Pics of my puppy to be

Haidden · 06-27-2007, 05:39 PM

Also when were those pictures taken? It seems like she had cut off part of the date so it wouldnt show. Those shihtzu look big to be just 5 weeks old.. When i got mine at 8 weeks he was probably that same size.

Here is a picture of my shihtzu at 8 weeks...

and yes they are double coated. My shihtzu is black / brindle with a light undercoat

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Durbkat · 06-27-2007, 06:37 PM

Huh, the dates aren't cut off, I can see the whole date. I believe the pics were taken this month.

Well great news! I found a better breeder. I sent her an email and here is her response which really made me think she was a fantastic breeder.

Quote:

HI Micheal,
Well, I would tell you alot more than just price, is this for a pet?
Have you had a shih tzu before? Do you have small children at home? That would help me know what you are wanting and needing to fit your lifestyle, and if you have any preferences you like or dislike?
Where are you located? We are in Shelbyville, Ky, between Louisville and Lexington.
Let me tell you a little about us and what we do. I co-own my dogs with my best friend, who has shown for 35 years and is a groomer, we make a good pair of old timers-lol
The dogs are our life's devotion. We have worked over 20 years and having 16 + American champions to our names, even though we are not rich people. We typically have about 2-3 litters per year, so we do not profit off of selling dogs, or mass produce, which is always a red flag when hoping for a top quality dog, healthy, and well thought out breeding.
We test our dogs for kidney disease markers, which is the biggest killer of the breed, and expensive. We also test for hips, eyes and full blood panels, prior to any dog being bred. This is a big plus for you as a pet buyer as well.
We also do not breed anything with a major fault, and have gone through what it takes for years to learn what those are the hard way, insuring we are producing the best we can, even though most in the litter will be sold as pets that we are not keeping to show.
We give a written health guarantee, that covers all life threatening, genetic disorders, as well as will take them back at any age if you ever don't want them.
I believe my price listed was 750, however, I have been known to work with people on price if that is a problem, but know that they are well worth it compared to what is being sold for more on the net.
This is over the life of the dog as well, things such as poor coat quality can add up to alot, a poor coat will have to be groomed twice as often and will cost you alot more over the life of the dog.
As well as health issues, one that is at the vets all the time is going to cost a fortune more as well.
But if I can help you, we do have puppies now. The first litter is ready to go on july 7th, and we have two people scheduled to come out as of now, they are three party color males, with gorgeous heads, should be nice examples of the breed.
The other litter is a solid gold black mask and solid black litter, ready July 21st.
I can enclose photos if you are interested. I am enclosing a photo of the father of both litters, as well as a typical pet photo I just got yesterday.
If you have questions, feel free to call or email anytime and if you need another referral in another area, I would be happy to try to help you. Melanie

I really liked the fact that she has the health guarantee and test the lines and that she would be willing to work with me on the price. So what do you guys think, is she a keeper?

blackrose · 06-27-2007, 07:26 PM

Sounds like a keeper to me! (

) I love the fact that she has had lots of experience with the breed, does genetic health testing, has a health guarentee, screens homes, breeds only three times a year, and just seem knowledgable about the breeds in general. She also sounds like she is willing to help out with anything you might have issues with which is an important quality in a breeder.

Now doesn't that reply sound much better than the reply you got back from the other breeder?

And I must say, if/when you do pick out a puppy, we must see lots of pictures! (That is my only requirement for helping...lots of puppy pictures! lol

)

BoxMeIn21 · 06-27-2007, 07:28 PM

I think you've found a very good breeder...Good for you! You might want to edit her phone # out of the post though.

Durbkat · 06-27-2007, 07:33 PM

Yea, well if she will be willing to work on the price then I'll be so freaking happy!!!

I will defianlty post loads of pics, just gotta borrow my friends digi cam.

Would you guys wanna see the pics she sent me of the fathers of the two litters?

And yes its a lot better than the last one, all the other breeder did was tell me the price told me how many of the puppies she had and included those two pics you saw and thats it. lol

blackrose · 06-27-2007, 07:44 PM

Oh, yes, seeing the sires would be WONDERFUL!

