The Shih Tzu is a toy canine breed that came from Tibet.
This exotic breed is characterized by large round eyes, a short muzzle, droopy ears, a long silky coat, and a stout posture. Although miniature, the Shih Tzu has a large personality, bursting with playfulness.
It is also friendly, fiercely independent, and can adapt to just about any environment. Shih Tzu is considered to be one of the most obedient breeds you’ll ever find.
How Much Does Shih Tzu Cost In India?
Shih Tzu is fairly priced in India, with the average cost of a puppy ranging between Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 40,000. The price is influenced by several factors, including the breeder, the pup’s bloodline, location, living costs, quality of the puppy among others. A reputable breeder can ask for well over Rs. 50,000 for his Shih Tzu pup.
Factors Affecting The Cost of Shih Tzu In India
Quality of The Puppy
You will have to pay handsomely for a premium puppy, and only the most reputable breeders can offer quality puppies. Therefore, a well-recognized breeder should be your top consideration when purchasing a Shih Tzu pup.
You can only acquire a purebred premium Shih Tzu puppy from the best breeder. Remember that high-quality puppies are in great demand, thus the higher the cost of the dog.
The Dog’s Bloodline
Shih Tzu puppies cost more when their bloodline is pure. Ensure to do thorough research before purchasing your desired pup. That will include vetting multiple Shih Tzu breeders in India to get one with the best bloodline.
To confirm the breeder’s genuineness, you can investigate the Shih Tzu ancestry using the internet. The breeder can also provide you with photos or newspaper clippings of their dogs at dog contests.
Buying a show winner’s litter will ultimately cost you more rupees than a regular litter, so keep your eye out. Always go for standard quality Shih Tzu puppies unless you are very specific about the pup’s bloodline.
Breeder’s Credit
There are good breeders, and there are top-of-the-line breeders.
Breeders who ask for higher prices for their puppies don’t do so for no reason. They are better and more recognized than the rest. Therefore, the breeder’s reputation is an important factor to consider.
A reputable breeder will offer the best care for his litter and spare no expense for his dogs’ wellbeing. Top breeders also breed their Shih Tzu from contestant champions that come from Tibetan bloodlines.
Since quality breeders have to go through great extents to maintain their dogs, they may charge premium prices for Shih Tzu pups.
Training Costs
Shih Tzu requires more training than other breeds because of their stubborn personality.
They are also less eager to please, unlike Golden Retrievers or German Shepherds. They, therefore, need rigorous training and socialization to make them ideal house pets. You can find a good dog trainer for Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,000 per month.
Vaccination Costs
Several diseases affect dogs in India that need to be vaccinated against.
Puppies less than six months are highly prone to Parvovirus, which increases their mortality rate. It is risky to take an unvaccinated dog out for a walk or socialization.
When buying your Shih Tzu puppy, check in with the breeder if the pup has been vaccinated against the deadly Parvovirus that is spread through soil.
Always keep your pup’s vaccination up-to-date, and the best way is to use a vaccination card, which your veterinarian can offer you. It will cost you between Rs. 750 and Rs. 1500 for every dog vaccination in India.
Grooming Charges
The Shih Tzu’s long silky coat needs extra attention, which consists of bathing, brushing, and trimming.
You should groom your Shih Tzu every day to prevent matting and tangling. You can also consider taking your pooch to a professional groomer, which will cost you a few extra pennies.
Invest in high-quality shampoo for your Shih Tzu, and don’t use human shampoo or soap on dog fur. Keep a good grooming brush or comb on hand as well.
Dog Food Prices
Shih Tzu needs to be fed appropriately for their age and weight to be at their best health state.
There are commercial dog foods for small and toy dog breeds like the Shih Tzu. You need to invest in dog food that is rich in protein for your pup’s bone nourishment.
Though homemade dog foods can be sufficient, you need to follow a strict guideline that regulates the food components your Shih Tzu should or should not eat.
The price of dog food brands varies in the market, with the average cost being between Rs. 2,500 and Rs. 3,500.
Cost of Dog Treats
Though commercial dog treats seem ideal, we recommend giving your Shih Tzu pup homemade ones because they are healthier and more wholesome. Foods like cheese, meat, and paneer are great options.
About and History
The name Shih Tzu that interprets as “mini lion,” is given to it because of its lion-like features. This tiny dog was bred to display its appearance of beauty and tenacity along with the position it took as a majestic standing lion.
The Shih Tzu is said to have originated from Tibet in the 1600s.
The Chinese considered it as a holy animal and a guardian of palaces and temples. Though it is one of the oldest dog breeds, the modern version of this toy breed was developed in China in the late 19th century during the Qing dynasty.
