Buying an pet is an big commitment. Their are so many things to consider! Is this the right breed for me? Maintenance? Size, Can I handle this pup while going to work? so many things to consider! Well sometimes an shih-tzu is the perfect pet and sometimes they are just not. If I feel an puppy parent doesn't fit well with this baby or breed I will refuse to sell an pup and point you in to an breed that may fit your requirement. Here are a few bits of information to think about before decided if an shih-tzu is the right baby for you.
Sizing
Everyone wants a purse dog but lets be serious their is no such thing. Putting an baby in a purse is some what inhumane. Their are so many that will tell you about how the smaller ones are so much better! or how Oh girl that dog would be great for you! or you just happen to see a friend with one and want one just like her. Their are cons and pros with every size.
An great size is an shih-tzu from 9-12lb. I always stick with this size. Not too big and not to small.
I have heard a few people state any shih-tzu that isnt 13lb and up is not an shih-tzu. WRONG!! for people who believe this please purchase an shih-tzu book at your local pet store or see the AKC standard. Most show shih-tzus hardly ever get to 16lb. But some shih-tzus can even be past 16lb. Now since the Imperials some have become as small as 6lb. I only breed for the small standard and standards here and normally any pup who becomes less than 8lb are sold as pets.
Coat maintenance
Shih-tzus are known for their long coats. YES they have to be combed! It is possible to keep one with out combing but even with that you are required to shave your baby down.
My last puppy parents keep their babies in an very VERY short cut and get them cut every 2-3 weeks. Topknots are not for everyone and you do not need to have one. Shih-tzus look very fine and cute with or with out their coats. Their coats are more like an job. They do not have fur. Instead it is called hair. Long coats take alot of effort and time. Everyday I wrap my babies show coat to keep his coat and beard from breaking and keep it growing to the floor. 3-4 hours each day depending on how thick the coat is and Good shih-tzus have very thick coats. Their are two different coat types ; Silkie and woolly.
Some breeders you can tell by their photos their dogs have woolly coats. It doesn't mean bad breeding but they prefer the woolly cotton like coats instead of the silkie soft coats. Woolly coats are hard to maintain and will mat with just the blow of the wind. I had a male with that coat and it was not fun at all. It looks very course and dry but in fact it is very healthy. Oiling does no good. Even if a breeder does not breed for woolly coats sometimes you do have an baby who may have it.
Silkie coats are the soft coat you see on my male. Very soft and silkie looking. It doesn't mat easy at all. I never need to oil his coat as long as I keep his coat conditioned and maintained. This is an coat I love and will continue breeding for.
Barking
I feel barking should be addressed more than anything else. Every where I go in Alabama people have admired and told me stories of the shih-tzus they got rid of! All of them had one thing in common...Barking. Shih-tzus are talkative. Do not get talking confused with barking. Most only talk when they want something, have to pee, poop or are jealous. Some even bark when their owners leave them up home. Some of these issues can be cured and usually are caused because of the owner. An dog barks their is nothing you can do about it and to purchase one and think it wont bark...well you are just asking for it. Do not get them confused with chihuahuas. They will only bark when nessessary. Most of the time once you settle at home and feed them, give them water their is absolutely no barking done until you ignore them completely. Yes all dogs bark, yes shih-tzus bark please do not be the ones sending your dog to the pound just because he or she barks!
Medical Issues
Do not be surprised shih-tzus are an very healthy breed but you do sometimes have health issues to worry about. Do not get confused that any shih-tzu you buy is healthy. No depends on the breeder and where you purchased this pup from. Shih-tzus do have allergies but not all of them have it. From sneezing to red eyes they can be just like us at times. An vet usually can cure this or you can do a few at home remedies. As long as you take care of your shih-tzu their should be no medical problems. Shih-tzus do have large eyes and eyes can be damaged very easy. Some pups are born with pinched noses. If a pup has an pinched nose your breeder usually states this. sometimes the pup grows out of it but in rare cases the noses have to be fixed by an vet.
