Intro
The Shih Tzu dog has been around for literal centuries, intertwining with Asian and Western cultures, and is one of the most recognizable breeds in the world.
As with all dogs, and small dogs in particular, certain things come along with owning a Shih Tzu—including some pretty hefty expenses that won’t be an easy pill to swallow for your wallet.
If you’re considering adding a Shih Tzu to your growing furry family but are concerned about the price tag and what to expect when owning a Shih Tzu, we’ve got you covered.
- Let’s Begin
- What Is a Shih Tzu?
- What Does Shih Tzu Mean Exactly?
- Breed Standards for Shih Tzu
- The Average Lifespan of a Shih Tzu
- Is the Shih Tzu Recognized by the American Kennel Club?
- How Much Do Shih Tzus Cost?
- Why Are People Willing to Pay So Much for a Shih Tzu?
- What Goes into the Cost of a Shih Tzu
- Annual Cost of Owning a Shih Tzu
- Shots are necessary
- One-Time Costs Associated with Owning a Shih Tzu
- How Often Can You Expect to See Expenses for Your Shih Tzu?
- Ongoing Medical Costs for Shih Tzu
- Health Concerns to Look Out for with a Shih Tzu
- The Pros of Owning a Shih Tzu
- The Cons of Owning a Shih Tzu
- Where to Find a Purebred Shih Tzu
- Check out this link for the AKC’s list of Shih Tzu breeders.
- Questions to Ask Your Shih Tzu Breeder
- Why Buying a Shih Tzu is Worth Every Penny
Let’s Begin
Here’s everything you need to know about pricing and all other costs associated with getting a new pet:
What Is a Shih Tzu?
A Shih Tzu is a breed of dog that originated in Tibet. While they are sometimes mistaken for originating in China, these playful lap dogs have roots from as early as 1,000 B.C. The Shih Tzu, as we know and love it today, was often sent as gifts from Tibet to Chinese royalty and bred with Pekingese or Pugs.
The Shih Tzu was developed as an indoor companion dog and was bred to be loyal and affectionate with their new dog owners. They make good family pets because they’re small enough to live in apartments while still being playful enough to enjoy playing outside with their people!
What Does Shih Tzu Mean Exactly?
Shih Tzu is a Mandarin phrase that translates to “little lion,” and oh, how fitting this is! This leads to the Buddhist belief between a lion and its Deity, which is why Shih Tzus were bred in the Ming Dynasty royal court and commonly associated with the Chinese.
Breed Standards for Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu breed standard is the official description of what a Shih Tzu should look like, weigh, and act.
Responsible breeders and dog show judges use them to judge whether or not your puppy is up to par, as well as help you decide if it’s time for your little one to retire from competition. The official AKC standard for Shih Tzu can be found here.
The standard describes the ideal height at maturity as 8-11 inches (30 cm) for males and 7-10 inches (28 cm) for females; however, most dogs fall between 10-14 inches (25-35 cm). The weight should be between 10-18 pounds (4-8 kg), with females generally being lighter than males.
The coat should be long and silky with no wiry hairs anywhere on the body–except on their tails, where they may have some longer hairs called “fringe.”
The Average Lifespan of a Shih Tzu
The average lifespan for a Shih Tzu is 12-16 years.
The good news is that they can live this long, or longer, like a Floridian Shih Tzu named Smokey, who was 23 when he passed, with proper care and attention from their Shih Tzu owners, which means that by taking care of them now, you’ll have a good chance of being able to enjoy their company even longer!
Is the Shih Tzu Recognized by the American Kennel Club?
Yes, the Shih Tzu is recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). This means that if you want to compete for titles or enter your dog into an AKC show, it must be registered with them first. The breed is also eligible for competitions and would make great show dogs.
How Much Do Shih Tzus Cost?
The average cost of a Shih Tzu puppy ranges from $1,000 – $3,000 depending on its markings, pedigree, and gender.
If you’re interested in adopting one from the many animal shelters or rescue organizations instead of buying from a breeder or pet store (which we recommend), expect to pay less than this range as they tend to be cheaper when adopted versus purchased directly from breeders or stores.
Why Are People Willing to Pay So Much for a Shih Tzu?
You may wonder why people are willing to pay so much for a Shih Tzu. Well, there are many reasons why this breed is so popular and in high demand.
Shih Tzus are very cute, fluffy, and smaller dogs that make great pets for people who live in apartments or have small homes because they don’t require much space to live comfortably with their owners.
They love their owners dearly, making it easy for them to get along with other pets in the home and children who might want to play with the little guy or gal!
What Goes into the Cost of a Shih Tzu
When you’re looking to purchase a Shih Tzu, many factors go into the overall cost of your new pet.
The first thing you will want to consider is where you are purchasing your puppy from. Many breeders out there sell their puppies at varying prices depending on their location, pedigree, and other important factors such as coat color or litter size.
If you plan on purchasing a regular-sized Shih Tzu puppy, expect to pay anywhere between $1000 -$1,500.
If, however, your preference is for a small size like a Teacup Shih Tzu or a toy breed, expect prices upwards of $2,500!
