| Upon getting in contact with a Shitzu breeder on the | | | | because the good breeders always want to meet you |
| phone, they're a litany of questions that you can ask, | | | | and interview you. If for some reason a breeder does |
| which will reveal a lot of information that you'd need to | | | | not want to show you the parents, I suggest you start |
| make a decision on choosing the right breeder. I know | | | | looking for another breeder. This behavior is |
| you probably already have a few questions of your | | | | considered a red flag; there is no reason why a |
| own, but here are a few other questions you should | | | | breeder should not want you to see the parents of the |
| ask that would tell you a lot about the quality of the | | | | litter. The breeder may be trying to hide the fact that |
| breeder. Before you visit the breeder ask him or her | | | | the dog does not look or act like a Shitzu would. |
| questions such as: | | | | However, the father of the litter may not be available |
| How much time elapses before you breed another | | | | for you to see on the breeder's property, but the |
| litter? | | | | mother would. However, the breeder should have |
| The best hobby breeders rarely breed more than a | | | | pictures of the father as well as his pedigree. |
| litter every year. For-profit breeders and commercial | | | | In addition, many breeders will ship Shitzu puppies to |
| breeders will have Shitzu puppies available all of the | | | | you; however, unless you're talking about shipping an |
| time. This is because they'll regularly breed 6, 7, 8, or | | | | older dog, this is not a good idea. The younger puppies |
| more litters per year. | | | | are more heat intolerant and sensitive, and could go |
| Have you been breeding Shitzu's long? | | | | through a lot of stress on a long plane trip. The |
| Although new Shitzu breeders could be great, there is | | | | experience could cause your new Shitzu puppy to |
| no comparison to a well-seasoned breeder that has | | | | develop future behavioral problems such as separation |
| experience and knowledge on their side. Due to the | | | | anxiety as well as fearfulness. |
| breeders experience and knowledge, the puppies may | | | | When will you have Shitzu puppies available? |
| be healthier and a lot better pets. | | | | Good hobby breeders usually do not have puppies |
| Do you belong to a national or local dog club? | | | | readily available due their lack of constant breeding. |
| This is a trick question in a way because it lets you | | | | Therefore, if you find a good breeder, chances are |
| know how committed the breeder is to learning about | | | | you'll have to go on a waiting list. However, because |
| the Shitzu and breeding them in an organized and | | | | hobby breeders are not in it for profit, they'll be glad to |
| ethical way. | | | | give you a referral to someone else that may have |
| Do you show your dogs in dog shows? If yes, how | | | | puppies at the time. Be careful, you do not want to |
| many of them have won awards or are champions? | | | | look impatient. Most people that are impatient and want |
| It's no secret that breeders whose dogs win awards in | | | | a Shitzu right now are usually impulse buyers, you do |
| dog shows are producing top notch pets. If you | | | | not want to come off as an impulse buyer to a |
| choose a Shitzu puppy whose parents are champions, | | | | breeder. If you seem like you're in the market for a |
| there is no doubt that you're getting a puppy from | | | | Shitzu just for the hell of it, the breeder may not refer |
| breeders that really understands the breed and knows | | | | you to anybody. Good hobby breeders are all about |
| how a Shitzu should look and act. | | | | placing their Shitzu's into homes that would care and |
| Where are the puppies raised? | | | | love the dogs; however, impulse buyers may want the |
| Contrary to what people believe, Shitzu's are not | | | | dogs now and regret them later and most likely will |
| kennel dogs. Good breeders raise they're Shitzu's | | | | end up in a shelter. |
| inside of the home. This is crucial because it allows the | | | | Another important question that you should ask is how |
| dogs to be part of the family from the very start. | | | | much is the Shitzu puppy going to cost. However, do |
| When can I come to see the litter or the parents of | | | | not ask this question until you visit the breeder. You do |
| the litter? | | | | not want the breeder to think that you're only |
| The answer to this question will definitely be yes, | | | | interested in a good deal and not a good dog. |