Shih tzu

ITgirl73

Just had an awful experience with a supposedly IKC Breeder that would not let me see puppies with mother & will only drive puppies to perspective buyers. I know rules prevent advertising breeders etc but if possible can you DM if you had a positive experience with breeder for your own shih tzu & where I may contact them. I would go down rescue route but elderly parent lives with me so cannot have a lively dog that is always escaping, jumping up so so I think training a pup would be better in my case. I have met people that bought shih tzu off done deal & now experiencing major medical bills due to inbreeding Thanks a mill

muddypaws

To be honest, if you don't want a dog that will jump up etc, getting a pup is probably not the way to go. Obviously you can train a pup, but it will need to learn what to do and what not to do, which takes time. An older dog may actually be better in your case, most Irish rescues use foster homes rather than kennels, so they will have a really good idea of the dog's behaviour.

kylith

I agree with Muddypaws. It's going to be a long time before a puppy learns not to jump up, nip, and run around like a loon. Adult dogs are more trainable than puppies and will work out what you want more quickly. A rescue will be able to match you to a nice calm older dog. A lot of dogs are left with rescues because owners don't realise how much work the grooming is, for example, rather than because of any behavioural problems with the dog.

alroley

Just because a breeder registers pups with the IKC doesn't mean they are a reputable breeder.

As said above, an older and calmer dog may be much more suitable.

nosilver

Don't discount the rescues - April is their busiest month as the novelty factor of the new Christmas puppy is gone and those who did not research the work involved with bringing up a dog find it is too much for them.

A bichon is another option - quiet and quite suitable as a companion dog.

ITgirl73

I will ring rescues tomorrow. Got let down with a bang by breeder today had all the puppy things purchased but refused access to pups mother & place of birth. Selling them from car today so had to pull out. Discussed with mg mother she would prefer puppy to older dog & I have seen posts where elderly people had to return older dogs either not settling or trying to escape or too set in their ways. I cannot believe that it so hard to buy a dog in Ireland these days.

borderlinemeath

ITgirl73 wrote: »

I will ring rescues tomorrow. Got let down with a bang by breeder today had all the puppy things purchased but refused access to pups mother & place of birth. Selling them from car today so had to pull out. Discussed with mg mother she would prefer puppy to older dog & I have seen posts where elderly people had to return older dogs either not settling or trying to escape or too set in their ways. I cannot believe that it so hard to buy a dog in Ireland these days.

It's actually far too easy to buy a dog, that's why there's so many badly bred, nervous, unhealthy dogs for sale. You are doing it right though, many don't, so puppy farms and back yard breeders continue to profit.

You could always approach a rescue that has pups available, if your parents are elderly and are at home most of the time then adopting a rescue pup shouldn't be a problem, the other criteria that you must meet with a rescue is a secure garden. I wouldn't discount an older dog though - all dogs of all ages are trainable, so getting dogs that are "set in their ways" is just their personality. And a secure garden is essential, with an dog that might have an eye for wandering or not.

I do think though, that people who return a dog because "they're too set in their ways" are trying to measure it up to a previous pet. It's never going to be the same, even dogs from the same breeders can have different personalities. They can share characteristics, but will certainly be different dogs.

Fakediamond

There is a small rescue that currently has Bichon's, Westies and sometimes has lovely Yorkies for rehoming. As someone said, rescues will match the dog to your needs, which is probably better than one from a puppy farm in the long run.

ITgirl73

Fakediamond wrote: »

There is a small rescue that currently has Bichon's, Westies and sometimes has lovely Yorkies for rehoming. As someone said, rescues will match the dog to your needs, which is probably better than one from a puppy farm in the long run.

Can you DM me I am at a loss at this stage where to start looking again now that I feel I can't trust breeders

alroley

ITgirl73 wrote: »

Can you DM me I am at a loss at this stage where to start looking again now that I feel I can't trust breeders

You can trust breeders. You found a bad breeder. There are a few very reputable shih tzu breeders here in Ireland. Go to any IKC show and you will get to meet some. I am assuming the breeder you contacted does not show their dogs?(i.e only breeding for money...)

ITgirl73

alroley wrote: »

You can trust breeders. You found a bad breeder. There are a few very reputable shih tzu breeders here in Ireland. Go to any IKC show and you will get to meet some. I am assuming the breeder you contacted does not show their dogs?(i.e only breeding for money...)

They show their dogs and judge at shows which is why I approached them so shocked that they treat their dogs like this. That is why so am so wary now

Knine

ITgirl73 wrote: »

They show their dogs and judge at shows which is why I approached them so shocked that they treat their dogs like this. That is why so am so wary now

Are you sure though? I know the people who show them & I would be surprised if this was the case. Maybe you can pm me & I will clarify if indeed they do show & judge. Many people claim to have Champions etc when the only Champion their dogs will ever see is in their dinner bowl.