It’s easy to find people with puppies to sell. However, there are some things you can’t tell just by looking at a puppy. If you want to be sure about the character and health of your dog your best bet is to choose a reputable breeder. They will be able to provide a guarantee and you can be sure about what kind of dog you are getting. If you are serious about finding a good purebred dog then here are some tips for choosing a good breeder.

Reputable breeders know a lot about the breed they specialize in. If you are really serious about choosing the best breeder then the best thing to do is ask various people. Ask veterinarians, groomers and other people directly involved with dogs on a daily basis. They will have some good suggestions for you.

If you want a reputable dealer its best not pick one out of the classifieds. As with everything, if the breeder really is top quality then they will have no reason to be advertising in the classifieds. Some breeders have puppies booked years in advance. Another reason you don’t want to find someone in the newspaper is they offer no guarantees. Usually forty-eight hours is all you get and if something happens to that puppy six months from now most will just say it’s not their problem. Most reputable breeders will not only give you a year guarantee or more but they will also give you lifetime support.

Another sign of a good breeder is they involved in some rescue of the type they breed. Breeders will usually look to help their breed. Also notice if they will take a puppy back if for some reason the buyer can’t take care of it. Most will not refund any money but at least they care enough about the puppy they’ve bred and will always have a home to come to.

The most obvious clues about the quality of the breeder is by looking at the puppies themselves. Puppies are a product of their upbringing and a healthy puppy will have a pleasant temperament as well as a healthy look. This means no runny noses, clear eyes and, of course a wagging tail. If you are buying over the internet see if the breeder can send you a video of your puppy.

The environment in which the puppies are kept will also tell you a lot about the standard of the breeder. If the environment is clean and the puppies have space then it is more likely that the breeder is a good one.

It’s a good idea to talk and find out about your intended breeder before seeing the puppies. See if they have children and are involve in social activities. Most Puppy millers wouldn’t have time for this. Often once you see them you can be much easier to convince - because you have been convinced by those big eyes! Ask to see the dog’s parents and try to assess their demeanor. Stay away from dogs that seem unusually fearful or aggressive.

You should already know quite a bit about the breed you are interested in. Ask your breeder any questions you might have left. Don’t forget to ask about chronic conditions and special care. After all, this is their passion and many have spent years learning about their chosen breed and living with them! If a breeder is good then they will be just as concerned about figuring out if you are going to be a good dog owner. A good breeder cares a great deal about the puppies and the homes they are sent out into.

For most good breeders, the main goal is not to make money. In recent years however finding a puppy on the internet has become popular. It’s a little harder to find a good breeder on the internet but every tip I have given here will still help you. You may not personally be able to go to see where the dogs are raised however you can tell a lot by a conversation. Just by talking to people you can tell if they are educated or not and they still should be able to tell you about the breed (s) they breed.

Now that you know what to look for there are some things you should avoid at all costs.
Any puppy that comes from a backyard or puppy mill can be a dangerous buy. A backyard breeder will know little about the breed standards. Often they don’t maintain puppy’s health properly. Backyard breeders and puppy millers will sell the puppies often at six weeks of age because they have just got too many; having to move them out for the next litter.

Puppy mills produce large amounts of puppies often in horrible conditions. There isn’t appropriate medical care and more often than not, the puppies are not fed well. Puppy mills often sell directly to pet stores. For this reason it is best to avoid puppies bought from pet stores. Often the puppies are separated from their parents at much too young an age, often as early as 4-5 weeks old as well as the other problems of lack of healthcare, love and attention.

When choosing a breeder look find out how many breeds they breed. Usually two or three different breed types is what seems to be the standard. However this is not the case any longer. If a breeder breeds more then this most likely the person started out with one. Find out when they started out with that one and you can find out a lot by how it progressed. Judging by the conversation on the phone with them you can usually tell their level of knowledge. If it’s just a puppy and they don’t know anything then that’s a clear sign to move on.

Most reputable breeders will not let there puppies go before they turn eight weeks of age or more depending on the breed. Most puppies are not completely weaned and self sufficient any younger then that. This varies among the breeds. Most breeders will talk about the there age, when they let them go and also about the transition from one home to the next before selling the puppy.

There is so much more that could be said about choosing a good breeder however the space here does not permit it. If you will just follow these few simple steps you will have already beat the odds of finding a good puppy. It goes both ways, not only do you the buyer wants a happy puppy but the breeder also wants you to have a happy and healthy puppy for the years to come.

