The funny thing about Shih Tzus is that the name of the breed means “little lion”—but even though they look like one, they have the friendliest characteristics you can expect from a small dog breed.
The Shih Tzu breed is popular because of its affectionate, loving nature. They are very easygoing and happy dogs who love to spend time with their humans, even if it means snuggling with them on the couch.
However, don’t be fooled! Even though Shih Tzus love to cuddle, they can be quite athletic. Recently, many have been winning many competitions.
These fur babies make fantastic family pets, and they are known to get along well with all family members, including small children and animals.
So now that we have convinced you that getting a new Shih Tzu is only the best idea ever, you might be wondering where you can get these adorable pups.
If you live in California, we have prepared a starter list for the best Shih Tzu breeders that live there.
So sit back and relax while we go through all of the ins and outs of different Shih Tzu breeders in California!
Shih Tzu Puppies For Sale In California
You can find many Shih Tzu puppies for sale no matter where you live—it’s actually incredibly easy with different websites online, but not all of them have good intentions.
However, that doesn’t mean that the pups that you find on these massive websites are purebred and healthy puppies. Some can be unregistered and raised in a variety of puppy mills that are passed for high-quality breeders, which is why you should be careful.
However, just because there are many self-proclaimed quality breeders doesn’t mean that you have to lose hope just yet.
There is a way to find a great puppy that hasn’t been raised by a backyard breeder who is only looking to profit from breeding (sometimes even unhealthy) puppies for an extra buck.
The most important thing is to find a responsible Shih Tzu Breeder when you are searching for a new puppy. So what makes a responsible Shih Tzu breeder?
The Responsible Shih Tzu Breeder
Fantastic Shih Tzu breeders in California will all aim to be licensed by registering at the AKC (American Kennel Club) and/or other well-known, reputable breed club.
They will make sure that their breeding programs (within a smaller home or other facility) are upheld at the highest standard.
Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, they will be very caring of their dogs, making sure that they receive all of the health checks, vaccinations, and anything that will ensure the best quality care for their animals.
This will include a variety of trips at the vet to perform procedures such as deworming and microchipping puppies, as well as ensure certain health guarantees that the pups are good to go to their new homes.
They will also be available to answer any questions you might have about your new best friends and don’t treat their dogs as something that they can’t wait to get rid of (which is a red flag if there ever was one!).
Most reputable breeders are very interested to know how the Shih Tzu puppies they breed are going to fit into their new homes, so don’t be shocked if they ask a bunch of questions about your lifestyle or home environment.
While reputable dog breeders might like to earn some extra side cash by selling Shih Tzu puppies, they will always be more interested in the pups’ wellbeing than the money.
Now that we have discussed what makes a reputable breeder, let’s go through some reputable Shih Tzu breeders in California ourselves to make the search easier for you.
Just remember, these are not the only good breeders out there. This list just serves as a start to find your new best friend!
1. Cobb Mountain Shih Tzu
With many different breeders out there, Cobb Mountain Shih Tzu really stands out, especially if you are located in Northern California.
Cobb Mountain Shih Tzu is a breeder of two that consists of a mother-and-daughter team (Lindsey and Alicyn) that are really passionate about Shih Tzus.
They have many years experience when it comes to breeding these small dogs, and you can be certain that any pooch you purchase with them will be a healthy, happy pup!
All of their Shih Tzus are registered either with AKC or CKC, so you don’t have to worry about your pup coming from a line of dogs that are not purebred.
Their journey with Shih Tzu breeding started after their experience breeding Pomeranians. They spent many hours researching the Shih Tzu line before deciding the parents of the next generation of pups.
The great thing about this breeder is that Lindsey has a BA in biology while Alicyn has many years of experience in 4H.
Additional Perks
They were both very interested in how the genetics of their dogs worked when it came to health and personality issues (as well as how to breed gorgeous dogs!).
All of the pups that they sell come with a health guarantee, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing an unhealthy Shih Tzu and suffering through many hours at the vet’s office.
The pups are very socialized, having been raised in a wonderful, friendly environment since birth. Because of this, they are the perfect family members for you and your family!
Lindsey is also a dog trainer, which means that she spends a lot of hours training all of the pups to be well-behaved and trained before they are given out to adoption.
You can always reach out to this breeder and visit their facility in California.
You will have to go through a phone interview before selecting the puppy of your choice because Lindsey and Alicyn want to ensure that all of their pups are going to be cared for in their new homes.
Another amazing thing about this breeder is that they will help you with all of the preparations before you bring your dog into its new home.
However, you must check with them for the availability of pups, which might vary depending on the time of year you contact them.
Cobb Mountain Shih Tzu Contact:
• Location: Northern California. Cobb, CA, 95426
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (707) 279-4199
• Website: Cobb Mountain Shih Tzus
2. Shih Tzu Garden
If you are located in the Northern Bay area of California, look no further than Shih Tzu Garden!
Shih Tzu Garden may be a small home breeder, but their pups are all AKC accredited, and they really know their stuff!
