I'm Ari, the breeder behind "Shihtzu Best Friend" located in Troy, MI. We offer healthy, adorable, and loving puppies that are small to standard in size, registered, and in the most desirable classic colors. Our focus has been always to produce quality Shih Tzu puppies for loving pet homes. We hope our puppies bring lots of joy and love into the hearts of their new families!
Q. & A. with Ari
Why did you start breeding?
I got into breeding Shih Tzu for the love of the breed. It’s amazing all the colors and sizes you can get, and each little angel is so unique. Shih Tzu have proven to be wonderful companions in my life and it is a privilege to share that love and friendship with others.
What makes your program special?
I strive to produce quality Shih Tzu puppies for color and sizes. I always want to make sure I have the right fit for your family. I do everything I can to ensure my puppies have everything they need to develop into healthy and happy dogs. In my breeding program, good health and temperament are essential, cuteness is guaranteed, and lots of love is always included.
What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include black, red and white, black and white, and liver and white. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Girl 2
Went home
Female
Girl 1"Maya"
Went home
Female
Boy 1"Baron"
Went home
Male
Girl 3"Betsy"
Went home
Female
Girl 4"Bebe"
Went home
Female
Boy 2
Went home
Male
Girl 3 Sweet Liberty
Went home
Female
Boy 3 Little Lion
Went home
Male
Girl 1 Little Cupcake
Went home
Female
Boy 4 Little JOY
Went home
Male
Girl 1 Sweet Cherry
Went home
Female
Boy 2 Little Oliver
Went home
Male
Boy 5 Little Ralp
Went home
Male
Girl 2 Sweet Oakley (Mila)
Went home
Female
Boy 5 Murphy
Went home
Male
Girl 1 Coco
Went home
Female
Boy 2 Rocky
Went home
Male
Boy 1 Little Teddy
Went home
Male
Boy 3 Alfie
Went home
Male
Boy 4 Lucky
Went home
Male
Boy 6
Went home
Male
Girl 3 Little Daissy
Went home
Female
Girl 2 Little Coco
Went home
Female
Boy 2 Little Mickey
Went home
Male
Girl 1 Little Cupcake
Went home
Female
Boy 1 Little Simba
Went home
Male
Girl 5 Amber
Went home
Female
Girl 1 Luna
Went home
Female
Girl 2 Mila
Went home
Female
Girl 3 CARA (Betsy)
Went home
Female
Girl 4 Gracie Belle Gallas (Lucy)
Went home
Female
Boy 1
Went home
Male
Girl 1
Went home
Female
Boy 2
Went home
Male
Boy 4
Went home
Male
Boy 3
Went home
Male
Boy 1
Went home
Male
Girl 1
Went home
Female
Girl 2
Went home
Female
Girl 1
Went home
Female
Boy 1
Went home
Male
Girl "Zoey"
Went home
Female
Girl "Iris"
Went home
Female
Boy 1
Went home
Male
Boy 3
Went home
Male
Girl 2
Went home
Female
Boy 1
Went home
Male
Boy 3
Went home
Male
Girl 1
Went home
Female
Boy 2
Went home
Male
Getting a puppy from Ari
Ari 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.
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 include a $400 non-refundable deposit and between $1,600 - $2,100 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Pay over time with Klarna.
“The price of a puppy depends on the puppy registry, gender ,size , color or age. Deposit to reserve one puppy is $400 ( non-refundable) but can go towards another puppy with remaining balance due when pick up.All payments has to go thru this site .”
Contract & health guarantee
Ari 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 Ari 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 Ari directly.
Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
Socialized with other animals
Puppy health practices
Vet check
First round of shots and deworming
Vet records
Extras
Puppy starter kit
Initial potty training
Food & treats
Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
Basic obedience & manners
Registration
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Ari.
Breeder’s location
Meet in Troy, MI
4124 miles away
·
Other pick-up locations
Meet at Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport
4151 miles away
·
More about Ari
Ari has been a member of Good Dog for over 3 years
Ari was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2022.
Ari is a trusted Good Dog breeder
"Shihtzu Best Friend" 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
Parent dogs
Princess Daisy, mom
Shih Tzu
About Princess Daisy
Princess Daisy is a female Shih Tzu. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Ari decided to make her part of their program. Ari 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.
