We Shih Tzu Not!
- Certified Good Dog Breeder
Meet the breeder
I'm the breeder behind We Shih Tzu Not! located in Austin, TX. Our dogs are an integral part of our lives. We raise them as a cohesive part of our family from day one to ensure that they’ll make the best and most versatile companions to your family!
Ariel’s experience
About Ariel
We are We Shih Tzu Not, an Austin, Texas based outfit. I; Ariel Cassone, am an oil portrait and abstract artist who works from home. My partner; Alex Roysdon, is a musician who is known best for his work with local businesses and his online presence on YouTube, also works from home. We are very hands on and consider ourselves to be a resource for Lucy and Ducky helping to raise their litter as a family.
What makes Ariel’s program special
…It's not a program... It's a lifestyle. Our home is open and free and we treat our dogs with the love and respect we treat each other and every other human with. Our dogs have a very high capacity for understood language and though their ability to communicate back is limited, they take direction and get verbal information from us easily. They too have their own methods of communication that we are receptive to and understand well. This is also a "hunger for words" household, employing the occupational learning tools that the program promotes for better canine communication. Buttons may be found throughout our home and we are all still learning this new technique of language. It's not just cognitive and behavioral modification for them... It's us too. The invaluable gift of voice to our hairy companions is one I will work hard for- and do, to give.
Getting a puppy from Ariel
Ariel has been certified by Good Dog's screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you're ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies. You'll also have the chance to share a bit about yourself and what you're looking for in a new companion. Together, you'll choose the puppy that's right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Puppy prices range from $1,500 - $4,500 and include a non-refundable deposit of $1,500.
“A deposit is the best way to secure a spot on our waiting list. We will conduct a preliminary interview to determine if you and/or your family are a good fit for our Shih tzu puppies. A deposit of half of the total price of any puppy in a litter will secure you a puppy from that litter post interview. An ambiguous/general deposit of 1500 can secure a general member of the litter.”
Contract and health guarantee
Ariel may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Ariel offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don’t hesitate to reach out to Ariel directly.
What's included
Enrichment and socialization
We are bell and button training our dogs and pups. We do not employ crate training nor do we have a scheduled food time. The dogs eat at their leisure and are highly active going on multiple walks a day as well as having intense playtime. For this reason we believe, our dogs don't rush to their food gulping it down. Nor do they behave in desperation for people food. They eat when they are hungry and when they want something specific they ask us using their bells or buttons. We don't admonish them in harsh tones and explain circumstances to them much like one would a child.. and they understand us. Dogs have a very large capacity for understood language and words encompass a very small percentage of the gestures they can read. Our energy, tone of voice, scent and body language are about 90% of the information that matters. I utilize the following enrichment methods: Hunger for Words https://www.hungerforwords.com/, Car Rides, Socializing the dog with everything is the key to a stable dog, Fireworks , Outdoors (when Weather permits), Various Surfaces , Noises , Exposure to poultry, Strangers, Touch Desensitization, Scents, Chew, e.g. Bone, Outdoors, e.g. rain, Toys, e.g. Ball, Early Neurological Stimulation, Grooming Desensitization, Household Desensitization, Sound Stimulation, Socialized with Adult Dogs, Socialized with Cats, We play noise densensitizing music videos to expose your puppy to sounds that may otherwise trigger a negative response from your puppy (doorbells, fireworks, barking dog, children playing, men talking, etc.), Noise Desensitization, Introduction to Hunger For Words Button Training and Vocabulary Building, Early socialization, Puppy Pads, Human Interactions, Behavioral Shaping, Initial House Training, "No" Biting or Chewing, Leash Walking, and Bell Training.
