I am a hobby/SHOW kennel, breeding for TOP quality show prospects- NOT quantity. I own a limited number of Shih Tzu, and each one of them are treated like my children. I place them in approved homes only. Sorry I do NOT ship my puppies. They must be picked up in person.

AKC Ch Rocking K's JuLi

A short bio on the history of the breed:

HISTORY OF THE SHIH TZU

The Shih Tzu, which means "Lion Dog" in Chinese, became the palace companions of the Chinese Imperials. The Shih Tzu is a crossing of ancient Chinese and Tibetan breeds. This is said to be the dog who followed Buddha around on his mission as well. This royal Toy dog almost became extinct during the China Revolution in 1949. In recent years the breed has become enormously popular in the United States as a sturdy, lively, alert Toy dog that is a happy companion. Shih Tzu in the show ring have a long flowing double coat. Simply exquisite in looks. However, they are also cute as pets in a puppy cut or a variety of short hair cuts.

Warning about Pets and Pools!
DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!
The following is a heart-breaking email I received. I have re-posted this with permission... in an effort to warn others about the dangers of pools!
 

Hey Regina,

It's been a long time. I don't know if you remember me or not..may have to refresh your memory. My name is (name withheld) - I bought Taz (you called him Teddy) from you back almost 6 years ago. I'm writing you to let you know that tragedy struck our family today - Taz was playing outside with our neighbors dog and somehow fell in their pool and drowned. My husband was outside working on vehicles and never heard or saw him. Only when I looked out and didn't see our dog playing with his little friend. We were looking everywhere for him and our neighbor found him in their pool Taz was the absolute best dog in the world. No..he was part of our family. Although I got him for my older son, my younger son took up with him - they slept together every night. Non of us can stop crying or blaming ourselves. Normally, he is right with us ....but he loved to play with "Buddy" next door so we thought we would let him for a little bit today..I wish so bad we could take it back..but unfortunately we cannot. He was like no other...never bothered anything...you could let him out to potty and he would come right back when he was done...he was wonderful. We will miss our Taz more than words can say.

Thank you for our wonderful baby!

PLEASE BE AWARE: 

Unfortunately, there are many unlicensed breeders in Georgia. Additionally, some of these breeders have very little experience with the Shih Tzu. Be aware that by LAW, the Georgia Department of Agriculture requires breeders (even those with only a few litters per year) to have a kennel license. ALSO many counties (including Paulding) require breeders to be county licensed.
I have owned Shih Tzu since 1985, and I am licensed with both Paulding County and Georgia. After all, wouldn't you want your child to be taught by only licensed teachers?

ASK TO SEE THEIR LICENSE BY LAW IT MUST BE POSTED IN PLAIN SITE!

About Umbilical Hernias and Pinched Nostrils

The following is an excerpt from THE OFFICIAL BOOK OF THE SHIH TZU, by Jo Ann White, regarding umbilical hernias and pinched nostrils, which are quite common in Shih Tzu puppies:
"The Shih Tzu is a brachycephalic (short-faced) breed. Many Shih Tzu puppies, especially those with very short noses, have slightly pinched nostrils, particularly when they are teething. They may snort and snuffle, snore, and have a watery, clear nasal discharge... This problem generally clears up with age...
Small umbilical (belly button) hernias are quite common in Shih Tzu puppies. If the opening is small, it will likely close by itself as the puppy matures. As with slightly pinched nostrils, many vets unfamiliar with our breed are much too quick to recommend corrective surgery."

BEWARE OF PUPPY MILLS & PET STORE PUPPIES!!!

I am writing this to warn all those who buy from Pet Shops and Puppy Mills.

I am a hobby/show breeder with a limited number of dogs. I breed to produce the best examples of the breed with characteristics that are important and best represent the breed standard. I evaluate each puppy for show potential, keeping the best to be my next show hopefuls. The rest are placed as pets. I breed Champions, so you will get not only a much prettier puppy but a puppy that is bred for quality and temperament, at a reasonable price!

Please do not buy from pet stores. Their puppies are often supplied by puppy mills. Beware of puppy mills: their only goal is to produce puppies to sell. People who run puppy mills do not care about the quality of animal they produce. Most often, they have as many as 15 or more Shih Tzu living in small crowded concrete runs and/or cages.  They live their lives in these cages or runs only to be bred over and over again until they can no longer produce puppies. They are not loved or cared for. Many are sick and never vet checked. Many are in-bred without regards to producing healthy and/or sound puppies.

