| Early in the lives of the Shih Tzu puppies, the very best | | | | puppy mills. The committed and professional breeder |
| of care is crucial to well-rounded Shih Tzu puppy | | | | realizes there is no real profit in rearing a litter of Shih |
| development. Dams and their litters do not survive | | | | Tzu puppies other than the satisfaction of doing the |
| alone. There is more to raising Shih Tzu and the Toy | | | | best job possible. |
| breed puppies in general than truly meets the eye. | | | | Once Shih Tzu puppies open their eyes the real work |
| Not only does one need to carefully consider the | | | | and expense of rearing a litter begins. Shih Tzu |
| pedigrees and health histories of each mating, but one | | | | puppies begin to display individual character traits. It is |
| must continue to study to become an expertise in | | | | at this time that Shih Tzu puppies rely more heavily |
| general puppy care. Yes, there is much, much more to | | | | upon the breeder and less with the dam. The |
| breeding than just putting two dogs together and | | | | professional breeder recognizes and readily assumes |
| allowing nature to take its course. Dog breeding is a | | | | the responsibilities of caring for a Shih Tzu litter and |
| science. It is a discipline. It is a profession. | | | | does not abandon them to their dam's care alone. |
| Shih Tzu breeding must be carefully thought out and is | | | | A large Shih Tzu litter may require supplementary |
| most definitely a profession that does require | | | | feeding while continuing to allow the dam and offspring |
| specialized knowledge. Regardless of the location of | | | | full access to each other. Smaller or premature Shih |
| your breeding establishment, whether it is in your | | | | Tzu puppies often require supplementary feeding |
| backyard, your garage, basement or an establishment | | | | around the clock. The healthy brood matron should be |
| that is especially built for breeding purposes, you the | | | | vibrant, should not carry excess weight nor appear |
| breeder is who makes your establishment professional | | | | undernourished. An emotionally and physically healthy |
| or non-professional. The breeder is who determines | | | | dam consistently maintains an active and lively interest |
| what type of establishment, professional or | | | | in her puppies and environment. The professional |
| non-professional, the breeding establishment is. | | | | breeder must be observant enough to care for the |
| Location, such as the backyard, basement or buildings | | | | captain (the brood matron) just as well as to care for |
| especially designed for breeding purposes does not | | | | the Shih Tzu litter providing her with adequate food, |
| determine whether or not the establishment is | | | | water and emotional support. |
| professional. | | | | There are very distinctive differences between the |
| If a breeder fails in their responsibilities to the early lives | | | | "backyard" unprofessional breeder and the |
| of Shih Tzu puppies, it is either through ignorance or | | | | professional breeder, some of which are detailed here |
| lack of commitment. Ignorance, lack of knowledge and | | | | in this article. There are many other differences, far |
| lack of commitment more closely defines the | | | | too many to mention in one article. |
| "backyard" breeder, and or those raising puppies in | | | | |