Arizona Sunrise Shih Tzus & Poos

Purebred Shih Tzu Puppies

Deanna

What Fruits and Veggies Are Safe for Your Dog

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We have all been told that we need to eat our fruits and vegetables to stay healthy at some point in our lives. Well, I am here to tell you that fruits and vegetables are wonderful snacks for dogs on occasion as well! Fruits and vegetables are full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. I know, dogs are omnivores, but a slice of carrot from time to time is a great snack.

Furthermore, most dogs enjoy fruits and veggies on occasion. The Shih Tzu puppies I raise in my responsible breeding program love nothing more than a slice of red bell pepper. Just be sure to remove the skin, seeds, and pits from fruits and veggies before feeding. Also, cut the fruit or veggie into bite-size portions that aren’t likely to cause a choking hazard. Remember to limit portions as well. A large portion may cause gastrointestinal upset.

Always check and make sure that the fruits and vegetables that you offer your pet are safe. Many of the fruits and vegetables that we eat daily are toxic to dogs. For example, a couple of grapes are enough to possibly kill a toy breed dog! Below is a list of some safe and not-so-safe fruit and vegetable options. If you want a more in-depth list, I highly recommend installing an app like PupTox on your phone. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your dog’s health and well-being.

I hope you enjoy browsing the fruit & vegetable lists below. Furthermore, I hope you Shih Tzu enjoy the tasty yet healthy treat. Don’t forget to supervise your pet to avoid a choking incident.

Healthy Fruits and Veggies list

  • Banana
  • Blueberry
  • Strawberry 
  • Watermelon 
  • Cantaloupe 
  • Mango
  • Sweet bell peppers 
  • Carrots
  • Zucchini 
  • Sweet potato 
  • Spinach

Fruits and veggies to avoid

  • Grapes
  • Raisins
  • Currants
  • Tomato
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Avocado
  • Raw/green potato

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How Much Should My Shih Tzu Weigh?

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A cute Shih Tzu puppy for sale sitting on a chair outdoors.
Sweet Shih Tzu

What is an ideal weight for a Shih Tzu?

Shih Tzus belong to the toy group of dogs. Shih Tzus typically weigh between 9 to 16 pounds when they reach adulthood. Shih Tzus are full-grown at approximately 10 months of age. It isn’t uncommon for a Shih Tzu to sometimes be above or below the breed standard. All of the Shih Tzu puppies for sale in my responsible breeding program typically weigh 9 to 16 pounds.

Overeating is one reason that a Shih Tzu might fall out of the 9-16 pound range. It’s important to make sure that you don’t feed your Shih Tzu too much. Shih Tzus are prone to weight issues if they eat too much. A few extra treats every day can quickly pack on the pounds. This can be a serious issue in a small breed dog.

The extra weight can put additional stress on your Shih Tzus internal organs and lead to health conditions and even premature death. New owners should watch for signs of weight gain. A simple way to check and see if your Shih Tzu is packing on the pounds is to see if you can feel the rib cage. If you cannot feel the ribs your pet is likely overweight.

On the opposite end of the scale, your Shih Tzu could be underweight. If your Shih Tzu weighs less than 9 pounds, is fully grown, and isn’t an Imperial Shih Tzu he or she may be underweight. You can check to see if your Shih Tzu is underweight by checking to see if you can feel the ribs. If the ribs are easily felt your Shih Tzu is possibly underweight. 

If your Shih Tzu is over or underweight it is important to discuss these findings with your veterinarian. Being overweight can lead to chronic health conditions. Being underweight can lead to malnutrition. Also, an under or overweight Shih Tzu may indicate that your pet is suffering from a medical condition that needs attention. Either way, make an appointment with your veterinarian so you can learn what steps to take to get your Shih Tzu back to an ideal weight. 

The takeaway here is that you should keep your Shih Tzu at an ideal weight. If your Shih Tzu is too thin or obese he or she could suffer from health problems down the road. Although it isn’t uncommon for a Shih Tzu to be a pound or two above or below the current weight guidelines it is still important to offer your Shih Tzu a balanced and healthy diet.

Plenty of exercise is another step in the right direction. It is equally important that you talk to your veterinarian if your Shih Tzu suddenly starts to lose or gain weight. Your veterinarian must rule out serious medical conditions. After all, a healthy Shih Tzu is a happy Shih Tzu!

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An Inside Look at the Puppy Curriculum Calendar

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The puppy socialization period officially starts at the end of week three and goes all the way through week 12. Breeders must provide puppies with a developmentally appropriate curriculum and appropriate socialization during this critical stage of development.

