Boarding a Shih Tzu runs on two kinds of paperwork: the vaccination proof every facility demands, and the comfort and grooming notes this particular breed genuinely needs. Rabies, distemper and parvovirus, and Bordetella certificates form the core, with canine influenza added by some kennels. A Shih Tzu left without coat care or company for a long stay comes home matted and miserable, so the written care sheet deserves as much attention as the certificates.
Vaccine proof a Shih Tzu must present
A Shih Tzu's rabies certificate should be the formal document from the vet, current through the last night of boarding. Distemper and parvovirus records go with it, and Bordetella needs checking against the facility's recency rule, which catches out many owners of small companion dogs who board only once a year. Some facilities ask for canine influenza as well, particularly where dogs rest and play indoors together. Ring ahead, get the list in writing, and compare it with the certificates you actually hold. If your Shih Tzu's records are split between two vet practices after a house move, ask both for copies so the packet is complete before you travel.
Grooming and comfort notes for this breed
Grooming notes for a Shih Tzu should say how often the coat needs brushing during the stay and whether the facility offers it or expects the dog to arrive clipped short. Mention the topknot or fringe if it must be kept out of the eyes, and note any skin sensitivity your vet has pointed out so staff choose handling and bedding accordingly. Comfort notes matter just as much: Shih Tzus are companion dogs who expect people nearby, so say what settles yours, from a lap at quiet times to a favourite soft toy. Feeding amounts, treat preferences and the dish he eats from best round out a sheet that lets staff recreate home in a kennel.
Contacts and health background on one sheet
One contact sheet for a Shih Tzu should carry your mobile, your vet's number, and a backup person who can collect him if he becomes unwell or refuses to settle. Add a brief, plain note of anything the vet monitors regularly, such as eye checks, so staff know what normal looks like for this dog. Flat-faced breeds can struggle in heat, so it is worth writing that he should rest in the coolest part of the facility during hot weather and be watched if he seems to be breathing hard after play. That single practical line, agreed with your vet beforehand if you are unsure, is the kind of detail a good care sheet exists for.
Getting the packet ready in good time
Packet preparation for a Shih Tzu is easiest a few weeks before the stay. Collect the certificates, photograph them as backups, and check every date against the facility's list, remembering that a vaccination updated too close to drop-off may not be accepted by every kennel. If the coat will need a groom before boarding so it stays manageable, book that in the same round of planning. Facilities that offer a pre-check of documents can approve the packet in advance, which turns drop-off into a quick, friendly handover. A companion dog who watches his owner leave calmly, without a long desk-side delay, settles into the kennel routine far sooner.
Where to take questions about the records
Record questions for a Shih Tzu go first to the vet practice, which can reissue certificates, confirm what is current, and update anything lapsed in time for the stay. House questions go to the facility: whether grooming is included, how much company small companion dogs get, and where they sleep. If the facility wants a vaccination your vet has not recommended for your dog, ask both sides to talk it through before you commit. Settling those points early keeps the booking simple and the dog's experience gentle. Once the certificates, grooming notes and contacts are gathered, KinsLe's Pet Passport holds a Shih Tzu's records together in one portable packet, ready for vet visits, boarding and handoffs alike.