hello we are newbies

Hello, we have been dog owners most of our lives but this is our first Shih tzu ,we have 1 standard poodle, 1 miniature poodle, and 1 persian cat, oh and of course our human children

we want to get the best collar or harness for our 10 week old girl, and would be really greatful for advise as we dont want to damage her coator any thing else for that matter, dont know where to start but eventually we would like to show her

Hi if you are going to show her a collar and lead is best and only put them on when you are taking her out as a collar left on in the house will wear her coat away so will a harness, good luck with showing Annita xx

Hi annie and welcome to our group. We are a friendly bunch of Shih Tzu addicts, and love to talk about the adventures our fur babies get up to. Please feel free to ask any questions, and as you can see someone will soon be along to help you. We also love to see photos, so please upload some of your dogs for us all to see.

I used to have a miniature poodle and he was the most adorable dog ever, who came everywhere with us. I would have loved a standard but it wouldn't have been practical to keep a large dog at the time.

Good luck with showing your Shih Tzu, it is hard work, but can be very rewarding. You will find plenty of advice here from those who show their dogs.

Thank you for your very kind welcome and advise on the collar and lead,her first vaccination day tomorrow, then lots of doggy shopping for the right collar, and new brushes, we use slicker brushes on our poodles , i feel like its whole new world with our Shih tzu baby and so want to get everything right.i will try and upload a photo of her later today, thats if i can figure out how to do it x

Please don't use the slicker on your Shih Tzu, it is way too rough and will hurt her skin, though I agree it is good on a poodles thicker fur. Most of us tend to use the Mason Pearson BN2 junior bristle and nylon brush and I use a rotating tooth comb as well. It is expensive, but if you look after it, it will last you a lifetime, and if you want to show her, then you will need her in full coat. If you need any advice on shampoos let us know and we can give you details about those as well. Have fun shopping.

Thanks for the advise, i wasnt planning to use the slicker, thats why i had said i was going doggy shopping for new brushes, but thanks anyway,i will look up the brushes and see if i can get them on the internet.I will try and put the photos on today, i am always grateful for advise and especially as she is my first Shih tzu, If any one has shown or is showing i also will be really greatful of any tips, thanks xxxx

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i cant sem to get the pic on

Hi I managed to get the photo on of freya, with help! i had a look at the Pearson and mason brush, am i looking at the right one,? seems a bit expensive 49.00 ON AMAZON, can any one beat that price? x

Right I will try again - just lost my last reply to you

It might seem expensive but it is a great bit of kit and will last the life time of the dog (and more). if you are meaning to show her then you will need it anyway as it is the best brush for keeping the coat in good condition. There are cheaper brushes about and I have tried a few but I always go back to the M&P as it really does do the job and lasts as well.

Chemist Direct have it a couple of quid cheaper with free postage http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/mason-pearson-hair-brush-junior-bn2-bristle-nylo_1_11217.html

I use this size because it is good for grooming - you can obviouslky buy the smaller ones as they do the same job but they are too small for my liking.

Oh just found Chemist.net have it for £44.50 free p&p
http://www.chemist.net/beauty-hair-care-hair-brushes/mason-pearson/mason-pearson-medium-bristle-nylon-junior-hbbn2-pd-10178.html?flagAddCart=Y

hope that helps xx

Thanks for the link, on amazon it shows a little brush along side it, will i need the little brush ?x

that comes as standard and is for keeping your brush clean they all have them in their box xxxx

Thank you x:D

Hi if you havent shown before try and find ring craft lessons in your area you mentiond thinkpink in your girls pedigree if you bought her off Mandy Houghton she should be able to point you in the right direction,

and welcome from us

Thank you xx

omg just realised how big my siganture is, how do i down size ?

Welcome Annie, Freya looks adorable. I have two girls who have had me up twice tonight 3 am and 4 am, so have decided to stay up now needless to say they are fast asleep next to me. But they'r worth it.
Petcetera is a good website to look at in fact not a huge distance from you just outside Chester
www.petcetera.co.uk
www.groomersonline.co.uk
www.dezynadog.co.uk
They all have a good range of products. Maybe in time when Freyer is bigger go to one of the shows and try and see the companies there and speak to show people.

carlita wrote:Hi if you havent shown before try and find ring craft lessons in your area you mentiond thinkpink in your girls pedigree if you bought her off Mandy Houghton she should be able to point you in the right direction,

I was just going to suggest to Annie that she make a note of you for some showing advice I hadn't heard of the kennel Thinkpink - but I have been out of the show world for quite some time now - so went and had a search on the breed database to find out more

I will ask my mum where they used to go to ringcraft as well (if it is still there that is) - it is really important that you get Freya used to being handled by different people. It's not usually that difficult as young shih tzu pups are great magnets to people in the street because of the "ahh" factor Practice opening her mouth to show her teeth and also stacking her up (standing her square on the table) for a few seconds after grooming her so that she is becoming accustomed to it from an early age

PS I quite like your picture that size but if you want it smaller, make a smaller copy on your computer using the program you use to edit photos and then upload that instead xxxx

Thank you

hi all, im sam and im a newbie to the site, i dont yet own a shih tzu, but i have totally fallen in love with the breed. i hope to get as much info as possible out of this site to enable me to start my search for the right pup!!

Hi Sammyhum you are very welcome to Shih Tzu Whispers. We are totally mad on Shih Tzu's here so you will always find someone has the answer to your questions on the breed. So ask away.

Hi from me too - anything you need to know just ask away xxxx

Hi Sam! welcome from me, I am looking for my first Tzu as well, just after christmas if all goes well. So I am also doing research before I take one on and have already learned loads. I want a little companion doggie to come to work with me in our Post Office and this breed seems to be ideal as from what I hear they just love to be with you!