[seikababy]

Se seems to sit down or move away from the male each time he tries to mount her. My friend is wondering if there may be a reason for her acting like that. Is it possible that she does not want to be bred at all?

[Sariss]

Has your friend done ANY research on breeding? At all? You should let her know that's done before you start trying.
Is this dog registered? Does it show? Does it have titles? What are its health test results?
There are enough dogs dying in shelters daily to leave the breeding to the people who put their all into it.

[seikababy]

This friend of mine has had dogs that have bred before. He was just wondering if anyone had experienced a dog not wanting to be bred.
He has never had any problems placing the puppies in homes either, I bought one of his pups.

[shazamataz]

Hi Seikababy. The questions Sariss asked may not sound important but they really are.

It sounds like your friend might be a backyard breeder, something most people don't take too kindly too.

When breeding dogs the whole purpose should be to 'better the breed' meaning to try and breed as close to the breed standard as you can get in the hopes of achieving perfection.
With bettering the breed you a) Are trying to breed as close to the standard as possible by selecting dgs with complimenting features, here's a link to the breed standard for Shih Tzus: American Kennel Club - Shih Tzu

Part b) of bettering the breed is with health. Shih Tzus are prone to several health problems, some of them are testable.
It is important to get testing done and not just a vet check before breeding so that any genetic 'imperfections' or diseases can be detected before they surface. If you breed a dog that is carrying a problem but not presenting it, it can still pass it on to the puppies. While Shih Tzus are a relatively healthy breed in general they do still have some genetic problems.

As for shoing your dog... yes, I know some people aren't interested in ribbons and grooming their dogs in show coat but it actually is very beneficial to a breeding program. If you don't show your dog, how do you know it fits the breed standard and you really are "bettering the breed"?
It's all very well and good to read the breed standard in the link I gave above, but how much can you interpret out of it without going to a dog show and having your dog judged by others?
Here's an snippet from the standard... could you look at your dog and say it follows this perfectly?
No, not many people who don't show their dogs could, it's pretty hard to interpret and decide what a good spring of rib is if you don't know what they are talking about.

Neck, Topline, Body
Of utmost importance is an overall well-balanced dog with no exaggerated features. Neck - Well set-on flowing smoothly into shoulders; of sufficient length to permit natural high head carriage and in balance with height and length of dog. Topline - Level. Body -Short-coupled and sturdy with no waist or tuck-up. The Shih Tzu is slightly longer than tall. Fault: Legginess. Chest -Broad and deep with good spring-of-rib, however, not barrel-chested. Depth of ribcage should extend to just below elbow. Distance from elbow to withers is a little greater than from elbow to ground. Croup - Flat. Tail - Set on high, heavily plumed, carried in curve well over back. Too loose, too tight, too flat, or too low set a tail is undesirable and should be penalized to extent of

That brings us to what is known as 'kennel blindless'. This is when someone owns a dog and thinks it's just the cutest little things ever and should be bred from... they have read the standard and think their dog fits it perfectly, when really, the dog is a pretty average example of the breed and should be desexed. It doesn't make it any less of a good and loving pet, it just means it doesn't fit the bill the be bred from.

And finally, to answer your question... what day into her heat is she?

[seikababy]

She seems to be out of her heat season now. He was just wondering if anyone had experienced a dog NOT wanting to Be bred. Will he have the same reactions next time she is in season?

[seikababy]

She is a very beautiful dog and she carries herself just like a show dog.