The Shih Tzu is a toy breed, thriving on human affection, and deserving of individual love and attention. NEVER to be treated like an object!
My puppies come with AKC limited registration, first shots, de-worming, and extended health guarantee.
AKC FULL REGISTRATION available to approved show homes only.
CALL OR EMAIL FOR CURRENT LITTER PICTURES AND INFORMATION!

If you wish to find out more about Puppy Mills here's just one link: http://www.nopuppymills.com/index.php

TIPS FOR THE WISE PUPPY BUYER

1. Find out if the breeder is licensed by the state. Some counties also require a license.

2. Caring breeders will NOT ship their puppies! I require each and every buyer to come to my home to buy the puppy. A personal transaction can protect my baby from going to a puppy mill! There is also a risk of loss or death when shipping! I do not ship and I do not accept PAYPAL.

3. VISIT ONLY ONE KENNEL PER DAY, because the risk of spreading diseases from one kennel to another can be very high, if that kennel has any contagious diseases. There is always a chance a person could spread the disease to others by carrying the germs from one kennel to another on their clothing or hands and feet. So it is always a good idea to clean up in between visits. It is very easy to transmit a disease such as deadly Parvo, Distemper or Kennel Cough to another kennel without even realizing it.

4. Do not buy from a breeder who wants to meet you somewhere and does not want to let you visit their kennel. If the breeder insists on not letting you come to the kennel that should raise a red flag of warning for you. A reputable breeder should be happy to show you all their dogs and the kennel in which they live in. Make sure the dogs and puppies you look at are clean, healthy, and happy. If the breeder is unwilling to show you all of her dogs and where they are living, REFUSE TO BUY FROM THEM!

5. FIND OUT IF that breeder is a member of a kennel club, are they actively involved in the promotion or showing any of their dogs and puppies in shows??? A good breeder strives to improve the breed, and by exhibiting them in AKC events this shows that the breeder is willing to promote and IMPROVE the quality of her/his dogs.

6. Do the dogs have a home and a clean environment in which to thrive in, or are they being kept outdoors with no shelter... or living in pens to small for proper exercise or even small cages? These are the things you should look for. There are many backyard breeders and puppy mills, who produce puppies for the sole purpose of making money. These people care NOTHING about the improvement and welfare of the breed. I strongly disagree with owning TOO MANY DOGS to be able to give them the attention they each deserve.

Read the comment by a recent visitor (Denise, from Hampton, GA) who visited my kennel last week. Denise's comment is in parenthesis on my PUPPIES AVAILABLE page on my website.

Common Questions:

1. Question: Why don't you offer shipping"?
   Answer: I do not ship my puppies for TWO REASONS: I prefer to meet all new puppy owners in person, (rather than take the chance that I may be sending my baby off to a puppy mill somewhere)! Flying alone can be quite stressful on a puppy. It is much better for a puppy to fly home accompanying it's new owner.

2. Question:  "Do you win money by showing dogs"?
   Answer: "NEVER. Dog shows, on the other hand, are very costly! My Shih Tzu are shown for AKC POINTS which accumulate toward an AKC CHAMPION title. There is no money to win, only the AKC CHAMPION CERTIFICATE. My dogs are shown in conformation classes (similar to 'beauty pageants')... focusing on the structure, movement, and temperament of the Shih Tzu according to AKC standards."

3. Question:  "Which will make the best pet: male or female?"
    Answer:  "Males and females are EQUALLY as sweet, loving, playful, and easy to house train! My females are priced higher simply because there are more males than females born in every litter!"

4. Question: Are your puppies vet checked?
   Answer: ALL my puppies are VET CHECKED before leaving!

5. Question: "What do you do about tear stains?"
   Fortunately tear stains have not been much of a concern for me as most of my puppies are born with the ice white, strong, non-porous hair, which resists stains when cared for properly. It is important to clean the face daily. I have found a simple cleaning solution which works well for me: I use a cotton ball dipped in a baking soda and water... be sure to rinse well.
   Here are some other tips:
   http://www.fix.net/~dogmag/shihtzu/eye-stain-article.html
   http://www.bhejei.com/tearsta.htm
   http://www.bulldogsworld.com/tear.html

WHAT ARE "IMPERIALS"?

