Are you planning to get a furry playmate? Nothing can beat the cuteness and playfulness of the Shih Tzu! You would come across a lot of breeders putting up Shih Tzu puppies for sale, however, you need to be very cautious while getting one. Or else you might end up getting a low-quality breed. There are certain aspects that you need to consider about the puppy to ensure it’s healthy, like the bloodline, personality, and more. Before you bring home your furry friend, give a thorough read to this guide as here we are going to share all the tips and tricks that can help you get the best quality Shih Tzu breed. So, let’s find them out!
5 Things to Check While Getting a Shih Tzu Puppy
If you are an impulsive buyer, the first thing you need to do is keep patience and explore reputable English dog breeders until you find the best. After that, check their Shih Tzu Puppies and assess their breed quality through these below-listed tips:
Personality of the Breed
Considering the personality of the Shih Tzu is a must when choosing one from the Shih Tzu puppies for Sale. There’s nothing more disheartening than dealing with a puppy with severe behavioural issues that you find out later. So, the first thing you need to check is that whether your puppy is happy, active, playful, and outgoing. Remember, there are no bad dogs; a little training and patience will go a long way. Have an honest conversation with the breeder, and set feasible expectations early.
If the little goofball has all these qualities, you are definitely going to have a great playmate! Always remember that Shih Tzu puppies are known for their playfulness and liveliness, so a shy or aggressive puppy is a big red flag!
Jawline Alignment of the Puppy
Shih Tzu puppies are prone to dental ailments. To avoid this issue, the second most important aspect to check in your Shih Tzu breed is its jawline alignment. If the puppy has perfect teeth alignment, mark it as the one! A missing tooth or a slight undershot bite should also not be on the list of any concern.
However, if the puppy’s upper jaw overhangs over its lower jaw, the puppy definitely has a severe jawline alignment defect, which could be even worse when it grows up. Also, the puppy’s teeth and tough should stay inside the mouth when it’s closed.
Physical Condition & Teeth
When assessing the breeds of Shih Tzu puppies for sale, one of the foremost aspects to check is the physical condition of the puppy. Check its eyes, ears, mouth, movement, and especially the teeth. Make sure the puppy’s eyes are clear, dark and cheerful, and the ears are clean and do not emit any foul odour. Also, do not skip checking the structure of the ear. Generally, Shih Tzu has large, heavily coated ears that rest at the side of its head, so keep a check on that.
In some cases, the baby teeth of the Shih Tzu puppies do not come out, however, the adult teeth still grow. As a result, the dog’s mouth gets overcrowded with too many teeth, and you need to extract those baby teeth. So, while getting a puppy, make sure it does not have more than one similar tooth.
Skin and Coat of the Puppy
Not to mention, the beauty of the Shih Tzu puppies lies in its long shiny coat. So, the next essential aspect you need to check on a puppy is its skin health and the quality of the coat. There should be no mats and knots on the coat, also double check whether it’s free from parasites.
Parasites are dangerous and can make a puppy severely ill, leading to life-threatening blood infections. Now, you might ask, how to make sure that a Shih Tzu is free of parasites in just one look? The answer is very simple, knotted and matted hair! Yes, parasites, filth, and sores in the body result in matted and tangled coats and hair.
Once you thoroughly evaluate the skin and coat of the breed, it’s time to check the area under the tail. Carefully lift the tail of the puppy to check whether the area is clean and free from blood spots and signs of diarrhoea.
Purity of the Breed
Some breeders take advantage of the buyer’s lack of knowledge and sell them mixed-breed Shih Tzu Puppies. Therefore, you must stay alert. Shih Tzus are mixed with poodles, Pomeranians, Boston Terriers, Maltese, Cocker Spaniels, Bichon Frise, and Yorkshire Terriers etc. While these are all equally adorable, and no less of a dog, they will come with varying personality traits you might not be prepared for. In case you are looking for a pure breed, you always need to search for honest and reputable English dog breeders.
Final Words
When you bring home a furry friend at home, you welcome a new member to your family. That is why, considering how affectionate the puppy is, how well-behaved and lively it is, etc., are important. And what is more important is its overall physical and mental fitness. So, you should stay patient while going through a Shih Tzu puppies for sale and choose a high-quality breed with the above-listed tips. On top of everything, always collect the registration paper and the dog’s pedigree certificate from the breeder as proof of authenticity.
