11,828 answers about dogs
From a puppy’s first feeding schedule to a senior dog’s comfort care, dog owners ask it all — this page gathers the dog library of KinsLe Answers in one place. Browse by topic below, from feeding and training to health, grooming, safety and travel. Every answer is original, written by KinsLe, and tied to a real KinsLe feature.
2,117 answers in Choosing & Adopting — page 44 of 89
Shih Tzus make good alert dogs but poor guard dogs, and that distinction matters for this breed. Most will bark promptly at a doorbell, a hallway footstep, or a stranger at the gate, yet their small size and affectionate, people-loving temperament mean they are far more likely to greet an intruder than deter one. In…
Yes, this is one of the breed's best matches, because a Shih Tzu asks for exactly what a home worker offers: company all day, a bed beside the desk, and short breaks rather than long exercise. Most settle quietly through work hours once they have had a morning walk and learned the routine, though a young dog will…
No, and it is kinder to be direct, because a Shih Tzu is a flat-faced companion breed with short legs and a low tolerance for heat and sustained effort. Running and long hikes risk overheating and exhaustion rather than shared enjoyment, while short, gentle walks on flat ground in cool weather are this breed's happy…
Yes, Shih Tzus are one of the classic matches for older owners, being small and manageable, affectionate without being demanding, and happiest simply near their person through the day. They are content with moderate walks, so the main commitments are grooming, because that long coat needs regular brushing and…
Yes, Shih Tzus are among the most naturally welcoming small breeds, bred purely as companions and usually greeting visitors with a wagging tail and an expectation of admiration. Most happily accept attention from new people at home or in the street, although a poorly socialised Shih Tzu can still be shy, so early…
Shibas sit in the middle, with bursts, because an athletic adult needs a proper daily walk plus play or training, yet usually settles calmly indoors once that outing is done. The energy is intense and opinionated rather than frantic, so a bored Shiba may not bounce off walls but can become destructive, escape-minded,…
Sometimes, and the animals' history matters more than the breed label, because a Shiba raised alongside a confident indoor cat from puppyhood often lives peacefully with that cat. An adult Shiba meeting a cat for the first time is riskier, given the breed's hunting background, and may see a small, fast animal to…
Yes, as an alert dog rather than a guard dog, because a Shiba is watchful, territorial about the home, and quick to sound off when someone approaches the door or crosses the garden. You will usually know a visitor has arrived, but that same dog will typically back off rather than confront an intruder, and his moderate…
Often yes, because a settled adult Shiba is independent enough to rest quietly while you work, clean and relatively quiet indoors, and unlikely to demand attention through every call. The calm depends on a real walk before your workday starts and a midday break, plus clear boundaries so the dog learns that meetings…
For hiking, often yes, and for running, yes with conditions, because a fit adult Shiba has the stamina and sure footing for long trail days and usually enjoys exploring outdoors. That same hunting instinct means most Shibas are safest on a long line rather than off lead, and running distance should be built gradually,…
Shiba Inus can be good dogs for the right older owner, because they are clean, quiet, moderate in size, and independent enough not to demand constant entertainment. The challenges are real too, since a Shiba can be strong-willed in training, quick to slip a loose lead, and sensitive about handling, which makes…
Most Shiba Inus are not openly friendly with strangers, preferring to watch from a distance, sniff only if they choose, and save real affection for their household. That reserve is normal breed temperament rather than poor socialisation, and forcing cuddles from visitors usually makes a Shiba withdraw further, while a…
Yes, Shetland Sheepdogs are bright, busy herding dogs who need far more than a short stroll, because a healthy adult wants a proper walk, safe play, and a job for that quick brain such as learning cues or finding hidden toys. Without that outlet the energy often turns into barking, chasing, and rounding up children or…
Usually yes — Shetland Sheepdogs are generally one of the easier breeds to settle with a cat, because their herding instinct aims to gather and watch rather than chase down and catch. The behaviour to manage is rounding-up: a Sheltie may try to herd a cat between rooms, stare fixedly, or bark when the cat runs, and a…
Yes — as an alarm, a Shetland Sheepdog is hard to beat, with hearing and vigilance that catch a gate, a footstep, or a car slowing outside long before most owners notice anything. A Sheltie will announce visitors promptly and keep announcing until you take over, which makes the breed a genuine early-warning system in…
Very often yes — a Shetland Sheepdog usually considers an owner at home all day the ideal arrangement, offering quiet company at your feet and enthusiastic breaks between tasks. The two frictions are barking and togetherness: a Sheltie will happily announce a delivery during your most important call, and a dog who…
Yes, within sensible limits — a fit adult Shetland Sheepdog is an athletic, agile herding dog who usually adores hiking and can join moderate runs, keeping up far better than his small size suggests. Build distance gradually once he is fully grown, protect growing joints by keeping puppies to short walks, and watch…
They can be, for an active older owner who enjoys training, grooming, and a dog who wants to be involved in the day — a Sheltie is conveniently sized, bright, and deeply bonded, without the physical strength to pull an owner over. The honest caveats are exercise, coat care, and barking: a Sheltie still needs a real…
Generally no — most Shetland Sheepdogs are reserved with strangers, often stepping back from an outstretched hand and needing time to decide a new person is safe. That caution is normal Sheltie temperament, not a failure of training, and it sits alongside deep devotion to people the dog knows well. Problems start when…
It depends on the individual dog and how the pairing is managed — a Scottish Terrier's terrier prey drive is real, and a running cat can trigger a chase that a more soft-natured breed would never start. Scotties raised with cats from puppyhood often learn to treat their own cat as family, yet may still chase…
Yes — for their size, Scottish Terriers are outstanding watchdogs, combining sharp hearing, a deep and surprisingly loud bark, and a bold, territorial streak that makes them announce any approach to the house. A Scottie will typically keep announcing until a person is acknowledged, so the breed gives you early warning…
Not especially — a typical Scottish Terrier is polite but reserved with strangers, preferring to size people up rather than rush in for attention, and many simply ignore visitors once they have checked them over. That reserve is breed character, not a fault or a sign of poor socialisation, though good early…
No — a Rough Collie is best described as moderate-energy with a busy mind, well below the relentless drive of a Border Collie bred for all-day hill work. Most adults thrive on a good daily walk plus training, play, or herding-style games, then settle surprisingly calmly indoors. What looks like excess energy in a…
Usually yes — Rough Collies are among the herding breeds most likely to live peacefully with cats, because their chase instinct is about rounding up and controlling movement rather than catching. The friction point is herding itself: a Collie may stalk, stare at, or try to circle a cat, and many cats find that…
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