Welcome, Bitterroot Tzu Friends!

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When I was just a young adult, I met a dog who changed my life. His name was Mickey. I'd had dogs before, but Mickey was different. I'd never been owned by a Shih Tzu puppy before, but I soon found out that Mickey was something extra special. He was more than a best friend to me, he was family and loved by everyone who met him. No matter what it was, my sweet boy always seemed to know what I needed. It didn't matter if I needed a laugh, a cry, a hug or even just someone to sit with me to know I wasn't alone, he always just knew wordlessly. When I became a mother, Mickey was there right beside me to travel that road and be all the things he was to me to my daughter. Sadly, Mickey passed away eventually but his love will never be forgotten. The wonderful gifts of Mickey's unconditional love and companionship live on through the incredible Shih Tzu breed as well as our Shih Tzu puppies which I am now blessed to share with our Bitterroot Tzu family. Shih Tzu puppies are truly the best puppies, and Shih Tzus are truly like no other dog that you will ever be owned by. 

Our premises are located in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley here in Montana. Here at Bitterroot Tzu Shihtzu we strive to provide quality bred standard Shih Tzu puppies to loving forever homes- whether those homes are here in Montana or the other side of the country. All of our dams and sires are Embark health tested and cleared, and our beautiful puppies are raised in our home from the moment they are born (underfoot) as a part of our family. Our puppies come pre- loved and pre-spoiled, socialized with various people of different ethnicities and backgrounds as well as animals, and are litterbox trained. All puppies come up to date on vaccines (unless requested otherwise) CKC registration and a 1 year health guarantee. When it is time for our puppies to go to their new homes we work hard to ensure the perfect fit between every Shih Tzu puppy we raise and their special new family. Desperately wanting a new lifelong best friend but don’t reside in Montana? We can flight nanny your new pal right to you! We have Bitterroot Tzu customers nationwide, not just in Montana! 

We have puppies available!!!! Ready to go right in time for Christmas 🐶🎁🎄🎄❄️☃️🥰

We are currently planning for a litter around December/January, with puppies available in May/June of 2025. If you're interested in this litter or a future litter, please call (406) 360-2581 or fill out an application to be placed on our waitlist.

Q: Why should YOU choose a Shih Tzu? 

 A: Shih Tzus are one of the most popular dog breeds today and make amazing family members to people of any age. Bred to be companion dogs, they have an uncanny ability to sense human emotions and bond with their owners. Shih Tzus originally descended from Tibetan dogs that were revered as "holy dogs" called "foo". Buddhism, which has origins that trace back to India regard lions as sacred, and hold a legend that Buddha traveled on the backs of these lions when he traveled to earth. Shih Tzu literally translates to "Lion Dog" in Chinese, a name that is very fitting indeed! Shih Tzus today are believed to have descended from a cross between the Pekinese and Lhaao Apso. 

Q: Are your puppies registered? 

A: We offer puppies that come with CKC registration, and without CKC registration. 

Q: Do I need to fill out an application? 

A: Yes, all pet and breeder homes must be approved by Bitterroot Tzu on a case-by-case basis. 

Q: Is there a deposit required? 

A: Yes, in order to hold a puppy, we require a $250 non-refundable holding fee. This non-refundable fee is contributed towards the price of the puppy of choice and signifies the buyer's commitment towards a particular puppy. This price is deducted from to the total purchase price of the puppy.

Q:What are your prices? 

A: Prices vary from litter to litter and sometimes from puppy to puppy, but our two current litters are in the $1,000 to $15000 range. Please contact us at (406) 360-2581 for additional information.

Q: Do you travel? 

A: Yes, we do travel. Depending on location, additional costs may apply. 

Q: Do you offer flight nanny services or ground transportation?

A: No, out of the concern of our puppy's welfare, we do not offer ground transportation, however flight nanny services may be an option depending on location and other factors.

Q: Do you allow in home visits or pickup? 

A: Unfortunately, as a result of communicable canine diseases/illnesses we do not allow anyone into our home. However, we are happy to arrange a Skype or video chat meet with prospective owner(s) and the puppies. 

Q: Are your dogs health tested? 

A: Our puppies all come from parents that have been Embark tested and have received a clean bill of health. 

Q: Do your puppies come up to date on vaccines? 

A: All puppies come up to date on vaccines, unless otherwise requested.

Q: Do the puppies come potty trained? 

A: All puppies are started on litter training when they leave our residence. The benefit of this is that because Shih Tzus are often finicky about using the bathroom outdoors, there's no messes inside.

Q: How long do you keep your puppies prior to placing them into their new homes?

A: Research states that 8 weeks is a rough time for puppies to go to their new home. During this time, puppies experience what is called a "fear period". During this period, scary experiences have a tendency to stick with the puppy into adulthood. As a result, and also because of the small size of toy breeds we prefer to keep our puppies for a minimum of 10 weeks. 

Q: Are Shih Tzus good with children? 

A: Shihtzus are a toy companion breed and are a wonderful addition to any family with or without children. However, they are on the smaller side, so supervision does need to be exercised until children learn to be cautious and respectful of their size.

Q: Why do Shih Tzus cost so much?

A: Breeding dogs and the subsequent raising of healthy and well-adjusted puppies is a grueling job. We begin by health testing our dogs, which is a costly process. From there we have costs of veterinary care, food, and whelping products for the birth of puppies. Oftentimes because Shih Tzus are a brachycephalic breed they require emergency C Sections as they have large heads that can become stuck in the birth canal. Thereafter, for the first two weeks following the puppies births the female and her puppies are supervised around the clock and closely observed for any complications. Sometimes interventions such as veterinary care or tube feeding with formula is required for puppies who have failure to thrive or other additional complications. After puppies are old enough, vaccines and dewormer or any other needed medical procedures are provided, and puppies start on potty training with litter and wean onto a  high quality puppy food. A wide variety of toys are provided for each puppy's mental development. Puppies are messy and require many hours of cleaning and socialization to become the wonderful life long best friend that you will treasure for all of their life! 

Q: Are Shih Tzus high maintenance? 

A: Shihtzus are extremely social dogs that dote on their people and family and are happiest when spoiled rotten. Additionally, they have hair instead of fur so their grooming requires a lot of upkeep when compared to other breeds. 

Q: Do you offer Imperial or Toy/Teacup Shih Tzus? 

A: Reputable breeders will never offer "teacup", "toy", or "Imperial" Shih Tzus as they don't adhere to breed standard and often pose additional health risks as a result of their smaller than usual stature.