Shih Tzu Price by Source
Where your Shih Tzu comes from is the biggest driver of the price. Published ranges are wide because they mix careful breeders with backyard sellers, so it helps to compare like with like.
| Source | Typical price | What you usually get |
|---|---|---|
| Rescue or shelter | $100–$500 | Often an adult, vet-checked, spayed/neutered and vaccinated |
| Reputable breeder, pet quality | $1,000–$3,000 | Vet-checked parents, first vaccines, written contract and health guarantee |
| Show or champion lines | $3,000–$5,000 | Puppy from titled parents, often with co-ownership terms |
| Puppies sold as “imperial,” “teacup” or rare colors | Often priced at a premium | Marketing labels, not recognized varieties of the breed |
| Online ad far below $800 | Too good to be true | High risk of a puppy mill, a mixed breed or a scam |
Insurify puts typical breeder prices at $1,000 to $3,000, with championship lines up to about $5,000 and rescue fees of $100 to $300. Dogster lists adoption at $200 to $500. For a healthy pet-quality puppy from a careful breeder, most buyers pay around $1,800.
“Imperial” and “teacup” Shih Tzus
The AKC recognizes one Shih Tzu, a toy breed, and does not recognize teacup breeds. Puppies bred to be unusually small can carry extra health risks, such as fragile bones and low blood sugar, so a smaller size is not worth paying more for.
Shih Tzu First-Year Cost
For a pet-quality puppy from a reputable breeder, a typical first year looks like this. Grooming is the line that surprises most new owners.
| First-year expense | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Puppy (reputable breeder, pet quality) | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Supplies (crate, harness, bed, brushes, gates, toys) | $300–$550 |
| Food and treats | $250–$400 |
| Puppy vet visits, vaccines, microchip, parasite prevention | $450–$800 |
| Spay/neuter surgery | $300–$700 |
| Puppy training class | $150–$400 |
| Professional grooming (about 8 sessions in year one) | $400–$800 |
| Typical first-year total | $2,850–$6,650 (about $4,600) |
| Optional: pet insurance | $400–$550 a year |
Because the Shih Tzu has a short muzzle, some vets take extra precautions with anesthesia, which can add to surgical fees. Ask for an itemized estimate before surgery.
Shih Tzu Grooming Costs
The Shih Tzu’s long, continuously growing coat is the breed’s biggest routine expense. Whole Dog Journal groups Shih Tzus with Poodles among high-maintenance breeds that cost $50 to $200 per grooming session and often need monthly appointments.
| Grooming choice | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Full groom, short “puppy cut,” every 4–8 weeks | $50–$100 per visit; about $400–$1,200 a year |
| Long show-style coat kept by a groomer | Toward $100–$200 per visit, plus daily brushing at home |
| De-matting fee for a tangled coat | $10–$100 extra |
| Nail trim only | About $15 |
A short puppy cut is the most common way owners keep grooming costs down. Our dog grooming cost guide covers prices by size, coat and region.
Yearly Cost of a Shih Tzu
After the first year, most owners spend about $1,800 to $3,500 a year, or roughly $2,500 in a typical year.
- Grooming: $400–$1,200 a year
- Food and treats: $240–$600 a year (Insurify’s estimate)
- Routine vet care and parasite prevention: $400–$800 a year
- Pet insurance: about $400–$550 a year
- Dental care: budget for professional cleanings, typically $500–$1,100 each
- Supplies and toys: $100–$300 a year
Dogster puts the overall monthly cost at about $100 to $300. Our cost of owning a dog guide compares breeds of every size.
Common Shih Tzu Health Issues and Costs
Forbes Advisor lists dental disease, eye problems, bladder stones, ear issues, orthopedic problems and breathing problems as common Shih Tzu health issues. Many trace back to the breed’s short face, prominent eyes and small, crowded mouth.
| Condition | What it is | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dental disease | Crowded teeth trap plaque; gum disease and tooth loss are common | $500–$1,100 per cleaning; $60–$400 per extracted tooth |
| Cherry eye | The third-eyelid tear gland pops out as a red lump | $575–$1,300 for one eye at a general vet |
| Other eye problems | Corneal ulcers, dry eye, and proptosis (the eye slipping out of its shallow socket) | From a sick visit to emergency surgery, depending on the problem |
| Brachycephalic airway problems (BOAS) | Narrow nostrils and a long soft palate make breathing harder | $1,500–$3,500 for combined nostril and palate surgery; up to $5,000 with a specialist |
| Luxating patella | The kneecap slips out of place | Mild cases often monitored; surgery costs more for each affected knee |
Dental ranges match our dog teeth cleaning cost guide, and cherry eye figures come from our cherry eye surgery cost guide. BOAS figures are from SustainableVet, which rates the Shih Tzu at moderate to high risk.