As a registered kennel/owner of the Shih Tzu breed I am compelled to advise the dog fancier, who is contemplating on this wonderful breed, the questions asked "What the heck is an Imperial"?

"Imperials" are advertised as a variety of the breed or even a separate breed all together, and weighing under nine pounds as adults. According to the American Kennel Club there are no size varieties. There is only one standard and one size and one AKC recognized breed.

By AKC standards Shih Tzu size and general appearance is as follows:

"Size - Ideally, height at withers is 9 to 10½ inches; but, not less than 8 inches nor more than 11 inches. Ideally, weight of mature dogs, 9 to 16 pounds.
Proportion - Length between withers and root of tail is slightly longer than height at withers. The Shih Tzu must never be so high stationed as to appear leggy, nor so low stationed as to appear dumpy or squatty.
Substance - Regardless of size, the Shih Tzu is always compact, solid and carries good weight and substance.
General Appearance
The Shih Tzu is a sturdy, lively, alert toy dog with long flowing double coat. Befitting his noble Chinese ancestry as a highly valued, prized companion and palace pet, the Shih Tzu is proud of bearing, has a distinctively arrogant carriage with head well up and tail curved over the back. Although there has always been considerable size variation, the Shih Tzu must be compact, solid, carrying good weight and substance.

Even though a toy dog, the Shih Tzu must be subject to the same requirements of soundness and structure prescribed for all breeds, and any deviation from the ideal described in the standard should be penalized to the extent of the deviation. Structural faults common to all breeds are as undesirable in the Shih Tzu as in any other breed, regardless of whether or not such faults are specifically mentioned in the standard." 
American Kennel Club @ http://www.akc.org/breeds/shih_tzu/index.cfm 1989

If you want more information about this breed and what is acceptable and not then please go here: About Me Page and follow the link there to my Favorite Links. There you will find two excellent places to learn more about the Shih Tzu breed.

For more questions concerning this page please EMAIL ME

Back to Top

LEGISLATIVE ALERT!

As American citizens, and pet lovers, we need to stand together to protect our rights to own AKC purebred dogs. Beware of the proposed anti dog ownership legislation being introduced in every state, including Georgia. This PROPOSED legislation is designed to take away our freedom to own and enjoy AKC purebred dogs.

Truly an atrocity for us, are those 'do-gooders' who assume that AKC dog breeders are the reason for the number of dogs ending up in shelters. There are fewer purebred dogs than mixed breeds in the shelter at any given time. (I know firsthand, because my daughter has volunteered at the local shelter, and my BEST FRIEND IS THE MANAGER of our local shelter), When ANY dog ends up in the shelter it is the fault of the irresponsible dog owner. Responsible dog breeders are not to be blamed. We place our puppies on spay/neuter contracts only. Responsible dog breeders will allow you to meet and see for yourself the temperaments of the parents before you adopt.
AKC purebred dogs are tested for health issues, unlike mixed breeds. THIS IS WHY, most people will choose to adopt a purebred dog over a mutt. An AKC purebred dog will have a detectable lineage, which can be tested over and over again for temperaments and health. Professional breeders invest money and time to SHOW and prove their get and thus evaluate each dog for breeding quality. So what are we missing here? Professional breeders work to eradicate their lines of bad temperaments and health problems,
Visit an AKC dog show, and you will see the finest of breeds being shown. Showing dogs is an expensive hobby, so why do we do this? Because owning an AKC registered dog is a pure joy.Dog lovers: if you like having a choice, please don't take for granted your RIGHT and FREEDOM TO CHOOSE whether to adopt a mixed breed or an AKC purebred dog. Please be aware of the dangers of the new legislation being imposed on breeders.... I am a licensed and inspected breeder AS ALL LEGAL BREEDERS SHOULD BE. Aside from this, any proposed legislation designed to limit dog ownership should be banned. Go to AKC.org and stay INFORMED... follow the legislation link. Stand behind your rights as a dog owner or you will see purebred dogs become extinct!
Respectfully,
Regina Kitchens
Member of AKC, Douglasville Kennel Club, Tri-County Cattleman's Association, and the Georgia Canine Coalition