Shih Tzu Puppies in CO
Shih Tzu Puppies for Sale in Colorado
Shih Tzu puppies, and Shih Tzu life, across Colorado.
Colorado gives a Shih Tzu a very different life from the humid East. The air is dry, the sun is strong, and the Front Range cities sit roughly a mile above sea level. Evenings cool off quickly and a snowfall can melt by the next afternoon. A short-nosed dog does well here with a little extra thought about altitude and sunshine, and the trails, patios and neighborhood parks suit a small companion nicely.
From Sedona, Arizona, I plan the trip to Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and every other corner of Colorado, in the cabin or by road, never as cargo. Your puppy arrives with a vet check behind it, the vaccination record with every date on it, and a one-year guarantee in writing.
Colorado at a Glance
- From Sedona to Denverabout 710 miles
- Getting homeFlight nanny or ground transport
- Goes home from8 weeks old
- Before going homeVet checked
- Health guaranteeOne year, in writing
My Shih Tzu Puppies Available Now
From Arizona to Denver: Getting Your Puppy Home
Denver is about 710 miles from me in Sedona, Arizona. From Colorado Springs to out past Boulder, a puppy can come to you in the cabin with a flight nanny, by road with ground transport to your door, or with you, if you would rather travel to Arizona and meet me at an agreed public place. No puppy ever travels as cargo. How puppies get home.
Raising a Shih Tzu Around Colorado
Denver
Denver sits at about 5,280 feet, and its mix of apartments, bungalows and townhomes works well for a small dog. City Park, Washington Park and the Cherry Creek Trail offer flat, easy walks. Many patios welcome dogs in the warmer months. Ease a new puppy into the altitude with short outings, and keep an eye on its breathing when it plays hard.
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is higher than Denver, at roughly 6,000 feet, and sits beneath Pikes Peak. Neighborhoods range from older central homes to newer subdivisions with small yards. Garden of the Gods has paved paths, but rocky ground and open slopes are not for a short-legged dog. Weather swings fast here, from sunny to hail in an hour, so be ready to head inside.
Fort Collins
Fort Collins is a friendly college city with bike paths, a walkable Old Town and plenty of dog-friendly patios. The Poudre River Trail is flat and well suited to a gentle stroll. Rentals near campus can have strict pet rules, so ask before you sign. Winters bring cold and snow, followed by bright sun, and a small dog needs shade and water in summer.
Boulder
Boulder is an active, outdoorsy town where dogs are part of everyday life. The Boulder Creek Path and Pearl Street area are pleasant for short walks, while trails into the foothills are steep and rocky for a Shih Tzu. Rentals can be competitive and pet rules vary. Keep your dog close on trails, since wildlife is nearby, and carry a small dog over rough or crowded stretches.
What Catches Colorado Shih Tzu Owners Out
Altitude and strong sun
Most of Colorado's population lives high above sea level, where the air has less oxygen and the sun is more intense. A Shih Tzu has a short nose and already breathes harder than other dogs, so introduce exercise gradually and rest often. Provide shade and water on sunny days, and ask your vet if your dog seems winded. Very short coats can leave skin exposed, so choose shade over midday sun.
Coyotes, hawks and rattlesnakes
Coyotes roam many Front Range neighborhoods, including parts of Denver and Boulder, and hawks and owls take small animals. A dog the size of a Shih Tzu should never be left in a yard alone, and should stay on a lead at dawn and dusk. Prairie rattlesnakes live in open grasslands and foothills at lower elevations, so keep your dog on the path and away from rocks and brush.
Dry air, de-icers and foxtails
Colorado winters and dry indoor air leave a long coat staticky and prone to breaking. Many Colorado towns put magnesium chloride and other de-icers on roads, so wipe your dog's paws after walks. Summer grasses carry foxtails, barbed seeds that lodge in the coat, ears and nose. Brush after walks through dry grass, and see a vet if your dog sneezes or shakes its head.
Everyday Life With a Shih Tzu in Colorado
Colorado life with a Shih Tzu starts with an easy pace. Short walks and play at home keep your dog fit and content, and you can ease up if the altitude makes the dog breathe harder. Dry air matters for the coat: brush daily, use a light conditioning spray, and consider a puppy cut that is easy to keep. Temperature swings are large, with warm afternoons and chilly mornings, so a small jacket is useful in the shoulder seasons. Sunshine is common even in winter, which makes it easy to get outside, but snow can come quickly and stay on the shaded side of the house. Apartments and condos suit this breed well, and they enjoy being part of the family wherever you go. A Shih Tzu does not like long days alone. Children and other pets are usually welcome, and house training takes patience.
What a Shih Tzu Puppy Costs in Colorado
A puppy costs the same wherever it goes: the card shows the price, and the price page lists what is included. What travel to Colorado costs depends on whether your puppy comes with a flight nanny or by ground transport.
Common Questions in Colorado
01Does altitude bother a Shih Tzu?
Many do fine, but the short nose means they can tire or breathe harder at a mile high. Build up play and walks gradually, avoid hard exercise in warm weather, and rest often. If your dog coughs, gasps or seems unusually winded, speak to your vet.
02Is it safe to leave a Shih Tzu in a Colorado backyard?
Not alone. Coyotes, hawks and owls can take a small dog, even from a fenced yard, and rattlesnakes live in some areas. Stay outside with your dog and keep it on a lead near open land. Most of its time should be spent indoors with the family.
03Do I have to travel to Arizona to collect a puppy?
No. The roughly 710-mile trip from Denver is not needed: a flight nanny carries the puppy on board and hands it to you at your airport, or ground transport brings it to your door.
The Shih Tzu guide covers the breed in depth, and the Arizona page covers life with one there.
When You Are Ready
A Shih Tzu for Your Colorado Home?
Send me a message from Fort Collins, Boulder or anywhere in Colorado, and I will explain the travel options for you.