Breeding Shih Tzu and Kennel Laws
If you are a breeder of Shih Tzu or any other dog breed you are most likely a very responsible pet owner. If you are not you definitely should not be breeding dogs at all. With that being said this article will assume that the term breeder(s) is referring to someone that properly cares for the dogs used for breeding and any pets that they own.
I am writing this because I am planning on getting started in the wonderful world of breeding Shih Tzu. I happen to live in Louisville, Kentucky. It is a wonderful place to be, for the most part. Let me explain. A friend of mine suggested that I check into the kennel laws and regulations now, before I purchase my first dog intended for breeding purposes. I have thanked her for that suggestion because I was very surprised at what I learned. Please keep in mind that each county has its own regulations.
Here in my area breeders are required to have a Class A Kennel license. There is a $150 fee for this license. But as I read deeper I was surprised to learn that Animal Control officers have been posing as potential buyers. They scour the newspaper ads to find local breeders. When they come to the home they are really there to investigate that the breeder is caring for the dogs in an appropriate manner.
But this gets even better; these officers can actually deem improper care due to any type of code violation or anything else that they can think of. This includes such things as too many or not enough wall outlets in the puppy room or improper use of an extension cord or the use of an extension cord that does not meet specific standards. These are examples that I found documented. As you can see, the officers could find a problem in almost any home if they decided they wanted to.
So what happens when the officers witness such ‘crimes’? Well, Animal Control and police will return with warrant in hand. They can arrest the breeder and take the animals. The animals are checked out by a veterinarian and then altered. If they are healthy, of a good temperament and reasonable age they can be placed for adoption. If the owner pays the fines and does whatever is expected he/she can get the dogs back. On top of the fines the owner will need to pay for the unwanted spaying/neutering of the animals.
Now I am asking you; does this sound like the city is concerned about animal welfare or about making a dollar wherever it can? I completely agree, like everyone, that breeders should provide great care for their animals. But I also know that the majority of them do, after all, breeding Shih Tzu is a chosen activity that we take on because we love the dogs. Of course there are some unscrupulous breeders, but does the city really have enough Animal Control officers to spare some to ‘investigate’ breeders that place ads in the newspaper? I believe their time could be better spent rescuing the animals that are truly in need.
If you believe this does not affect you because you do not live Louisville, Kentucky, you better think again. While this is being fought and is in Federal Court, the same or similar sorts of kennel laws and regulations are being discussed across the nation. Do your part to avoid such ridiculousness. Write your local government officials today to let them know how you feel.
If you are breeding Shih Tzu and have concerns about proper care of the animals in your home you can learn a lot by joining the Shih Tzu Breeding. This is a membership designed specifically for Shih Tzu owners and lovers. It is a six month long program that delivers information to your inbox each week. Content is developed from a combination of research, experience, and tips, advice and interviews with experts and professionals that work with Shih Tzu. We have contributions from breeders that may be just what you need. If you are planning on adding a Shih Tzu to your family you can find a few selected responsible breeders listed on the site. You can also sign up to receive a free ebook about Shih Tzu health and safety. Check it out at: http://www.justshihtzus.com
