Source · 8 sources · Updated 2026-09-21estimate
Getting a Shih Tzu
This is the one-off, and it is not in any figure above — the yearly and lifetime numbers on this page are the cost of keeping the dog, not of getting one.
| Priced per dog by Shih Tzus & Furbabies Rescue, Tzu Zoo Rescue | $150–$700 |
| Any age from a general shelter | $25–$600 |
2 Shih Tzu rescues publish these fees — Shih Tzus & Furbabies Rescue, Tzu Zoo Rescue. Breeder prices are not collected publicly anywhere credible, so this page does not quote one — the adoption guide explains why and lists all 18 shelters.
Source · pawdget · Updated 2026-10-03
Where the money goes
| Category | per year | Share | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & treats412 kcal/day × $1.42 per 1,000 kcal + 30% treats | $277 | 11% | PetSmart · est. |
| Vet & preventive1 exam, core vaccines, heartworm test, dental every 2 yrs, 12 months of parasite prevention | $800 | 31% | CareCredit / Synchrony · est. |
| InsuranceAccident & illness plan, US average, adjusted for state | $812 | 32% | North American Pet Health Insurance Association · est. |
| Grooming5 salon visits × $62 | $301 | 12% | Industry price guides · est. |
| Supplies & gearReplacement toys, waste bags, treats | $58 | 2% | PetSmart · est. |
| Training & boardingUS average yearly boarding spend, adjusted for state | $313 | 12% | American Pet Products Association · est. |
A Shih Tzu — 9–16 lb, toy group, No. 21 of 202 breeds in the 2025 AKC registration ranking — costs a typical owner in Texas about $2,561 a year, or $1,383 to $2,968 depending on food, grooming and insurance. That is almost exactly the average for small breeds ($2,578), between the Tibetan Spaniel and the Mudi.
With a small appetite — 412 kcal a day, about 8 lb of kibble a month, $277 a year — the fixed costs dominate: insurance is the single biggest line at 32% of the total at the US average accident-and-illness premium, adjusted for Texas. Turn it off in the panel and vet & preventive takes over at 31%.
Ranked No. 21 of 202, it is common enough that most vets and groomers see the breed regularly.
The long double coat is where a Shih Tzu costs real time or real money: it mats without weekly brushing, and de-shedding sessions at a salon add up to $607 a year at the top of the range. The estimate assumes 5 salon visits × $62.
First-year total: $3,512. Beyond the running costs that includes spay or neuter ($457 at Texas prices) and the puppy vaccine series with its extra visits. The gear list for a small dog comes to $158: a small crate, bed, bowls, walking kit and a carrier.
Over a 12.8-year median lifespan (a study of 584,734 UK dogs) the total is $34,759; the final 5 years run about $2,775 each once senior exams and bloodwork are added.
Primary-care records for Shih Tzus show periodontal disease in 9.5%, anal sac impaction in 7.4%, ear disorder in 5.5% of dogs in a year. None of these is unusual for a dog of this size, which is one reason the breed's costs stay close to its group.
Food
Calories from RER = 70 × kg^0.75 scaled for a 12.5 lb moderate-activity dog; price per 1,000 kcal is the median of our recorded SKUs in this tier.
Source · 2 sources · Updated 2026-09-21estimate
Dog food in bulk at Sam's Club · partner link
First-month shopping list
- Crate Top Paw · 36″L x 25″H, Med/Large $47
- Bed Top Paw · Medium $15
- Bowls ×2 Top Paw · 12 fl oz $3
- Leash PetSafe · 3/8 in $5
- Collar KONG · Large $25
- Harness PetSafe · Small $21
- Brush Top Paw $9
- Nail Clipper Top Paw · Large $8
- Carrier Top Paw $15
- Pee Pads Great Choice · 23″ x 24″ $10
- Total$158
Source · PetSmart (recorded by pawdget) · Updated 2026-09-21
partner link · As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices above are our own recorded PetSmart samples, not Amazon's.
Health conditions commonly recorded in Shih Tzus
Recorded in Shih Tzus by the study cited under each line — the figure is that study's, from its own population and period. An odds ratio compares against the group that study used, not against every animal.
- Periodontal disease 9.5%
- Anal sac impaction 7.4%
- Ear disorder 5.5%
- Otitis externa 4.7%
- Vomiting 4.4%
- Umbilical hernia 3.9%
- Obesity 3.5%
- Ulcerative keratitis (Corneal ulceration) 3.5%
Source · Dale et al., VetCompass / Royal Veterinary College · Updated 2026-09-21
Informational only — not veterinary advice. Talk to your veterinarian about your own dog.
Breed data
| Weight | 9–16 lb |
| Median lifespan | 12.8 yrs (12.6–12.9) |
| Breed-club life expectancy | 10–18 yrs |
| Coat | long double |
| Activity | moderate |
| AKC group | toy |
Source · 3 sources · Updated 2026-09-21
Questions about Shih Tzu costs
How much does a Shih Tzu cost per year?
About $2,561 a year in Texas for an adult on a standard kibble with an accident-and-illness policy, ranging from $1,383 to $2,968. Insurance is the largest category at 32%.
How much does it cost to feed a Shih Tzu?
A 12.5 lb Shih Tzu needs roughly 412 kcal a day, about 8 lb of dry food a month. On a standard kibble that is $23 a month treats included ($20–$25 depending on brand); budget kibble costs about half, fresh food several times more — use the food tier switch to see exact figures.
What is the lifetime cost of a Shih Tzu?
Around $34,759 over the breed's 12.8-year median lifespan, including $951 of first-year set-up costs and higher senior-care spending after age 8.
Last updated September 21, 2026. Figures are estimates built from the sources listed above; your own costs will differ. How we calculate.