I had a Shih Tzu, he was my first dog as an adult. Housebreaking is the major issue with them. But he was very loving and very popular with every one who came to visit. We used to travel with him everywhere and very devoted to his family. He was a funny little dog and I miss him.
Well, these folks weren't dog people, which didn't help, but I don't think this was a very good Shih Tzu either. I'm not sure where they got him from, but he really was dumb. Like a rock dumb. You looked into his eyes and there was nobody home. I wouldn't be surprised if they got him from a puppy mill or a pet shop.