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The first thing a person should do when considering
a Shih-Tzu or any other purebred dog is to read
everything they can about the breed. In addition, it
is highly recommended that a prospective owner talk
to those who have a Shih-Tzu and ask about the good
and bad qualities of the breed. When you feel that
you are an informed person who can ask many
questions, it may be time to start choosing a
breeder.
Because of the popularity of the breed in the last
few years, some have tried breeding the Shih-Tzu
with mixed results. This can affect the overall
quality of the breed and put less-than-healthy dogs
into the homes of unsuspecting and uninformed
people. Being prepared is one of the key things a
person can do before visiting breeders. A little
preparation at the start may help the family and the
pet avoid serious problems later one.
A top-quality breeder will be one who is trying to
maintain the best qualities of the breed and is
trying to ensure that buyers get the healthiest dog
possible. A breeder who is doing his or her best
will make sure that the puppies have clean living
conditions, top quality food, fresh water, and just
as important, loving attention. Puppies that make
good pets most often come from a breeder who spends
time with the young dogs, making sure that they are
happy and comfortable with other dogs and with the
people who work for the breeder.
While each breeder has a slightly different system
and different methods, a buyer should always ask
about guarantees. It may be difficult to think about
losing a new pet, but it would be best to make sure
that you get your money back or get a replacement
dog if the puppy should die within a specific
period. Not only that, but prospective owners should
ask to see both parents of the litter being
considered. This will help the buyer understand how
the dogs are treated and whether there are serious
health issues that may be of concern with the
puppies.
Another alternative for getting a Shih-Tzu is to
work with a rescue organization or sanctuary group.
The challenges with getting a pet from one of these
groups are different but many dogs from rescue
sources make wonderful pets. Most of the time these
dogs just need a good home and loving companions,
something the dog did not get in its first home.
Sometimes an adult dog from a rescue organization is
very healthy and was quite happy in its first home,
but the owner had to move and could not take the dog
along.
You need to know a few things about this breed
before deciding to adopt a Shih-Tzu. This is a
somewhat high-maintenance breed, especially if the
owner is concerned about the long coat and its
appearance. If there are plans to show the dog, the
work can increase dramatically. Shih-Tzu do not do
well when left alone for long periods and this is
often the reason that the dogs end up with a rescue
organization. Many owners cannot give the pet
sufficient time to keep it happy and healthy. A good
rescue organization will take care of any medical
problems the dog has and will be very familiar with
any behavior issues or health issues that a new
owner will have to deal with. One organization
emphasizes that some behavior problems in rescued
adult dogs can take a year or two to correct. The
new owner must have plenty of patience to take on
this challenge.
Whether you decide to get your Shih-Tzu from a good
breeder or from a rescue organization, make sure you
know all you can about the breed and its care before
making any commitments. A little preparation at
first can go a long way to making your Shih-Tzu
experience a good one.
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