When you’re looking for a new pet and you’ve decided that a Shih Tzu is the kind of dog you’d like, a Shih Tzu breeder is one of the first places you should go if you want a Shih Tzu puppy or adult. Not only do breeders have animals available for adoption or sale, but good breeders are also excellent sources of information about the breed and can help you figure out what traits you should look for to find a healthy, properly socialized puppy that will be the right addition to your family.
If you choose to get your new dog from a breeder, then you’ll need to find a Shih Tzu breeder in your area; and the easiest way to do so is on the web. There are directories which can help you with this as well as the website of the American Kennel Club. Alternately, you can just search for breeders in your area and narrow down your search from here.
Once you find some breeders, you need to ensure that they are reputable. A responsible Shih Tzu breeder should know everything that you need to know about the breed, including possible health issues which could affect their animals. They will also specialize in this breed and do their best to produce dogs which meet the standards for the breed, raising them in their home in order to give them the best possible care.
It is also a good idea to make sure that any breeder you’re considering is a member of their local and national breeders clubs, including the American Shih Tzu club and maintains accurate, current veterinary and vaccination records for all of their animals. A good breeder will only breed their dogs on occasion rather than every time the females go into heat and will only sell puppies once they have reached the age of three months; earlier than this and the puppy may not be in the best of physical and mental health. It can also be dangerous to ship a dog younger than this.
Any good Shih Tzu breeder should introduce you to the parents and littermates of the puppy you want to adopt; if they are unwilling to do this, then you should probably keep looking, since this is likely to be a sign that this dog is from a puppy mill and will be unhealthy. The best breeders do not usually advertise, relying solely on word of mouth to find adoptive homes for their dogs. Steer clear of anyone who sells dogs on a website, since they are either operating a puppy mill or are simply scamming you.
Thankfully, there are plenty of resources to help you find a good Shih Tzu breeder. It can take some time and some work to find the right breeder, but this is well worth it once you find your new puppy. Taking some time to do your due diligence is definitely worth it for the years of companionship you’ll get from the new addition to your family.