Steve Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders along with his brother Gary. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu’s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies they occasionally has for sale at allmypuppiesonline.com All My Puppies Online Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, carpetsecrets.com Carpet Secrets and movingsecretsguide.com Moving Secrets Guide.

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Tags: dog breed, groom, shih tzu, yorkshire terrier

So now you are sure you want to breed your bitch, having thought carefully about all the financial considerations you are now ready to think about what kind of a mate you will want for your bitch. Of course in an ideal situation; you will spend a great deal of time - and put a great deal of thought into the sire you choose. In reality however it’s more likely that you will be swayed by convenience; either geographical or financial.

In reality however, most studs are chosen because of more practical reasons such as location - if the sire is located far away you pay costs for not only the travel costs but also lodging while you wait. Most people end up choosing a sire that is somewhere between suitable and practical.

But if you have already committed and are certain about breeding with your bitch then choosing the perfect sire is very very important. Choosing a sire is one of the most important decisions you can make. Your decision will be made much easier with a clearer picture of exactly what you want from a sire.

To begin: examine your bitch closely. In conjunction with what you know about breed standards and requirements - take an objective look at your bitch. What are her strengths? What are her weaknesses? Using the AKC standards as a guideline will help you in your evaluation. Once you have identified your bitch’s key strong points (for example her great temperament) as well as her weaknesses (for example her tendency to become jealous) - you should go about seeking a sire which compensates.

Unfortunately the choice is not always this calculated. In order to breed responsibly you must keep in mind that the purpose must always be the betterment of the breed. If every breeder had adhered to this principle throughout history then the various breeds of dogs would look very different today. With the ‘betterment’ of the breed in mind - choosing your sire should become a long process indeed.

You will also want to keep in mind that the number of litters the sire has already produced might actually count against him. If he can be likened to ‘the village bicycle’ then perhaps he is not the best choice. Sires who father too many puppies have a disproportionate amount of influence in the breed. When choosing a sire you will want to delve back into the ancestry for at least three generations.

There are two basic principles when it comes to breeding. The first and most basic school of thought is to breed like and like. In order to preserve the breed integrity and have the minimal risks of genetic faults this is the safest way to approach the breeding and choosing of a sire.

Be aware of in-breeding. Line breeding and in breeding are close and you want to stay far away from in breeding and line breeding if you want healthy puppies. Line breeding a fancy term that show breeders use and do. The Sire is bred back to his daughter. No matter what fancy term is used it is still inbreeding. It is supposedly done to keep their lines pure and to keep production those champions. Most veterinarians agree that it is unhealthy.

Once you think you are near to a decision about the sire you wish to choose then be sure to make some time to talk to the owner of the sire. This knowledge - in conjunction with the research you have done and the other specialists you have spoken to should assure you of a good choice.

When speaking to the owner of the stud dog you should be aware that being aware of the weaknesses in the stud is part of being a good owner. If the stud owner is not forthcoming with the shortcomings of his stud, then perhaps you should think about choosing another stud. Of course when selecting a dog to breed you need to make sure that the dogs you choose are worthy of the honor. Any faults will be exaggerated and you might end up paying the price for poor choices much later in life. The major consideration when choosing a stud is that your choice is the most suitable and complimentary choice for your bitch

Steve Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders along with his brother Gary. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu’s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies they occasionally has for sale at allmypuppiesonline.com All My Puppies Online Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, carpetsecrets.com Carpet Secrets and movingsecretsguide.com Moving Secrets Guide

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Tags: dog breed, shih tzu, yorkshire terrier

Did you know the Shih Tzu can suffer from “dry eye” just like people can? Dry eye occurs sometimes when the glands of the eyes do not produce enough tears. The production of tears is necessary to keep the eyes lubricated and healthy. Without this natural tear production, “dry eyes” can occur in the Shih Tzu very similar to people’s dry eye conditions. Dry eye problems in the Shih Tzu can be treated successfully in most cases depending upon the cause. The condition is called “keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS for short) develops from a dysfunction or an underdevelopment of the lacrimal glands. The lacrimal glands are tissue that produces the aqueous portion of tears. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is very common in dogs. The dry eye condition is not only seen in the Shih Tzu. In fact, it is more common in English bulldogs, Cocker spaniels and pugs. The condition is extremely rare in cats.

Due to the fact that KCS can be difficult to diagnose, you probably should see a veterinarian whenever your Shih Tzu’s eyes become reddened. Reddened eyes in your Shih Tzu do not necessarily mean he or she has keratoconjuctivitis sicca. Red eyes is usually the first noticeable symptom, however, red eyes can also be a symptom of other conditions such as ulceration or glaucoma. Another symptom characteristic to KCS is sometimes a thick, ropy, green discharge.