Pricing
This has been a big pet peeve of mine. I understand some people have a hard time and want to purchased an pup regardless. Sometimes those people really and truthfully make great puppy parents but I have found that sometimes that is not the case. My theory is...If you cannot afford the price a breeder says please do not question...Most us who are breeding correctly cannot afford to sell an pup at 400 and below. 400 below is like an kick in the face. With vet bills, food, up keep and more having litters is no walk in the park. Every inch of money goes right back to our dogs and having even 1 person to purchase an pup is a heaven sent gift to our babies.
Ok so you saw billy bob in the paper selling pups for 350... Think about it... pups for 350 usually are from ckc dogs, puppy mills back yard breeders or someone just wanting a little pocket change. Those pups in no way are great quality. One in good quality is very rare. You purchase this pup and tell everyone how great a deal you got until the dog gets older and you find out he never shuts up. He has so many faults. Your friend has a shih-tzu and she paid 1000 and hers looks nothing like yours. Then you go to the park and people mistake your dog for a mixed breed. After you are just so sick of this dog you try to give it away. If you just saved up your money and purchased from and good breeder all of that would never have happened. An great breed will stick with you for life. If you have a problem they would love to talk to you on the phone about this problem. Once you purchase an dog from the paper for 350 you do not have that luxury. An good breeder takes their dog back if the owner can no longer care for them. well since you purchased from some one who couldn't care less you have no choice but to try and give it away and next thing you know you see your dog on tv being pulled from ether a kill shelter, a bad breeder or someone who abuses dogs.
Think about this before crying about how an dog that is priced at 600 is too high. Even at the pound you have to pay a fee but remember most dogs at the pound have been abused, neglected and have some kind of behavior problem. Pricing should be based on quality not just because you emailed saying you want a dog but you cant afford the breeders prices. well maybe you really need to invest in a stuff dog instead.....Free, cheap and easy to find.
To show or not to show
Showing is not easy. I do encourage anyone who would like to show to do so or try. Showing is not for everyone. It does require traveling but some people only do showing on weekends. Showing does time quite a bit of your time and training takes alot of effort. Not every dog will be show able so keep that in mind if you are interested in an show baby. Waiting for a pup to reach 12 weeks is an ideal way of telling if that pup would make a great show dog. If you would like more information on showing contact me anytime.
Sizing
Everyone wants a purse dog but lets be serious their is no such thing. Putting an baby in a purse is some what inhumane. Their are so many that will tell you about how the smaller ones are so much better! or how Oh girl that dog would be great for you! or you just happen to see a friend with one and want one just like her. Their are cons and pros with every size.
An great size is an shih-tzu from 9-12lb. I always stick with this size. Not too big and not to small.
I have heard a few people state any shih-tzu that isnt 13lb and up is not an shih-tzu. WRONG!! for people who believe this please purchase an shih-tzu book at your local pet store or see the AKC standard. Most show shih-tzus hardly ever get to 16lb. But some shih-tzus can even be past 16lb. Now since the Imperials some have become as small as 6lb. I only breed for the small standard and standards here and normally any pup who becomes less than 8lb are sold as pets.
Coat maintenance
Shih-tzus are known for their long coats. YES they have to be combed! It is possible to keep one with out combing but even with that you are required to shave your baby down.
My last puppy parents keep their babies in an very VERY short cut and get them cut every 2-3 weeks. Topknots are not for everyone and you do not need to have one. Shih-tzus look very fine and cute with or with out their coats. Their coats are more like an job. They do not have fur. Instead it is called hair. Long coats take alot of effort and time. Everyday I wrap my babies show coat to keep his coat and beard from breaking and keep it growing to the floor. 3-4 hours each day depending on how thick the coat is and Good shih-tzus have very thick coats. Their are two different coat types ; Silkie and woolly.
Some breeders you can tell by their photos their dogs have woolly coats. It doesn't mean bad breeding but they prefer the woolly cotton like coats instead of the silkie soft coats. Woolly coats are hard to maintain and will mat with just the blow of the wind. I had a male with that coat and it was not fun at all. It looks very course and dry but in fact it is very healthy. Oiling does no good. Even if a breeder does not breed for woolly coats sometimes you do have an baby who may have it.
