A Shih Tzu puppy typically costs between $500 and $2,000 from a reputable breeder, though prices vary depending on lineage, location, and coat color. But the purchase price is just the beginning.
With monthly food costs around $30, annual vet bills averaging $450, and grooming running $500/year (Shih Tzus have a long coat that needs regular professional attention), the first year of owning a Shih Tzu will cost roughly $3,215. Shih Tzus have moderate health risks including brachycephalic syndrome, so budgeting for unexpected vet visits is wise.
Over a Shih Tzu's average lifespan of 10–16 years, you can expect to spend $30,445 or more in total. Use the calculator below to get a personalized estimate based on your specific choices for food quality, grooming, and insurance.
Shih Tzus look like one of the cheapest breeds to own and turn out to be a moderate-cost dog because of grooming and dental, not because of catastrophic surgery. Food is light ($25-$35/month), the puppy is $800-$2,000, and routine vet care is unremarkable. The two structural cost drivers are the coat and the mouth.
Grooming runs $400-$600/year if you keep a tidy puppy cut every 6-8 weeks at $60-$80 a visit, or $250-$400/year if you DIY after a $300 startup in clippers and scissors. The crowded jaw is the bigger long-term cost — Shih Tzus need annual or biennial dental cleanings from age 3 ($500-$900) and most lose 4-8 teeth across a lifespan. Brachycephalic features are mild but real: heat intolerance, snoring, and occasional palate or nostril work in a minority of dogs ($1,500-$3,000). Eye injuries are also common because of the prominent eyes; corneal ulcers run $400-$1,200 per episode.
Realistic ongoing budget: $120-$190/month for a healthy adult, all-in. Where owners over-spend: hand-stripped salon services at $90+ per visit when a sanitary trim and a face groom is what most pet owners actually need. Where penny-pinching backfires: skipping early dental cleanings. A $700 cleaning at age 4 prevents the $1,800 extraction-and-restoration at age 8, and dental disease in toy breeds drives the cardiac and kidney issues that often dominate the senior years.
From a reputable breeder
$500 – $2,000
Average
$1,250
Adopting from a rescue typically costs $100–$500, which includes spay/neuter and initial vaccinations.
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Initial supplies (leash, bowls, collar) | $300 |
| First-year vet visits & vaccines | $400 |
| Spay/neuter surgery | $350 |
| Basic obedience training | $200 |
| Crate, bed & toys | $250 |
| Food (mid quality) | $360 |
| Grooming (professional) | $500 |
| Flea, tick & heartworm prevention | $300 |
| Treats & replacement toys | $75 |
| Pet insurance ($40/mo) | $480 |
| First Year Total | $3,215 |
* Excludes purchase price. Add $1,250 (avg) for total first-year investment.
| Expense | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Food (mid quality) | $360 |
| Routine vet care | $450 |
| Grooming (professional) | $500 |
| Flea, tick & heartworm prevention | $300 |
| Treats & replacement toys | $75 |
| Pet insurance ($40/mo) | $480 |
| Annual Total | $2,165 |
Minimum
$23,950
10 year lifespan
Average
$30,445
estimated total
Maximum
$36,940
16 year lifespan
Includes purchase price (avg $1,250), first-year costs, and 10–16 years of recurring expenses.
Shih Tzu — Annual Cost
$2,165
Average Dog — Annual Cost
$2,035
A Shih Tzu costs about $130 more per year than the average dog. The average dog costs approximately $1,200 to purchase and $2,035/year to maintain.
A Shih Tzu typically costs between $500–$2,000 from a reputable breeder. Prices vary based on lineage, breeder reputation, location, and coat color. Adopting from a rescue can cost $100–$500.
The annual cost of owning a Shih Tzu is approximately $2,165, covering food, veterinary care, grooming, preventive healthcare, and extras. This does not include the purchase price or first-year startup costs.
Over a Shih Tzu's 10–16 year lifespan, you can expect to spend between $23,950 and $36,940 in total, including the purchase price, first-year expenses, and ongoing annual costs.
Shih Tzus are prone to brachycephalic syndrome, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia. Pet insurance typically costs $40/month for a small-sized dog and can save thousands in unexpected vet bills. It's especially worth considering given this breed's health profile.
Monthly food costs for a Shih Tzu average around $30. Budget kibble may cost about $21/month, while premium food runs about $45/month. The right choice depends on your dog's health needs and your budget.
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