Ethical breeding is about more than producing puppies – it's about improving the breed, ensuring health and temperament, and taking lifelong responsibility for every life we bring into the world. At Delasa Forever Shih Tzu, we don't just breed dogs; we are stewards of a beloved breed. This is our breeding philosophy, built on transparency, health testing, and an unwavering commitment to the dogs in our care and the families who love them across the USA and Canada.
Our Core Principle
"We breed to improve, not to produce. Every litter is carefully planned to enhance health, temperament, and adherence to the breed standard. No puppy is produced without purpose."
1. Health Testing: Non-Negotiable Standards
Before any breeding takes place, all parent dogs undergo comprehensive health testing. We don't guess about health – we verify with science. Required testing includes:
- OFA Patella Evaluation: Checking for luxating patella (trick knee) – common in small breeds
- CERF Eye Examination: Annual exam by veterinary ophthalmologist for hereditary eye diseases
- OFA Cardiac Exam: Auscultation and (if indicated) echocardiogram for heart defects
- Liver Shunt Screening: Blood tests to rule out portosystemic shunts
- DNA Testing: For hereditary conditions known in the breed
We provide OFA certification numbers to every potential puppy buyer. If you don't see health clearances, don't buy.
2. Temperament: The Heart of the Breed
A Shih Tzu's personality is as important as their physical health. We breed for the classic Shih Tzu temperament:
- Affectionate and outgoing – not shy or aggressive
- Confident but not dominant – the royal companion attitude
- Adaptable – comfortable with new people, places, and experiences
- Gentle with children – tolerant of appropriate handling
All our breeding dogs have passed temperament evaluations. Puppies showing extreme shyness or aggression are not placed in breeding homes.
3. Genetic Diversity: The Foundation of Health
Inbreeding and linebreeding are rampant in Shih Tzu breeding, leading to weakened immune systems, higher rates of genetic disease, and shorter lifespans. We maintain careful records of Coefficient of Inbreeding (COI) and never breed dogs with COI above 10%. We import new lines when necessary to maintain genetic diversity.
4. Limited Breeding Frequency
Females are bred only once per year, maximum. They have a maximum of 3-4 litters in their lifetime, then are spayed and retired as beloved pets. No female is bred at every heat. This preserves their health and allows them to enjoy a long, happy life after breeding.
5. Puppy Socialization: The Critical Window
From day one, our puppies receive daily handling, exposure to household sounds, and early neurological stimulation (ENS). By the time they go home at 10-12 weeks, they've experienced:
- Different surfaces (grass, carpet, tile, wood)
- Household sounds (vacuum, dishwasher, doorbell, TV)
- Gentle handling (paws, ears, mouth, nails)
- Introduction to crate training
- Brief car rides
6. Home-Raised, Not Kennel-Raised
Our dogs live IN our home, not in outdoor kennels. They are part of our family – sleeping in our bedrooms, playing in our living room, and accompanying us throughout the day. Puppies are born in a whelping box in our bedroom and spend their first weeks surrounded by human activity, not isolated in a barn or outbuilding.
7. Health Guarantee & Lifetime Commitment
Every puppy from Delasa Forever Shih Tzu comes with a written health guarantee covering genetic defects for 2 years. But our commitment doesn't end there. We are always available for questions, advice, and support – for your dog's entire life. If at any point you cannot keep your dog, we will take them back, no questions asked. No Delasa Forever Shih Tzu dog will ever end up in a shelter.
8. Spay/Neuter Contract for Pet Puppies
Pet puppies are sold with a spay/neuter contract. We do not want our breeding lines in inexperienced hands. Exceptions are made only for approved show or breeding homes with extensive experience and health testing commitment.
9. Transparency & Buyer Education
We encourage all potential buyers to visit, meet parent dogs, ask questions, and stay as long as they need. We provide detailed records including:
- Veterinary records with vaccination and deworming dates
- OFA health clearance certificates for parents
- Pedigree (minimum 3 generations)
- Microchip registration information
- Starter food, blanket with litter scent, and toy
- Care guide specific to your puppy
10. Screens Potential Buyers (Vet Your Families)
We interview every potential puppy buyer to ensure they understand the breed's needs and are prepared for a 10-16 year commitment. We ask about:
- Previous dog experience
- Current pets and their health/vaccination status
- Living situation (house, apartment, yard, stairs)
- Work schedule and who will care for the puppy
- Budget for veterinary care, grooming, food
If a home isn't right for a Shih Tzu, we say no – even if it means keeping the puppy longer or placing them elsewhere.
Why This Matters for You
When you buy a puppy from an ethical breeder, you're not just paying for a puppy – you're paying for:
- Years of health testing on parent generations
- Expertise in breeding for health and temperament
- Round-the-clock care during pregnancy, whelping, and puppy rearing
- Early socialization that shapes your puppy's personality for life
- Lifetime breeder support
- A safety net (we take dogs back if you can't keep them)
What Ethical Breeding Costs
Ethical breeding is expensive. Health testing alone costs thousands. Veterinary care for a litter (c-sections are common in Shih Tzus) can cost $3,000-5,000. Then there's food, supplies, puppy vaccines, microchips, and the breeder's time (24/7 care for the first weeks).
This is why ethically bred Shih Tzu puppies cost $2,500-5,000+ while puppy mill puppies cost $500-1,000. The difference is real, and it affects your puppy's health and longevity.
Find Your Ethically Bred Shih Tzu Puppy
At Delasa Forever Shih Tzu, we live by these principles every day. View our available Shih Tzu puppies for sale or contact Carolina to learn more about our breeding program and upcoming litters from health-tested, temperament-evaluated parents.