Post away! lol

Durbkat · 06-27-2007, 07:51 PM

Alright, here I believe is the father of the litter I should be getting,

And I believe this is the father of the next litter that will be ready on the 22nd of july,

blackrose · 06-27-2007, 07:57 PM

Heh, yep, they're dust mops!

Very nice looking dogs. I can't imagine how she keeps up with all of that hair.

SunSiberians · 06-27-2007, 08:01 PM

Wow, I think this is so wonderful! I've read through this whole thread, and I'm so glad that you decided on looking for a better breeder. This one sounds wonderful. I hope you guys can work something out!

Show us an many pics as you have!

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackrose

I can't imagine how she keeps up with all of that hair.

Yeah, no kidding! I had a hard enough time keeping my long haired guinea pig tangle free! >.<

Durbkat · 06-27-2007, 08:02 PM

Me neither, she must have trained the parents to mop the hair up into a pile or something. lol

I am defiantly gonna have to keep the pup trimmed up because I am allergic to long hair animals. lol

GreyhoundGirl · 06-27-2007, 08:18 PM

This is wonderful! Doesn't everyone love happy endings? I think the forum needs a huge congrats! This is what dogforums is out here for, helping people make good descisions for the health and wellbeing of dogs.

Everyone has done an excellent job and I'm just so happy for the way this has turned out. This is a much better breeder then the previous breeder, I love the sounds of the e-mail. The sire is just beautiful. <3 Also sounds like this breeder ereally knows shih tzus and really cares about dogs. Everything that should be looked for in a breeder.

So excited for puppy pictures!

And, I have to thank you most of all, for you acted on our advice, and your puppy will be healthier for it.

Smiles all around!

Durbkat · 06-27-2007, 08:24 PM

Alrighty, thanks for the help guys!

BoxMeIn21 · 06-28-2007, 12:14 AM

Lol! Beautiful dogs. They have silkier hair than I do...

Jaylie · 06-28-2007, 12:19 AM

YAY! I'm so happy that you found a good breeder! Congrats on getting a (Well bred and healthy!) puppy! And just think...If you hadn't come here, then you would have bought a poorly bred puppy that might end up dying (Poor puppy!! =,-( Bad breeder!) and all the while you would be filling the pockets of that BYB.

Kudos to listening to the advice here! Alot of people wouldn't do that.

Valkman · 06-28-2007, 01:16 AM

What a great thread and congrats Durbkat on all the great advice you got and the breeder you found. That first one was very shaky but the second looks like gold!

Durbkat · 06-28-2007, 09:19 AM

Yep, I just hope she will be willing to work on the price with me and if she can't I may have to find someone else.

BoxMeIn21 · 06-28-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durbkat

Yep, I just hope she will be willing to work on the price with me and if she can't I may have to find someone else.

Hopefully she will, just be honest with her on what you can afford - and ember a healthy pup is worth the wait and the extra $$$, so if you can't afford the pups that she has on the ground right now, perhaps you can wait for the other litter thats due in July - that will give some extra time to save.

Durbkat · 06-28-2007, 04:22 PM

Well bad news, she said she can't go lower than $600 and I can't afford that. I'll just find a good breeder in my city. I'll still be getting it on the 15th so I'll post plenty of pics.

blackrose · 06-28-2007, 08:34 PM

Were your parents unable, or unwilling, to help you pay the extra cash? Or is the breeder willing to let you make payment plans (not something a breeder would normally do, but hey, it never hurts to ask).

That is a bummer, but 600$ is actually a very good price for a well bred puppy.

If you need any help finding another breeder, don't hesitate to ask.

Durbkat · 06-28-2007, 08:38 PM

My parents are unable to help me pay for it. They said if I wanted the dog it was going to be my responsibility, care wise and financial wise.

But I did ask her if she knew of any other breeders that sold cheaper than her and she said that she didn't and that all the people she knew sold for as much as her or more.