Looking for a new puppy
I lost my Shih Tzu, Cosmo, in March he was almost 18. He was the bestest boy and I miss him everyday, but I also miss having a dog so I’m on the hunt for a new pup.
The pressure to rescue is real, but as you all know finding a young Shih Tzu at a rescue is next to impossible. I’m also not fit to look at dogs needing homes on rescue sites because I wind up feeling bad, I want to adopt them all- the spiral is real.
Let me just say that 18 years ago, when I got Cosmo, it was a very different world when it came to finding a Shih Tzu. Technically, I got Cosmo from a breeder, but I actually picked him up from a couple who got a puppy and didn’t realize how much work puppies were. 🙄 so I had no paperwork on him, none of the things that they tell you to ask about now. But I got extremely lucky. He was a very, very healthy dog, the majority of his life.
Needless to say, I’m going into this process a bit spoiled Cosmo kind of fell into my lap, that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.
I’ve been on the Good Dog app and also doing a lot of research on my own. So my reason for writing this post is to get recommendations. I’m in Southern California but I know people get dogs from all over the country.
Obviously, I’m looking for an ethical breeder, and I want one who doesn’t push back when I ask questions about health exams that the parents have had. I’m finding this to be surprising, even on the Good Dog app I’m asking folks for the health documentation, one breeder said “oh mom was never tested but my dogs are my kids!!” Um, ok…
It’s a very weird process now. And while I adore the breed, we all know that they can come with lots of health issues, unfortunately.
I’d love some advice. Like am I asking for too much to want to see health certificates from the parents? I asked one breeder in Northern California if the parents had eye exams (I forget the exact term) and she said “once, but it doesn’t make sense to do them a lot.” Wait, what…? Cosmo had eye checks yearly especially as he got older.
If I’m being too picky, feel free to tell me. I’d love some guidance and meanwhile, here’s a picture of Cosmo or The Mo as I often called him. ❤️