The forms to enter your Shih Tzu into point shows are mailed To you in a pamphlet called a premium list.
When your Shih Tzu puppy reaches the age six months your local kennel club can provide you with names and addresses of show-giving superintendents in your area. The premium list also includes the names of the judges for the Shih Tzu breed. There is a list of prizes and trophies, name and address of the show-giving club and where the show will be held. You should also receive the rules and regulations set up by the American Kennel Club which you must abide to before entering your Shih Tzu puppy.
There is a complete set of show rules and regulations that may be obtained by writing to the American Kennel Club, Inc., 51 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
When you write the dog show superintendent, request your name be added to their mailing list. If you request only your premium list for the particular show you want to enter your Shih Tzu puppy, you will not receive premium lists in the future. List your breed as Shih Tzu and they will send you premium lists for Specialty shows also.
The point shows are unlike a match show.
In a match show your Shih Tzu will be judged on ring behavior. At the point shows your Shih Tzu will be judged on conformation to the breed Standard. The requirements are your Shih Tzu needs to be at least six months of age on the day of the show and your Shih Tzu must be a purebred. This means your Shih Tzu and your Shih Tzu's parents are registered with the American Kennel Club. Female Shih Tzu cannot have been spayed. Male Shih Tzu must have both testicles in evidences. Any deviation from the Standard for the breed constitutes disqualification.
Allow your Shih Tzu relieve himself and groom your Shih Tzu to the best of your ability before taking him into the ring.
There is a specified area for grooming your Shih Tzu before taking him into the ring. This area is usually the show hall. Be sure to let your Shih Tzu out of the crate and exercise so the Shih Tzu can relieve himself before going into the ring. Many dog owners fear their Shih Tzu will get dirty if they let them out of the crate. Usually the first thing a Shih Tzu will do after being released from his crate is relieve himself. If you walk your Shih Tzu you can avoid this problem. If your dog is clean, well groomed, empty and leash trained you should be able to enter the show ring with confidence ready for an appraisal of your Shih Tzu by the judge.
Before you reach the point where you are actually in the ring awaiting the final decisions of each judge, you need to decide which of the five classes your Shih Tzu should compete.
The regular five classes of the AKC are: Puppy, Novice, Bred-byExhibitor, American-Bred and Open. If your Shih Tzu is undefeated in any of the regular classes, the Shih Tzu will be required to enter the Winners Class. If your Shih Tzu is placed second in the class to the Shih Tzu which won Winners Dog or Winners Bitch, hold the Shih Tzu in readiness for the judge to consider it for Reserve Winners.
If your Shih Tzu wins a class study the classes to make certain your Shih Tzu is entered in a proper class for his or her qualifications.
There are specific rules that must be followed if your Shih Tzu wins a class. No eligible Shih Tzu may be withheld from competition. It is not mandatory that you stay for group judging.
Whelping a litter Shih Tzu puppies can sometimes be physically and emotionally exhausting for both you and the Shih Tzu matron. Before you take your well deserved rest, be certain the Shih Tzu matron and Shih Tzu puppies are comfortable, each Shih Tzu puppy has nursed well, the heat lamp is not too close, and the heating pad is not turned up too high. At this time it is crucial to maintain proper environmental temperatures. Newborn Shih Tzu puppies are incapable of controlling their own body temperatures. Chilling to any degree leaves newborn Shih Tzu puppies susceptible to infectious disease. Room temperature should be maintained at about 85 degrees Fahrenheit for at least their first few days.
Initially offer your Shih Tzu dam only soft, messy-type foods and supplements of a high quality milk replacement added to her food. I like using Pedigree Lamb and Rice canned formula with Just Born milk replacement powder sprinkled on top or mixed within.
Most Shih Tzu dams are ready for a good meal once whelping is over and the puppies are all settled in nursing well. However, do not worry if she refuses one or two feedings during her first 24 hours of motherhood. Do not expect her to leave her newborn Shih Tzu puppies. If she is too exhausted to eat right after whelping, she will be ready by the next day most usually.
To prevent serious cleanup problems, place four interlocking layers of open newspaper on the floor over heavy plastic film such as that used by painters. Plastic sheeting covered by newspaper saves all flooring, is nonporous, makes any cleanup easy and is inexpensive to purchase.
Use Clorox bleach, ? cup to a gallon of water to disinfect the Shih Tzu whelping box and immediate area. You will need to disinfect daily.
Two days following whelping, offer your Shih Tzu matron soft food mixed with a high quality dog food. I use HealthyPetNet Life's Abundance and have found it to be the absolute best food for my Shih Tzu.
Your Shih Tzu dam should be seen by a veterinarian for a postpartum examination within 24 hours of whelping. It is not uncommon for a Shih Tzu dam to retain one or more placentas, large amounts of blood and other body fluids in the uterus. It is also possible that she retained one or two Shih Tzu puppies as well. All of these need to be expelled immediately. Retention will predispose the Shih Tzu dam to infection. Many veterinarians will give the oxytocin shot within the first 24 hours of whelping to help her expel any retained fluids, placental material and/or puppies.
Connie Limon has sinced written about articles on various topics from Careers and Job Hunting, Dogs and Colon Cleanse. Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at:. Connie Limon's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.