Apartment Dogs Take the Suburbs

While the Shih Tzu appeared on the American Kennel Club’s list of the 10 most popular dogs of 2008 and enjoys widespread popularity, many people consider them perfect city dogs—easy to scoop up for the elevator ride to high-rise digs.

But Shih Tzus Lola, Pixie, Brooklyn, Major, Rosie, Beacon and Gomez live within a few blocks of each other on Meeker Street, Mountain House Road, West Montrose Avenue and Vose Avenue near Mountain Station. What accounts for a cluster of frou frou apartment dogs in the wilds of suburbia?

Bill Bresler has been the proud owner of Brooklyn for three years. “They’re hypo-allergenic, extremely friendly, and really good to our baby,” he said, referring to his 1-year-old son. “They’re smart. She knows how to open a gate with her paw,” he added.

In fact, the soft double-coated Shih Tzu has hair, not fur, and doesn’t shed. Although there is some controversy about whether any dog is truly hypoallergenic, that factor is commonly cited when discussing the breed.

Eight-year-old Rebekah Czukoski really wanted a dog, but was allergic. “I kept begging and begging,” she explained. Rosie, now eight months old, has fit comfortably into family life. “I love when she rolls over and moves her paws,” Rebekah said.

The Shih Tzu (pronounced Sheed-zoo) is a relative newcomer to the American household. A pet to royalty in ancient China, the Shih Tzu was literally carried inside the sleeve of the Emperor’s robe. It made its way to England in the 1930s, and was first brought to the U.S. by soldiers after World War II. The image of the Shih Tzu with its long hair beautifully combed and blown out with a beribboned top knot for dog show appearances is not the carefree Shih Tzu that runs through melted snow in the backyard. Frequent brushing and trips to the groomer are more the choice of the owner than the dog, who will happily romp down the street in a short "puppy cut."

Lola, the senior citizen of the South Orange group, at 16, began her life as an apartment dog, but moved, with my family, to the suburbs. Because of her friendly, gentle temperament, Lola was trained as a therapy dog. Since moving to South Orange, she has served in that role informally, showing local pre-schoolers and kindergarteners they don't need to be afraid of dogs on trips to classrooms. Recently, Pixie, a three-month-old Shih Tzu, joined our household.

My third-grade daughter Sylvia and I drove down to North Carolina to meet Pixie at the same breeder that sired Brooklyn. “Pixie and Lola have very different personalities. Pixie gets in a lot of trouble. Lola tries to set her straight,” said Sylvia, who wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.

When they're not charming their owners at home, the seven Shih Tzus of West Montrose, with their feathery tails wagging, can be seen cavorting around the neighborhood with nary a designer jacket between them.