters.
They have a long, silky coat that can come in a variety of colors including brown, liver, gold, yellow, black, blue, and white.
Shih Tzus relish constant attention, and they won’t go ignored for too long. They were bred as a companion dog, and they love nothing more than meeting new friends.
Shih Tzus may bark when meeting new humans for the first time but will quickly become close companions with everyone they meet. They are especially loving around children when properly trained.
An unfortunate little secret is that Shih Tzus have the habit of eating their own stool. You’ll want to be sure to pick up their poop right away to avoid this unwanted behavior!
Shih Tzus have beautiful coats and are a little high maintenance on the beauty front – but it’s all worth it! Along with regular brushing, you’ll need to trim their nails and check for the occasional hair growing in the ear canal. You’ll also need to regularly clean your Shih Tzu’s face as it can quickly get messy from eating.
As a smaller breed, Shih Tzus only grow to weigh between 9 and 16 pounds and 9 to 11 inches in height. They are typically quite healthy and enjoy an average lifespan of 10 to 18 years.
How dog-friendly is Rhode Island?
Rhode Island is a beautiful state with wonderful stretches of waterfront and outdoor public land to enjoy life with your pup. The state does have some areas of improvement and ranks fairly average for pet-friendliness relative to other states.
One of the leading studies for pet-friendly places to live comes from Pawsafe, an animal advocacy group. In their study, Rhode Island ranks as the 33rd most pet-friendly state. While this score is pretty average, the state did score well for its animal welfare laws related to abuse, neglect, fighting, or pet care standards.
Another great study comes from Safewise, a safety review website for different places to live. They ranked Rhode Island similarly in the middle – as the 25th most pet-friendly state in the country.
Both studies evaluated several factors, including animal cruelty laws, pet-friendly accommodations, and the number of dog parks and hiking trails.
A few more facts for dog-lovers in Rhode Island
BringFido lists Rhode Island as a pet-friendly travel destination with over 400 verified pet-friendly hotels and motels. Their most recommended spots for dogs are Compass Rose Beach and Sachuest Beach, both popular dog-friendly destinations for Rhode Island.
Rhode Island has a below-average dog ownership rate. Twenty-six percent of Rhode Island residents own a dog, compared to the national rate of 40%.
What kinds of dogs do Rhode Islanders love? According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the most popular dogs in Rhode Island are Labradors, Beagles, and Retrievers. Other popular breeds include Huskies, Basset Hounds, and German Shepherds.
Animal welfare & dog shelters in Rhode Island
Rhode Island saved 5,282 dogs and cats during 2020. Approximately 18 animals were killed over this, same period.
Twenty-seven out of 30 of the animal shelters within Rhode Island are no-kill shelters. The percentage of no-kill shelters is high, and the state has an above-average save rate of 92%. This is a great number since it’s above the 90% mark needed to be considered a no-kill state.
Shih Tzus Everywhere in Rhode Island
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