Adopting a Shih Tzu in Birmingham: rescues, costs and grooming

The count under the short answer is live: it shows every Shih Tzu and Shih Tzu cross listed with us in Birmingham and within about 25 miles, with a link to the rescue that has each dog. Expect it to be small, and some days empty.

We found no active Shih Tzu breed rescue to recommend for Birmingham adopters, so the rescues below and the big charities are the places to look.

We haven't found a current, verified UK source that sets out why Shih Tzus in particular are given up, so we won't guess. What the breed sources do show is how much a Shih Tzu asks of an owner: The Royal Kennel Club lists the coat as needing grooming every day.

PDSA says Shih Tzus were bred as companions and love company, so expect a rescue to ask how long the dog would be left alone.

Birmingham Dogs Home includes neutering, a microchip, flea and worm treatment and four weeks' free insurance in its fee of £250 to £400.

A bought puppy leaves all of that to you, on top of the £400 to £3,000 Blue Cross gives for a puppy. At Paws A While Shelter an older dog costs less to adopt: £200 for a dog of 9 or over, against £300 for a younger adult.

A rescue dog's parents may never have been health tested, so ask what the rescue's vet has checked. UK sources name these for the breed:

• Breathing and heat. Dogs Trust describes Shih Tzus as brachycephalic (a short nose, a flat face or both) and says they are at higher risk of heat stroke. The Royal Kennel Club asks breeders to have eyes tested and dogs' breathing graded for BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome).
• Eyes, teeth, kidneys and back. PDSA lists conditions Shih Tzus may develop, including dry eye, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, crowded or displaced teeth, an inherited kidney condition (renal dysplasia) and intervertebral disc disease.

The coat needs grooming every day, according to The Royal Kennel Club, and Dogs Trust says you can have it clipped by a professional groomer every 6 to 8 weeks. PDSA says most pet owners keep it clipped, and that the fur around the mouth and nose and the corners of the eyes need keeping clean.

Ask how the dog copes with being brushed and handled, and budget for a groomer from the first month.

The Royal Kennel Club lists a flat as big enough for a Shih Tzu, with up to an hour of exercise a day, but Small Dog Rescue won't rehome to a flat, so tell each rescue about your home.

Time alone matters more. PDSA says a Shih Tzu shouldn't be left alone for more than four hours a day, so expect a rescue to ask about your working hours.

Rescue Shih Tzus are adopted, not sold. You apply, the rescue matches you with a dog, and you pay its adoption fee or donation. Puppies do reach rescue now and then, but most rescue Shih Tzus are adults, which means you can see the coat and temperament you are taking on.

If you decide to buy, Dogs Trust suggests asking your vet about a pre-purchase consultation on likely health conditions and rough costs, and The Royal Kennel Club runs a "Find a puppy" service. Report a suspected scam advert to Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud).