Buying a Shih Tzu Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Avoid dogs with extreme brachycephalic conformation (very short faces or very protruding eyes), as these features are frequently associated with serious health problems.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BVA/KC eye scheme – DBRG recommends that all dogs should be visually examined for inherited eye disease before breeding.
- available for all breeds, and checks for many inherited abnormalities that can cause progressive blindness or pain
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Bladder stones
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- Brachycephaly (shortened face, narrowed nostrils)
- can cause difficulty breathing and cooling
- Dental problems
- caused by overcrowded teeth in shortened face
- Distichiasis
- ingrowing eyelashes – more likely in dogs with profuse hair
- Ear infections
- more likely in dogs with long, hairy ears
- Eye ulcers
- more likely in large eyes with shallow sockets
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
- dry eye – lack of normal tear production
- Patella luxation
- abnormal kneecap causing pain & lameness
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
- Chondrodystrophy (Type 1 IVDD)
- higher risk of intervertebral disc disease, causing pain or paralysis
Other Tests
- Putnam scoring for patella luxation