Vets typically perform at least three procedures to diagnose eye problems. The procedures include:

• A fluorescein: A stain applied to the surface of the eye to reveal corneal ulcers
• Measuring the pressure inside the eye is used to detect glaucoma (an increase in intraocular pressure) or inflammation (which results from decreased pressure)
• A Schirmer tear test: Helps to determine if the eye is producing enough tears

When using the Schirmer tear test, if the strip stays relatively dry, KCS is the likely diagnosis.

What are the causes of KCS?

KCS can be caused by many different factors, three of the most common include:

• Immune system destruction
• Congenital defects
• Side effects from drugs

When KCS is caused by autoimmune conditions, topically applied immune-modulating drugs can help stimulate tear production. You will need to apply tear replacement ointment several times a day to keep the Shih Tzu’s eyes lubricated.

If KCS is caused by drug side effects, such as the use of sulfa drugs, the dry eye condition may not be correctable.

If KCS is caused from a congenital defect in which the lacrimal glands do not develop fully and are smaller than normal, drugs that stimulate tear production may not help, since there is not much tissue available to stimulate. The congenital defects causing KCS is often seen in Yorkshire terriers rather than the Shih Tzu.

There is a remedy for those dogs affected by a congenital defect. In the case of the underdeveloped lacrimal glands, an effective treatment is a surgical procedure called “parotid duct transposition.” The procedure is usually quite successful.

Do not feel in despair about “dry eye” in the Shih Tzu. It actually is more common in other breeds. If you have a Shih Tzu with the problem, treatment can be successful.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Written by: Connie Limon Visit us at stainglassshihtzus.com stainglassshihtzus.com and sign up for our FREE newsletters. We provide Shih Tzu puppies for pet or show at reasonable prices with health guarantee.

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Tags: shih tzu, yorkshire terrier

Dogs cannot brush their own teeth. This may seem like stating the obvious, but there are a huge number of dogs out there with severe dental disease that desperately need treatment. Most owners are unaware of their dogs teeth problem until either a vet checks the dogs mouth, or the mouth becomes so sore and breath so foul that the owners attention is drawn to it.

As your dentist will advise you, preventative dental care is a much better strategy than waiting for a problem to occur and then dealing with it. Dogs do not tend to suffer from cavities as humans do, but often get periodontal (gum) disease, which is painful.

Are some dogs more likely to get dental disease than others?

Yes. There is a lot of breed variation in the susceptibility to periodontal disease. Toy breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers have very soft gums and, if their teeth are not brushed regularly, they often require dental scaling and polishing at just a few years of age. Larger breeds such as Golden Retrievers and Labradors have harder gums and rarely need any dental treatment, even without brushing. However, any pet can develop dental disease and any good vet will check a dogs mouth as part of a routine annual check up to advise whether any dental treatment is necessary.

Clearly diet plays a major role in the development of dental disease. Dogs that eat a dry biscuit based or complete diet are less likely to get periodontal disease compared with dogs on wet tinned food merely due to the crunchy hard food helping to stop tartar attaching to the teeth. Some owners supplement their dogs diet with chews specifically designed to help clean teeth, just like it is said that eating a crunchy apple helps to keep a humans teeth clean. However, just like in humans, diet alone is not enough for some dogs and brushing may be necessary if you are to avoid the prospect of dental scaling and polishing under general anesthetic further down the line.

How do I know if my dog has dental disease?

The common signs to look out for are:

1. Discoloration of the teeth, with yellow/brown tartar (known as calculus) adhering to the teeth, mainly on the cheek side.

2. Reddening of the gums (known as gingivitis).

3. Recession on the gum to expose some of the tooth root.

4. Bad breath (halitosis).

5. Dribbling more than is usual.

6. Reluctance to bite on hard objects such as sticks and toys.

7. Difficulty eating dry biscuit type foods.

How do I go about brushing my dogs teeth?

Firstly, buy a suitable toothbrush. Human toothbrushes are usually too hard for dogs, though can be used if they have soft bristles. Ideally you want a toothbrush with a long handle and an angled head to better fit the mouth, and extra soft bristles. An alternative is using a finger brush, which fits over the tip of your finger.

