Shih Tzus were developed in Tibet as a toy dog and despite their nickname, they aren’t fierce at all. The Shih Tzu breed makes excellent companions and if you decide to purchase one, you should ready yourself for a commitment of 10 to 16 years.
Within a family environment, these dogs do wonderful and they get along with children and other pets effortlessly. Shih Tzus are known to be loving, affectionate, happy, and outgoing. They’ll follow you around from room to room and love nothing more than receiving as much attention as they hand out.
Though this breed has few drawbacks, the serious health problems they can suffer from and their sometimes out-of-control barking should be taken note of before you decide to purchase a pup. The price of a Shih Tzu puppy is around $1100 with pups from reputable breeders being at the top of the price range. Breeding a healthy, sound Shih Tzu takes responsible breeding knowledge and as a norm, small dog breeds often have riskier pregnancies.
Shih Tzu Prices
1. Pet Shops
- Average Cost: $1000
If you live in an area where Shih Tzus are popular, you’re likely to find a litter of puppies at your local pet shop. Although many people believe buying from petshops drives the irresponsible backyard breeding game, this isn’t always the case. Many petshops value animal lives and they do all they can to ensure that the puppies they sell come from reputable breeders and are sold to good, loving homes.
A great advantage of buying a Shih Tzu puppy from a pet shop is how convenient it is. You might be able to spot one just around the corner and you can spend some days visiting your chosen puppy before taking it home. You should note that the price of Shih Tzu from a pet shop should be around $1000. Many pet shops also offer some kind of warranty on the pets they sell, meaning that if a serious health issue pops up which is due to negligence on the petshop’s part, you’ll be able to return the puppy.
Besides the convenience and guarantee on your purchase, reputable pet shops that sell a certain dog breed will be able to guide you through the stages of raising and caring for your puppy. They’re also the best place to get tips on nutrition, vet visits, and toys specifically designed for your Shih Tzu.
2. Rehoming Centres
- Average Cost: $600
If you’re up to adopting a grown Shih Tzu dog rather than purchasing a puppy, a rehoming center is an excellent option. Although Shih Tzus aren’t widely available for rehoming, with patience you’ll find one that longs for love and care. There are many reasons why adopting a Shih Tzu is a great choice.
Not only do you save money when choosing this route, but you also support a non-profit and enable them to keep rescuing dogs. Grown Shih Tzus from rescue centers come with known behavioral traits and they’re calmer than puppies. Although raising a puppy can be a wonderful experience, it’s also tiring and most people don’t have enough time to rid them of their endless energy. When this happens, a Shih Tzu puppy is likely to get into the most unlikely troubles.
Because Shih Tzus are such a loving breed, the chances of running into trouble when adopting one from a rescue home are minimal. A grown Shih Tzu will easily adapt to its new family and soon it’ll feel like you’ve known them their entire life.
3. Local Buy-Sell Groups
- Average Cost: $800
Toy dog breeds are likely to be sold on buy-sell groups by amateur breeders. Many Shih Tzu owners who have both a male and female dog, won’t mind them breeding and if they choose to not keep the litter, they opt to sell the pups on local groups for minimal prices. If buying from a local buy-sell group, the price of Shih Tzu is around $800.
Many amateur breeders who sell through these channels aren’t in it to make money. However, this doesn’t mean that they don’t value their dogs or will simply sell them to the first buyer who crosses their paths. For your safety, choose a seller who is interested in why you want to purchase a pup and asks questions about your home environment and capabilities to care for the puppy. Sellers who inspect buyers are more likely to be selling quality dogs and this will also show that they care about the well-being of the puppies they send-off.
Ongoing Costs of Having a Shih Tzu
1. Medical Costs
- Average Cost: $500
Shih Tzus are generally healthy, but when they do suffer from a health issue, it can be serious. Although responsible sellers screen their puppies for health conditions, a medical issue can still present later on. The cost of going to the vet for your Shih Tzu should cost around $500 a year.
To ensure that your Shih Tzu stays in optimal health, you need to follow a strict care routine. Ensuring that your Shih Tzu receives a healthy amount of exercise will keep it in a good physical condition. Furthermore, you need to pay attention to their dental care as poor dental hygiene can lead to tooth decay, infections, and deterioration of the jawbone.
Taking your Shih Tzu for regular veterinarian checks will help you navigate through fleas, ticks, and parasitic worms. Wellness checks will also ensure that potential issues are detected early on. Vets check for breathing issues, heart defects, any illnesses related to ears, mouths, or eyes, and they also assess for hip problems.
2. Social Training
- Average Cost: $200
As mentioned earlier, Shih Tzus are prone to experience an episode of uncontrollable, excessive barking. When they aren’t socially trained, Shih Tzus can uncontrollably bark at other people and dogs, or even someone or something they spot in the distance.
Training your Shih Tzu might require professional assistance since they’re highly sensitive. Punishment and yelling may cause them to further misbehave, making the right approaches a necessity.
Investing in proper training from the moment you bring your Shih Tzu home, will make moving forward much easier for you. If you’re committed to training your new pup yourself, it would be wise to purchase a guide or book written by professionals to assist you in the process.
3. Toys
- Average Cost: $15 per toy
Shih Tzus need a good supply of toys to keep them stimulated and entertained. Investing in the right toys go beyond picking out the cutest ones. When you think of toys for your Shih Tzu, think of them as being tools that can play a specific role or help with a certain developmental aspect. As your puppy grows, you’ll need to add on new toys that fit their age and developmental stage.
Teething toys are helpful during the puppy stage and will prevent your Shih Tzu from chewing on other things. They also need toys that can handle extreme chewing for jaw development. Retrieval toys are great for exercise and bonding, while interactive, companion, and treat toys will keep them entertained when you can’t. Purchasing educational toys can boost their confidence when they learn something new. These toys for your Shih Tzu costs around $15 per toy.
Though there are many different toys on the market, keep in mind that quality is always better than quantity. You need to purchase durable toys that will be well-received by your Shih Tzu instead of having a bunch of toys that are ignored.
When deciding to purchase a Shih Tzu, you need to be ready for a real commitment. Although this breed can be stubborn, they thrive on human companionship. Their affectionate, outgoing, and intelligent nature makes them lively and alert. Leaving them alone or without attention for extended periods will make them feel disconnected and they’ll be likely to present with some behavioral issues.
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