10 Shih Tzu Breeders in Iowa IA

Written by Jonathan Wingfield in Breeders

Shih Tzu Breeders in Iowa IA

Shih Tzu Puppies for Sale in Iowa

Shih Tzu dogs are characterized by their long, silky coat and friendly disposition. They make excellent pets for families with children and other dogs. If you’re looking for a Shih Tzu breeder in Iowa, you’ll be happy to know that there are several reputable breeders in the state.

The best way to find a reputable breeder is by word of mouth. Ask your friends, family, and neighbors if they know of any good breeders in your area. You can also check with the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the United Shih Tzu Club (USTC) for a list of registered breeders in your area.

One Thing You Need To Ask Your Dog Breeder

Shih Tzu Breeders List in Iowa

Breeder Location Phone Website
Lil Cutie Shih Tzus Glenwood, IA 402-575-8807 Website
Heritage Puppies Lake Mills, IA 641-590-1106 Website
Koedam Kennels Rock Rapids, IA 712-203-1638 Website
JT Iowa Puppies Jewell, IA 515-836-8081 Website
Puppystars Inc Centerville, IA 641-856-2125 Website
Coldwater Kennel Greene, IA 641-823-5862 Website
Big Cedar Puppies Mount Pleasant, IA 319-931-4947 Website
Midwest Puppies Indianola, IA 515-238-0975 Website
Purebred Pups Joice, IA 641-588-3110 Website
SarJan’s Shih Tzu Hudson, IA 319-290-2437 Website

Shih Tzu Breeder Details in Iowa

Lil Cutie Shih Tzus
Glenwood, IA
Call: 402-575-8807
http://www.lilcutieshihtzus.com/

Heritage Puppies
Lake Mills, IA
Call: 641-590-1106
http://www.heritagepuppies.com/

Koedam Kennels
Rock Rapids, IA
Call: 712-203-1638
http://www.koedamkennels.com/

JT Iowa Puppies
Jewell, IA
Call: 515-836-8081
http://jtiowapuppies.com/

Puppystars Inc
Centerville, IA
Call: 641-856-2125
https://www.puppystars.com/

Coldwater Kennel
Greene, IA
Call: 641-823-5862
https://coldwaterkennel.com/

Big Cedar Puppies
Mount Pleasant, IA
Call: 319-931-4947
http://www.bigcedarpuppies.com/

Midwest Puppies
Indianola, IA
Call: 515-238-0975
https://midwestpuppies.com/

Purebred Pups
Joice, IA
Call: 641-588-3110
https://www.purebredpups.com/

SarJan’s Shih Tzu
Hudson, IA
Call: 319-290-2437 
https://www.sarjansshihtzu.com//

Alternative Places to Purchase a Shih Tzu Puppy

Shih Tzu Breeders in Neighboring States

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

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

The average price for a Shih Tzu puppy in Iowa ranges from $600 to $1,000. However, the price can vary depending on the breeder’s location, the age of the puppy, and the pedigree of the dog.

Other factors that determine price are the color and size of the breed. Puppies with smooth coats and tails that curl over their backs tend to be more expensive than those with wiry coats and straight tails.

How to Find A Responsible Shih Tzu Breeder in Iowa

When you’re looking for a Shih Tzu breeder in Iowa, it’s important to find one who is responsible and reputable. Here are some things to look for when choosing a breeder:

  • The breeder should be registered with the AKC or USTC.
  • The breeder should have a good reputation and be willing to provide references.
  • The puppies should be healthy and have been vet checked.
  • The puppies should be well socialized and raised in a home environment.
  • The breeder should be willing to provide a written health guarantee.
  • The puppies should be properly vaccinated and dewormed.

If you’re looking for a Shih Tzu puppy, be sure to do your research and find a reputable breeder. Puppies from responsible breeders are more likely to be healthy and well socialized. They will also come with a health guarantee, which is important in case of any problems.

Visit Your Shih Tzu Breeder in Iowa in Person

When you’ve found a reputable breeder in Iowa, it’s important to visit the breeder in person. This will allow you to see the puppies and their parents, and ask any questions you may have.

It’s also a good opportunity to meet the breeder and see where the puppies are being raised. A good breeder will be happy to answer all your questions and provide references. If the breeder seems hesitant or unwilling to answer your questions, it’s best to move on.

Questions to Ask

Ask for References from Your Shih Tzu Breeder in Iowa

Asking for references from the breeder is a good way to get in touch with past customers. You can contact these people and find out how happy they were with their purchase.

You may also want to check websites like Yelp or Google Reviews to see what experience other people have had with this breeder. This can help give you a better idea of what to expect when purchasing a dog from the breeder.

Choosing Your Shih Tzu Puppy

When choosing your Shih Tzu puppy, it’s important to look at each individual puppy and pick the one that has the best temperament that matches your family. It’s not recommended that you choose your pup based on color, size, or how cute they are – all dogs are beautiful.

