Am I the Breed for You?
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PURPOSE: Every dog has a reason for being. Our reason
is strictly to give love. We don't hunt, pull, track or attack. We just
love to be with you. We might bark to let you know someone is at the door,
but we will love them once we know they are your friends |
ENVIRONMENT: We are house dogs but we can be perfectly
happy on the 34th floor of an apartment house or out on the farm chasing
chickens. Some people fix a bathroom of a wire covered kitty litter box.
Others prefer newspaper. Still others let us go outside. We are easily
adaptable and can sue two methods if you so prefer. We adapt easily to
other situations, too. If something happens to you and you can't keep
us anymore, we will love our new master too. |
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MAINTENANCE: Oh, yes, we give a lot of love to you
and it has to be returned. Don't put us in your yard and leave us to the
children. Though we love them, we do require your care. A weekly bath
is needed to keep our coats and skin clean. We like a blow-drying so we
don't catch cold. Before the bath we need our mats and tangles gently
brushed and combed out. We enjoy our faces washed every day, just as you
wash yours. If you don't want to keep our long, luxurious coat, you can
keep it cut short with a scissor, or you can take us to a groomer to be
shaped in the latest style. |
| EXERCISE: We love it if you take us for walks, but
if you can't we'll chase over and under the furniture and get our own.
We also love to ride in the car with you, though not in hot weather! |
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I.Q.: Of course we're intelligent! We love to learn
new things. If you want to spoil us and not teach us a thing, we won't
mind. If you want to take us to obedience classes, we'll love that, too. |
| AT MEAL TIME: We are not fussy eaters, if you start
us out right. We require a good quality dry dog food with maybe a few
supplements to keep our skin and coat in good condition. |
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DISPOSITION: We are lively and alert but not in the
least high strung. We're really very docile little dogs. If you want to
play, terrific! If you want to be left alone, we will sleep. If you work
all day and can't be with us, just leave us some toys and we'll amuse
ourselves. |
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SO YOU WANT TO BREED...Breeding is not the mating together
of two AKC registered dogs to produce puppies. That has been the downfall
of many breeds. It is a creative art that requires the study of genetics,
conformation, bloodlines, and veterinary procedures. The responsibility
for the future generations lies with a breeder. The mating together of
outstanding champions will produce many pets, so if dogs that are not
outstanding are bred, can you imagine what will and does happen as time
goes on? Personality, disposition, and hardiness are lost--along with
the good looks of the breed. A healthy dog is bred for, not come across
by accident. Shih Tzu also have to be delivered by human hand and many
hours' sleep are lost. Consider carefully. |
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SO YOU WANT A PET...There is no excuse for buying a
"cheap" puppy from a person who is exploiting the popularity
of the breed--whose only concern is to make a fast dollar at your expense.
When you buy from a dedicated breeder, who is breeding for future champions,
you have a chance to acquire a well-bred, professionally raised puppy,
offered at a fair price. often only one puppy in a litter is show quality;
the rest will be fine puppies. Many breeders require that you spay or
neuter their pets. This way, you will have the best pet possible. |
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SO YOU WANT TO SHOW...A "Show Dog" is a rare
animal that with proper training, nutrition, environment, coat-care, and
handling can and does win in the conformation ring. As such as animal
is obviously most select, much sought after, and represents a very high
value, both in terms of prestige and money, it is beyond the scope of
a "pet" breeder. All puppies look cute and this breed is notorious
for changing. Buy only from a breeder who is producing and showing his
own stock. He has the experience to recognize the potential of a puppy.
He will also give you the much needed help to learn "the ropes". |
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Now you know a little about Shih Tzu and have decided this is the dog
for you. Talk to ethical breeder referred to you by this club or local
dog clubs. Go to dog show and talk to the breeders there. Do not be in
a hurry. Nothing worthwhile is attained overnight. Reputable breeders
do not have puppies available all the time, but their puppies will be
worth waiting for. |
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