If you are looking for your first Shih Tzu puppy, the absolute best place for you to look for Shih Tzu puppies for sale is with AKC licensed Shih Tzu breeders. Not only will you get a Shih Tzu puppy that is healthy, sane and under warranty, but you also get access to the advice of the Shih Tzu breeder. They have lived with Shih Tzus a long time and know the quirks of this independent but loyal breed. If you have never had a Shih Tzu before – let alone a Shih Tzu puppy – then the support from the Shih Tzu breeder will be worth every penny.
You can search on the Internet or information from the American Kennel Club (AKC) to find Shih Tzu puppies for sale in your area. Since Shih Tzus are the ninth most popular breed in America (according to the AKC), you should have no problem finding a reputable Shih Tzu breeder around where you live.
You still will have to pay a three-figure adoption fee from Shih Tzu rescues, and you might not get papers with the pup. If you have never had a dog before, you don’t need to be taking on a second-hand puppy. Your best bet is with the American Kennel Club licensed breeders in your area. Either route you take, getting a pup will not be a quick process. Expect a few weeks to pass, unless the breeder just happens to have puppies for sale.
Shih Tzu puppies for sale or for adoption fees should have the same characteristics wherever you go to choose them. They should be bouncy, outgoing and curious about everything that goes on. They should smell somewhat like sweet milk. They should have clear eyes, a nose free of any discharge and not have any diarrhea stains around the anal region. If a puppy is cowering in the corner, this is usually a sign of a sickness.
Here is some basic Shih Tzu puppy care information that any animal shelter, Shih Tzu rescue or breeder will want you to know when you find the right Shih Tzu puppy for sale. Shih Tzus need to live indoors – they cannot handle changing temperatures too well. Shih Tzus are prone to ear infections and eye damage. Keep the ears clean – and the rest of the body, too! You will need to go to a groomer every six weeks, at the very least, in order to keep on top of the coat.
And they need brushing each and every day. Keep the Shih Tzu in a “puppy trim” instead of a show coat to save some grooming time. The show coat takes as long to groom as the coat of a much bigger dog, the Afghan. Shih Tzus will wander, so they need to be on a leash or in a fenced yard when outside. And Shih Tzus are more for the stay at home types than those who do a lot of traveling. They want to be with you all of the time.
This author has written hundreds of articles on dogs, including where to find the best Shih Tzu puppies for sale. Considered one of the leading sources of information on Shih Tzu puppy care in the nation, this author also writes books on many other breeds.
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