Arizona Sunrise Shih Tzus & Poos

Purebred Shih Tzu Puppies

Deanna

Small Animals and Wildlife Desert Dangers

By

A bobcat in our front yard in our suburban neighborhood. Watch your pets!
A Bobcat Visiting Our Suburban Neighborhood

Dog Dangers in the Desert

The desert is home to an array of beautiful wildlife and captivating natural beauty. Unfortunately, wildlife dangers are a real threat to small animals. Some of the wildlife we coexist with don’t always have the best intentions when it comes to your Shih Tzu. Arizona has an abundant population of rattlesnakes, coyotes, bobcats, poisonous frogs, scorpions, killer bees, spiders and the list goes on and on. All of the critters mentioned above may pose a serious risk to your pet Shih Tzu. 

Shih Tzus is a relatively small toy breed dog. They don’t stand a chance against a coyote that may jump your block wall fence looking for dinner. I can say with certainty that they can and will jump a 6-foot block wall. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I’ve also had a bobcat walk right past me in my front yard in broad daylight. (Check out the photo above!) 

You may think you’re safe because you live in the suburbs. I live in the suburbs too! I have seen coyotes and bobcats walk through my neighborhood on more than one occasion. Humans have built suburbs closer and closer to the desert. We have spectacular views but at the cost of being in closer proximity to dangerous desert animals. Animals such as coyotes are also able to pass on dangerous parasites and viruses like parvovirus to your pet. Parvovirus is a real concern here in Arizona and many other states. 

I am a Shih Tzu breeder. My Shih Tzu puppies wouldn’t stand a chance against a coyote. Because I live in an area where it isn’t uncommon to see a coyote or bobcat jump a wall, I need to be extra cautious. When I take Shih Tzu puppies outdoors, I look for predators before I bring the puppies outside. If you have bought a Shih Tzu puppy from me, you know I’m not a risk taker. The health and safety of my dogs comes first!

The Sonoran Desert Toad is another critter that you need to be on the lookout for in your yard. I always recommend walking through the yard before bringing your dog outside. Bullfrogs are notorious for coming out in abundance during monsoon season when it rains a lot. 

We had a bullfrog sunbathing near our pool this summer after a heavy rainfall. When my husband tried to catch it with a net to release it into the desert it took a quick swim across our pool first. If a dog licks a Sonoran Desert Toad they will ingest the toxic substance found on their skin. It is important to rinse your dog’s mouth out immediately and seek veterinary care. 

Scorpions, snakes, and poisonous spiders are common predators in the valley as well. Dogs may see snakes, scorpions, and poisonous spiders as a simple game of chase. The problem is that all of these creatures release toxic poison into their victims.

My husband was once out playing with the solar lights in the evening when he got bit by a brown recluse. The bite got bad and he had to go to the hospital. The area started to turn black, and necrotic and swelled up quite a bit. He ended up needing to take antibiotics for 6 weeks. Imagine how much worse a Brown Recluse bite would be in a Shih Tzu puppy! Symptoms may range from tissue destruction to death.

I almost forgot to mention owls, hawks, and eagles when it comes to small-breed pet dangers. A hawk may confuse your small Shih Tzu for a bunny and attempt to carry him or her away. The hawk is simply looking for a meal and doesn’t know the difference between a rabbit and a Shih Tzu puppy! Unfortunately, the talons of some birds can do serious damage to a toy breed dog. Just google hawks and dog attacks if you don’t believe me. Pet supervision is key when it comes to avoiding bird attacks.

As you probably can already see after reading this blog post, wildlife is abundant in Arizona. Unfortunately, not all of the wild animals in Arizona have your pets’ best interests at heart. They’re simply trying to survive the best way that they can. This often means venturing into the suburbs or visiting your yard.

You must secure and safety-proof all outdoor areas that your Shih Tzu may have access to. Start by covering all gaps in fences. We have installed chicken wire on are slotted fences as a safety precaution as well. But, most importantly, I recommend never leaving your small Shih Tzu outdoors alone in Arizona. I also suggest doing a checkover of the yard before going outside with your pet. It is better to be safe than sorry!