Silkie coats are the soft coat you see on my male. Very soft and silkie looking. It doesn't mat easy at all. I never need to oil his coat as long as I keep his coat conditioned and maintained. This is an coat I love and will continue breeding for.
Barking
I feel barking should be addressed more than anything else. Every where I go in Alabama people have admired and told me stories of the shih-tzus they got rid of! All of them had one thing in common...Barking. Shih-tzus are talkative. Do not get talking confused with barking. Most only talk when they want something, have to pee, poop or are jealous. Some even bark when their owners leave them up home. Some of these issues can be cured and usually are caused because of the owner. An dog barks their is nothing you can do about it and to purchase one and think it wont bark...well you are just asking for it. Do not get them confused with chihuahuas. They will only bark when nessessary. Most of the time once you settle at home and feed them, give them water their is absolutely no barking done until you ignore them completely. Yes all dogs bark, yes shih-tzus bark please do not be the ones sending your dog to the pound just because he or she barks!
Medical Issues
Do not be surprised shih-tzus are an very healthy breed but you do sometimes have health issues to worry about. Do not get confused that any shih-tzu you buy is healthy. No depends on the breeder and where you purchased this pup from. Shih-tzus do have allergies but not all of them have it. From sneezing to red eyes they can be just like us at times. An vet usually can cure this or you can do a few at home remedies. As long as you take care of your shih-tzu their should be no medical problems. Shih-tzus do have large eyes and eyes can be damaged very easy. Some pups are born with pinched noses. If a pup has an pinched nose your breeder usually states this. sometimes the pup grows out of it but in rare cases the noses have to be fixed by an vet.
Pricing
This has been a big pet peeve of mine. I understand some people have a hard time and want to purchased an pup regardless. Sometimes those people really and truthfully make great puppy parents but I have found that sometimes that is not the case. My theory is...If you cannot afford the price a breeder says please do not question...Most us who are breeding correctly cannot afford to sell an pup at 400 and below. 400 below is like an kick in the face. With vet bills, food, up keep and more having litters is no walk in the park. Every inch of money goes right back to our dogs and having even 1 person to purchase an pup is a heaven sent gift to our babies.
Ok so you saw billy bob in the paper selling pups for 350... Think about it... pups for 350 usually are from ckc dogs, puppy mills back yard breeders or someone just wanting a little pocket change. Those pups in no way are great quality. One in good quality is very rare. You purchase this pup and tell everyone how great a deal you got until the dog gets older and you find out he never shuts up. He has so many faults. Your friend has a shih-tzu and she paid 1000 and hers looks nothing like yours. Then you go to the park and people mistake your dog for a mixed breed. After you are just so sick of this dog you try to give it away. If you just saved up your money and purchased from and good breeder all of that would never have happened. An great breed will stick with you for life. If you have a problem they would love to talk to you on the phone about this problem. Once you purchase an dog from the paper for 350 you do not have that luxury. An good breeder takes their dog back if the owner can no longer care for them. well since you purchased from some one who couldn't care less you have no choice but to try and give it away and next thing you know you see your dog on tv being pulled from ether a kill shelter, a bad breeder or someone who abuses dogs.
Think about this before crying about how an dog that is priced at 600 is too high. Even at the pound you have to pay a fee but remember most dogs at the pound have been abused, neglected and have some kind of behavior problem. Pricing should be based on quality not just because you emailed saying you want a dog but you cant afford the breeders prices. well maybe you really need to invest in a stuff dog instead.....Free, cheap and easy to find.
To show or not to show
Showing is not easy. I do encourage anyone who would like to show to do so or try. Showing is not for everyone. It does require traveling but some people only do showing on weekends. Showing does time quite a bit of your time and training takes alot of effort. Not every dog will be show able so keep that in mind if you are interested in an show baby. Waiting for a pup to reach 12 weeks is an ideal way of telling if that pup would make a great show dog. If you would like more information on showing contact me anytime.