11 Shih Tzu Breeders in California CA

Written by Jonathan Wingfield in Breeders

Shih Tzu Breeders in California CA

Shih Tzu Puppies for Sale in California

Shih Tzu puppies are the most adorable of all breeds. They come in two varieties, longhaired and shorthaired, with both being one of the most popular American dog breeds available today. Their coats can be black, apricot, or silver-gray. Their heads are flat with large, round eyes and small ears. Most Shih Tzus have a distinctive underbite.

These dogs are clever, lively and docile with an even temperament. They get along well with children and other pets including small animals such as rabbits, hamsters and gerbils. The Shih Tzu has been bred for centuries to be a companion dog, generally living in the home rather than working.

One Thing You Need To Ask Your Dog Breeder

Shih Tzu Breeders List in California

Breeder Location Phone Website
High Class Shih Tzu Moreno Valley, CA 951-534-2756 Website
Top Dog Puppies La Mirada, CA 714-900-0400 Website
Puppy Town Harbor City, CA 310-755-4989 Website
Tiny Fur Baby Perris, CA 951-337-3578 Website
California ShihTzu Pups Colfax, CA 916-749-8210 Website
Amitzu Shih Tzu Anderson, CA 530-949-1514 Website
San Diego Puppy National City, CA 619-677-5716 Website
California Shih Tzus Manteca, CA 209-612-5359 Website
Dog Breeder Gustine Gustine, CA 209-854-3663 Website
Le Itsy Lolli Pups Shoppe Hayward, CA 510-767-1345 Website
Belles & Beaus Citrus Heights, CA 916-501-7461 Website

Shih Tzu Breeder Details in California

High Class Shih Tzu
Moreno Valley, CA
Call: 951-534-2756
http://highclassshihtzu.com/

Top Dog Puppies
La Mirada, CA
Call: 714-900-0400
https://topdogpuppies.com/

Puppy Town
Harbor City, CA
Call: 310-755-4989
http://mypuppytown.com/

Tiny Fur Baby
Perris, CA
Call: 951-337-3578
http://www.tinyfurbaby.com/

California ShihTzu Pups
Colfax, CA
Call: 916-749-8210
https://www.californiashihtzupups.com/

Amitzu Shih Tzu
Anderson, CA
Call: 530-949-1514
http://www.amitzushihtzu.com/

San Diego Puppy
National City, CA
Call: 619-677-5716
https://www.nationalcitypuppy.com/

California Shih Tzus
Manteca, CA
Call: 209-612-5359
http://www.sensationalshihtzus.com/

Dog Breeder Gustine
Gustine, CA
Call: 209-854-3663
http://www.chenilleshihtzu.com/

Le Itsy Lolli Pups Shoppe
Hayward, CA
Call: 510-767-1345
http://www.itsylollipups.com/

Belles & Beaus
Citrus Heights, CA
Call: 916-501-7461
http://www.bellesandbeausshihtzu.com/

Alternative Places to Purchase a Shih Tzu Puppy

Shih Tzu Breeders in Neighboring States

For the complete list please see our Listings of Shih Tzu Breeders page.

What is The Average Price for A Shih Tzu Puppy in California?

Usually, Shih Tzu puppies range from $300 -$1200. It really depends on the breeder and how well-bred their dogs and pups are, and what age the dog is (whether it’s a teacup or toy size) when you purchase it.

A lot of breeders will charge more for teacup puppies, which are in higher demand. Also, if it’s a pure-bred Shih Tzu or you can tell that the dog is of excellent breeding quality (look at its structure, coat condition and bones) then it is probably more valuable.

In general, it’s advised that you only buy puppies from good breeding stock, as they are less likely to have health issues or temperament problems later in life.

