FAQ

We  are so excited you're ready to take the next step! To ensure the  process is smooth and efficient for everyone, we kindly ask that you do not call us first.
Our  adoption journey officially begins when you fill out our online Puppy  Application.

This application is the most important step—it helps us  learn about the loving home you can provide, and it will also present  you with our puppy pricing and policies.
Once we receive and review your completed application, we will then reach out to you to schedule a conversation. This process allows us to dedicate our time  to serious applicants and find the absolute best match for our puppies.

We can't wait to read your application!

COST: $2450.00 unless otherwise stated.

NOTE: A completed "Pup-Tzu WNC Puppy Application" is required.

Purebred bloodlines: AKC & CKC. Certified/Litter registered: Continental Kennel Club.

We accept PayPal, Zelle, debit cards, all major credit cards and cash.
NO checks please, unless otherwise stated.

NO and NO

Yes, absolutely. Our health guarantee is a cornerstone of our breeding  program and a promise we make to every family. We can offer this with  total confidence because our commitment to health begins long before a  puppy is even conceived.

We  believe that responsible breeding begins with proactive, comprehensive health testing. Our entire program is built on a foundation of genetic science and superior nutrition to ensure we produce the healthiest puppies possible.

For this, we partner with Wisdom Panel™ Premium. We use their advanced DNA test for every one of our parent dogs before they are considered for our breeding program.

We  specifically selected Wisdom Panel™ because it is the most thorough canine DNA test available on the market. It allows us to screen for an industry-leading 265+ genetic health conditions, including those relevant to the Shih Tzu breed. This process helps us virtually eliminate the risk of passing down known, testable inherited disorders to our puppies.

Beyond screening for diseases, the test also provides invaluable data on over 50 physical traits and key behavioral predispositions. This gives us a complete genetic blueprint of each parent, enabling us to:

• Strategically pair our dogs to produce puppies with the best possible health outcomes.
• Understand the unique genetic makeup of your future puppy in incredible detail.

This meticulous, data-driven approach is the bedrock of our health guarantee. It provides you with the ultimate assurance that your new family member comes from a background of exceptional care, rooted in superior nutrition and responsible, science-backed breeding practices that adhere to the highest breeding standards.

Our "BREEDER'S FEE" is an additional $4500.00.

NO

Submitting an application does not automatically grant approval.

Submitting our Pup-Tzu WNC Puppy Application represents only the first step.

▶ The next step (and most important), is our follow up with a phone call interview that determines final approval.

• Before we call though, we'll send an email and/or text asking when it would be convenient to talk with you.
• If this request goes unanswered for 48 hours or more, approval will be denied.
• If we cannot reach you by email, text or phone call (or your voice mailbox is full), approval will be denied.

▶ We accept only committed and responsible puppy parents.

💖 Our pups mean everything to us and knowing they're going to wonderful people helps us sleep well at night.

Absolutely Not!
In fact, we encourage folks to take their time and only pick their puppy when they're ready.
▶ Click Here to find out how your application works when you don't want to get a puppy now!

NO DEPOSIT is needed to join our Wait List -only your application approval is required.

Once approved, it's even possible to get a puppy from us without placing a deposit at all.

In fact, we don't expect a deposit until you're convinced you want a pup from us.

• Then, if you wish to confirm your serious intent to purchase, a $100.00 non-refundable deposit is required (which will be deducted from your final purchase price).
• We'll only ask for a deposit once you've picked the puppy you want  (if our puppies are open to the general public and you're not on our  current Wait List).
• If on our Wait List, we'll usually ask for a $100.00 deposit  around the 6th or 7th week of a litter's age. This shows your serious  intent to purchase from a current litter and helps determine who's  committed and who's not  long before the puppies are made available to  be picked. This keeps our process transparent and fair to all of our  Wait List members.
• NOTE: Our puppies are not allowed to be picked until their 8th - 10th week of age.
• Our puppies are not allowed to go home any time before 10 weeks old, unless otherwise stated.  
• If on our Wait List, you may still get a pup without placing a deposit, you'll just pick after those who have placed a deposit. Wait List members have 1st priority, Wait List members who have not placed a deposit have 2nd priority and, after they have chosen, our remaining pups are then opened to the general public.
• All deposits are good for one year and may apply to any future litters within your 1 year time frame of placing a deposit (as determined by your Deposit's receipt date).
• Deposits are non-refundable only in the event you don't purchase a pup from us within one year of your deposit receipt's date.
• Under all circumstances, a completed "Pup-Tzu WNC Puppy Application" must be submitted. No exceptions.

There are no additional fees unless you are either:

1) purchasing for breeding purposes.

2) requiring the puppy delivered to you by Pup-Tzu WNC.
3) Asking us to hold the puppy you've picked for longer than 3 weeks. After 3 weeks, additional charges apply at $20.00/day.

We'll hold a puppy for you only after:

*You've picked your puppy,
*And, you've placed a $100.00 deposit.
If the conditions above have been met,

we can hold your puppy for you up to 3 weeks after you've picked your pup.

After 3 weeks, additional charges apply at $20.00/day.

✈ We can fly your puppy directly to you accompanied by our own personal travel nanny.
Note:

*Our puppy price does not include transport.

*Additional transport fees will apply.

-For all flights, expect to cover the cost of a round-trip ticket plus an additional $200-$300, depending on your location and flight duration. 

*Our personal delivery service is often more affordable—and always safer—than third-party transport.  
*We do not provide ground transport.

-However, we'll be happy to meet you within 30 minutes of our house at no charge.

* All puppies come with Current Shots, Bill of Sale, Puppy Contract, Health Guarantee and lifetime support. 

* The Puppy Starter Kit includes starter food, toys, treats and a mommy-scented blanket.