Annual Cost of Owning a Shih Tzu
If you’re thinking about adopting a Shih Tzu, there are some important factors to consider before making your final decision. For example, what are the annual costs of owning a Shih Tzu?
First and foremost: pet insurance should be part of every pet owner’s budget. If you don’t have it already, now is the time to enroll in coverage for your new little buddy–and yes, even if they’re still young!
A lot can happen in one year (or less). You’ll want to make sure that if any unexpected health problems happen during this period–like illness or injury–that your furry friend is covered with insurance so that they receive proper treatment without having any out-of-pocket expenses on your end to worry about.
Shots are necessary
Vaccinations are another important factor in keeping your precious pooch healthy throughout their lifetime; these shots help prevent common diseases like parvovirus at an early age when their immune systems aren’t fully developed.
The average cost of dog shots in the United States is anywhere from $70-$100 per year. Services like flea prevention products (which aren’t always necessary depending on where you live) might also be needed and can also be quite expensive in addition to regular grooming, food, treats, toys, and vet care.
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One-Time Costs Associated with Owning a Shih Tzu
The original purchase of your Shih Tzu is a typical one-time cost and, as mentioned before, can be upwards of $2,500 if you are purchasing a puppy. But what about adoption?
In general, the cost of adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue group is between $100 and $300. This can vary depending on whether you pay for the adoption fee upfront or if you go on a payment plan.
How Often Can You Expect to See Expenses for Your Shih Tzu?
When you’re just starting with your Shih Tzu, there are a few expenses that will come up regularly.
The first is grooming. All dogs need to be groomed regularly, and Shih Tzus especially require frequent trips to a professional groomer because of their long coats. You can expect to pay anywhere from $30-$50 every few months for this service, depending on where you take them and how much time it takes for them to complete the job.
Another common expense for new pet owners is taking their puppy in for annual checkups at the veterinarian’s office or veterinary clinic, about $100 annually, as mentioned prior in this article.
This helps ensure that you will have a healthy dog throughout its lifespan by catching any underlying issues before they become serious problems down the line.
Ongoing Medical Costs for Shih Tzu
As a new pet parent, it’s important to be prepared for the financial responsibilities of owning a Shih Tzu. As with any breed of dog, Shih Tzus are prone to dental problems as they age and can cost thousands of dollars in treatment if you’re not careful.
Health Concerns to Look Out for with a Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are prone to a variety of health issues. Some of these problems, like dental diseases and eye problems, can be easily treated with regular visits to the veterinarian. Others–such as hip dysplasia or patellar luxation are common with this breed.
Here are some common conditions that you should watch out for:
- Dental disease: Brushing their teeth at least once a week will help prevent gum disease and tooth decay. You should also visit your vet for regular dental cleanings (usually every six months).
- Lung disease: When it comes to respiratory problems in dogs, Shih Tzus are most likely affected by tracheal collapse syndrome (TCS).
- Heat Intolerance
- Retinal Detachment
- Corneal Dryness
The Pros of Owning a Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu is a great choice for new pet parents. They’re loyal, loving, and affectionate, which makes them great companions for children and other pets. They also have a playful side that keeps them active!
They are little dogs and apartment friendly – which is great for those looking for the perfect dog to live in a city.
The Cons of Owning a Shih Tzu
While the Shih Tzu is a wonderful dog, it’s not for everyone. If you’re interested in getting one, be sure to perform your due diligence and consider all the pros and cons of this breed before making your final decision.
- They can be high maintenance: This is especially true if your Shih Tzu has any health issues or allergies.
- Grooming can get expensive.
Where to Find a Purebred Shih Tzu
If you’re looking for purebred dogs, your first step should be to find a reputable breeder in your area. The American Kennel Club maintains an online directory of breeders who have gone through their rigorous screening process and are committed to breeding healthy dogs that conform to AKC standards.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the most reputable organization for breeders in the world, so make sure that your breeder is a member.
A reputable Shih Tzu breeder will ask you questions about yourself and why you want to own this breed of dog before selling them one of their puppies.
They’ll also provide all relevant information about the breed’s history, personality traits, care needs, and health concerns so that new pet parents have all the facts before making their decision on whether or not this type of animal would suit their lifestyle best!
Check out this link for the AKC’s list of Shih Tzu breeders.
Shelters also sometimes have Shih Tzus available for adoption. It’s important to remember that rescuing an animal saves two lives–the one you adopt and the one who takes its place at the shelter–so don’t be afraid of adopting through this route!
Questions to Ask Your Shih Tzu Breeder
- Ask about the breeder’s experience. If you’re looking at a dog that is bred by someone with little or no experience, be wary of buying from them. You want to make sure that they’ve been doing this for a while and know what they’re doing.
- Ask about their health testing procedures and results (if available). This includes extensive genetic testing, which can help determine whether or not there are any diseases present within the bloodline of your puppy before he or she even comes home with you!
- Ask about the vaccinations your puppy will receive before going home with you.
Why Buying a Shih Tzu is Worth Every Penny
If you’re thinking about getting a Shih Tzu (lion dog), but are concerned about the price tag, just remember how sweet, adorable, lovable, and loyal these little fuzz balls can be. They will bring years of endless laughter, enjoyment, and loving memories not only to your life but that of your family as well.