Of course, if the price is too high for your budget then you should wait until you can afford it. It may be best to put aside just $300

How to Find A Responsible Shih Tzu Breeder in California

Breeding Shih Tzu dogs is a very difficult and time-consuming process, which should be left to professional breeders. There are several reasons that you might need to find a Shih Tzu Breeder in California:

  • If you’re looking for a purebred puppy and the only option available to you is through a breeder.
  • If you want to find a good Shih Tzu Breeder in California, but aren’t sure where to start

When it comes to shopping for a puppy online or elsewhere, there are several things that novice and experienced dog owners should look out for and ask the breeder about:

  • Breeding standards: Make sure they adhere to AKC standards.
  • Tracking of lineage: There should be accompanying paperwork for your puppy, with a full pedigree going back to its parents
  • Health clearances: Your puppy should have been checked by a veterinarian and cleared for soundness and health. You will also want a guarantee in case he or she becomes ill later in life.
  • Breeder’s location: If the dog is shipping from out of state, you should ensure that all necessary health certificates are in place

The AKC recommends that you spend at least an hour with your potential puppy’s parents before purchasing a puppy. The breeder should also be able to provide you with several references. Make sure to check these references before making any decisions.

Visit Your Shih Tzu Breeder in California in Person

There are a number of Shih Tzu breeders in California who can assist you with the selection and care of your new dog. No matter how many hours you spend researching your options online, nothing will compare to meeting the puppies face-to-face and picking out the exact right one for your family. When you visit, ask to meet the parents of your puppy.

If you can, watch them interact with their puppies; this will give you an idea of how well behaved your dog is likely to be. When you visit, ask to see the conditions in which they are kept. Make sure that your breeder’s dogs and puppies can interact with each other safely.

If they have a large enough play area where the dogs can get exercise and there is an indoor space available for them to get out of the sun or rain, it will go a long way toward making sure that your puppy comes from healthy stock.

Questions to Ask

Ask for References from Your Shih Tzu Breeder in California

Ask your breeder for references of families that she has helped in the past. If they are unwilling or unable to provide you with any, then there is a good chance that this business cares more about making money than it does about raising healthy puppies.

You need to make sure that your breeder is very serious about the dogs she raises and will provide you with a healthy puppy when you take it home. When you are interviewing the breeder, ask her how many dogs she has sold in the last year.

When you have found a Shih Tzu Breeder in California you like, make sure to ask for references from previous customers. If she is unwilling or unable to provide you with any, this could be a sign that she is more concerned with selling puppies than providing good homes.

Does Your California Shih Tzu Breeder Have A Good Veterinarian They Use?

Every breeder has a veterinarian they trust. The California Shih Tzu breeder should have one that specializes in the breed and who travels to their location for examinations. If they use a clinic, it should be clean, not overcrowded with patients, and specialize in Shih Tzus.

Every breeder hopes for healthy puppies but there are times when things do not turn out so well. A good breeder will have veterinary references to use if problems arise during the pregnancy or soon after the birth of the litter. They will take responsibility for any animal put into their care so there are no excuses for lack of proper veterinary care.

A good California Shih Tzu breeder will check in on each dog at least once per day and check for any signs of discomfort or illness. They should also have a proper bathing schedule in place for the dogs and make time to trim nails, brush teeth and groom coats if needed.

They should take the puppies’ temperature daily to see how they are doing, keep them on their regular feeding schedule, monitor sleeping patterns and other activities.

Look Out for The Signs of An Unethical Shih Tzu Dog Breeder in California

Purebred dogs are bought and sold on a regular basis, but finding the right breeder is not always easy. There are many factors to consider including price, breeding practices, the lineage of parents (for both pets and show dogs), health clearances for the parents of any puppies you might purchase, registration of both parents with their respective kennel club organizations (i.e., American Kennel Club [AKC], United Kennel Club [UKC]) and more. While it can be tempting to save money by purchasing from an unethical breeder in California, here’s what you should know about why this isn’t a good idea:

Unethical breeders typically focus on making a profit without thinking about producing healthy pets. Sadly, these breeders will mate two dogs that might produce deformed and unhealthy puppies with genetic and congenital issues and then sell them to unsuspecting families.

Good breeders often sell out quickly because they have more applications than they are willing or able to accommodate, so your best bet is to contact them well ahead of time.

For instance, make sure to enquire well before the next puppy crop is due. The worst thing you can do is wait until the last minute because many reputable breeders will be booked up for weeks or even months ahead of time.

