Shih Tzu Puppies in WA
Shih Tzu Puppies for Sale in Washington
For families in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane and Vancouver.
Washington is damp, green and good for walking, with a mild climate west of the Cascades and a sharp, dry one east of them. A Shih Tzu does best in the gentle weather of Puget Sound, where summers rarely get as hot as the rest of the country. Rain is the daily chore: wet paws, a muddy belly and a coat that needs a towel. Beyond that, this is an easy state for a small indoor dog.
My puppies are born and raised in Sedona, Arizona, and a puppy can reach you anywhere in Washington, including Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane and Vancouver. The vet check, the core vaccinations for its age, the worming record and the one-year written guarantee come with every puppy that goes to Washington.
Washington at a Glance
- From Sedona to Seattleabout 1,370 miles
- Getting homeFlight nanny or ground transport
- Goes home from8 weeks old
- Before going homeVet checked
- Health guaranteeOne year, in writing
Puppies Looking for Washington Homes
The Journey Home to Washington
Seattle is about 1,370 miles from me in Sedona, Arizona. You never need to come to Arizona: a flight nanny can bring your puppy in the cabin and walk off the plane in Seattle with it, or ground transport can drive it to your door. If you would enjoy the trip, we can meet at a public place in Arizona instead. No puppy ever travels as cargo. How puppies get home.
Shih Tzu Life Across Washington
Seattle
Seattle is hills, rain and apartment living, from Capitol Hill and Ballard to the condos of South Lake Union. A Shih Tzu fits well in a small space and enjoys a loop around Green Lake. Magnuson Park has an off-leash area, but a small dog is usually safer on a lead among bigger dogs. A raincoat helps through the wet months from October to spring.
Tacoma
Tacoma mixes older houses on hillsides with waterfront walks. A stroll along Ruston Way gives a small dog sea air and wide views, and Point Defiance Park has long, shaded paths. Rain is frequent, so a towel by the door earns its place. Many Tacoma homes have a small yard, which suits a Shih Tzu who likes a quick potter outside.
Spokane
Spokane sits on the dry side of the state, with colder winters, snow and hot, dry summers. Riverfront Park gives a small dog a pleasant, flat place to walk, and many neighborhoods have yards. A Shih Tzu needs a coat in winter and shade in July. The climate is far more like the Rockies than Puget Sound, so plan for it.
Vancouver
Vancouver, Washington, sits across the Columbia River from Portland and has a suburban feel, with family neighborhoods, newer subdivisions and a riverfront walk along the water. Yards are common. The weather is wet but mild, close to Seattle's. A Shih Tzu will enjoy a daily loop and a spot by the window. Keep the lead short near the river and busy roads.
The Part That Surprises Washington Dog Owners
Wet coats and mud
West of the Cascades it rains from fall through spring, and a Shih Tzu's long coat soaks it up like a sponge. Damp hair mats quickly, especially behind the ears and under the legs, and damp skin can get irritated. Dry your dog with a towel after every walk, brush it fully every few days, and consider a short puppy cut for the wet months.
Toxic algae in lakes and rivers
Blue-green algae blooms appear in Washington lakes and rivers in warm months, and the toxins can kill a dog that swims in them or licks its fur afterward. Stay out of water that looks scummy, green or foamy, check local health advisories before a lake visit, and rinse your dog with clean water if it touches an algae bloom.
Summer heat and wildfire smoke
Summers west of the mountains are mild, but heat waves do happen, and a short-nosed dog suffers in them. East of the Cascades, July and August get properly hot and dry. Late summer also brings wildfire smoke to both sides of the state. When air quality is poor, keep your Shih Tzu indoors, limit exertion and keep walks to the minimum for bathroom breaks.
Keeping a Shih Tzu Happy in Washington
Washington's climate is kind to a Shih Tzu. The Puget Sound area rarely has extreme heat or deep cold, so walks are possible nearly every day. The main job is drying. Keep a towel and a brush near the door, and wipe paws and bellies after walks. Many owners keep the coat in a puppy cut, which dries faster and mats less in the wet months. Apartments are common in Seattle and Tacoma, and a Shih Tzu is a good fit: it needs two or three short walks and some indoor play. Rainy days are fine for pee pads and a game of chase in the living room. Shih Tzus bond closely with their people and do not like long solitary days, so think about how much you are home. They are gentle with children and usually friendly with other pets, including cats.
Price and Travel to Washington
You will find the price on each puppy's card. The price page explains what it covers. Travel to Tacoma or anywhere else in Washington is worked out once I know your town and how you would like your puppy to travel.
What Washington Buyers Want to Know
01Does a Shih Tzu cope with Washington rain?
Yes, with a little routine. A Shih Tzu is happy indoors and does fine with short wet walks. A raincoat helps, and a towel at the door keeps the coat from staying damp. A shorter puppy cut dries faster and mats less, which many Washington owners prefer.
02Is it safe to take a Shih Tzu to a Washington lake?
Only after you check. Blue-green algae can be deadly to dogs, and a bloom is not always easy to spot. Look for local health advisories, avoid scummy or foamy water, and keep your dog from drinking or swimming. A Shih Tzu is a poor swimmer anyway, so a lead and a shoreline stroll are enough.
03Will my puppy travel in the cargo hold?
Never. From Seattle, about 1,370 miles away by road, a puppy travels in the cabin with a flight nanny, under the seat in front of them, or by road with ground transport.
See the full list of questions, or read the local guide for Colorado.
When You Are Ready
A Shih Tzu for Your Washington Home?
Tell me where in Washington you live and which puppy you like, and I will explain how it would work.