Not every pet owner with a big heart for small dogs have the requisite finances to purchase them; that’s why many look for Shih Tzu for sale while looking out for the cheapest deals. That, right there, is a risk, since puppy mills abound. There are small dog breeders out there who are out to earn cash at the expense of poorly bred pups. The outcome is to be expected – dubious bloodlines, pups with health conditions buyers may not be able to spot, and probably faked documentation pertaining to inoculations and deworming sessions.

Just say what you want – a puppy or an adult dog of which breed – and these people will probably have them, and for a steal, assuming these dogs came from the alleged breeding line. Of course, for that price, it’s doubtful the bloodline is as the breeder said. If a breeder will offer you some kind of discount, that price will only be a discount if he is a reputable breeder.

The reputable ones are almost always connected with or a member of breeding clubs. That way you can check with the club officers of the breeder’s background. When you contact a breeder from such a club, he will volunteer references you can check; this is customary if a breeder wants to appear legitimate, and not merely a smiling member of a puppy mill.

One good tip when looking for Shih Tzu for sale, you might want to see how far your social networking contacts can send out word for you. You most likely have a Facebook account, and if not, you probably have instant messenger accounts. Simply announce on your own page or status that you’re looking for a Shih Tzu for sale. On Skype, or whichever instant messaging app you use, you can do the same – just change your status. Don’t underestimate your friend-grapevine. At the least, it will only have taken a few minutes of your time; if you get lucky, a friend of a friend could recommend you to a legitimate breeder along with a possible discount.

Of course, not everyone is out to get a legitimate breed for a Shih Tzu – unless you’re joining a dog show; that means you can probably check a Shih Tzu rescue, where you can adopt an adult dog of the same breed. Since most animal shelters take in and take care of orphaned dogs, most them the victim of neglect, then it’s not likely you’ll find many puppies here. You will be extensively interviewed by the animal rescue staff, and that’s a good thing – they want to make sure they can find a good home for these dogs; you’l be asked about your readiness and experience in taking care of Shih Tzu, since this breed is costly and time consuming to take care of.

Besides the obvious difference in money to shell out – adopting costs considerably less than buying pups or adult ones from a breeder – you can be sure the staff at the rescue will be able to brief you about the Shih Tzu’s particular behavioral tendencies and whatever health problems it has.  

Your online search for Shih Tzu for sale may lead to you to breeders or animal rescues. Ultimately you’ll need to decide whether you want puppies or adult Shih Tzu. Breeders have a financial reason to encourage you to seek Shih Tzu for sale, while animal shelters may only want to find a good home for their abandoned but lovable dogs.