Let me warn you. If you think a Miniature Shih Tzu is going to cost you less because they are small, think again. Yes, they eat less and you may save a dollar or two on their food bill, but their price and the price you pay to your vet will quickly erase this saving.
But then again, novelties in life cost money.
The price you pay for the dog
Miniature Shih Tzu are more expensive than the regular size Shih Tzu and for good reason. It is simply a matter of supply and demand. Small dogs have fewer puppies than bigger dogs, and in miniature breeds one or two puppies per litter is not uncommon. This, the fact that Miniature Shih Tzu puppies require a lot more attention than a regular Shih Tzu and the fact that it is more difficult for a Miniature Shih Tzu breeder to cover his cost, cause less breeders to go into the breeding of the miniature version. The breed is also not recognized by the American Kennel Club or the American Shih Tzu Club as a separate breed, which create even less of an incentive.
Vet fees
Nature has a tendency to eliminate the weak, thereby increasing the chance of the offspring to survive. However, instead of the stronger puppies, the smaller and weaker puppies of litters have been used to breed the Miniature Shih Tzu. By breeding with the weaker dogs, we are going against the laws of nature and should expect more health problems. That is indeed the case, and problems such as fragile bones, diarrhea, problems with blood sugar levels, and problem teeth are not uncommon.
All is not lost. The following are things you can do to reduce your vet bill.
1. The first thing, and in my opinion the most important, is to buy from a reputable Mini Shih Tzu breeder. A good breeder will have no problem to supply you with a written guarantee, as he has confidence in his dogs. Money sharks on the other hand will not supply you with a guarantee, as they do things like underfeeding Shih Tzu to keep them small, breed with weak and unhealthy dogs, sell you very young puppies so they appear small and sell the smallest puppy of a regular Shih Tzu litter as a miniature; the list goes on. Just remember that although you significantly reduce your risk when you buy from a good breeder, the risk is still much higher than with the normal Shih Tzu.
2. Look where you go. The bones of a Miniature Shih Tzu are fragile and if you step on them or they fall from a couch, they can break their bones, so be careful. People with very small children should also think twice before they buy one, as children can easily hurt a Miniature Shih Tzu due to their small size.
3. Measure their temperature frequently. For a start feel the ears. The ears should be warm and if the ears are cold the puppy run a big risk of getting chilled. You can also put your finger in the puppy's mouth. It should feel warm. If in any doubt, use a thermometer.
The cost you pay for your dog is nothing compared to the price a puppy pays as a result of bad breeding. In many cases they pay with their life - choose your puppy carefully.
About the Author
There are of course more to the Miniature Shih Tzu than can be discussed in one article. I am interested to hear what you have to say about the Miniature Shih Tzu. Please take a poll on my website about the Miniature Shih Tzu