Even though the breeder recognizes certain types of Shih Tzu are not yet recognized officially by the American Kennel Club, it does not dissuade her from claiming that she understands these subtle differences between Shih Tzus, such as the Imperial Shih Tzu and the Chinese Imperial.
It isn’t then a surprise that they breed for a variety of sizes when it comes to Shih Tzus, all of which you can choose from, but they are not interested in breeding for the very tiny versions of this adorable dog breed.
Additional Perks
They are passionate about keeping all of their dogs healthy and well socialized, so you don’t have to worry about your pup growing up in an unhealthy environment.
The great thing about this breeder is that they offer lifetime support and a two-year health guarantee for your Shih Tzu, which is absolutely amazing! It’s like having a big sister you can always turn to in case things get rough!
They also provide a unique military discount for eligible customers.
Before you are allowed to claim a puppy, they will have to have an interview with you to see if you are the right fit for the puppy’s personality, which is a great thing because this ensures that the two of you will be a right fit for a lifetime. They will also help with preparations if need be.
However, you have to keep in mind that there is a waitlist at times, so you have to check with them for puppy availability which might vary depending on the time of year. You can check their website to see their past puppies!
Shih Tzu Garden Contact:
• Location: Northern Bay Area, California. Gilroy, CA, 95020.
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (408) 761-1235
• Website: Shih Tzu Garden
• YouTube: Shih Tzu Garden
• Facebook: Shih Tzu Garden
3. Beauty’s Shih Tzu
Beauty’s Shih Tzu is an amazing breeder located in Northern California and consists of a mother-and daughter-team who are very passionate about breeding. But no worries if you are located in a city such as Los Angeles—many of their clients are from the South as well.
They do not breed any other dog breed, which demonstrates their dedication to the Shih Tzus that they produce.
They specialize in breeding smaller Shih Tzus with excellent temperaments and great health. They emphasize the socialization of pups as well as potty training and grooming skills. You can expect the pups you purchase from them to be immediate family members.
They are also very interested in breeding Shih Tzus that stay cute for a lifetime. They specialize in breeding gorgeous dogs that will make anyone hold their breath. They make sure that all the pups they breed have heavy luscious coats and are well proportioned.
These AKC Shih Tzus will range anywhere between four and eleven pounds when they grow into adults. Whether someone calls their dogs Imperial Shih Tzus or Imps, all of them are DNA certified purebred dogs.
Additional Perks
Naturally, because they are interested in beauty as well as health, their goal is to breed pups who will be able to make it to the show ring if you so choose, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be loyal and loving family members.
A great thing about this breeder is that they have a one-year health guarantee for all of their clients, which promises them that the dogs they produce are free from fatal genetic defects.
If something should happen to your pup, they would rather take it back and care for it than allow it to go into a rescue home, which shows how much they care for the puppies!
The important thing to note about this breeder is that you will only be able to purchase them if you are on a spay/neuter contract.
Beauty’s Shih Tzu Contact:
• Location: Manteca, California. Northern California.
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (209) 647-2916; (408) 912-4083; (530) 798-0656
• Website: Beauty Shih Tzu
• Facebook: Beauty Shih Tzu
4. The Puppy Nursery
The Puppy Nursery is a breeder located in Tustin, a city in Southern California—yes, we are finally getting to you, southerners!
Yolanda loves Shih Tzu variety, and you can really tell with the various Shih Tzus she likes to breed from the Imperial to the Traditional. She also is an expert at breeding Yorkies, so she has much experience at breeding dogs (over ten years of experience!).
All of her dogs grow in her home, which means that they are all loved and cared for as family members. You can expect the dogs to be fantastic pets who are well-socialized and used to a home environment when you purchase from her.
Additional Perks
All of her puppies come with a one-year health guarantee that ensures the pups are healthy and ready to go to their new adopted families.
She would love to meet you in person, but on certain occasions, if she feels that you are a serious customer that will do his or her best to care for the pups, she might make an exception to ship the puppy to your home.
She will also be available for any questions and will care for dogs that you adopted from her—she can’t imagine one of her pooch’s ending up in an animal shelter or dog rescue, which is a great characteristic for every dog breeder.
Check out some of her pups on her website and Instagram down below!
The Puppy Nursery Contact:
• Location: Tustin, California
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (949) 410-6040
• Website: The Puppy Nursery
• Instagram: The Puppy Nursery
• Facebook: The Puppy Nursery
5. Victorian Dynasty Shih Tzu
If you are located in Central California, look no further than Victorian Dynasty Shih Tzus! This is a breeder with over twenty years of experience and is known as one of the most reputable dog breeders in California.
As the name suggests, they are passionate about breeding Imperial Shih Tzus, Chinese Imperial Shih Tzus, as well as Teacup Shih Tzus of excellent quality.
All of their puppies are raised in a home environment, which means that they treat each and every pup as if it is already a family member. This ensures that they train the puppy to behave in any social setting.
