Shih Tzus are one of the most affectionate and lovable dog breeds out there. And don’t get me started on how adorable they look. But how much does a Shih Tzu Puppy cost in India?
The average cost of a Shih Tzu puppy in India ranges from ₹20,000 to ₹25,000. However, the place you buy it from and the breed’s lineage can drastically affect its price range.
In this article, we will further look into the prices of Shih Tzu in different cities of India, from where to buy it, and its monthly expenses.
Best place to get a healthy Shih Tzu Pup
It is essential to get a healthy and quality Shih Tzu puppy. And for that, you must buy it from the right place. There are three places from where you can get a Shih Tzu Pup:
Puppy Mills
Puppy mills are places where dogs are bred with the sole intention of maximizing their profits. Dogs are kept in tight and small cages, with unhygienic surroundings. They are provided with few to no medical care and are fed low-quality dog food. Puppies born in such places are separated from their mother when they are as young as three weeks old and shipped for selling.
Due to this, most puppies born in puppy mills have diseases and health complications passed on by their unhealthy parents. These puppies are then fed low-quality, high-in-fat food to make them chubby and look healthy even if they are not.
You can easily get a Shih Tzu from one of these pup-mills for as low as ₹10,000 to ₹15,000, but trust me, it’s not worth it. It is necessary to end such miserable places, and the best way to do it by not buying from them.
Pet stores
Buying a Shih Tzu from a pet store can be a little tricky. Pet stores are like the middle-men, and they do not breed puppies themself. They either get puppies from puppy mills or breeders.
Pet stores in India get most of their puppies from puppy mills. They buy them when the pups are about 4 to 5 weeks old and keep them on display. Puppies need to spend at least 8 to 10 weeks with their mother. It’s during this time they learn basic social skills. If you buy a pup who has been separated from his mother at an early age, then the pup may develop aggressive behavior when he grows up.
So it is advised to buy a pup from a trusted and known pet shop only. Ask the owner of the shop specifically for puppies bred by a breeder.
Breeders
Breeders are people who breed their dogs either for themselves or others. Usually, in India, breeders carefully breed their dogs to raise a show-quality puppy. However, it gets difficult for the breeder to raise an entire litter, and hence, he keeps one or two puppies and sells others.
Usually, breeders keep excellent care of their dogs when pregnant and provide good care to the puppies. Due to this, getting a Shih Tzu from a breeder costs more, but it’s totally worth it.
Cost of a Shih Tzu in different cities of India
As I said, the price of a Shih Tzu puppy can change in different cities of India. So to make things easier, I contacted about 150 dog breeders and pets stores from various cities and asked them the price of a pure Shih Tzu in their particular city. Here’s what I found:
In Mumbai, a pure Shih Tzu costs around ₹25,000 to 30,000 if you get it from breeder and pet stores. If you decide to get a Champion’s breed Shih Tzu, the price can go as high as ₹50,000.
In Delhi, you can get a good quality, healthy Shih Tzu puppy for about ₹22,000 to ₹25,000 from a reputed breeder and pet store. You might be able to get a lower price if you buy it from a puppy mill, which we do not recommend.
In Bangalore, local petshops and breeders charge around ₹30,000 for a purebred Shih Tzu.
In Kolkata, you can get a champion breed Shih Tzu with a healthy lineage for near about ₹30,000. Whereas local pet shops sell it for ₹20,000 to ₹25,000.
You can get a good quality Shih Tzu puppy in Chennai for ₹20,000 to ₹25,000. However, the price may go up to ₹30,000 to even ₹50,000 for a show-quality Shih Tzu.
| City | Average Cost of a Beagle Puppy |
|---|---|
| Hyderabad | ₹15,000 – ₹20,000 |
| Ahmedabad | ₹23,000 – ₹25,000 |
| Pune | ₹25,000 – ₹35,000 |
| Surat | ₹25,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Jaipur | ₹20,000 – ₹25,000 |
| Visakhapatnam | ₹25,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Kanpur | ₹20,000 – ₹22,000 |
| Nagpur | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Lucknow | ₹25,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Thane | ₹20,000 – ₹25,000 |
Monthly Expenses of Shih Tzu
While deciding which breed you want, it is necessary to go through its monthly expenses. So let’s have a look at the monthly expenses of a Shih Tzu.
Cost of Dog food
Shih Tzu comes under the Small-Dogs category, and hence they require a smaller quantity of food than large dog breeds like Labrador. However, the cost of dog food for Shih Tzu highly depends on what kind of food you decide to feed him.
If you decide to feed medium-quality dog food to your Shih Tzu, it will cost an average of ₹1,000 to ₹1,500. But if you choose to feed top-notch, premium quality food with fresh meat as their primary ingredient, then the cost can go up to ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 per month.
You can, of course, save a lot of money by feeding home-cooked non-veg dog food to your Shih Tzu. If you are vegetable and unable to add non-veg to your dog’s diet, then you will have to buy dog food and feed it at least once a day. However, puppies are recommended to feed dog food until they are one year old.
Cost of Grooming
Grooming plays an essential role in maintaining Shih Tzu’s health. Regular grooming can prevent tons of health complications in a dog.
A full-service Grooming of a Shih Tzu from a professional groomer will cost around ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 per session. However, you can save a lot of money by grooming your Shih Tzu at home. If you purchase all the grooming accessories for one year, it will cost no more than ₹500 per month. And doing it home yourself will also strengthen the bond between you and your pooch.
Cost of Vet and Vaccinations
The first year of a Shih Tzu puppy is an essential time. You will need to take him to the vet for monthly checkups and be on time for all his vaccinations. The first-year cost of vet and all the vaccinations will cost you around ₹5,000 to ₹10,000. After that, there will be just regular checkups, which will cost no more than ₹1,000 to ₹2,000.
The fees of a vet may vary depending on the place you live in. I live in Mumbai, and the first-year cost of my dog went whooping ₹20,000. Whereas my cousin lives in a small city and has a dog, his vet and vaccination expense for the first year was around ₹5,000.
Cost of Neutering/Spaying
If you do not have any plans to breed your Shih Tzu further, then it’s better to Neuter/Spay him. It has many health benefits. This surgery will cost you around ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 in most of the cities. Add a couple of thousands more for your pooch’s medicines and aftercare.
Cost of Toys
It’s not possible to play and entertain your pooch 24×7. That’s why you will need to get your Shih Tzu some safe and good-quality toys. Toys will also help with the pooch’s gum irritation during his teething phase. You will need to provide multiple toys to keep him excited. The cost of good quality toys will be around ₹1,000 every year.
Cost of Treats
You will have to teach your Shih Tzu various commands and tricks for which treats are necessary. To teach him something, you will have to give him treats to motivate them. It will cost you around ₹3,00 to ₹5,00 every month.
Final Thoughts
Shih Tzus are just adorable and super cute. Apart from that, they are a great companion for an Indian family.