Share This Post
Previous

Next

How to Avoid Puppy Scams

By

Scam free certified breeder badge from Tell Tail.
Scam Free Certified

Would you like to learn how to avoid puppy scams?

Well, I am here to help. Did you know that I am a Scam Free certified Shih Tzu breeder? You may be asking yourself exactly what does this mean. Let’s start by going over what a puppy scam is in the first place. A puppy scam is when someone pretends to be either a puppy buyer or a puppy breeder to retrieve money or information unethically. I will give a few examples to make things more clear. 

One example of a puppy scam is when a puppy buyer tries to purchase a Shih Tzu puppy off of the internet. A puppy buyer may find a spectacular website offering Shih Tzu puppies for sale at an unbeatable price. I am here to tell you that most responsible Shih Tzu breeders invest a great deal of time, money, and commitment into proper puppy raising. These types of Shih Tzu breeders cannot afford to produce cheap Shih Tzu puppies. 

The problem is that puppy scammers often do a great job of looking legitimate. The Shih Tzu puppies look amazing in the website photos and everything seems too good to be true. This is because it is too good to be true! There is a reason why transactions are handled through email or text with these types of scammers. They only want your money and never intend to deliver a puppy in the first place.

A reputable Shih Tzu breeder will want to get to know puppy buyers personally. Most breeders set up phone calls, video calls, or in-person visits. A puppy scammer will most likely ask you to wire funds or pay through an app. Most of the time you never even get a chance to have a conversation with this this type of puppy scammer. This is a huge red flag!

Another example of a puppy scam is when a potential puppy buyer calls, texts, or sends an email and asks the breeder if he or she has any Shih Tzu puppies available. The potential buyer may ask for specific details about the puppy. The buyer may even ask the breeder to send photos or videos of the puppy.

In this type of scam, the puppy scammer who has posed as a puppy buyer then takes the photos and information and uses it to create fake puppy listings. Often the scammer will use the photos and videos the breeder has shared with them. The scam listing may show up on the internet, Facebook, Instagram, etc. Essentially the scammer is impersonating the real breeder. 

I recently have become a victim of a similar type of scam. Nobody has stolen my photos but someone is posting website URLs and using my business name in their description on the internet to deceive clients and improve their Google click rate. This scammer isn’t only targeting me but is targeting a multitude of breeders. I have contacted Google and many other agencies to try and remove these scammers. Hopefully, they will be removed soon. If you ever find any fake listings or notice someone impersonating someone else it is essential that you report the fake account right away.

There are ways to protect yourself from cyber scams. My first word of advice is to get to know your Shih Tzu breeder! Set up a phone call, video conference call, and maybe even a face-to-face visit. Also, ask to see the puppies during your video chat or face-to-face visit. As a Shih Tzu breeder, I don’t even consider accepting a deposit until both the potential puppy owner and myself have gotten to know each other well. I want to know the individuals that are taking home my puppies on a personal level! After all, they’re taking home a piece of my heart and legacy. 

Another thing that I have done to set myself apart from potential puppy scammers is to apply for a Scam Free certified badge through Tell Tail. Tell Tail- (https://www.telltail.com/scamfree) is a legitimate trusted breeder community that provides breeders with a unique ID number and badge that can be shown to potential puppy families. To qualify for the badge, breeders must be interviewed and accepted into the Tell Tail responsible breeding community. All breeders applying for the badge are thoroughly vetted by Tell Tail. Breeders must also provide identification to prove they’re not a scammer.

I also belong to GoodDog- (https://www.gooddog.com/) another well-known and trusted platform where responsible breeders may list a litter of puppies. I went through an interview process and showed identification to become part of GoodDog as well. Puppy buyers are even welcome to use GoodDog’s secure platform to pay for a puppy. GoodDog protects both breeders and buyers from puppy scammers.