The easiest way to find a good breeder is to ask trusted friends, family members, veterinarians and even groomers for recommendations.

Ask The Breeder if Your Shih Tzu Puppy Has Any Health Problems

Always ask a Shih Tzu Breeder if there are any health problems associated with the breed. Too many times people have bought a puppy from a breeder without first asking about any known conditions. Then when they bring their new puppy home to find out it has an eye problem or hip dysplasia, they wonder why.

It’s obvious that the breeder should tell you about any possible issues, especially if the puppy was obtained from a reputable source. If you feel that the seller or breeder neglected to tell you about an illness or genetic condition your new Shih Tzu may have, take it up with him and insist on a replacement for your pet – even if he refuses to offer one.

Ask Your Shih Tzu Breeder if You Can Meet Past Customers

When buying a Shih Tzu puppy, you will want to get as much information about the breeder before you purchase. Meeting past customers can provide additional insight into your potential new pet. Ask if it is possible to meet some of their previous Shih Tzu buyers and how many people they will introduce you to. You may find that meeting with their customers face-to-face leads to some long-lasting friendships and eventually create your own network for future referrals.

What Other Questions Should I Ask My Breeder?

There are some basic things that every breeder should be able to answer: price, type of coat, feeding schedule and personality traits of dogs they raise. However, more questions can help give insight into the breeder.

  • How long have they been breeding Shih Tzu’s?
  • What are their goals in this business?
  • Do they train or offer lessons in socialization or behavior modification?

A reputable breeder should also be able to provide you with a list of veterinarians who have worked with them before and can answer additional questions about your specific pet needs.

How to Prepare Your Home for Your Shih Tzu Puppy

There are a list of things you need to do when you get your new Shih Tzu puppy. Preparing his environment for him will make it more comfortable and less stressful on the puppy. You can also decrease the chances of him getting into something harmful.

Here are the things you need to do before you get your new Shih Tzu puppy:

  1. Make sure all food and medications are out of reach from the puppy. You don’t want them to eat anything that could harm them or take any medication that they aren’t supposed to. Be sure that cleaning products are out of reach too! These things could harm or even kill your Shih Tzu puppy. You will need to place the food and medications in a safe area, like up high on a shelf where they can not get at it. Make sure you don’t leave anything harmful laying around like your cleaning supplies. Keep them locked up somewhere that they will be safe.
  2. Make sure your puppy has a bed of his own that is comfortable and free of any harmful items like tacks, etc. You do not want to leave him laying on something like this because he could get hurt. Your dog’s bed should be comfortable and safe from anything that could hurt him. This means you have to check before buying his bed, that it is completely free of anything harmful. You should do the same thing with your dog’s toys as well.
  3. Make sure all doors and windows are secure. The last thing you want is for your Shih Tzu puppy to get out of the backyard or even worse, your home. You should check all doors and windows to make sure they are secured tightly so that nothing can get in or out. You might need to install locks if there aren’t any on them already.
  4. If you have any poisonous plants, remove them from your home. You do not want to take the chance of your Shih Tzu puppy getting into anything harmful. You should get rid of any poisonous plants that are in your house because they might hurt or even kill your Shih Tzu puppy if he were to eat them.

 

How to Potty Train Your New Shih Tzu Puppy

Puppies are great fun to play with, love and cuddle. However, they can be a lot of work for someone who is new to it. Before you even bring your new puppy home, start preparing for potty training so that the pup learns quickly and you do not have to go through the stress of at a boarding kennel while out on vacation or business trips.

The first few days are extremely important when potty training your Shih Tzu puppy. Do not leave them alone for extended periods during these times. After feeding your dog check if they need to go outside for peeing. At this time, take them outside and if they pee or poop praise them immediately. Your puppy will learn after repeated positive reinforcement that going potty means that there is a reward for doing so like getting treats and/or affection.

It is important not to overfeed your Shih Tzu puppies as the excess food may make its way through their system faster making toileting harder.

Schedule playtimes with your Shih Tzu pup where you bring him/her out to eliminate waste before allowing them to do other activities such as playing inside.