Good early morning all! I am new to the forum and looking forward to advice and learning from everybody here. My name is Laura and i have a little farm going on in my house haha! I own 2 parrots, a house rabbit and a shih-tzu. I also have a family rottweiler who lives with my parents. I have always owned rottweilers and never anything else, i moved into my own house last year with full intentions in getting myself a rottweiler pup when i was ready to do so….. However, i was made aware of a shih-tzu that was up for re-homing by a breeder who struggled to get litters from her… safe to say i fell in love and the rest is history! A little back story on me and my girl (apologies if this is a long read!) My coco is a 3 year old imperial shih-tzu, she is not spayed currently (however she will be) and she has had one litter of pups, the old owner managed to have one litter just before re-homing her! My girl had a rubbish life, she was kept in an enclosure with other dogs in the hope she would get caught, she had never had a bed or toys and didn’t know how to eat from a bowl. She was terrified of people, especially women, and she had matted fur with a severe ear infection. She had never had a vaccination or vet check. I knew the day i saw her i could not leave her in such conditions and she came home with me the same day. Coco has been with me for 7 months, she is a different dog! She is now a pampered princess who enjoys her monthly groomers hour, she sleeps on the comfiest bed (mine!) and she eats from bowls, plays with toys and even walks on a lead! I have had a full health check and thankfully she is in top health, no obvious concerns and everything comes back normal. She has had her jabs and she is the most loving beautiful natured little lady. She loves people and dogs, she almost seems upset if people don’t want to stop for a cuddle! She follows me around the house wagging her tail (makes a change from the first weeks where she couldn’t even look at me!), she races me to the door to go in the car and she loves my mum and dads rottweiler, she is with my parents when im working and she is just perfect with everybody! I cannot believe the difference love and time makes I have never owned a shih-tzu, and i am open to all advice, opinions and if i do something not right i would much rather be told so. I want to give this little girl the best life she can have, she had such a rubbish start! Coco has just come into season, this is the first one ive experienced with her.. any advice around this would be greatly appreciated! I am working my way around the site and learning but photos will soon be added!
Welcome. And good on you for giving her a good life. I have owned mixes that contain a bit of shih tzu (my Tornado-dog has a bit in him), but a family friend had several and I took care of them often. They are happy dogs, but can be a bit "bossy" - they have no hesitation to let you know that "we are not amused"... What type of parrots and rabbit? I have a red lored amazon currently. In the past I've had a Mexican red headed amazon and a couple severe macaws, and I grew up with a scarlet macaw and we had an angora rabbit for a while.
Welcome to Breedia Laura and Coco. Coco's season shouldn't be a problem. Most girls keep themselves clean but you might find an odd bloodspot on the floor the first week. You should of course keep her on a lead, or fully enclosed, for the duration of her season - especially weeks 2 and 3! The best time to book her spay would be 12 weeks after her season finishes, ie. when her hormone levels will be at their lowest.
Hello and thank you for the reply I have an African Grey and a Parrotlet currently. I love that you have had such a range of birds! My house rabbit is a netherland dwarf, she’s a tiny girl who is 6 and she is the love of coco’s life, the dog sits for hours watching her with nothing but love… the dog then runs a mile if the rabbit hops into the same room as her I never leave them both alone together.. Yes coco is super bossy, she is stubborn and can be very moody if she doesn’t get her own way… It’s a good job for her that her tiny little face is cute enough to get away with her little tempers haha!
Thank you all for the responses! I am looking forward to reading more and learning about different breeds So far so good with her season, she is super clean and wants a cuddle a little more than usual but i am happy with that! I have a large enclosed garden but always watch her when she is outside, ive always been over paranoid about dogs getting stolen from gardens! She is on the lead every walk so far, we haven’t started recall off during walks as of yet and we are pushing back until she is off season. I will let the vet know about the dates and get her booked in for spaying
