When to Breed Shih Tzu Dogs?

Breeding At the Proper Age

• Shih Tzus should not be bred until they are at least 2 years old. By this time, she should be completely developed, both physically and mentally. In addition, the temperament and overall health condition of your dog cannot be completely accessed until this age. If you breed your dog while she is too young, she will use all of her energy and nutrition raising puppies instead of finishing growing.

Accessing the Health and Behavior of Your Dog Before Breeding

• Does your dog have a nice temperament? Does she have allergies or seizures? Do her parents have any health concerns? These sorts of questions need to be considered before breeding your dog. If your Shih Tzu has any health or behavior problems, she should not be bred as she can pass these traits on to her puppies.

  Visit your veterinarian for diagnostic testing. This is the only way to truly know your dog's health. Shih Tzus and other small dogs should be evaluated for femoral head necrosis. This disease can be diagnosed by taking radiographs. In addition, she should also have her elbows X-rayed to rule out certain problems. These types of radiographs may require sedation.

  Since your dog can pass on eye defects to her offspring, she should receive a Canine Eye Registration Foundation exam from a veterinary ophthalmologist. This exam checks for cataracts, retina problems and other abnormalities.

  A veterinary cardiologist should perform yearly cardiac tests on her to ensure she is not passing any heart defects to her puppies. In addition, have your veterinarian check for common--but serious--abnormalities, including hypothyroidism, luxating patellas, hernias, cryptorchidism, heartworms, parasites and deafness. Shih Tzus with any of these disorders should not be bred.

  You also should take the health and history of your dog's mate into account before breeding. He should have all of the same tests done before being bred. Only after both dogs are cleared of any medical conditions are they ready to be bred.

The Right Time

• When your dog goes into heat, introduce her to the male. They can breed every other day as long as they are both receptive. Vaginal smears can be done to determine when your Shih Tzu will ovulate and progesterone assays can also be performed to determine when she is ready to breed.

Breeding For the Right Reasons

• While many people take breeding their dogs seriously and follow all the proper precautions, there some who breed their dog for the wrong reasons--mostly to make money. This careless approach can cause many problems not only for your dog, but for her puppies as well. Without proper testing, your dog could introduce her genetic problems or defects to an entire litter of puppies, who may then pass their health issues on to future puppies. Unless you are prepared to pay for preliminary health exams; unexpected problems that may happen during delivery, such emergency C-sections; and veterinary care for the puppies, you should not breed your dog.