Next, find a suitable toothpaste. Dogs do not really like the mint taste of human toothpastes, so the whole operation will run more smoothly if you use a toothpaste designed for pets. Some pet toothpastes come in meaty flavors so that your pet enjoys the experience. These pet toothpastes usually contain enzymes that help control plaque. Fluoride may be incorporated to help control bacteria. Tip: try placing the toothpaste between the bristles if you can rather than on the top of them, as this will achieve better cleaning.

Now you have the equipment, try brushing the teeth. Most pets will accept this if you are gentle. It is much easier if you start when they are puppies so that they are accustomed to the procedure, but even older dogs can grow to accept it. The outside of the teeth (the cheek side) is the most important to clean, as the dogs tongue helps clean the inside of the teeth to an extent.

The toothbrush bristles should be placed where the teeth and gums meet at a 45 degree angle. The movement should be in an oval pattern. Try to gently force the bristle ends into the area around the base of the tooth as well as into the gap between the teeth. Aim for ten short back-and-forth motions, covering several teeth at a time, then move the brush to a new location.

When starting for the first time, do it twice daily without toothpaste for 1-2 weeks. This way your dog will become familiar with the feel of the brush quickly, and you can then start doing it with toothpaste. In the long term, twice weekly brushing is usually adequate.

My dog already has a rotten mouth, need I be worried about getting his/her teeth done at the vets?

As long as your dog does not have a pre-existing heart or respiratory problem, you need not be worried. Even if they do, chances are your dog will be fine. Dental scaling and polishing is done on a daily basis at many veterinary clinics, and does not have any risks in itself beyond the anesthetic risk that exists with every general anesthetic. Many clinics will do pre-anesthetic blood tests for geriatric patients as a matter of protocol, to check on their liver and kidney function. If your dog has severe periodontal disease, he/she may require teeth to be extracted. This is not something you should worry about in itself, as it is much better for your dog to have no tooth than a painful tooth.

If you think your dog might require professional dental treatment, you should book an appointment with your vet ASAP. Many dogs develop a new lease of life when their mouth suddenly becomes pain free, it may be the greatest gift you could ever give your pet.

Dr. David Brooks is part of the online veterinary team at whydoesmypet.com” target=”_blank WhyDoesMyPet.com. Veterinarians, Vet Technicians, Nurses, Trainers, Behaviorists, Breeders and Pet Enthusiasts are here to answer your pet questions and concerns…
Our dedicated community of caring experts are waiting to offer you advice, second opinions and support.

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Tags: yorkshire terrier

It’s widely believed that dogs originated over 17,000 years ago; recent DNA testing and closer fossil examination is suggesting that dogs originated as far as 150,000 years ago. However the dating in relation to the Bible seems a little far fetched. We know they were around in Bible days because it is mention in several passages.

Scientists and researchers have come up with several possible paths that the development of modern dogs has followed.
Dogs have lived and worked with humans in many different roles throughout the ages. Even today people are continually finding new ways in which dogs can enhance their lives, or perform useful services to people.

In order to understand dogs and their complex relationship to humans we need to look back to the origins of the species; and take a closer look at the habits of wolves.

Wolves are very social animals; they live in packs and derive not only assured survival but also enjoy relationships within the pack. We can clearly see evidence of wolves’ social structure systems if we look at our own dogs today.
In a healthy relationship the human is the alpha member of the pack. A less socialized dog is widely believed to think that he is the leader of your pack, instead of you - the owner.

Today it is widely believed that domestication is occurring at a much greater speed than was previously thought. It seems dogs are now born with highly prized traits.

Not only their temperaments but also the way they look is greatly changing. Scientists have had a tough time telling some skull and bone fragments apart. It’s mainly differences in the skull and teeth that scientists can sue to determine if the specimens are wolf or dog remains.

At a farm in Siberia researchers have been experimenting with foxes and how quickly they can be tamed. They believe that this might lead to an understanding of how our own dogs have evolved.

Researchers around the world are also becoming interested in the cognitions of our dogs and how our dogs have become accepted into our human social structures. History cannot trace the exact routes of wolf to dog.

Wolves are now on endangered lists around the world. Many valiant efforts are being made to curb the steady decline in wolf numbers.

Is it all part of evolution?

Dogs have evolved slowly from wolves and found a home with humans. They’ve become an essential part of human life. If all wolves had formed such relationships with humans they too might be assured of life without extinction.

It is far easier to envision a world without wolves than it is to imagine a world without Boston Terriers, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Shih Tzu’s or Pugs.

Steve Allison loves writing about dogs and manages the website

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Tags: shih tzu, yorkshire terrier