As you can see, there are ways to avoid a puppy scam in the first place. It is important for puppy owners to get to know the breeder and for breeders to get to know their puppy buyers. If something seems off it is important to investigate further before committing to a puppy. Do your homework and ask a lot of questions. An ethical breeder will be more than happy to provide all the proof you need to make sure they’re legitimate.

Share This Post
Previous

Next

The Ideal Age to Bring Your Shih Tzu Puppy Home

By

An 8 week old male Shih Tzu Puppy wearing a blue hoodie with ears.
A Responsibly Raised Shih Tzu Puppy

You may be wondering what is the ideal age for a Shih Tzu puppy to leave mom and littermates. A Shih Tzu puppy should ideally stay with mom and littermates until at least 10 weeks of age. A Shih Tzu puppy learns important skills from mom and siblings during this critical period of development. Mom and littermates teach important skills such as bite inhibition. Shih Tzu puppies that stay with mom and siblings during the critical socialization period have an intellectual and behavioral advantage according to studies. 

I consider myself an ethical and responsible Shih Tzu breeder. I like to keep all of the Shih Tzu puppies in my breeding program until they’re at least 10 weeks old. Shih Tzus are a toy breed. A toy breed puppy develops at a slower rate than a large breed puppy. A Shih Tzu puppy needs more time to develop compared to a Golden Retriever for instance. It would be unfair to send a Shih Tzu puppy home at the 8-week mark when he or she isn’t developmentally ready.

Toy-breed puppies can be quite tiny at birth. Most of the Shih Tzu puppies in my responsible breeding program weigh at least 3 pounds by the 10-week mark. Shih Tzu puppies under 3 pounds often have trouble maintaining their blood sugar and may need to stay with the breeder a little bit longer.

As a Shih Tzu breeder, I know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to prevent it in the first place. Once Shih Tzu puppies reach the 3-pound mark they’re less likely to suffer from hypoglycemia if they’re being fed on a proper schedule. All my Shih Tzu puppy owners receive a puppy manual that includes a feeding chart.

Furthermore, a Shih Tzu puppy may go through a fear period at around 8 weeks of age. A fear period is a time in a puppy’s development when suddenly things in the environment cause fear. An educated Shih Tzu breeder knows to look for signs that a litter of puppies is entering a fear period. In my Shih Tzu breeding program, all curriculum and training is mellowed down until the fear period passes. If a Shih Tzu puppy is sent home during a fear period, anxiety may be present throughout life. Anxiety can be avoided if a Shih Tzu breeder knows how to care for a litter going through a fear period.

As a responsible Shih Tzu Breeder, I strive to create confidence in the Shih Tzu puppies that I raise. It would be easier to send puppies home at 8 weeks but it isn’t in the best interest of the puppies. I raise all of the Shih Tzu puppies in my responsible breeding program on a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Keeping the Shih Tzu Puppies until they’re at least 10 weeks old allows me to work the puppies through the curriculum according to their developmental benchmarks. The result is brave puppies that have all the tools they need to succeed in their new homes.

To sum things up, Shih Tzu puppies that are separated from mom and littermates early may display developmental and behavioral problems throughout life. Puppies sent home early may also lack basic confidence. Furthermore, puppies sent home too soon may miss out on important learning opportunities and may be more fearful as adults. Puppies should be sent home when developmentally ready to create well-rounded puppies. Puppies can learn a great deal during the additional time spent with their breeder.

Share This Post
Previous

Next

The Array of Shih Tzu Coat Colors & Patterns

By

Liver-chocolate and gold-liver Shih Tzu puppies wearing Christmas harnesses.
Chocolate-liver & gold-Liver Shih Tzu Puppies

Shih Tzu Coat Color 101

Shih Tzu coat colors and patterns are often a hot topic. When it comes to a Shih Tzu puppy’s color and markings the outcomes are vast. Shih Tzu puppies can come in a variety of colors and patterns.