The puppies’ fear response is at an all-time low and curiosity is at an all-time high during weeks 3 to 12. Breeders must work with the puppies according to developmental benchmarks to provide puppies with the best outcome. Below is a timeline that summarizes some of the skills puppies learn through the puppy curriculum in my responsible breeding program. 

Please note that the timeline is just an estimate. I may need to adjust the calendar if a litter of puppies’ development isn’t aligned with the developmental benchmarks. For an inside look at the puppies working through curriculum check out some of my youtube videos: https://youtube.com/shorts/GuF2OCoxTEc?feature=share.

I highly recommend that you follow along on either Instagram or Facebookstories so you can watch your future puppy grow and work through daily curriculum objectives. I typically post every day under Instagram and Facebook stories from the day of birth until the puppies reach 10 weeks of age. You can also look at my Instagram Highlights if you want to see past litters working through curriculum. Once the puppies reach the 6 week mark they really start to shine. It is a pleasure helping the puppies become the very best version of themselves.

Puppy Curriculum Schedule

Week 1 & 2

  • Early Neurological Stimulation
  • Early Scent Introduction
  • Daily weight checks

Week 3

  • Early Neurological Stimulation
  • Early Scent Introduction
  • Sound desensitization 
  • Weekly weights
  • Handling desensitization/Gentle Grooming
  • Introduction to Gentle Novelty Exposure Items

Week 4

  • Sound desensitization
  • Handling desensitization
  • Gentle sensory experiences 
  • Gentle grooming practice
  • Introduction to the Puppy Recall
  • Introduction to puppy mush
  • Focus on gut health

Week 5

  • Sound desensitization 
  • Handling desensitization
  • Sensory desensitization
  • Gentle movement desensitization
  • Grooming practice
  • Puppy Recall
  • “Yes” Verbal Marker Training
  • Focus on gut health

Week 6 to 8

  • Sound desensitization 
  • Sight desensitization
  • Handling desensitization 
  • Sensory experiences
  • Movement desensitization 
  • Problem-solving
  • Startle/recovery
  • Balance and coordination
  • Barrier challenges
  • Mental Stimulation/Foraging/Brain games 
  • Grooming practice
  • Weekly one-on-one curriculum sessions with the breeder
  • Puppy Recall
  • “Yes” Verbal Marker Training
  • Open crate exposure
  • Introduction to playpen in the family room.
  • Turf Introduction
  • Focus on gut health
  • Exposure to different environments inside and outside of my home
  • Stroller rides
  • A basic introduction to the sit command
  • Confidence building activities

Week 9 to 11

  • Sound desensitization 
  • Sight desensitization
  • Handling desensitization
  • Sensory experiences
  • Movement desensitization 
  • Problem-solving
  • Startle/recovery
  • Balance and coordination 
  • Barrier challenges
  • Mental Stimulation/Foraging/Brain games
  • Grooming practice
  • Weekly one-on-one sessions with the breeder
  • Short alone-time sessions with a positive reinforcer
  • Puppy Recall
  • Open Crate Exposure
  • Travel crate exposure
  • Confidence building activities
  • “Yes” Verbal Marker Training
  • Neutral dog exposure (Intro to some of my adult dogs)
  • Outdoor expedition
  • Exposure to different environments inside and outside of my home
  • Car ride
  • Turf training
  • “Yes” Verbal Marker Training
  • Focus on gut health
  • A basic introduction to the “sit” command
  • Outdoor/screened room potty practice
  • Temperament Testing

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Is Pet Insurance Necessary for a New Puppy?

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Are you on the fence in regards to buying pet insurance for your new puppy? Is it worth it? How likely is it a puppy will get ill anyway? If you find yourself asking these questions you’re not alone!

Buying a new puppy is a huge responsibility and can be very costly. Racking up a monthly insurance fee can put an even bigger burden on new puppy owners. Below, I will list a few of the pros and cons of purchasing puppy insurance. Hopefully, the information will help new puppy owners make informed and educated decisions regarding purchasing puppy insurance. 

Pet Insurance Pros:

Let’s start with the pros. The good news is that pet insurance premiums are usually much lower for puppies compared to older adult dogs. Some companies even offer new puppy owners a complimentary month of pet insurance.

For instance, I send all my Shih Tzu puppies for sale home with one month of free puppy insurance through Trupanion: https://trupanion.com/. Furthermore, unlike human insurance, pet insurance usually doesn’t come with as many restrictions. Puppy owners typically can choose the vet of their choice and deductibles aren’t usually too unreasonable. 

