What the buyer should know

What the buyer should know

Author : Shih-Tzu FAQ
Ruth A. Grimaldi, ladytzu@aol.com

Breeders should be willing to let you see not only the quarters in which the puppies are housed, but all puppies, whether for sale or not. Be wary of the breeder who takes you into an anteroom and bring out one puppy for you to see. If a breeder is honest, he or she has nothing to hide and it is only by comparison that a buyer can judge the quality of a prospective pet. Watch the puppies play, do their eyes sparkle and are their coats clean. Their ears should be free of wax and inflammation. Their teeth should be white,their gums firm and pink. Evaluate the breeder too, you have every right to ask questions. It won't take long to distinguish between the true breeder and one interested only in making a sale. The breeder should be able to answer questions about the origin and history of the Shih-Tzu, and general care of the breed. The responsible breeder will urge you to have the puppy throughly examined by a vet of your choice within 48 hrs after the sale. The breeder should to willing to take the puppy back, if need be. The breeder should show you how to groom the Shih-Tzu.