Making the transition
To help you get started, each puppy comes with a puppy go home kit including:
1. OFA certification for eyes
2. Veterinary certification showing clean bill of health
3. ACA registration paperwork
4. New puppy how to guide containing information on grooming, potty training, feeding and more
5. High quality canned dog food
6. High quality starter pack of dry dog food and coupons
7. Soft snuggle blankie with the sweet smell of your puppy's mommy, to ease the transition to their new home
8. Toy
9. Body harness fitted to your puppy & leash
We want to make the transition from our home to yours and easy one for you and your new forever friend. Our commitment to you does not end when your puppy goes home. We are also available to answer your questions at any time. Each puppy is raised with tender loving care, and we want to make sure the transition is as smooth as possible.
Registration
All of our dogs are registered with the ACA, The American Canine Association. We registered our dogs with the AKC years ago, but switched to the ACA because they are the world's largest veterinary health tracking canine registry, including lifetime genetic tracking. The ACA displays each dog's veterinary health information on each puppy's registration paperwork, ensuring that each parent is in fact certified for the above areas.
For more information on health tracking or ACA dog shows, visit www.acacanines.com.
Extended Stay Program
Puppies can go home to their forever family as soon as 9 weeks of age. We also offer an extended stay option for families looking to bring home an older Shih Tzu. The cost for this program is $75/day and space is limited. Families can elect as little as a few days, or as much as 3 weeks (12 week old puppy). 12 week old puppies will also receive their 12 week physical & vaccinations from our veterinarian at no additional charge before going home.
Spay/Neuter Required
As a compassionate and accountable breeder, we feel a strong responsibility to each puppy we bring into the world, and any puppies those Shih Tzu would produce. As a result, we require all of our puppies be spayed or neutered. We do not sell to other breeders, pet shops, dog dealers, puppy mills or any of their agents. We also do not broker puppies. All of our puppies are born and raised here at Sweetwater Shih Tzu.
History of the breed
Cherished by Chinese Royals as prized house pets for over a thousand years, the Shih Tzu was the preferred house pet for most of the Ming Dynasty and was discovered in England nearly 70 years ago.
The Shih Tzu was bred to be a companion dog. And as such, their temperament can best be described as outgoing, happy, affectionate, friendly and trusting.
Size and coat
The Shih Tzu is a non shedding breed and can be a good choice for those with allergies. Their coat is naturally long and silky but can be clipped shorter for easier care. A full coat is not doubt luxurious and beautiful but does require daily brushing and maintenance.
Shih Tzu come in a variety of colors from solids such as black, brindle or gold, to endless combinations of white and a color such as black, brindle, or gold. All colors are considered acceptable in the show ring and are judged equally.
The breed standard for size is 9 - 16 lbs. Most of our Shih Tzu are on the low end of the standard at around 9 - 12 lbs.
Some breeders now advertise "imperial" or "teacup" Shih Tzu that weigh anywhere from 3 to 6 pounds. We do not breed Shih Tzu this small as a result of the numerous health problems and shortened life span that comes with this type of breeding practice. We highly recommend consulting with your veterinarian, and doing some research if considering a Shih Tzu this small.
Submit a Contact Form here
to be added to the waiting list & reserve your spot in the selection process.
Sweetwater Shih Tzu
Improving the breed, one dog at a time.
License # MN862526
Proud to be licensed by:
Sweetwater Shih Tzu © 2013 I Privacy Policy
Wait time is 3 -12 months, depending on preferences.
***** DUE TO A WEBSITE UPGRADE, WE ARE ASKING ALL FAMILIES WHO SUBMITTED A CONTACT FORM
IN APRIL 2023 TO RESUBMIT THEIR FORM TO ENSURE IT HAS BEEN RECEIVED. *****
Adoption Fees
Male puppies start at $3,500, and females start at $3,750 (plus sales tax 7.375%). We also offer select puppies or pick of the litter puppies from time to time for an additional fee. Please contact us for details and availability. All puppies are beautiful, healthy and happy. Select puppies have superior markings, conformation, and personality plus.
Selecting my Puppy
Once your contact form is submitted and approved, it will be date stamped. The date your form is submitted serves as your "place in line" on the wait list. Families on the list will receive email updates on upcoming & available puppies, and can check in any time to find out their status on the list. At birth, we send a birth announcement. At 2 weeks of age, we take the first videos and begin the selection process, giving priority to families who have waited the longest, while still taking into consideration each family's preferences.
We are happy to provide a wait time estimation, however, we cannot guarantee a puppy by a certain date. Depending on your preferences, the preferences of the families ahead of you (which can change), and current availability, including the number of puppies in the litter, color, gender, and size, you may get a puppy sooner than anticipated, or you may need to continue to wait for your Forever Friend. Please do not promise children or loved ones a puppy, until your puppy has been selected and reserved with a deposit.
The deposit to reserve a puppy is $1,000, with the remaining balance due at 9 weeks of age when they are ready to go home. Puppies can go home as late as 12 weeks through our extended stay program. We do not take advance deposits.
We do not crate ship Shih Tzu. Out of state families can drive or fly their puppy home with them in them in the cabin of the airplane. We also work with a pet nanny who can safely hand deliver your puppy to an airport near you. Cost varies depending on location and typically ranges from $400 - $750.
Adult and Adolescent Shih Tzu
We understand that some of our Forever Families prefer a Shih Tzu that has already been though the puppy stage. With that in mind, we occasionally have older, trained Shih Tzu available with points toward their championship.
Adolescents typically start at $4,000. Adults vary in pricing depending on age and other factors, but are available at a lower price point than our puppies. Our moms and dads are typically retired from parenthood at 5 - 6 years of age. Adults and adolescents are placed on based compatibility, rather than wait time. Please contact us for availability and details.
Prenatal care - It all starts in the womb
Our Shih Tzu moms all receive the very best in prenatal care including:
1. Regular checkups with the veterinarian
2. Moderate exercise
3. Muscle massage
4. A diet of high quality dog food**, supplemented
with lean chicken, beef, Omega 3 fatty
acids, and probiotics.
5. Lots and lots of love.
The result is a litter of strong, healthy puppies that will grow into healthy, balanced dogs.
**Our dog food is selected and recommended based on our Veterinarian's advice and years of personal experience. We do not participate in pyramid schemes, or profit in any way from the promotion of our dog food.
Socialization
Social skills are necessary for your dog to live a happy, balanced life. Our puppies are raised in our home in a clean and nurturing environment, never in a garage or shed. They are very curious and love to play and be held. Our socialization process is extremely important as it helps to shape the puppy's personality and will make training much easier down the road. For example, when puppies go home,
they are already comfortable with their face and feet being touched and groomed, and have already started potty training.
Before going home, each puppy:
1. Has been thoroughly examined by the veterinarian, and receives a health examination form.
2. Has been vaccinated by the veterinarian. Many veterinarians no longer honor vaccines administered by the breeder as a result of their ineffectiveness, and will require repeat vaccinations at the owner's expense.
3. Has been microchipped by the veterinarian.
4. Has received a thorough eye examination and OFA certification by veterinary ophthalmologist, Dr. Olivero.
5. Is de-wormed with a broad spectrum de-wormer. Even though our biannual fecal test is negative for worms and parasites, puppies are de-wormed as a precaution.