Our Preservation Mission

At Northstar Shih Tzu, our purpose is simple — to honor and preserve the true AKC Shih Tzu standard. We are not commercial breeders; we are preservation breeders. Every litter we plan, every pairing we choose, and every decision we make comes from one goal: to protect the integrity, health, and temperament of this extraordinary breed.

Being a preservation breeder means that we breed with purpose, patience, and respect for the standard. Our role is not to change the Shih Tzu, but to protect what it was always meant to be — a sturdy, joyful, affectionate companion with elegance, intelligence, and heart.

We focus on structure, soundness, and temperament — not trends. We don’t breed for “tiny,” “designer,” or “new” looks. We breed to maintain the AKC Shih Tzu standard, ensuring that every puppy we produce carries the strength, balance, and character of the true breed.

Every dog we breed from has:

• Proven success in the show ring, demonstrating adherence to AKC structure and type.
   
• OFA-certified health clearances, including eyes, patellas, and heart.
   
• Balanced, confident temperament, steady and affectionate — exactly what the Shih Tzu is meant to be.
   

Our foundation comes from Midnight Poison and BR Pepper bloodlines — pedigrees known for sound structure, expressive faces, and beautiful movement.

Our goal for 2025 and beyond is to continue strengthening the traits that define breed type:

• Broad, balanced heads with warm expression
   
• Level toplines and correct tail sets
   
• Solid, compact structure with substance and grace
   
• Lush, double coats of proper texture and density
   
• And above all, the joyful, loving personality that makes the Shih Tzu unforgettable.
   

Each generation is planned with intention — combining proven lineage with health, temperament, and type. It’s not about producing many puppies; it’s about producing the right ones.

The Shih Tzu’s history is one of survival. The breed we love today traces back to just 14 dogs — the small foundation that rebuilt a nearly lost heritage. That narrow start means that every responsible breeder today carries a piece of that legacy.

Preservation breeding is how we protect the breed’s future — by maintaining genetic integrity, structure, and temperament as they were meant to be. We’re not creating trends. We’re continuing a tradition.

Our dogs are family first. They live in our home, share our lives, and are loved every single day. We raise each litter with care, early socialization, and respect for who they are becoming.

Breeding the right way takes time. It takes health testing, evaluation, mentorship, and a deep respect for the process. But for us, it’s never about producing puppies — it’s about protecting a legacy.

Every litter represents a chapter in that story — a small step toward our goal of keeping the AKC Shih Tzu everything it was meant to be: joyful, beautiful, and true. 💜🐾