On Shih Tzu and such?

Question

I have been learning about Shih Tzus for the last nine months, and I am seriously considering adopting a puppy in February 07. I have found a couple of reputable breeders with litters just born, and the only uncertainty I have is as to how much is fair price. Considering the costs involved at adoption, overpaying at purchase is something I would rather avoid. What are fair prices for limited AKC males/female puppies? How much pricier should an "imperial" puppy be? Besides health, warranty and pedigree, what other considerations are wise to account for? Thanks for your answers!

Answer 1

Any breeder who is using the reference "Imperial" is not going to be reputable. This is the same tactic that others use on other breeds such as "teacup". All it means is the dog is smaller than it should be and a good breeder should not be breeding for this in their dogs.

Here is a good link with information on "Imperials" and "Teacups". http://www.shihtzu.org/Info/imperial.asp?menu=Info

First paragrah from link above:

"The words “imperial” and “tiny teacup” are sometimes used interchangeably to describe undersized Shih Tzu. In fact, the terms “imperial” or “tiny teacup” should be regarded as what they really are….A MYTH often used by unethical breeders to create a market for dogs that do not conform to the breed standard. These tiny dogs are NOT what the Shih Tzu has been since it was developed as a distinctive breed in China ’s imperial palace, nor what it ought to be."

Go to this link on the AKC website, which details reputable breeding practices. Make sure you choose a breeder that follows these to ensure you're getting a good puppy from a good breeder.

http://www.akc.org/breeders/resp_breeding/Articles/breeder.cfm

Answer 2

If you're looking at "imperial" dogs, you need to do more research. A reputable breeder would call it "undersized". They would certainly not charge extra for a "faulty" dog.

If you have found a good breeder, the price will be fair.

Check out the website of the American Shih Tzu Club. They have lots of good information on selecting a breeder.

http://www.shihtzu.org/index2.asp

Questions to ask a breeder:
http://www.shihtzu.org/Info/questionstoaskabreeder.asp?menu=Info

Answer 3

First Imperials are not the Shih Tzu breed Standard. They are not even registerable in the AKC or the CKC which are the two most reputable clubs to be doing your research. I also am a Shih Tzu owner , my first 2 guys were rescue dogs. And of course this is what got me into loving the breed. You will never ever be dissapointed if you get a Shih Tzu, that is if you want to be loved constantly. They follow you everywhere , they want to be with you 24/7 . I mean it. So if this is too clingy think hard. Also if you are not going to show your dog, then you will also have to pay extra in the grooming end of things . This should be done at least 4 times a year. In between you have to make sure their ears and nails are clean and trimmed at all times. They also need their face washed everymorning just as you would your own. Their faces otherwise get very stinky. Now being an owner of 6 purebred unregistered Shih Tzu's that I paid an average of 400.00 dollars for, I don't feel that I got ripped off. The only problem with this is that unregistered breeders get rid of the pups too early and you are bringing a baby home before it is ready. Good breeders don't usually let this happen. 12 weeks is the best time, but 8 weeks seems to be when most breeders let them go. Anytime before this is only to save the breeder from having to give the puppy it's first shots. Now see that is someone who is in this for the money. I have fallen in love with my unregistered guys and wanted to start breeding myself. So I also had been doing a lot of research into the breed and when I got my first Show quality Shih Tzu with breeding rights 2 years ago and paid 1,500 dollars I thought that was also fair. But the poor guy has had ear infections since I brought him home. And he is also constantly scratching at himself. I have him on allergy medicine and he constantly has to have special cleaning stuff for his ears and special medicine that he will always need. The second Shih Tzu who I just received from one of the U.S.A.'s top breeders who protrays himself as a Religious person a man who also has many show dogs and has won lots of ribbons for his dogs a person who I know the AKC would recommend charged me 2500 for breeding rights. The dog was suppose to be 6 months old. He said he didn't have one younger. She arrived and she is 8 months old. But worse than that she was and is still terribly sick. And she is scared to death of a persons hands. She arrived full of fleas, and earmites and has a terrible ear infection. She also had blood in her stool, and has internal parisites. She has a very large hernia, and at 8 months old I don't believe one of this size will dissapear. I was told to crate her so she dosen't sit in her feces. You know why. Because at 8 months old she has never been outside her cage to be trained. She has never been on a leash. And from the way she behaves when I bathe her she has never had a normal bath. Maybe a spray bottle, but not a nice bath. She loves my dogs and she loves us. She loves the food we give her . I asked the breeder what he fed her and he told me puppy chow. Well that is not the brand that he says on his website that he uses. She follows me everywhere and plays constantly with my other dogs, she acts like she has never been around anyone and is very happy. Except when I go to pick her up she takes right off. When I do catch her she loves to snuggle. She has been here for about 3 weeks now and can finally get up and down the stairs. She is also learning to go to the bathroom outside. And as far as feces getting on her pretty hair,well I pick her up and run her bum under warm water and put a little soap to clean her up till the next time. I have bathed her twice so far and she is due for another . Her long hair I spray with warm water and conditioner and brush it gently before I bathe her. And again afterwards. I am hoping she comes around because I bought her to show her. But the way she is right now there is no judge that would be able to get near her. She is very pretty. I was hoping to breed her , but with this huge hernia, I would just be passing this on to the puppies, this is an inherited problem. It dosen't always cause problems , but sometimes it can. So what I say to you is be so very careful. This breeder did say he would take her back of course, but he knew just from talking to me seveal times and e-mailing me that I was the kind of person who would never send her back. So he won. Another fool on his list. Well yes I am a big fool, but I could never live with myself if I sent this poor little girl back to such a man. I just don't understand how someone like him is still out there and has been for over 20 years. Take care and good luck with your first Shih- Tzu. Oh if you get another to help the other have company so you have more time to yourself, that dosen't work. They love their litter mates , but then you have more that demand all your time and attention. And they tell each other to stay away from you . It took me a bit of time to figure them out. They are way too smart. They are more like little children , but with a very grown up mind. I also never did get the pedigree that he guarantted would be with the crate that he shipped her in. Also the only health certificate was the one from the Vet that he got from a different State than where he lived, for the rabies. I am in Canada and I needed that. Also there was no other health certificate other than his note on the bottom of the Vet papers that she had all her shots, but was due for a booster. And there was no written sales agreement at all. Nothing. I sure hope all this helps you. I spent a total once I exchanged the funds of over 3,500 dollars Canadian. I would think around 1000.00 dollars for an registerd Shih Tzu but that is one with a very good Pedigree with limited registration. But make sure that you see the parents, and make sure you have the signed guarantee in front of you. And talking to someone in the Shih Tzu Clubs dosen't necessarily mean a thing as the first breeder I bought from with the poor ear infected dog was a member of that club too. These people are around for years and they know all the right people.

What a sin.