Little lion dog with a tender look, the Shih Tzu
appeals to both city-dwelling families and retirees. Before reserving a puppy, however, one question arises: how much does this companion really cost, between purchase price from the breeder and daily expenses, over several years of living together.
The amounts vary depending on the breeding, lineage and lifestyle chosen for the dog. Between quality kibble, frequent grooming and visits to the veterinarian, the budget can quickly climb if you haven’t anticipated anything. The differences are greater than one might think.
Price of a Shih Tzu from a breeder: what ranges in France?
Specialized sites on Shih Tzu price indicate that a puppy registered with
LOF intended for the company generally sells between 1,000 and 1,500 €. For a subject intended for dog shows or reproduction, the price reaches €1,700 or more. The reputation of the breeder, the lineage of the parents, the prices obtained in competitions, the sex of the puppy or even certain physical traits sought after can drive the prices upwards.
Choosing a serious breeder, sometimes a little more expensive, is presented as a way to limit the risks of future health problems, and therefore high veterinary costs. Another useful detail: some breeders include in the price a small starter kit with harness or collar, leash, bowls and sometimes the puppy’s first meals, which avoids some immediate purchases.
Annual Shih Tzu maintenance budget: €900 to €950 per year
For routine maintenance, estimates converge towards an annual budget of €900 to €950, or approximately €60 to €80 per month. The most regular item remains food: for good quality kibble adapted to this small dog prone to overweight, you need to count on €50 to €65 per month, or more than €600 per year.
Grooming also weighs heavily. A visit to the professional groomer every 6 to 8 weeks, billed at €30 to €50 per session, represents between €250 and €550 per year. Those who prefer to equip themselves for grooming at home should plan on an intermediate kit costing around €150 to €300, or even more than €1,000 for professional equipment. On the health side, annual booster vaccinations cost €60 to €70, tests (urine or blood) €40 to €150 per test and routine dermatological treatment between €120 and €200. Dog health insurance ranges from €20 to €60 per month, or €240 to €720 per year.
Shih Tzu: costs in the first year and long-term commitment
The first year often concentrates the biggest expenses. In addition to the purchase price, we must add the end of the primary vaccination and antiparasitic treatments of around €100, sterilization (around €150 for a male, almost €400 for a female) and the first accessories. Bowls, bedding, transport crate, leash, harness and toys represent on average €100 to €150 per year. If you hire a dog trainer, a positive training session costs €15 to €30 per hour, and boarding during vacations costs €12 to €20 per day.
With a life expectancy of between 10 and 16 years, these €900 to €950 in annual maintenance are repeated over many years. Many owners therefore choose either to take out health insurance or to set aside the equivalent of these costs each month to calmly face unforeseen events while offering their Shih Tzu a comfortable life.