Eyes
Shallow eye sockets and large, prominent eyes make Shih Tzus prone to scratches, ulcers and dry eye, and in rare cases to proptosis after a bump or rough play. Dry eye can permanently affect tear production, so squinting or thick eye discharge is worth a prompt vet visit.
Teeth
Small mouths and a short jaw crowd the teeth together. Forbes Advisor calls dental disease one of the most important health issues in the breed, and many Shih Tzus need extractions as they age.
Could pet insurance cover a bill like this?
Accident & illness plans typically reimburse 70–90% of eligible vet costs after the deductible, if the condition is not pre-existing and the waiting period has passed. Premiums for dogs average about $62/month and for cats about $32/month (NAPHIA, 2025).
Coverage is subject to each policy’s terms, exclusions and state availability.Does Pet Insurance Cover a Shih Tzu?
Yes, and Shih Tzus are among the more affordable breeds to insure. MoneyGeek reports an average of about $37 a month ($440 a year) for a 6-year-old Shih Tzu with a $5,000 limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement, with quotes ranging from about $24 to $107 depending on location and age. Insurify puts the average near $396 a year.
- Enroll early. Eye or breathing problems noted before coverage starts are usually excluded as pre-existing.
- Check dental terms. Accident-and-illness plans often cover dental disease or injury but not routine cleanings, which fall under optional wellness add-ons.
- Ask about brachycephalic conditions. Confirm how each policy treats BOAS surgery and hereditary eye problems.
- Grooming is not covered by pet insurance, so budget for it separately.
Coverage always depends on the policy terms. Compare the yearly premium with the vet bills you are likely to face.
When a Shih Tzu Needs a Vet Right Away
Contact your vet or an emergency vet right away if your Shih Tzu:
- Has an eye that bulges forward or looks out of its socket, or an eye that is suddenly cloudy, red or held shut
- Struggles to breathe, has blue or gray gums, or collapses, especially in heat
- Strains to urinate, passes blood, or can’t pee
- Vomits repeatedly or stops eating and drinking
How to Spot Shih Tzu Scams and Puppy Mills
The Better Business Bureau’s 2025 puppy scam update puts the median loss at about $600 per victim, and popular small breeds are frequent targets. Watch for:
- A price far below $800, or heavy marketing of “imperial,” “teacup” or “rare” colors
- The seller won’t allow a visit or live video call, and you can’t meet the mother
- Payment by gift card, wire transfer, crypto or apps like Zelle or Venmo
- Extra fees for shipping, crates or “insurance” appearing after a deposit
- Puppies offered before 8 weeks old, or many breeds available at once
- Photos that turn up elsewhere in a reverse image search
A reputable breeder will share vet records for the parents, give you a written contract and take the dog back if you can’t keep it.
How to Save Money on a Shih Tzu
- Look at Shih Tzu rescues and shelters. Adoption fees of $100 to $500 usually include spay/neuter, vaccines and a microchip.
- Choose a short puppy cut. It is quicker for groomers and easier to maintain at home.
- Brush the coat and teeth at home. Fewer mats and less tartar mean lower grooming and dental bills.
- Skip size and color premiums. “Imperial,” “teacup” and rare colors cost more without improving health.
- Keep your dog lean and cool. Extra weight and heat make breathing harder for short-faced breeds.
- Insure early or build a vet fund, and ask for an itemized estimate and payment plans like CareCredit or Scratchpay before surgery or dental work.
- Pin brush and steel comb set for long-coated dogsCheck price on Amazon
- Dog toothbrush and enzymatic toothpaste kit for small dogsCheck price on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Shih Tzu puppy?
A pet-quality Shih Tzu puppy from a reputable US breeder usually costs $1,000 to $3,000, with most around $1,800. Puppies from show or championship lines can cost up to about $5,000.
How much does it cost to adopt a Shih Tzu?
Rescue and shelter adoption fees for Shih Tzus usually range from about $100 to $500. The fee typically covers spay/neuter, vaccines and a microchip.
How much does Shih Tzu grooming cost?
Expect about $50 to $100 for a full groom with a short cut, and up to $200 for a long coat. Most Shih Tzus are groomed every 4 to 8 weeks, which adds up to roughly $400 to $1,200 a year.
Are imperial or teacup Shih Tzus worth the extra cost?
These are marketing names, not recognized varieties of the breed. The AKC does not recognize teacup breeds, and dogs bred to be unusually small can face extra health risks, so paying more for a smaller size doesn’t buy a healthier dog.
How much does a Shih Tzu cost per month?
After the first year, most owners spend about $150 to $290 a month, including grooming, food, routine vet care and insurance. Dental cleanings and eye problems can make some months more expensive.
Not veterinary advice. Prices are estimates for budgeting, not quotes. Ask your veterinarian for a written, itemized estimate. If your pet is injured, in pain or acting unwell, contact your vet or an emergency animal hospital right away.
