Once you accept a Shih Tzu into your life, you marvel at how vivacious and friendly they are. They can help you cope with your problems by helping you take a different perspective - theirs. After a couple of years, you begin to wonder how you ever could have existed without a Shih Tzu, because they bring you so much and ask for so little in return. Once you get to know one Shih Tzu, you can't help but care for the welfare of all Shih Tzus and all dogs.
If you love dogs, then you should never buy Shih Tzu puppies (or any other puppy) from a pet store. You should not even buy any supplies from those shops. Why? Well, here's the Shih Tzu information your local pet store that sells puppies does not want you to know - they buy all of their puppies from puppy mills. These are deplorable places where highly sensitive, friendly Shih Tzus, through no fault of their own, are treated in conditions worse than death.
Now, you may be tempted to buy a pet shop puppy just because he or she has been so mistreated and you want to make up for it. Don't do it - don't even walk in the shops, don't even look in the windows. Since they are puppies, some schmuck will buy them because they are cute. Don't be that schmuck. You also need to keep the long-term perspective in mind for the future care of dogs in general.
Shih Tzu breeders offer you not only a healthy, beautiful puppy, but also access to their treasure trove of Shih Tzu information. Reputable Shih Tzu breeders will never stop being concerned for all of the puppies they sell. They might even make a surprise visit just to check up to see if you are good enough for their puppies. The best Shih Tzu breeders will take back a dog at any point in the dog's life if you have to give up the dog.
Not only are you getting your next best friend from an ethical source, a reputable
Shih Tzu breeder, you are getting a healthy dog too. Most importantly, you get the assurance that you and your Shih Tzu are matched in personality and temperament. Reputable Shih Tzu breeders will quiz you extensively on your Shih Tzu information and if you've ever lived with dogs before. Don't be surprised if you are asked for personal references or have to have your home checked! Reputable Shih Tzu breeders, in living so closely with the puppies and their parents, will know the quirks of each puppy's personality and match them to yours.
Reputable Shih Tzu breeders will also include health certificates, AKC registration, the first shots and wormings. They usually have a limited health warranty, but often have a "right of first ownership" if, in the life of the dog, you ever have to give the dog up. The breeder would get the dog back. How's that for pet insurance! And you can often call up a reputable Shih Tzu breeder to ask for help and advice on training your feisty Shih Tzu puppy.
Rebecca Simpson loves anything having to do with dogs, including Shih Tzu breeders. This author was introduced to this wonderful breed through friends who were
Shish Tzu breeders. One day no one will ever have to write about the existence of puppy mills in any further
Shih Tzu information articles.
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