If you have made up your mind that a lovable Shih Tzu would be the next addition to your family, you have to ensure that this addition will be joyous to all. Hence, there are some considerations to be made. Such as, you need to think where you will get your Shih Tzu from. There may be many places that advertise Shih Tzu for sale, but you must know that all these places aren’t worth considering. You need to have the right knowledge of which places are good and which aren’t.
Pet Shops
This is one of the worst places to consider. Shih Tzu are very finicky animals—they have particular needs and requirements. They need to be bred with special care and attention. These pets don’t do well when they are bred en masse like these pet shops do. Consequently, the animals sold by the pet shops are generally sickly and unhealthy. On top of it, there’s a lot of hassle in getting these pets—you have to do a lot of paperwork—and the whole thing seems to be quite a big futile exercise. Usually, people who sell puppies here aren’t even aware of what these puppies need.
Local Breeders
These are good places where you can get your Shih Tzu for sale. Breeders deal with fewer pups at a time, but they make sure that they are raised in the right way. But again, be careful about which breeder you select. Do some comparison shopping, and not just for the price. Make sure that the breeder you are selecting knows about this particular breed of animal and follows ethical practices in their breeding. Be sure that they are registered with the appropriate national breeder registries.
Some breeders give interesting freebies like free pet insurance for a period of about 6 weeks after purchase. This makes your first vet visit free. Breeders are knowledgeable about the animals and have a personal approach, so you can expect a lot of guidance about how to raise the pets.
Animal Rescue Shelters
This is the most humane idea actually. You are giving a home to a pet that has been abandoned. You could visit your local animal rescue shelter and find out whether they have a Shih Tzu for sale. But, be prepared for a lot of verification. You will have to fill out a questionnaire with information on how you plan to raise the puppy. Your knowledge of the pets will be looked into. They might also visit your home to verify that your family will be a good fit for the pet. There will also be a lot of paperwork involved.