The American Kennel Club recognizes 19 different coat colors in Shih Tzus:

Coat colors that the AKC currently recognizes include:
  • Gold & White
  • Liver
  • Liver & White
  • Red
  • Red & White
  • Silver
  • Silver & White
  • Silver, Gold & White
  • White
  • Black, Gold & Silver
  • Black, Gold & White
Common Coat Colors & Patterns

Some Shih Tzu breeders breed for certain colors to produce a chocolate Shih Tzu puppy or even a pure black Shih Tzu puppy for example. When breeders refer to a puppy as chocolate they are describing the coat color. The pigmentation color of a chocolate Shih Tzu is liver. Other Shih Tzu breeders prefer to produce puppies in a variety of coat colors and patterns.

Also, a Shih Tzu puppy may be solid and all in one color. For example, a Shih Tzu puppy may be born all gold with no other color present. Or, a Shih Tzu puppy may have abstract coat coloring. For instance, a chocolate Shih Tzu with a white patch on the chest is known to have an abstract coat pattern.

We must not forget the beautiful Parti Shih Tzu. A Parti puppy’s fur color usually consists of two or three colors. Usually white is the base color of a Parti Shih Tzu. Some of the common color combination outcomes include a chocolate and white Shih Tzu puppy, a black and white Shih Tzu, or a gold, black and white puppy. 

Let’s start by discussing the gold Shih Tzu. A gold puppy is usually a dark gold color at birth. An all-gold Shih Tzu puppy may or may not have a black mask. It isn’t uncommon for black tipping to appear on a golden puppy’s coat. Often the tipping goes away gradually when the coat is cut.

Furthermore, a gold Shih Tzu can come in a solid, abstract, or Parti pattern as mentioned above. A gold Shih Tzu puppy’s coat color often lightens with maturity. I have had the honor to raise several abstract gold Shih Tzu puppies in my breeding program. All of their coats got considerably lighter with age. An adult gold Shih Tzu can range in color from dark gold to a light fawn color. The intensity gene is often responsible for determining the shade of gold. 

A red Shih Tzu puppy is typically born with a gorgeous dark orange color. A Shih Tzu puppy that is red is sometimes confused with a gold puppy. Red Shih Tzus tends to be a darker deep orange. Shih Tzus with a red coat is also prone to coat color changes with age. A Shih Tzu with red coloring may have a black mask or another color present throughout the coat. 

Solid black Shih Tzu puppies are rare. A Shih Tzu puppy may appear to be solid black at birth but often changes color over time. It isn’t uncommon for a Shih Tzu puppy to be all black at birth only to develop patches of another color as the coat matures. It is more likely to find a black Shih Tzu puppy with a white patch on the chest or a black and white Parti Shih Tzu puppy. That being said, solid black Shih Tzus do exist. They just aren’t as common as a black Shih Tzu with another color mixed into the coat.

I have been fortunate enough to raise several black Shih Tzu puppies in my Shih Tzu Breeding Program. Often a black Shih Tzu will have a silver or sable undercoat visible in puppyhood. Or a black Shih Tzu puppy may develop patches of white or silver on the coat over time. It is really difficult to predict a Shih Tzu puppy’s adult coat color. As the Shih Tzu puppy matures the adult coat slowly grows in and may go through many color changes.

Solid white Shih Tzu puppies are uncommon as well. An all-white Shih Tzu puppy’s coat will often have at least a splash of another color somewhere on the coat. A solid white Shih Tzu is often genetically cream or the result of the extreme piebald gene. The piebald gene causes the coat to be comprised of a white base color with patches of a secondary color seen throughout the coat. To complicate things further, a pure white Shih Tzu puppy may truly be a silver Shih Tzu. Often the silver sheen on a Shih Tzu puppy’s coat isn’t apparent until adulthood.

Silver Shih Tzus often looks white at birth. Sometimes a silver Shih Tzu puppy will have another color running through the coat such as black or white. A lot of individuals mistake the silver undercoat in a Shih Tzu for white. If you look closely in the sunlight you will see that a silver coat has more of a shimmer.