Another pro is that new puppy owners will sleep easier knowing that their puppy is covered financially if an unthinkable medical emergency ever happens. I’m here to tell you that the unthinkable can happen. Puppies are notorious for getting into everything! Our first puppy Izzy swallowed a piece of chewing gum that contained xylitol when she was little. Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs. It doesn’t take much xylitol to cause a toxic reaction in a toy-breed dog. Fortunately, Izzy was okay after having her stomach pumped. Let’s just say that the emergency vet visit after hours wasn’t cheap. 

Pet Insurance Cons:

Now for the cons of having pet insurance. Pet insurance doesn’t cover everything. Some things like routine vet exams may be considered an out-of-pocket cost. Puppy clients may need to shop around to find the best bang for their buck as well. Also, it’s important to set aside money for vet emergencies to cover expenses until claims are processed. If you don’t plan on purchasing pet insurance it is even more essential to put aside money for pet emergencies. 

Some of the lower-priced plans exclude certain diseases from coverage as well. Often clients need to go with a higher priced plan to get the coverage they’re looking for. There’s also the possibility that your puppy remains super healthy and never encounters any true emergencies. In that case, you’ve shelled out a lot of money. Nobody wants to waste money, especially in today’s economy.

In the end, it is up to each new puppy owner to decide whether or not pet insurance is worth the money. It is sort of a gamble. On the one hand, your pet could be blessed with perfect health and suffer no true emergencies. On the other hand, your pet could be a victim of an unfortunate medical emergency. Life doesn’t come with a guarantee for humans or animals. Either way, a responsible pet owner will front the cost to make their pet well again regardless of whether it is through pet insurance or money put aside for unforeseen pet emergencies. After all, our pets are family and we love them unconditionally to the very end.

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How Much Does a Shih Tzu Puppy Cost?

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A purebred chocolate and white Shih tzu puppy for sale posing for a photo.
Purebred Chocolate Shih Tzu Puppy

Quality Really Does Matter

You may wonder how much it will cost to buy a purebred Shih Tzu puppy. The answer is rather complex. You can probably purchase a Shih Tzu puppy for as little as $500. But, you probably will know very little about the puppy’s upbringing. There is so much that goes into properly raising a litter of Shih Tzu puppies.  

I’ll give you two scenarios. Then, you can decide for yourself which Shih Tzu breeder you would prefer to buy a puppy from. Breeder A carefully chooses purebred breeding stock that pass breed specific health testing recommendations by the national breed club. This breeder also chooses breeding prospects that have excellent temperaments since temperament is partially genetic. Breeder A takes several classes and receives a top notch education so she can provide her adult dogs and future puppies with the best upbringing. Adult dogs and puppies spend their day in the home as part of the family and receive the very best life has to offer.

Furthermore, all of the available Shih Tzu puppies participate in daily puppy curriculum activities. This helps to ensure that the puppies get the very best start in life. Proper socialization is critical when it comes to puppy development. All of the Shih Tzu puppies also stay with their mother and littermates during this crucial time period. Puppies go through temperament testing before being sent home with families as well. Temperament testing helps clients choose a puppy that is suitable to their unique lifestyle.

Breeder B purchases breeding stock through a classified ad. The parents haven’t had any health or temperament testing to check for life threatening diseases or aggression in the lines. The breeder has very little education in regards to puppy rearing. The adult dogs and puppies spend their entire day and night in cages with very little human contact. Puppies are sent home with anyone who is willing to pay the price at 7 or 8 weeks of age before the critical socialization period is over.

As you can see from the two examples above, a lot goes into a responsible breeding program. Purchasing a Shih Tzu puppy that may have health or behavioral issues down the road is a big commitment. A bargain puppy could very well end up costing a new puppy owner more in the end when major health issues possibly pop up down the road.

Alternatively, a puppy mill may price a Shih Tzu puppy for sale for as much as $4,000 or more. The high price tag doesn’t guarantee a high quality Shih Tzu puppy. I’ve heard horror stories of individuals bringing home a new Shih Tzu puppy later to find out that it wasn’t even a purebred Shih Tzu. A lot goes into running a responsible breeding program. Everything from high quality food, proper puppy raising techniques to genetic testing should be included in a properly run program. 

The best advice I can give to individuals searching for a puppy is to get to know your Shih Tzu Breeder! Learn about the breeders program and ask a lot of questions. A reputable Shih Tzu breeder should be willing to give you an inside look into their program. You deserve to see firsthand how your future puppy is being raised. In my humble opinion, purchasing a dog from a responsible breeder will be one of the best investments you ever make. I’m a firm believer in you get what you pay for!

