Shih Tzu Breeder

Hi all,

I'm considering of getting a 4 year old male shih tzu from a breeder. He was a show dog who has won many titles and is time for his retirement. On your opinions do you think it is a good idea to get a dog at this age? Or would it be better to start with a puppy so that it can have a stronger bond with you in the future?

Thanks guys, I appreaciate any opinions!

We recently adopted a 4 yo female shih tzu so I would recommend adopting one at that age definately! That age is still fairly young and you will still have a lot of years together with them because shih tzus can live up to 15 yo.

Our dog has had no problems bonding with us. One advantages to adopting an older dog vs. a puppy is that they are usually already housetrained. A puppy also requires ALOT of attention so if you don't have the time to devote to training a puppy, an older dog is recommended.

Hi all,

I'm considering of getting a 4 year old male shih tzu from a breeder. He was a show dog who has won many titles and is time for his retirement. On your opinions do you think it is a good idea to get a dog at this age? Or would it be better to start with a puppy so that it can have a stronger bond with you in the future?

Thanks guys, I appreaciate any opinions!

We recently adopted a 4 yo female shih tzu so I would recommend adopting one at that age definately! That age is still fairly young and you will still have a lot of years together with them because shih tzus can live up to 15 yo.

Our dog has had no problems bonding with us. One advantages to adopting an older dog vs. a puppy is that they are usually already housetrained. A puppy also requires ALOT of attention so if you don't have the time to devote to training a puppy, an older dog is recommended.

I got this Shih-tzu about 2weeks ago from a breeder..First he knew where he could pee and where he could not..
but these few days..when i let him out of his crate to play..he peed on the carpet but usually before he would hold it in until he goes back into his pee pee area with the training pad..is there any way to stop this behaviour? or does anyone why is my BeBu acting like this? thanks!

he pees because he is overly excited, and wants to play. as soon you open the crate, pick him up and put him on the training pad.

hope this helps ^_^

Are they good dogs for a first time owner?
heres the story im think of getting my son a shih tzu for his birthday we have dogs now but he doesnt have to take care of them cuz no of them are his.this is going to be his OWN dog.
so do u think its a good starter dog?

if not plz tell me why and what other dogs are good that are around the price of a shih tzu(300-500)?

oh yea and i live near a breeder that sells them for that much.
so dont tell me there not that price.
ill take care of grooming
hes 13!!!!!!!!!
I GOT A DOG FROM THIS BREEDER AND ALL MY FRIENDS DO TO AND THEY ARE REALLY HEALTHY!

Tha isn't a good idea BECAUSE
A. NEVER get a dog as a gift.
B. NEVER get a dog JUST for a child. Get it as a family dog.

Make him take care of the other dogs. How do you know he is responsible? You don't.
Kids get tired of dogs, FAST. It's rare that kids will devot 100% of their time to a dog.
You need to have him show you he is responsible for a year or two.
Kids only want dogs when it's conveniet for them. They don't want to clean up accidents. They don't want to take the dog for walks when they're tired. They don't want the responsibility of a dog. They just want it to say "Hey guys! I've got a dog!!"
If you don't, I can gurantee he'll grow tired of the dog very quickly.

I hope you reconsider.

Oh, to answer your question.
No. I don't think a shih tzu is a good dog for a kid, or a first time owner. They are high mantience little doggies. My neighbor has one thats hair grows at a RAPID rate. She has to get it groomed more than other dogs. Hers has to have eyedrops and she brushes it twice a day.
So no.
I'd get him a Lab or something. They are more of a "boy" dog. They can take on alot more rough housing that boys like to do better than a small dog.

Also, GOOD bred shih tzus are not that price. They usually run over 1,000$

The pups in pet stores come from puppymills and should never be patronized.
If you'd like to rescue a dog, try searching www.petfinder.com
If you'd like to buy a pup from a responsible breeder, the best place to find one is through the breed's parent club:

Maltese:

http://www.americanmaltese.org/

Poodle:

http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/

Shih Tzu:

http://64.37.122.206/Info/want_to_own.asp?menu=Info

Please keep in mind that AKC registration is NOT a guarantee of quality.
Here are some suggested questions one can use to determine if a breeder is truly responsible:

1. Is she an AKC registered breeder of good standing and an active member of her breed Parent Club?

2. Are there AKC Champions listed on the pedigree, showing that the breeder spends her time & money to prove the quality of her breeding stock through competition?

3. Are all the animals kept in clean, comfortable, healthy, loving circumstances?

4. Did the breeder conduct extensive interviews with you and every member of your family?

5. Have the sire & dam received all available health clearances, (eg. OFA Hip & Eye, Thyroid testing, THESE VARY FOR EACH BREED)

6. Is she willing to honestly discuss any possible genetic defects that may exist in her line?

7. Does she have a Sales Contract?

8. Does the contract contain a clause stipulating that you spay or neuter the puppy before it reaches a certain
age?

9. Does the contract contain a clause stating that if at any time in the puppy's life, you can no longer care for it, it must be returned to the breeder? (This ensures that no animal bred by this breeder will ever end up in a shelter).

10. Will the breeder maintain contact with you for the life of the puppy to answer questions and help in general?

No responsible breeder will mix those two. Reputable Breeders only breed purebreds. Backyard breeders will create such a mix, or puppy mills.
I see some of that mix listed here: http://search.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi
If you enter your own zip code, you may find one in your area.

My mom is going to go get a Imperial Shih Tzu puppie today from a breeder and we have had trouble finding a site that explains to us how to take care of the puppie. For example when should we take him to the vet and what he should eat and all that good stuff. We also plan to breed him with another Shih Tzu female with a family friend. So any information is helpful thanks.

All puppies need the same care regardless of breed. I have a Shih Tzu that is now two years old. I treated him just like any other pup; he ate Purina Puppy Chow and got his shots at 6, 9, and 12 weeks. You can give them the shots yourselves, but make sure the shots are refrigerated. If the shots are room temp then they're non-effective and the pup could still get sick. Be sure to read the label on the injection directions. If you're too nervous, take them to the vet. Most vets give you a puppy packet that gives you all the needed information on your new bundle of joy, plus it has a records page to keep track of all your pups needs. Good luck! Remember the most important thing a pup needs is unconditional love.

about 500 to 800 if ur lucky then you can get one for 250 but that really really rare bc we got ours for about that but it wasnt from a breeder! and it also depends on weather or not its a pure bred!