So the time has come to bring the pitter-patter of little feet back into your home and you and your family have decided on a Shih Tzu.

You are going to need to find a good Shih Tzu breeder and this first step is one of the most important steps in the process. Finding the right breeder can make your experience in owning the dog that much better.

Your first stop should be the National Kennel Club or any other national breeder registry that you can usually find on the Internet. These registries will point you to only the most reputable breeders in your area and also give you some information about how they do business and what you can expect. If you cannot find a particular breeder in a national registry then they may not be someone you want to get a dog from.

A good Shih Tzu breeder will be there for long after you take your new puppy home. A good breeder will be available to answer your questions and advice while you are raising your puppy.

If the breeder you are dealing with is not very accessible and seems unable or unwilling to answer questions then you may want to pick a different Shih Tzu breeder to deal with.

Every good breeder is very concerned about your dog's health so a good breeder will make sure you leave their property not only with a healthy dog but with detailed care and feeding instructions so you know exactly how to care for your dog. Many of the more reputable breeders will also send you home with a sample of the type of food your dog will need so you know exactly what to get.

When you get ready to take your new dog home from the Shih Tzu breeder the reputable breeder will offer you free pet insurance for a six week period after you leave their property. They get it as a free incentive from insurance companies and the hope of the insurance company is that you will want to continue coverage. Free pet insurance is not something a shady breeder can offer or will offer.

A good breeder can mean many things to an owner and you should make sure to discuss all of these things prior to investing in a dog from any breeder. A good breeder will also offer to take back the dog, without a refund, at any point in the dog's life if you can no longer care for it. A good breeder is interested in the health and happiness of the dog and the satisfaction of the family that bought it.