* Our pups come crate trained and pee pad trained.

* We encourage you to contact us at any time, for any reason throughout the lifetime of your pup.

* Our Shih Tzu parents and their puppies are purebred (AKC & CKC, CKC registered), and papers can be received upon proof of Spaying or Neutering (no charge).

For more information:

▶ Click here "Your Shih Tzu Puppy Package and Starter Kit"

Absolutely!

• Once approved, you'll receive 20+ references.
• Our references include folks from all over the country who have one or more of our babies.
• As part of our approval process, we require you call at least one of our references prior to making your decision.

*And, not to worry, all our parents have given their permission to list them as references so don't be bashful about contacting them!

▶ NO

We don't breed "miniature", "teacup" or "imperial" Shih Tzu.

Instead, we seek to preserve and protect the legacy of the ancient breed by only breeding dogs that conform to AKC and American Shih Tzu Club standards.

Our dogs, like their ancient ancestors before them, will fall between 9-16 lbs. at maturity.

For more information:

▶ Click here for "The Truth About Miniature, Teacup & Imperial Shih Tzu Dogs"

Shih Tzu are one of the few "Ancient Breeds" with a history going back at least 2000 years.

• We intend to preserve their legacy by breeding only Shih Tzu that conform to AKC standards regarding the breed. 
• Our breeding program seeks to protect and maintain the purity and health of the breed.
• As such, our dogs ARE NOT "Teacup", "Imperial" or "Miniature"...terms that none of which are recognized by the AKC or The American Shih Tzu Club.
• Instead, our dogs are bred to fall within a 9 lb. - 16 lb. weight range at maturity.
• Purebred bloodlines: AKC & CKC. Registered Continental Kennel Club.
• Our "Ancient Breed" Shih Tzu: Pure, Healthy and Strong...Guaranteed.

For more information:

▶ Click here "The Ancient Breed Shih Tzu"

In the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Candler -just outside of Asheville, North Carolina - Western North Carolina.

For more information:

▶ Click here EXPLORE ASHEVILLE

YOU CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH US ANY TIME!

• In fact, we encourage our puppy parents to contact us any time, for any reason for life!

As ethical breeders, our commitment to our pups doesn't end when they leave our hands - it transfers to our puppy parents as a resource they can call on at any time.

Certainly not!

• We encourage all our parents to pick their puppy's lifelong name.
• At birth, we choose to give our pups names to avoid objectifying and diminishing them. After all, they're precious little souls, not objects.
• Frankly, we could never imagine referring to them as "Pup 1", "Pup 2", "Pup 3", etc.
• So, we simply give them loving "nicknames" until their forever name is chosen by you.

And, better still, if you know the name you want, tell us and we'll make sure your pup is used to hearing it before even going home with you!

Of Course!

We'll be happy to arrange a convenient time to view our pups once they've had their vaccinations.

-Prior to vaccinations, we're happy to send pictures and videos which is something we do for all members on our Wait List.

▶ However, an approved Pup-Tzu WNC Puppy Application is required first.

Click here to fill out our puppy application now.

NOTE: We do not accept visitors at our home due to health and safety reasons.

The first step is by completing our required Pup-Tzu WNC Shih Tzu Puppy Application to begin our approval process.

Once you fill out our "Pup-Tzu WNC Puppy Application",

1. We'll review your information and, if initially approved,
2. We'll call you at the number you provided to determine final approval.
3. If we cannot reach you by phone or your voice mailbox is full, approval will be denied.
4. If any of our correspondence (email, texts, phone messages) regarding your application goes unanswered for 48 hours or more, approval will be denied.
5. If questions on our application are not fully answered or only partially answered, approval will be denied.

Once approved and on our Wait List:

 => PLEASE BE AWARE:
If we directly ask any member a question via email, text or voicemail

and they don't respond within 48 hours...

-We have to assume they're no longer interested due to their inaction.

-This will result in removal from our Wait List and discontinue all further communications.

-These rules are in place to benefit our active Wait List members and ensure a fair experience for everyone while eliminating common breeder ambiguity.

We NEVER breed our females every heat cycle. 

• Over-breeding is not only unhealthy for her pups but potentially damaging to the mommy. Instead, we prefer to breed them every other heat cycle or less.

So, as you might imagine, there can be periods when we have no puppies available. 

That's why we can't stress enough the importance of getting on our Wait List ahead of time. 

• And, after all, isn't it worth waiting for a healthy pup that isn't plagued with ailments throughout maturity due to over-breeding?
• You may apply for a spot on our Wait List through our "Pup-Tzu WNC Puppy Application" at any time and (once approved) we'll keep you informed regarding the expected date of any anticipated future litter(s).  

The general consensus among pet experts is that Shih Tzu should retire from breeding around the age of 9. However, every dog is different. Some may continue to be healthy and fit for breeding into their later years, while others may need to retire earlier.

OUR MOMMIES:

• We generally retire our females around 7-8 years old.
• We don't breed them during their first heat cycle but, instead choose to wait until their second cycle or longer.
• Our girls are usually close to 2 years old during their first pregnancy.
• They're never mated more than once a year.
• They're never bred more than 4 to 6 times in their lifetime.

OUR DADDIES:

We generally retires our males around 8-9 years old.

• We wait until our males are 1+ year old before they're allowed to breed.
• Waiting until they're 1 year old or older ensures sexual maturity and better reproductive health.
• We selectively pair our males and females based on DNA analysis to virtually eliminate inherited genetic issues common to the breed.

All our parents are genetically screened for 265+ genetic health conditions by the most accurate DNA pet testing service.

Documentation available upon request for our approved applicants*

*Pup-Tzu WNC Puppy Application required.

NO, Never! 

When our mommies and daddies retire, we keep them with us for life. After all, they're family!

NO.