Brindle Shih Tzu puppies typically have a coat that is one color with another color flowing through the coat. The streaking can be subtle or very obvious. A brindle coat may not be noticeable in a Shih Tzu Tzu puppy until the adult coat grows all the way. The streaking of the other coat color may become more obvious when the puppy gets a haircut. Many of the Shih Tzu puppies in my breeding program that were nearly pure black at birth ended up being black brindle Shih Tzus. The silver undercoat in the puppies just took time to grow in. 

A liver Shih Tzu is a bit more tricky to explain. The American Kennel Club considers any Shih Tzu puppy with a liver nose to be liver regardless of the coat color. Liver Shih Tzu puppies may come in just about any color other than black. All black becomes brown in a liver Shih Tzu. For example, a chocolate Shih Tzu and a gold Shih Tzu are both liver if the nose, paw pads, and eye rims are liver in color. If you want to learn more about the different pigmentation that Shih Tzu puppies may be born with click here.

Blue Shih Tzu pups are born with blue pigmentation. Blue refers to the pigment once again and not the official coat color. Shih Tzu puppies that are blue often have a charcoal pigment color. A blue Shih Tzu may be solid, abstract, or a combination of two or three colors as well. If a liver Shih Tzu has the dilute gene responsible for blue pigmentation the pigment will take on an almost lavender color. This lavender color is often known as Isabella.

As you can see after reading today’s blog post, Shih Tzu coat colors and patterns are vast. Whether you’re looking for a chocolate-liver Shih Tzu puppy or a pure black Shih Tzu it is important to always remember to choose a breeder that puts health and proper socialization first! Shih Tzus can come in an assortment of beautiful colors. A Shih Tzu puppy’s coat color may change over time but your Shih Tzu’s unconditional love for you will always remain the same! 

Share This Post
Previous

Next

What Puppy Vaccines Does Your Shih Tzu Need?

By

A Shih Tzu puppy that is up to date on vaccines posing in a yellow dress with a pink bow.
A Shih Tzu Puppy that receives appropriate vaccinations

The Importance of Puppy Vaccines

Shih Tzu puppies need a series of vaccinations in the first year of life to protect them from harmful canine viruses. Shih Tzu puppies typically receive vaccines every 3 to 4 weeks until they’re approximately 16 to 18 weeks old. A year later booster shots are given.

After the first year, dogs typically receive a booster either yearly or every three years depending on what vaccine was given. Booster vaccines are given every 3 to 4 weeks because nobody knows for certain when viral immunity takes place. Often antibodies from nursing prevent immunity. This is why shots are given in a series spaced apart.

Most veterinarians recommend that Shih Tzu puppy vaccinations begin somewhere between 6 to 8 weeks. As a Shih Tzu Breeder, I typically take my puppies in for their first set of shots somewhere between weeks 8 and 9. I like to wait until they’re a bit older for two reasons.

First, by waiting the puppies have time to put on some weight. Shih Tzu puppies don’t weigh very much. I like a little weight on them to hopefully help lessen vaccine reactions. Second, the longer I wait to administer the vaccine, the more likely that Mom’s antibodies from nursing have left and immunity will take place.

The first vaccine that puppies receive is usually the DHPP vaccine. The DHPP vaccine protects puppies from Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza. This is a core vaccine that is critical in preventing illness in puppies. If you’ve read through my website you know my thoughts on Parvovirus.

Unfortunately, Parvovirus outbreaks are common in Arizona and may cause fatalities in young puppies. Parvovirus is a very hearty virus that survives for a long time in the environment. Distemper outbreaks happen from time to time as well. There was recently a distemper outbreak at a shelter in Arizona. All of these viruses are heartbreaking but are avoidable if pet owners keep their dogs on a vaccination schedule.

The Rabies vaccine is also given to puppies around 16 to 18 weeks of age. All dogs in Arizona must receive the Rabies vaccine to meet law requirements. A dog typically contracts Rabies by being bitten by another animal that has the virus. Animals that contract Rabies often suffer from mental confusion, aggression, and foaming at the mouth in later stages of the illness. Most of the time Rabies is fatal. There is currently no cure for Rabies in dogs. Vaccination is key to preventing this terrible illness.