Princess Aria, mom
Shih Tzu
About Princess Aria
Princess Aria is a female Shih Tzu. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Ari decided to make her part of their program. Ari 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.
Princess Vicky, mom
Shih Tzu
About Princess Vicky
Princess Vicky is a female Shih Tzu. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Ari decided to make her part of their program. Ari 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.
Simba, dad
Shih Tzu
About Simba
Simba is a male Shih Tzu. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Ari decided to make him part of their program. Ari 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.
Spike, dad
Shih Tzu
About Spike
Spike is a male Shih Tzu. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Ari decided to make him part of their program. Ari 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.
Princess V, mom
Shih Tzu
About Princess V
Princess V is a female Shih Tzu. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Ari decided to make her part of their program. Ari 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.
Princess Eva, mom
Shih Tzu
About Princess Eva
Princess Eva is a female Shih Tzu. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Ari decided to make her part of their program. Ari 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.
Princess Stella, mom
Shih Tzu
About Princess Stella
Princess Stella is a female Shih Tzu. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Ari decided to make her part of their program. Ari 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.
Princess Lulu, mom
Shih Tzu
About Princess Lulu
AKC registered .
Princess Fancy, mom
Shih Tzu
About Princess Fancy
Princess Fancy is a female Shih Tzu. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Ari decided to make her part of their program. Ari 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.
Princess Coco, mom
Shih Tzu
About Princess Coco
Princess Coco is a female Shih Tzu. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Ari decided to make her part of their program. Ari 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.
Princ Bruno, dad
Shih Tzu
About Princ Bruno
AKC registered
Princess Chloe, mom
Shih Tzu
About Princess Chloe
Princess Chloe is a female Shih Tzu. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Ari decided to make her part of their program. Ari 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.
Princess Vera, mom
Shih Tzu
About Princess Vera
Princess Vera is a female Shih Tzu. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Ari decided to make her part of their program. Ari 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.
Viola, mom
Shih Tzu
About Viola
Viola is a female Shih Tzu. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Ari decided to make her part of their program. Ari 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
Breeder-Reported Testing
Excellent level
"Shihtzu Best Friend" 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.
DNA Disease Panel
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
Verified owner stories
Hear what other owners say about working with Ari to bring home their puppies.
Angjelina D.
Verified owner · Oct. 2025
We love our Lumi! “Gigi”. She is so special to us & she completes our family ❤️ Ari was great to work with and the whole process was so seamless
SR
Susan R.
Verified owner · Sept. 2025
After the loss of my dog I made contact with the local breeder hoping to acquire another. I was informed they were no longer in the business when I turned to the Good Dog site. I will tell you I was a bit apprehensive. I had it in my mind that I wanted another Shihtzu and a female and intended on naming her Stella. As I was scrolling for dogs near me out popped the face of my dog who was already named Stella. Some people consider this as a meant to be moment. I appreciated the assistance provided by Emma who navigated me thru the process. She was great! The breeder Ari was also great and remained in contact with me. He agreed to assist me and we met half way. My experience was a good one and I have a beautiful baby!
Rebecca K.
Verified owner · Aug. 2025
Ari was extremely easy to work with, responsive, flexible on pick up date as we were out of town most of July, and delightful when we met in person and picked up our sweet girl, Cara. She has settled in beautifully and is growing like weed, makes us laugh every day and is a confident, loving little addition to our family. We couldn’t be happier with our choice of breeder or our choice of pup!!
Brenda T.
Verified owner · Sept. 2025
Ari and Travis( He brought sweet Tia to me) were both class acts. The puppy is just as sweet as could be. Very affectionate and not afraid of noises. I can tell she was very loved by Ari🐾😊
Jeff V.
Verified owner · Aug. 2025
+6
Ari was very responsive and knowledgeable about the breed. He was flexible about pick up time and overall a pleasure to work with. Bowser is adapting nicely to his new home and is very friendly towards people and other dogs.
Judy R.
Verified owner · Aug. 2025
+5
Ari, was very responsive and helped make the whole experience seamless. The Shih tzu puppy Alfie we received through the transportation service arrived beautifully clean, happy and calm. Ari obviously raised the puppy in his home the puppy Alfie was social, comfortable with all the household noises including vacuuming, barking dogs, blow dryer etc. He acclimated so quickly to our lifestyle. I could not be happier!