Additional Perks
All of their pups come with either an AKC registration or with an APRI as well as all the necessary vaccinations that Shih Tzu puppies must have. This demonstrates that they are in conformation with the breed standard.
Each of their puppies also comes with a one-year health guarantee to ensure the puppy’s health as well as a welcome kit with dog food that the pup is used to. You can also expect each of the pups to have a medical history document that is always useful.
Victorian Dynasty Shih Tzu Contact:
• Location: Visalia, California
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (509) 460-9290
• Website: Victoria Dynasty Shih Tzu
• Facebook: Victoria Dynasty Shih Tzu
6. California Shih Tzu (Sensational Shih Tzu’s)
This breeder is located in Central California, and they have been breeding Shih Tzus for over fifteen years.
They, too, are a mother-and-daughter team who are interested in raising healthy puppies that are well socialized as a part of their family. You can be sure that all of their pups are well socialized, affectionate and happy from being in such a loving environment.
All of their pups have AKC registration. They also come in different Shih Tzu colors, but they only breed standard sizes.
You can expect all of their pups to also have up-to-date immunizations and health checks. You can be certain that none of the pups have fatal diseases that some Shih Tzus have.
Additional Perks
When you adopt from California Shih Tzus, you will get a welcome gift pack for training your new fur baby which includes: chew toys, a blanket that smells like the pups’ parents, a birth certificate, a variety of dog food, a brush and outfit, as well as all of your pup’s information on training/behavior.
They expect the best care for the pup after you purchase from them because they have provided the same to your puppy beforehand. They will want to make sure the next dog owners do the same and provide the same high-quality to the new Shih Tzu puppy.
California Shih Tzu Contact:
• Location: Manteca, California
• Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
• Phone: (209) 612-5359; (209) 456-3913
• Website: California Shih Tzu
• Facebook: California Shih Tzu
• Instagram: California Shih Tzu
7. Amitzu Shih Tzu (Shining Star Dogs)
Amitzu Shih Tzu is a breeder that consists of a husband-and-wife team who are from Redding, California. They absolutely love their dogs that have won multiple awards in a variety of contests throughout the years.
They are small caring breeder that provide lots of love to their Shih Tzus and are passionate about showing the joy that these furballs have provided them throughout the years. They are not interested in expanding, as they are very interested in maintaining the high-quality of their pups.
They are unique because they only breed when they believe that a pup could be an excellent representative of the AKC Shih Tzu standard. They will expect you to sign a spay/neuter contract if you wish to purchase from them.
Additional Perks
All of their dogs have an amazing personality, are well socialized, and have great health.
They are very warm and are interested in helping you with all the questions you might have about the Shih Tzu breed. They want to make sure that the pups they give for adoption go to wonderful homes that know everything about the breed.
Amitzu Shih Tzu Contact:
• Location: Redding, California
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (877) 335-9273
• Website: Amitzu Shih Tzu
• Facebook: Amitzu Shih Tzu
• Twitter: Amitzu Shih Tzu
8. Hillsides Imperial Shih Tzus
Hillsides Imperial Shih Tzus are a high-quality Shih Tzu breeder located in Sanger California.
They work hard to make sure that all dogs follow the breed standard, and they specialize in producing the doll-faced Small Standard Shih Tzu as well as Imperial and Tiny AKC pups. All of the pups’ parents are tested for medical issues.
You are adamant about their dogs being well-socialized and friendly. They start litter-box training as soon as they can, and they are playful, happy pups, raised in their home as family pets.
Additional Perks
All of their pups come with a health guarantee, They have also been vaccinated with NeoPar and two sets of DHPP. In addition to that, all of their pups have passed all medical exams and have been dewormed and microchipped.
The interesting thing about this breeder is that they will ship their pups with a flight nanny all over the US just in case it is impossible for you to meet them in person.
Hillsides Imperial Shih Tzus Contact
• Location: Sanger, California
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (559) 994-8175
• Website: Hillsides Imperial Shih Tzus
• Facebook: Hillsides Imperial Shih Tzus
• Instagram: Hillsides Imperial Shih Tzus
How Much Is A Shih Tzu Puppy In California?
You can expect your Shih Tzu pup to range anywhere between the average price of $1000 to $2500. However, don’t be surprised if some very high-end breeders sell their pups at a price of $3000.
Besides purchasing a Shih Tzu pup, you also might want to think about other expenses that will be important when it comes to maintaining your pup like food, shelter, toys, and brushes. It is important to know how much a Shih Tzu costs overall throughout its life.
Conclusion: Shih Tzu Breeders In California
We understand that the search for the best Shih Tzu breeders in California can be a tough one, but we hope that this article has helped you start your journey to finding the perfect puppy for you and your family.
If you are looking to search for more Shih Tzu breeders in California, you might also want to check out the AKC Marketplace, which can serve as an excellent source for dogs in general.
Good luck with your puppy search, and make sure only to purchase from good, reputable breeders!
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