Finding a reputable Shih Tzu breeder is the single most important decision you'll make when adding a puppy to your family. A good breeder sets your puppy up for a lifetime of health and happiness. A bad breeder (puppy mill or backyard breeder) can leave you with a puppy suffering from genetic diseases, behavioral problems, and expensive veterinary bills. As a responsible breeder at Delasa Forever Shih Tzu serving families across the USA and Canada, I want to help you make an informed choice.
⚠️ Shocking Fact: There are an estimated 10,000 puppy mills in the United States, producing over 2 million puppies annually. Many of these are Shih Tzus, one of the most commonly milled breeds. Your choice of breeder literally saves lives.
What Defines a Reputable Shih Tzu Breeder?
A reputable breeder's priority is health, temperament, and breed preservation – not profit. They breed infrequently, health test all breeding dogs, raise puppies in their home, and provide lifetime support. At Delasa Forever Shih Tzu, we embody these principles.
Green Flags: Signs You've Found an Ethical Shih Tzu Breeder
- ✅ Health tests breeding dogs and can provide OFA or PennHIP certification numbers
- ✅ Raises puppies in their home – you'll see photos of puppies in living spaces, not kennels
- ✅ Asks YOU questions – they want to ensure their puppy is going to a good home
- ✅ Provides health guarantee (minimum 2 years, preferably longer for genetic conditions)
- ✅ Allows visits – you can see where puppies are raised and meet parent dogs
- ✅ Has a contract requiring you to return the dog to them if you can't keep it (never to a shelter)
- ✅ Only breeds 1-2 litters per year (max 3 for very large operations)
- ✅ Shows you vet records – vaccinations, deworming, health certificates
- ✅ Microchips puppies before they go home
- ✅ Stays in touch – asks for updates, answers questions months/years later
- ✅ Prices puppies appropriately – well-bred Shih Tzus cost $1,500-$4,000+. If it's cheap, there's a reason.
Red Flags: WARNING Signs of Puppy Mills and Backyard Breeders
- ❌ Always has multiple litters available – legitimate breeders have waiting lists, not instant puppies
- ❌ Won't show you where puppies are raised – insists on meeting at neutral locations
- ❌ No health testing – can't or won't provide OFA/PennHIP certifications
- ❌ Sells puppies younger than 8 weeks – illegal in many states, harmful for puppy development
- ❌ Uses terms like "teacup," "imperial," "miniature" – these are marketing terms for undersized, unhealthy dogs
- ❌ No contract or health guarantee – they don't stand behind their puppies
- ❌ Pressure you to buy immediately – "Other people are interested!"
- ❌ Cash only, no records – avoids accountability
- ❌ Can't produce parent dogs – or parents look unhealthy, fearful, or unsocialized
- ❌ Sells on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or at pet stores – reputable breeders have their own websites or AKC Marketplace profiles
- ❌ Multiple breeds available – ethical breeders specialize in ONE breed, maybe two
Questions to Ask a Shih Tzu Breeder
Before committing, ask these questions and evaluate the answers:
- "Can I see OFA/PennHIP certifications for the parents?" – A reputable breeder will gladly share these.
- "Where are the puppies raised?" – Answer should include "in my home," not "in my kennel."
- "Can I meet the mother?" – The mother should be present, friendly, and well-cared for.
- "What health issues have appeared in your lines?" – Honest breeders know their lines' weaknesses and are transparent.
- "What does your health guarantee cover?" – Look for 2+ years covering genetic conditions.
- "Will you take the dog back if I can't keep it?" – The answer must be YES.
- "How do you socialize puppies?" – Should include handling, exposure to household sounds, and early neurological stimulation.
- "What is your spay/neuter requirement?" – Most reputable breeders sell puppies on limited registration with spay/neuter contracts (typically between 6-18 months).
What Health Testing Should Shih Tzu Breeders Do?
Before breeding, responsible Shih Tzu breeders perform these health tests (through OFA or PennHIP):
- Eye examination (CAER): Annual exam to screen for cataracts, PRA, retinal dysplasia
- Patella evaluation: Screens for luxating patella (trick knee)
- Cardiac evaluation: Screens for heart disease
- Hip evaluation: OFA or PennHIP for hip dysplasia
- DNA testing: For inheritable diseases like renal dysplasia, liver shunt, and von Willebrand's disease
Ask to see OFA numbers – you can verify them online at ofa.org. No numbers = no testing.
Why You Should NEVER Buy Shih Tzu Puppies from Pet Stores
Pet store puppies almost always come from puppy mills – large-scale commercial breeding operations where dogs live in overcrowded, unsanitary wire cages with minimal veterinary care. Mother dogs are bred continuously until they're "worn out," then discarded. Puppies from these environments have high rates of:
- Parvo and other infectious diseases
- Genetic defects (luxating patella, liver shunts, heart defects)
- Behavioral problems (fear, aggression, severe anxiety)
- Shortened lifespans
Never "rescue" a puppy from a pet store by buying it. You're just funding the puppy mill. Report them to animal control instead.
Why Adopting from Shelters is Different
Shelter and rescue adoption is wonderful – you're saving a life. But be aware that most shelter Shih Tzus are not well-bred and may have unknown health or behavioral histories. Rescue is different from buying from an unethical breeder. Both rescue and responsible breeders are good choices; puppy mills are not.
How Delasa Forever Shih Tzu Embodies Ethical Breeding
At Delasa Forever Shih Tzu, I take pride in being the kind of breeder I'd want to buy from:
- All breeding dogs have OFA certifications and DNA testing
- Puppies are raised in my home, not a kennel
- I have a waiting list – I don't always have puppies available
- I provide a 2-year genetic health guarantee
- I require puppies to be returned to me if circumstances change
- I stay in touch with puppy families for life
Find Your Perfect Shih Tzu Puppy
Ready to add a well-bred, healthy Shih Tzu to your family? View our available Shih Tzu puppies for sale or contact Carolina to join our waiting list for upcoming litters.