Shih Tzu Puppies in MO
Shih Tzu Puppies for Sale in Missouri
Puppies raised in Arizona, for homes in Kansas City, St. Louis and beyond.
Missouri is a state of big swings. Summers are hot and sticky, winters swing between mild afternoons and hard freezes, and spring storms can cross the state with little warning. A Shih Tzu handles all of it well when the house is its main territory, which is exactly where this breed is happiest. From a city apartment to a farmhouse in the Ozarks, a few simple habits keep a short-nosed, long-coated dog comfortable all year.
Royal Silk Shih Tzus raises purebred Shih Tzus at home in Sedona, Arizona, and a puppy can come home to you anywhere in Missouri, from Kansas City to Columbia. Each puppy is vet checked before leaving, and travels to Missouri with its vaccination and worming record and the one-year health guarantee in the contract.
Missouri at a Glance
- From Sedona to Kansas Cityabout 1,140 miles
- Getting homeFlight nanny or ground transport
- Goes home from8 weeks old
- Before going homeVet checked
- Health guaranteeOne year, in writing
Puppies Ready to Come Home to Missouri
Getting Your Puppy Home to Missouri
Kansas City is about 1,140 miles from me in Sedona, Arizona. You choose how your puppy reaches Missouri. A flight nanny can carry it in the cabin to the airport that serves Kansas City, ground transport can drive it door to door, or you can make the trip to Arizona and meet me at a public place we agree on. No puppy ever travels as cargo. How puppies get home.
From Kansas City to Columbia
Kansas City
Kansas City families often live in older brick homes in Brookside and Waldo, or in apartments around the Country Club Plaza. Loose Park is a favorite for a short stroll, with flat paths and plenty of shade. Summer afternoons here are heavy and humid, so walks belong early in the morning or after sunset, and the evening air is kinder to a short muzzle.
St. Louis
St. Louis has a long tradition of city living, with brick homes and condos in the Central West End, Soulard and Tower Grove. Forest Park and Tower Grove Park give a small dog plenty of grass without a long trek. Humid summers mean a cool floor, fresh water and a trimmed coat are worth planning for.
Springfield
Springfield sits at the edge of the Ozarks, so many homes have yards backing onto trees and creeks. That is lovely for a family, but it also means a Shih Tzu needs a check for ticks after time outdoors. Nathanael Greene Park and its botanical gardens offer easy walking, and a fenced yard makes quick bathroom trips simple in any weather.
Columbia
Columbia is a college town, with apartments and rentals near the University of Missouri and quieter houses farther out. The MKT Trail is flat and shaded, a good fit for an unhurried walk with a small dog. Student rentals often have their own pet rules, so ask your landlord about breed and weight limits before you bring a puppy home.
What Missouri Throws at a Little Long-Coated Dog
Ticks in the Ozarks and beyond
Missouri is tick country. Lone star ticks and American dog ticks are common from spring into fall, and they hide in tall grass, brush and leaf litter, even in suburban yards. A long Shih Tzu coat makes them harder to spot. After walks, run your fingers through the coat and along the ears, belly and between the toes, and keep your vet's tick prevention up to date.
Tornado season
Spring and early summer bring severe storms and tornadoes to much of the state. A small dog is easy to protect if you plan ahead. Keep a carrier near the room where you shelter, with a blanket and a few treats inside, and practice going into it calmly. Many dogs also dislike thunder, so a quiet corner with a favorite blanket helps.
Muggy summer afternoons
Heat and humidity together are hard on a flat-faced dog, because panting cools less well in damp air. From June through August, keep walks short and early, offer water often, and never leave a puppy in a parked car, even for a minute. Hot sidewalks can burn small paws, so press the back of your hand to the pavement first.
Living With a Shih Tzu in Missouri
Life with a Shih Tzu in Missouri follows the weather. Summers are the demanding season. Many owners choose a short puppy cut from late spring, which keeps the dog cooler and makes brushing quicker, while others keep a long coat and brush it every day or two to prevent mats. Winters are easier, though ice storms can make steps slick, so a towel by the door for wet feet is handy. Exercise stays modest: two or three short walks and a little indoor play are plenty. Shih Tzus were bred as companions, so they do not like long days alone, and a family that is home often suits them well. House training can be slow, especially on rainy mornings, so a covered spot outside or a pee pad indoors helps. They are usually gentle with children and get along with other pets.
How Pricing Works for Missouri Families
Prices are the same for every family, near or far. The price page breaks down what the price covers. Travel to Missouri is quoted for your address; tell me your town and I will go through the options.
Before You Choose a Puppy in Missouri
01Is a Shih Tzu a good dog for a Missouri apartment?
Yes. Shih Tzus are small, usually 9 to 16 pounds, and they need only modest exercise, so an apartment in Kansas City or St. Louis works well. Two or three short walks and some indoor play are enough. They also tend to be quiet indoors, though any dog can bark if it is lonely, so plan for company.
02How do I protect a Shih Tzu from ticks in Missouri?
Ask your vet which tick preventive suits your puppy and when to start. Then check the coat after every walk through grass or woods, looking at the ears, chest, belly and between the toes. A shorter puppy cut makes ticks much easier to find. Keep the lawn mowed and avoid tall brush when you can.
03Is Missouri too far to buy a puppy from Arizona?
No. At about 1,140 miles by road, a flight nanny can bring your puppy in the cabin to your airport, or ground transport can drive it to your door.
More answers on the questions and answers page, and the Illinois page has the same local guide for families there.
When You Are Ready
Missouri Family Looking for a Shih Tzu?
From Kansas City to St. Louis or anywhere in between, tell me about your home and I will help you choose.