Sunday, April 20, 2008

Are You Looking For Shih Tzu Breeders?

If you have decided what your new family dog will be, and you have decided on a Shih Tzu, then you will then need to find Shih Tzu breeders in your area. It is always a good idea to have more than one breeder to consider, as you want to feel totally comfortable with the breeder you are buying from because you will be dealing with that breeder for many years to come. A good relationship is important to a good ownership experience with your new Shih Tzu dog.

The first place you want to look for a reputable Shih Tzu breeder is with the National Kennel Club. The National Kennel Club is the standard used by any reputable breeder in the United States and other parts of the world and if a breeder is not listed with the National Kennel Club then chances are you do not want to deal with that breeder anyways. You can either mail the National Kennel Club for their most recent information of you can give them a call at (865) 932-9680. This is probably the best place to start when looking for a good Shih Tzu breeder.
It is unusual, but not unheard of, that good Shih Tzu breeders choose not to list with the National Kennel Club. To find the local Shih Tzu breeder near you then you can search on the Internet or use your local phone book. The Internet may be better because a website can offer detailed information about a breeder and his business and that is the kind of information you are looking for.

A vet is always a great place for a referral on where to find a reputable Shih Tzu breeder. If you have pets of your own already then ask your vet for a referral to a good Shih Tzu breeder. Your vet may already do business with a breeder, which would be a great help to you. If you do not have a vet then visit your local vet for advice or ask one of your family members or friends who have pets who their vet is and take it from there.
If you do have Internet access then another really great resource for finding good Shih Tzu breeders is to find and participate with various Shih Tzu online chat rooms and message boards. Shih Tzu owners from all over the world participate in these forums and this is a great chance to get advice on a breeder and any other Shih Tzu advice you may be looking for.

Finding a good and reputable breeder to buy your first Shih Tzu from is very important. A good breeder is going to be involved in your life, and your Shih Tzu’s life, for many years so you want to be sure you not only get someone you trust but you also get someone that knows what they are doing and can offer you the right advice when you have a question or concern. So take your time and choose your Shih Tzu breeder carefully as the happiness of you and your family is pretty much riding on it.

With the information in this article you should be able to find a reputable Shih Tzu breeder. This article will show you where to find important S hih Tzu information.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Being The Owner Of Shih Tzu Dogs

Shih Tzu dogs are interesting dogs to own and before you invest in a Shih Tzu dog you may want to do a little research into their primary behaviors and characteristics. There is a lot that is unique to Shih Tzu dogs and some of it good while some of it is bad. But just like any other pet, if you really love your dog take the time to get to know your dog and its behavior and habits then you'll both be much happier.

Shih Tzu dogs like it quiet and they do not react well to a lot of noise and a lot commotion. For this reason Shih Tzu dogs are not the best dogs to have around kids. Kids have a tendency to make a lot of noise and if they are young enough they can sometimes make too much noise for the Shih Tzu. One reaction a Shih Tzu has to noise is a nervous biting habit so you may want to talk with your breeder about mixing a Shih Tzu and kids.
Shih Tzu dogs carry themselves well and even the modern generations still carry themselves like the dogs of Chinese royalty that they descended from. They do love to run and play when they feel happy but they do not require a great deal of exercise at all. They are very dignified dogs that will usually walk very upright and carry themselves with a great deal of pride.

As much as they may look like a typical toy breed of dog the Shih Tzu dog is not known to be a vocal or annoying dog. They do not carry on like the other toy breeds do and they are certainly not known as yippy dogs at all. But they do snort a lot during the regular course of the day and they snore when they sleep so be ready for that. So if you want a toy breed that does not make a lot of barking noise the Shih Tzu may be for you.
A Shih Tzu dog is not like a Labrador or some other very easy to train breed of dog. They won’t go fetch the ball if they don’t feel like it and that simply isn’t going to change. They can be very stubborn and it can take you a long time to get them to realize who is in charge because they think they are. This also causes problems with housebreaking because sometimes housebreaking a Shih Tzu can take almost six months depending on the dog.

Shih Tzu dogs make great little pets but they need a lot of attention. They need to be combed regularly to keep their long beautiful coat healthy so that the dog can stay healthy as well. They also do not like being left alone for more than a few hours at a time so be sure you are going to be able to spend a lot of time with your Shih Tzu. If you keep this in mind then you will be able to really enjoy your dog.

This article contains a lot of helpful information if you are considering a Shih Tzu as a pet. You will find some useful Shih Tzu information in this article.

Monday, April 7, 2008

The Shih Tzu Dog: What To Know

So you and your family have decided that you are ready to bring a Shih Tzu into your home and lives. You have a nice home and plenty of love to give and that is all you need to know when picking a dog, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case, as many different types of dogs have different types of personality. If you select the wrong dog, you may have a situation you did not expect to happen. It is best to know what to expect before selecting a puppy.

The best thing that you can do to make sure that the expectations you have for your dog match and compare that to what the Shih Tzu dog will be able to give based on their personality. It is best to really sit down and think about your lifestyle and how much time you will have to devote one-on-one attention and time to your Shih Tzu dog. Some breeds of dogs require more attention then others so this is something you really must consider. Write out a list of what you would and would not be acceptable from your dog and compare that to the typical personality of the Shih Tzu dog.
Now that you have a better understanding of what type of dog would be the perfect fit into your already busy life, it is time to review the personality characteristics of the Shih Tzu dog. What generally makes this breed a fun one to have is that they are very outgoing and peaceful with other pets and strangers so they can be taken just about anywhere with you. Also, this smaller breed is very sturdy even though they are tiny, with their short legs and long body.

The Shih Tzu dog is also not as yappy as other toy breeds, which would make them a great fit into a family that has neighbors close by or just does not like constant barking. This particular breed also does not need a lot of exercise and therefore is great for those who can not get out as much as other people. A Shih Tzu dog is also known for being stuck up but this is not the case at all. While they are a proud and dignified breed, they are also very playful and a happy pet to have in your home.
Now on the flip side, there are things about the personality of the Shih Tzu dog that may make it hard for them and your family to have the best relationship. This breed is well known for having an extreme case of separation anxiety. Often times, this toy breed can not stand being left alone for more then a few hours at a time. If they are left alone for hours on end, they may end up showing their frustration with destructive chewing. Shih Tzu dogs are also known for having difficulty in house breaking. With their independent attitude, they don’t often like being told what to do so housebreaking may take up to six months to complete.

One thing to keep in mind that when owning a Shih Tzu dog, you might run into the costly issue of vet bills as their short face and their nose structure can lead to breathing difficulties. Their shallow-set, yet large, eyes are at risk to infection and injury. This breed is also known to have some disk problems in their back along with kidney and skin problems so this is something to consider before jumping into owning a Shih Tzu dog.

With pointing out the pros and cons to owning a Shih Tzu, buyers will be better equipped to handle any problems if they occur. Even with the health risks that the Shih Tzu faces, these dogs have a heart of gold. Reading up on different Shih Tzu information is an important step in making sure that you know everything there is about your Shih Tzu dog not only before you bring him home, but after as well.

Shih Tzu Info