Looking for Breeder

[WannaOwnShihTzu]

Hi All, as I just found your website and joined today, I hoping that you can help me, If I have posted this message in the wrong section, please forgive me.

Hubby and I are looking for a breeder of Shih Tzu's, are we allowed to give out breeders names here?

This will be our first dog (we have both never owned one) however, we are very excited about getting our first dog. I work from home 2 days a week, and hubby is home by 11:30am from work (the most puppy will be alone is 3 1/2 hours 3 days a week) we thought this would be ideal.

Any advice, any suggestions will be most welcome.

Cheers,

[Rottielover]

reccomendation...be patient, go to local dog shows , talk to them... go to dogs of canada website, ask questions, and go to canadian kennel club website.
Ask all the right questions, and if you are iffy, and possible red flags, keep looking
It took me 2 years to find the right breeder

[WannaOwnShihTzu]

Thanks Rottie, I just printed off the list from Dogs in Canada, I'll be spending some serious time playing detective and creating the short list and making appointments.

Cheers,

[Lucky Rescue]

Sometimes it's hard to know if breeders are reputable or not, so you must very careful.

You will have a very cute and fluffy little puppy, but resist the urge to treat it like a baby, or it WILL take over your home and could end up biting and growling. I say that even a small dog should be raised and trained as though it is going to grow up to be a 140lb Rottie.

In the meantime, here is a checklist of things to look for in a reputable vs. backyard breeder:
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Fair/1901/chart.html

[joeysmama]

That is so true. Our little guy is just as cute as can be. He doesn't bark or growl except when he's playing. But lately he has taken to jumping up on the couch and acting growly and nippy when he wants to play. As soon as we make a move he runs so we'll throw toys for him. He loves to play chase after dinner.

I find the way he gets our attention is unacceptable so tonight each time he did the nippy thing we got up and left the room. Because our floorplan is pretty open the only way to be out of his sight is to go all the way upstairs. So we got our exercise, LOL !! But after the second time he stopped the behavior. I'm sure it will take several nights of reinforcing this.

But, my point is, he's a little fur ball and hard to resist but an ill behaved small dog is still an ill behaved dog, you know?

But, as I said in your intro thread, shih tzus are a lot of fun !!! I hope you'll post pictures when you bring your furbaby home !!

[WannaOwnShihTzu]

I have read the Puppy Rule book twice already, I'm not saying that as first time dog owners we won't make any mistakes, but it is my goal to raise a happy and healthy dog, that doesn't rule our lives completely. My first goal is to house train her, and then include her in our normal activities, as much as possible (crossed fingers).

We know our lives will change, however, she will be an extension of our family and adjustments will need to be made.

That being said, I'm sure we'll have many sleepless nights of "are we doing the right thing" as to not raising a spoiled dog.

I just posted on my hi post that our first interview is this Sunday, I'll keep you all updated on our progress.

Cheers,