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

Shih Tzu breeders in Iowa should have a good veterinarian that they use. This person will be able to provide health certificates for the puppies, as well as perform any necessary vet checks before sending them off.

Finding reputable Shih Tzu breeders in Iowa is important if you want to find yourself a healthy puppy with an excellent temperament. Good breeders will make sure their dogs are up-to-date on vaccinations and deworming treatments, and can provide references from past customers.

If you’re looking for a reputable breeder of Shih Tzu puppies near you, visit the website of your local AKC or USTC chapter. They may be able to put you in touch with some good breeders nearby who are registered with these organizations.

Look Out for The Signs of Any Unethical Shih Tzu Dog Breeder in Iowa

Unfortunately, some unethical Shih Tzu breeders in Iowa are only interested in making a quick buck. These breeders may not be registered with the AKC or USTC, and they may not have a good reputation.

Look for signs such as:

  • The breeder is not willing to provide references or show you where they raise their puppies
  • The breeder says the mother and father aren’t available for viewing
  • The price of the puppy seems too good to be true

If a Shih Tzu breeder in Iowa doesn’t want to provide any information on the parents, it’s best not to do business with them. Puppies from these breeders will likely be unhealthy and may not have been socialized properly. They may also come with no health guarantee at all. If you encounter a breeder like this, it’s best to walk away.

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

When speaking with a Shih Tzu breeder in Iowa, ask them if your puppy has any health or temperament problems. This is an important question that should be answered honestly and without hesitation.

You may also want to ask how many litters the breeder has had in the past, and how long they’ve been breeding dogs for. A good breeder will have extensive experience which means you can expect better health and temperament from their puppies.

Ask Your Shih Tzu Breeder if You Can Meet Past Customers

Past customers are a great way to find out what your puppy will be like once it’s grown. Ask your Shih Tzu breeder if you can meet some past customers, then ask them how they enjoyed their experience with the breeder.

Talking to past customers is a good way to get insight into the type of person this breeder is and whether or not they’re trustworthy. It’s also a chance to see how well socialized their puppies are.

Does Your Iowa Shih Tzu Breeder Offer Any Guarantees?

When buying any dog from any breeders in Iowa, make sure they offer some form of guarantee. This should give you peace of mind knowing that if anything goes wrong, you’ll be able to get a refund or a new puppy from the breeder.

A good Shih Tzu breeder in Iowa will be more than happy to offer a guarantee on their puppies. This shows that they’re confident in the health and temperament of their dogs.

How to Prepare Your Home for Your Shih Tzu Puppy

Make sure you have a safe space for your Shih Tzu to sleep, as well as a puppy-proofed room. If they’re going to be kept in a cage or kennel, make sure it’s large enough that the dog can stand up and turn around comfortably.

Things to do to your home before your puppy arrives:

  • Put away all poisonous plants and chemicals
  • Make sure all electrical cords are hidden or put up out of reach
  • Secure any small objects that could be swallowed
  • Clean your carpets and furniture to get rid of any puppy accidents
  • Put a gate at the bottom of the stairs if you have them

The more prepared you are for your Shih Tzu puppy, the easier it will be to transition into your home.

Be Prepared for A Lot of Puppy Energy

Shih Tzu puppies are full of energy and love to play. Make sure you have plenty of toys around for them to play with, and take them on plenty of walks.

If you’re not prepared to handle a lot of dog energy, Shih Tzu puppies may not be the right breed for you.

Potty Training Your New Shih Tzu Puppy

Shih Tzu puppies need to be house-trained. They can’t wait to go outside like some larger dog breeds, so you’ll need to take them out regularly and help them learn where it’s appropriate to do their business.

Some ways to help you potty train your puppy are:

  • Take them out immediately after they wake up, eat, and drink
  • Give them plenty of praise when they go potty outside
  • Make sure you have a designated potty area that’s easy to get to

Consistency is key when potty training a Shih Tzu puppy – be patient and never punish them for having an accident.

If you’re not prepared for this training process, it may be a good idea to consider an older dog and not a puppy.

When Your Shih Tzu Puppy Gets Older: What You Need to Know

The first year of your puppy’s life will fly by faster than you think. Make sure you stay as involved as possible with the first 12 months or so of their life, as this is when they grow up and develop the most.

In the second year of your dog’s life, it’ll start to mellow out and become a more relaxed pet. They may still have a lot of energy, but it won’t be as wild as when they were a puppy.

By their third year, your Shih Tzu will be pretty much fully grown and will only continue to age gracefully from there on out. Enjoy every moment with them – they’re sure to give you lots of love in return.

Conclusion

When looking for a Shih Tzu breeder in Iowa, it’s important to do your research and ask plenty of questions. Make sure to find a breeder who is reputable and offers a guarantee on their puppies.

Be prepared for a lot of energy from your new puppy, and make sure you’re ready to house-train them. Lastly, enjoy every moment with your furry friend – they’ll be with you for a long time.