Shih Tzu breeders.

A serious Shih Tzu breeder shows you OFA or PennHIP patella evaluations on both parents, a current CAER eye exam, and the brachycephalic conformation grading from a vet who has examined the parents recently. They keep their litters indoors with the family from day one, and they will not place a puppy under twelve weeks. Toy-breed puppies need that extra time. They are honest that the breed's flat face and large eyes are not just a look: the short muzzle means heat sensitivity and snoring, and the prominent eyes need daily wiping and are prone to scratches and ulcers. Ask about the coat type, since the traditional long Shih Tzu coat needs daily brushing and a groomer every six weeks, and a good breeder tells you that plainly before you commit. If you cannot keep up the coat, ask about pet trims.

Typical price range.

A Shih Tzu puppy from a responsible breeder usually costs between eight hundred and two thousand dollars in the United States, with show-quality puppies on the higher end. So-called teacup Shih Tzus often run higher but are not a separate breed and frequently carry the health problems of intentional undersizing. The "imperial" label gets the same treatment: it describes a size, not a recognized variety. Anything under five hundred dollars often means the litter is missing health screens or the breeder is running a high-volume operation. Ask exactly what is included: shots, microchip, dewormer, vet check, AKC paperwork, and the lifetime take-back clause.

Health checks worth asking about.

The Shih Tzu health workup includes OFA patella evaluations on both parents, an annual CAER eye exam, a hip evaluation (the breed has low but not zero dysplasia), and a brachycephalic conformation grading. The flat-faced build drives most of the breed's real issues: brachycephalic airway syndrome in the more extreme faces, heat intolerance, dental crowding in the short jaw, and a cluster of eye problems (corneal ulcers, dry eye, and progressive retinal atrophy) that come with large, exposed eyes. Some breeders also test for renal dysplasia through Embark. A breeder who can show you these results in writing, and who breeds for a slightly more open nostril and a less extreme face, is choosing the dog's comfort over a flatter show look.