Bordatella is an optional vaccine that is essential in preventing Kennel Cough. Kennel Cough is often seen in outbreaks in places where there are a lot of dogs. Most boarding facilities require that dogs receive a vaccine to prevent Kennel Cough before staying at their facility to avoid outbreaks. The Bordatella vaccine can be given through the nose, mouth, or injection. One dose is typically given per year. Most dogs recover from Kennel Cough but it can be lethal in rare cases.

Leptospirosis is another non-core vaccination. Leptospirosis can lead to serious diseases such as kidney and liver failure. Your dog’s lifestyle is a key factor when deciding whether or not to get the Leptospirosis vaccine. If your dog will be hiking, swimming, chasing rodents, or spending time near a pond or farm then the vaccine may be a good idea.

On a side note, the vaccine doesn’t come without risks. There are sometimes moderate to severe vaccine reactions when dogs receive the Leptospirosis vaccine. Furthermore, the vaccine doesn’t protect against every strain of Leptospirosis. As a result, the vaccine doesn’t always prevent infection. It is important to talk to your veterinarian about whether or not the Leptospirosis vaccine is right for your Shih Tzu puppy.

Lyme Disease is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Humans and dogs are both susceptible to Lyme Disease. Dogs often come in contact with the bacteria through tick bites. The vaccine is optional. If your dog will be spending a great deal of time in an area where deer are common this vaccine may be appropriate. Lyme disease can lead to serious health implications for your dog. The vaccine isn’t 100 percent effective but will hopefully lessen symptoms. 

As a responsible Shih Tzu Breeder, I suggest that your Shih Tzu puppy receives all core vaccinations promptly. Core vaccinations are truly lifesaving for your Shih Tzu puppy. Viral outbreaks are common among dogs in Arizona. Your Shih Tzu puppy must receive adequate protection.

Noncore vaccinations are also something to consider. I suggest educating yourself on the pros and cons of non-core vaccines. Your dog’s lifestyle should play a part in decision-making. Your veterinarian is a great resource for discussing which noncore vaccinations may be right for your Shih Tzu puppy.

Share This Post
Previous

Next

Kong Stuffer Ideas for your Shih Tzu Puppy

By

A chocolate Shih Tzu puppy keeping busy with a snuffle mat and an interactive ramen noodle toy.
Shih Tzu Puppy Playtime

Are you looking for ways to keep your puppy busy?

Stuffing a Kong is a great interactive activity for your Shih Tzu puppy. I love stuffing Kongs for the Shih Tzu puppies that I raise in my responsible breeding program. A Kong is awesome at keeping your Shih Tzu puppy busy and forcing your puppy to eat slowly. Although a Kong is a great form of mental stimulation it is important to make sure that the ingredients you’re stuffing into the Kong are safe for dogs. Fruit should be washed, peeled, and chopped into pieces.

Furthermore, all ingredients used for Kong stuffing should be free of harmful seasonings, artificial flavors, or sweeteners. Plain is best when it comes to choosing what to put into the Kong. Also, Avoid fatty items. Watch out for overindulgence as well. Too much of a good thing may backfire. 

I hope your Shih Tzu puppy benefits from the Kong stuffer suggestions below:

  • Shredded boiled chicken without skin, bones, or seasonings
  • Low-fat plain yogurt with chopped-up peeled apple chunks
  • Scrambled egg without seasonings
  • Banana and peanut butter
  • Cream cheese
  • Canned plain pumpkin
  • Plain mashed potato
  • Rice
  • Oatmeal
  • Cottage cheese
  • Kong stuffers
  • Canned wet dog food
  • Frozen applesauce
  • Berries
  • String cheese
  • Canned tuna or sardines
  • Dehydrated dog food
  • Frozen chicken or beef broth for dogs
  • Baby food that isn’t toxic for dogs
  • Sweet potato
  • Squash
  • Cantelope
  • Seedless watermelon

For more Kong Stuffer ideas check out the link below:

https://www.kongcompany.com/cuisine/

Share This Post
Previous

Next