Shih Tzu | Black & White

The Shih Tzu is a small dog, friendly, living around its lifetime. In a city where space is measured carefully, this breed asks less of a floor plan than people expect - it cares far more about whether anyone is in the room.

The real work here is seasonal. Four months of rain shape the coat care, the drying routine and the walk schedule, and a household that plans for that enjoys the dog considerably more than one surprised by it each June.

Caring for a Shih Tzu through a Mumbai year

• Monsoon: four months of rain shape the routine. Dry the dog thoroughly and never let bedding stay damp.
• Exercise: two walks a day, and do not over-exercise a young dog while the joints are still forming.
• Feeding: portioned to the adult size, with any brand change phased over a week.
• Nails: trimmed before you can hear them on hard flooring.
• Clinic: number saved and records kept in the same place.