Glory Ridge Shih-Tzu
How A Shih-Tzu Puppy Grows

One day Momma shih tzu, Glory Ridge Chili Pepper comes into heat.
About 11 days later she meets with Poppa shih tzu, Glory Ridge A. May Zing,
 and hopefully they make little baby shih tzus. Gestation is 2 months.
Then pups due date is here and I get asked:
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN PUPPIES ARE COMING VERY SOON?
 Answer:
When we breed a dog I usually count 2 months to the first date of breeding and then at that time monitor the dog very closely for the following signs:
1. enlargement of mammary glands. Some dogs will make milk a week prior to "whelping"
(giving birth in breeders terms).
2. anorexia (not eating) 24-48 hours before
whelping
3. Bitch (breeders term for female dog) has loose stool before she whelps.
4. Her temperature drops below 98. This means
she will have pups within hours.
5. She digs in the nest box.
6. She pants in labor.
If the first pup is breech, she will stand and push putting her head on the ground. Most vets, I have found do not know this.
I have watched over 500
litters be born in my life and know this is true.
Just like we nurses change a laboring women's
position when we need a baby inside to move,
I see nature has the dog do likewise.
I swear Lamaze got his "panting" idea from the dogs!
Now sometimes we are REALLY busy
and the stud is not interested when we
let her visit him...so we do vaginal smears
to see when she is "ripe".
If we don't have time to do that, we leave her in with him for about
a week.  THAT is why a dog can be due
to have pups all the way up to
for a period of 1 week.
 So 2 months later out pops....

This is a newborn shih-tzu in my hand. I have a very small hand.
 It is NOT am "Imperial.
Don't buy the FAT LIE that a pup born this size will be a "tiny"
when full grown. This pup will grow to 10 lbs. It weighs 3 ounces now.
Success of raising pups to 8 weeks of age depends on several factors:
A facility that provides a favorable environment
Excellent Sanitation
Excellent Nutrition
Parasite Control
Top-notch practices!
Statistics tell us that:
37% of pups die in the first 24 hours
28% of puppy deaths occur in 1st week
10% deaths occur 2nd week
So 75% of all deaths occur 1st 2 weeks of life.
To prevent this, you need to KNOW what you are doing!

This is how a puppy grows from 3 oz to an adult...

 
2 Days old/ Born 10/30/00
Pups are born blind and deaf and ugly...except to the breeder :)
Note: nose is pink and so is muzzle.
UGLY DUCKLING turns into....

 
11 Days old 
Eyes open 10-14 days old, but eyes are cloudy and
can have weak muscle alignment.
This is when people drive me nuts the most, worrying their "kid" is "goo-goo" eyed.
Normal vision takes 3-4 weeks.
Ears open 14-17 days.
Why does it take 21 years for human kids ears to open? :)
Nose may start to darken on some babies now, others later.
Some noses turn brown, which is called "liver".
Some noses have little white spots.
Show breeders dab them with marker to fill them in.

 
3 Weeks old
Play Time!
I play and wag my little tail to my brothers and sisters!
I notice my breeder, but I'm not too thrilled with being handled to much yet.
I have to LEARN to walk and get strong on my little legs. I like to sleep, A LOT!

  
24 Days old
Here I am...shy to people.

 
1 Month old
Ok, you can pick me up without me screaming for Moma!
Milk teeth are coming in. 
Mom may begin to wean, so we have to be sure pup wants solid food!

 
5 Weeks old
I am still a baby. Don't ask my breeder what kind of personality I have yet!

I wabble around like a drunken sailor yet, especially if I'm TOO FAT.
By 6 weeks we nip, chew and fight littermates.
About 70% of adult brain mass present and 
we get socialized by Karen and the kids!

 
8 Weeks old

I have become a social butterfly in the past 2 weeks.

I run and play and fall often, as my feet go faster than my body!

This is a great time to take me home and get me acquainted with my new family and other pets!

At his new home, 10 weeks old

All settled in and ready to 
potty break with GOOD 
results!

Age 7 Months
Females can have their 1st heat.
Males are Mr. Love-wanna-be's if not neutered well before now!
Females are usually full grown.
Males not until a year-18 months old.

Milk teeth are lost and permanent teeth are in.

8 Months I can be expected to "hold" elimination for about 8 hours.
9 months Puppy classes finish.

9-12 months you can switch me to "Adult" food.

Oct. 2001
1 year Old:

I am beautiful, smart and loving.

March 2002, 1 1/2 years old...topped out at 12 lbs

Approaching social maturity, adult behavior.
This is what the owner of  Huny Bear wrote in June 2001:
"He is absolutely gorgeous Karen. He has perfect teeth too!!! 
He is even more beautiful in person and remains little. 
He is not growing much now and is just at 10 lbs. 
He may gain a lb or two. He such a clown he has us laughing
all the time. Huny has a perfect silky coat. 
Thanks for such a pretty boy, we just love him!
Lynne and Sugar Bear

Here is Huny age 3.
He turned silver!

Age 5

As dogs get older, Age 6, they loose 2/3 of their fertility. We usually retire them to pet homes at this time.
 Some dogs develop cataracts like some people at various ages.
They can be removed, but it is expensive.
Arthritis may set in, but glucosamine can help!
Watch the diet, not too much fat! I would put on a Senior Diet Food at age 7.
The oldest Glory Ridge Shih-Tzu on record, lived to be 17 with EXCELLENT LOVING CARE.
One of that dogs owners was killed in the World Trade Center on 9-11.
The next Glory Ridge pup was given as a gift to the remaining partner.

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