Puppy health practices
The litter and mama had their first post birth televet appointment a week after their birth. Our vet was astounded at how large our litter is and how exceptionally healthy all of the puppies are. Our runt is the spunkiest of the group and we make sure each puppy gets individual feeding time both with us and with mama. We have fed Lucy varying homemade mixtures of esbilac, goats milk, almond milk, oat milk, corn syrup, egg yolks, yogurt, vanilla yogurt, mayonnaise, Nutristat, Royal Canin Puppy Chôt, beef collagen, calcium from icelandic coral reef, coconut milk, Raw Instinct Small Breed Dog Food, Grandma Lucy's Freeze Dried Chicken and Flax Seed, Health Extensions Dog Food, a mixture of triphosphorous calcium, ginseng, ancient grains, chicken and doggy water. As you may know, humans have made irrelevant the role of the doggy papa. Thus making him a somewhat scrutinized character. Lucy was horribly mean to Ducky for the first week deciding that he was not of the best intention for their pups. However, she soon realized her error and they are a blessed and loving little family. Instead of the jealousy some report of their shih tzus, we observe encouragement and inclusion. Though growing overwhelmed at the size of both the litter and each individual member at mealtime (it's like a puppy version of the zombie wall in World War Z at times..there are so many puppies!!), Lucy has stubbornly insisted on maintaining her body as the pups only source of food. We have worked as a team with her front row and center at every 2 hour interval that is feeding time. We feed her her creamy nutrition mix via silicone baby dropper as she cannot manage all of it on her own. Sometimes we section off a tall walled and private jute basket as a booth to feed small groups or individuals in shifts. She's a wonderful mommy and it's so sweet to see she and Ducky kiss while she feeds their babies...it's a truly heartwarming family moment most humans would be blessed to have.
Extras
Your puppy may come with extra benefits, like a small bag of food or a toy carrying the scent of their littermates. While We Shih Tzu Not! hasn’t shared specifics yet, we encourage you to reach out directly to learn what thoughtful extras they may include to help your puppy transition comfortably into their new home.
Bringing your puppy home
Ariel offers options to help you easily get your new puppy home.
Pick up your puppy in Austin, TX or nearby
If you’re nearby, you can visit in person to pick up your pup. If you’re far away, you can travel by car or plane.
“You may come to our home when jthe time is appropriate. We can and will deliver if transportation (ie plane, rental car or train tickets) is provided at the cost of the ”
Get your puppy dropped off to you
Work with a trusted flight nanny or transporter to get your puppy comfortably dropped off at an airport or meeting point close to home.
More about Ariel
Why Ariel started breeding
…This is our first litter and it's a doozy.. we have 8 Shih Tzu puppies in addition to their well loved an spoiled parents. We did not intend to be breeders, well not immediately anyway. Ducky, our first dog has a huge fan base because of his amazing temperament and ebouilliant personality and evident intelligence. He is nine now and we became aware of the waning possibility for him to procreate when we were told by our vet that because of an undescended testicle, he was almost certainly sterile. We knew it was an extremely slim chance that he could breed at all and as he got older even less so, but we decided to give it a try. We really couldn't stomach the idea of a world without more Ducky..without us even having attempted it. We found that searching for a potential breeding mate proved difficult as either approaching single doggy ladies and their owners was sometimes awkward or apparently offensive. In addition, trolling the internet for available females proved similar strange bars to entry. So we decided to get Lucy, our second Shih Tzu. They fell in love almost immediately. In fact seeing them check in with each other with kisses and licks while presiding over their pups is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. We didn't intend for Lucy to become pregnant so quickly but at 10 months she was stacked with 8 of the most healthy and beautiful pups you will ever see.
Ariel has been a member of Good Dog for over 2 years
Ariel was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2023.
Ariel’s program includes three colors
Ariel’s Shih Tzu puppies include brindle and white, gold and white, and black white and silver. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
Ariel is a trusted Good Dog breeder
We Shih Tzu Not! meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
- Responsible breeding practices
- Health of breeding dogs and puppies
- Puppy environment and enrichment
- Buyer education and policies
Meet Ariel's parent dogs
All breeds
Shih Tzu
Lucy, mom
Shih Tzu
About Lucy
Lucy is a female Shih Tzu about 3 years old. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Ariel decided to make her part of their program. Ariel has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Ducky, dad
Shih Tzu
About Ducky
Ducky is a male Shih Tzu almost 12 years old. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Ariel decided to make him part of their program. Ariel has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Parent health testing
Shih Tzu
Excellent level
We Shih Tzu Not! reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Shih Tzus.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)
Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)
Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.