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Common Health Issues in the Shih Tzu Breed

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A liver Shih tzu puppy for sale by a responsible Shih tzu breeder.
A Healthy Shih Tzu Puppy

Are Shih Tzus prone to health issues?

In general, Shih Tzus are a relatively sturdy breed. But, like all breeds, there are inherent conditions that are more common in some breeds. I make it my mission at Arizona Sunrise Shih Tzus & Poos to follow all mandatory health testing recommendations from the Shih Tzu National Breed Club. Furthermore, I use Embark Genetic testing (https://embarkvet.com/breeders/) on all my breeding prospects to breed away from any serious health conditions.

Shih Tzus are a brachycephalic breed. This means that they have a relatively flat face and a shorter snout. These features sometimes lead to snoring and snorting. The snoring and snorting are sometimes more obvious during the teething stage of puppyhood. Shih Tzu puppy owners may also notice that their Shih Tzu puppy sounds nasal. Pinched nostrils almost always open over time as the puppy reaches adulthood and the teething stage ends. If not, your veterinarian may want to widen the nostril openings during the spay/neuter procedure.

Reverse sneezing is another common yet harmless occurrence in Shih Tzus. Your puppy may honk and snort and look like he or she is unable to catch his or her breath. It is important to remain calm so your puppy doesn’t feed off of your fear response. I have found that simply placing my finger over the nose remedies the flare-up rather quickly.

Overheating is another issue that plagues the Shih Tzu breed. Brachycephalic breeds are more prone to temperature regulation issues. Their breathing airway is more narrow which means they have to put more effort into breathing in general. When it is hot outside dogs must pant more to cool down. The extra demand on a Shih Tzu’s sensitive respiratory system in hot weather can cause breathing difficulties and an inability to cool down. Shih Tzu owners must keep their pups cool and offer plenty of shade and water in hot weather.

A good harness is a must in the Shih Tzu breed as well. Any extra pressure on a Shih Tzus windpipe or trachea can cause permanent damage. A collar is fine for holding dog tags but isn’t necessary for walking. The risk of injury to a Shih Tzu’s delicate airway is far too great.

Shih Tzus are also known to be a Chondrodysplastic breed. This means that as a whole the breed is known for their short legs and long body appearance. Some common Chondrodysplastic breeds include Corgis, Beagles, Dachshunds, Shih Tzus, etc. This makes the breed more prone to back injuries. There is a genetic marker known as IVDD which predisposes Shih Tzus and other dogs with short legs to back issues. None of the Shih Tzu puppies for sale in my responsible breeding program carry IVDD fortunately.

I still suggest using precautions to protect your Shih Tzus back. Simple measures like not letting your Shih Tzu jump from high places and using a ramp or steps to get on and off of furniture can be very useful. Also, low-impact exercise and maintaining a healthy weight will go a long way in keeping your Shih Tzu safe from back issues.

Shih Tzus are notorious for having a classic underbite. So much, so that the underbite is even part of the American Kennel Club breed standard for Shih Tzus. This form of malocclusion is extremely common in dogs with short muzzles like the Shih Tzu. Many breeders breed for the underbite because they find the characteristic desirable in appearance.

I strive for perfect bites in my Shih Tzu breeding program, but every once in a while I will get a less-than-perfect bite. I don’t make a big deal about it because it is part of the breed standard. But, If the vet notices it upon exam, or I notice the bite alignment issue before the puppy go home day I make sure to inform my clients before puppy pick. I aim to always be transparent with my puppy owners.

Shih Tzus are also prone to teeth overcrowding, misaligned teeth, and retained teeth. The reason Shih Tzus are more likely to have dental problems is that brachycephalic breeds have the same number of teeth as other dogs, but the teeth are in a much smaller space! Dental cleanings both at home and professionally are a must in the breed. Dental treats are also great for removing plaque. Retained puppy teeth are usually taken out during the spay/neuter procedure.

In the end, all breeds have common conditions that they are often confronted with throughout life. The Shih Tzu is not exempt from health ailments that may pop up over time. There is no perfect dog, even though we all believe our dog to be perfect. I do my absolute best to rule out serious health conditions in my responsible breeding program.

Unfortunately, it would be unrealistic for me to breed out every minor health issue or benign condition in the breed. What I can do is promise to be transparent with my puppy clients. My puppy clients will always be made aware of any issue that either my veterinarian or I notice in any of the puppies before puppy pick day. Building a relationship built on trust is one of my key goals as a local, reputable Shih Tzu breeder.

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