Buying A Puppy

[Sept2012]

Hi all,

My husband and i have decided to get a Shih Tzu puppy.

My question is how to go about it, we have been to a shop and seen some beautiful ones but I have seen bad reviews online and they have been accused of been a puppy farm.

I have seen some on Pets4homes ranging from £350-£700, can someone clarify the differences in prices or do people just charge what they like?

Also sorry to sound so dense, I know that puppy farming is negative but apart from the cruelty element is the risk of this the health of the puppy?

Is KC registered that they are pure bred & have a family tree? Is KC registered the best option?

Many thanks!

[Baldric]

Just scroll down a little way to 'Puppy Farming'

http://www.puppylovecampaigns.org/

[Sept2012]

oh god...thanks that answers that question.

Now..how can I ensure I am NOT buying from a puppy farm?

[crisper]

My current and previous boss both bred Shih Tzu's and would normally charge around the 600 pounds mark. I'd go to the kennel club...ask them to put you in touch with the Shih Tzu owners club. Most of these...obviously there are always exceptions..are 'pet' people rather than puppy farmers... find out about a local club/ breeder near you..then ask / look around! Good luck

[Baldric]

There are people on site far more knowledgable than me on that on that one, so I'll leave that to them. I took advice, have got two super Dobies as a result.
Good luck.

[lankeela]

Contact the secretary of a breed club who will be able to put you in touch with a reputable breeder in your area. Club members have to abide by the Code of Ethics of both the club and the Kennel Club. Please NEVER buy from a pet shop or online sales site. Reputable breeders rarely advertise on them as they would normally have a waiting list for people wanting to buy one on their puppies. Steer well clear of unregistered puppies even if they seem cheaper - they won't be in the long run. Parents probably won't have been health tested or they may not even know the breeding of them so you could end up buying a puppy that is from a brother/sister mating. Only buy a puppy from someone who has the interest of the breed at heart and is not just breeding for money.

[ladybirder]

First thing I would say is that if you both work full time don't get a puppy. I only say this as I see you have posted previously about a job. Would you consider a rescue Shih Tzu? Even if you wouldn't please read what they have to say as it is very useful.

http://www.southernshihtzurescue.org.uk/

[lankeela]

List of KC reg clubs:
http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/findaclub/breed/list.aspx?id=4102

Also make sure any puppy is registered with the Kennel Club - there are other registration services available but there are no guarantees as anyone can register any dog of any breeding so you have no idea of their actual background. The KC do have an Assured Breeder Scheme but to be honest anyone can join it and it is no more a guarantee of heath and quality than buying from an ordinary breeder.

[lankeela]

As for price, there is usually a 'going rate' for registered good quality puppies, probably around the £550 - £700 mark, and anything less than this you have to ask yourself why. After the expenses involved it is a reasonable price, there is the cost of the stud (many breeders don't own their own stud dog and will use a suitable male that complements their bitch, or one that has done a lot of winning), the feeding of the bitch with good quality food and the rearing of the pups again with good food. If the owner shows their dogs then that is a big expense but gives you some idea of the quality of the dogs they breed if they have done some winning. Most breeders will be delighted to explain the background of their pups to you, and would ask many questions. Have a look at some Shih Tzu breeders on Champdogs too, there are a lot of good ones on there.

[lankeela]

http://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeds/shih-tzu/breeders

[Ratty2E]

A rescue would be a great idea although you would obviously have no idea of it's background and it would most likely be an adult dog. I would search for a shin tzu breed club in your area and they will be able to advise you on all aspects of owning a shin tzu that you may not already know. They should also be able to put you in touch with shih tzu rescue if your interested and have a puppy register but be aware there could well be a waiting list for puppies. Shih tzu's seem to have become very popular in recent times and so prices do tend to increase with demand also a good breeder will have invested quite a lot of money in producing a healthy litter in the first place.

[lankeela]

You could also visit a show and speak to breeders if you like the look of their dogs. That is a great way of knowing what you are going to end up with, buying from a pet shop or puppy farm you don't even know if they are going to be purebred.

There are shows every week around the country, with championship shows in most areas so if you give us an idea where you are I can let you know what is on in your area. For example Shih Tzus are being shown today at Blackpool Championship Show, next week is Windsor, then East of England at Peterborough, Leeds, Paignton, Wales, Scotland plus a whole lot of others around the country.

[Carakeel]

Hi there. We have three Irish Wolfhounds and a little Shih-Tzu, who is now 13 years old. Please go to a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder. The main reason being that you want to reduce the risk of your beloved pet being found to carry inherited diseases. Going to a registered breeder will ensure that you can see the mother and if possible the father of your new puppy. It will also mean you can be sure you are getting a pure bred Shih-Tzu and with it a breeder from whom you can get advice at any time. It also means you will get plenty of guidance when you pick your puppy up. If your circumstances change and you are unable to keep your puppy, your breeder should then either take the dog back or help you to rehome it. There are a lot of puppies on the market that are sold as pure Shih-Tzus, but many are interbred with Lhasa Apsos or other breeds. Sometimes this is barely noticable. There are many other perks to getting a dog from a registered breeder, amongst them, the chance to show the dog if you chose to. If you want to find a registered assured breeder who may have puppies at the moment, here is a link to the current list:

http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/acbr/Default.aspx?breed=Shih+Tzu.

If you have any problems, I would be happy to check for you. Also look up (google) the breed Clubs and they will be able to tell you who is having puppies.
Best wishes

[Carakeel]

Oh, and lankeela is right, shows are a great way to learn about the breed and meet good breeders.

[Connemmara]

Whilst I have a dog - would never ever contemplate working and leaving the dog all day - perhaps your husband and you work alternate hours - but when I read doggie info when I first got my dog - the longest you really should only leave them is about 3 hours - then they get very down and depressed. As my next door neighbour had same problem with their dog - they got another dog for company and the first dog has rallied round from its depression greatly. They do become like babies and want to be treated like babies.

[woofgang]

Conne, they are dogs and need to be treated (lovingly) like dogs!!

[Connemmara]

wolfie I agree totally of course they are dogs but generally cannot be left on their own for a very long time - I stand by that. I know a girl who leaves her 2 dogs in the back for maybe 9 hours at a stretch. She just leaves food and water out for them - inhumane in my opinion:(

[woofgang]

9 hours is way too long. Mine are fine with 4 and have done 6 in an emergency.

[RATTER15]

If we really have to leave our hounds for more than about 4 hours (which is rare) then we get friends to help out to keep an eye on them and to distract them, generally they just come with us.

[Carakeel]

I have to say, I too do not agree with people who work buying puppies and then leaving them at home alone all day. Would you do that to your child? Most likely not!! The responsibility of taking on a puppy is much like that of bringing up a child and it lasts for the lifetime of the puppy/dog. Please consider this before purchasing a puppy of any breed. If you work in a quiet, suitable environment and you are able to take your puppy to work with you and have enough time to interact and play with him/her and take it for walkies on a regular basis, then your situation is unusual and a puppy might be fine. But please consider all aspects carefully before deciding.