The Dowager Empress Cixi personally oversaw the breeding of Shih Tzu to be kept as house pets. She placed eunuchs in charge of the dogs’ breeding grounds in the palace, where they interbred the Shih Tzu with other breeds such as Pugs and Pekingese without her knowledge.
The Shih Tzu was in high demand. The dogs were loved for their ability to bark like strangers, thus being an ideal watchdog. However, the Empress kept her Shih Tzu jealously and wouldn’t share them with foreign dignitaries or friends. However, after her death, many of these exotic canines were lost causing them to be almost extinct.
In 1935, the Shih Tzu began to gain recognition again. To date, the Shih Tzu is among the most lovable toy breeds as its acceptance as a domestic pet and show dog continues to rise.
Appearance
The Shih Tzu is a sturdy little canine with a robust and sound structure. A fully grown pup stands at 8 to 11 inches in length measured from the shoulders and weighs 9 to 16 pounds.
Its body length is slightly more than its height, which gives it a staunch appearance. It is a true miniature dog breed.
Shih Tzu moves in smooth effortless strides that make it seem like they glide across the floor. The ones that have long flowing coats look as though they’re floating as they walk. With the head and tail held high, they show off their ancient royal descent.
This toy breed has a double fur coat that is full, lush, and thick. Without regular trimming, its hair grows long and straight past the feet.
Despite its hair endowment, the Shih Tzu sheds very little, making it the best option for those allergic to fur or those who frown at cleaning dog fur from furniture.
Regular grooming is required to keep this breed neat and prevent its fur from matting and tangling. Its ears and tail are full and long, having a feathery appearance with the tail hair fluffing over the back.
The Shih Tzu is characterized as brachycephalic due to its flat muzzle and nose.
The eyes are circular and wide and contrast some other flat muzzled dog breeds like the pug that have bulging eyes. Its eye features make the Shih Tzu have an innocent, warm and welcoming expression giving it a friendly and trustworthy impression.
Temperament and Character
The Shih Tzu is developed for family companionship, so its personality is guided by buoyancy, adaptability, friendliness, and trust.
In an ideal family, the Shih Tzu is kind, loving, and gentle, especially with children. However, when treated poorly, the Shih Tzu can get skittish.
Also, a pup that is socialized with kids at an older age may not be as playful or tolerant as one that is raised with young kids from the puppy stage.
The Shih Tzu is strong-willed, but this temperament can translate to stubbornness, which is why consistent training and socialization are needed.
Nonetheless, the adorable Shih Tzu is not only a bubbly and jolly companion, but it makes a great lap dog as well. It loves to frolic about and play, adoring its fans with its frisky character.
At the end of the day, it is more than happy to snuggle in with family in a serene and peaceful environment.
Trainability
Shih Tzu can be difficult to housebreak due to its stubborn nature. When training your pooch, it is important to be consistent, kind and offer it lots of compassion and love. With early and sufficient training, your Shih Tzu will be your affectionate and well-behaved companion for life.
Ensure to begin your housie training as soon as you bring your Shih Tzu home. These pups have tiny bladders and are prone to anxiety, thus it can be a challenge to housetrain. Take your dog outside every two to three hours after eating, napping, and playing.
Shih Tzu can get fidgety if not adequately exposed to a variety of dogs and people.
The best time to socialize your pooch is between eight to sixteen weeks. Begin progressively in friendly environments and gradually increase its exposure to new stimuli. Remember to give your pup a treat and lots of praise for every new exposure.
The most effective leash training exercises are done with treats. Hold a treat in your hand to capture your pup’s attention and give it to him when he lets you put the leash on.
When taking walks, give the dog a treat every few minutes for walking close to you without pulling on the tag.
Shih Tzu doesn’t respond well to punishment and yelling and may become more stubborn when frightened. Reward-based training methods are best with this breed.
Grooming
Many Shih Tzu owners take their pups to a professional groomer for trims and cuts. This breed’s coat grows rather quickly, and an expert groomer is the best person to execute cuts, trims, and specialized dog hairstyles.
Grooming exercises such as baths, brushing, face wiping, eye, nose, and paw care will need to be done at home since they need to be done frequently.
You’ll need to wipe your dog’s face 2 to 3 times a day using doggy wipes. Brush and comb your doggy’s hair to prevent split ends, remove debris, prevent tangling, and stimulate blood flow.
However, you do not want to brush a dry coat because it stimulates static electricity to cause hair breakage. Lightly spritz your dog’s coat as you comb and brush to protect from friction.
Your Shih Tzu’s nails will need to be trimmed after every six weeks. Dogs are quite sensitive about claw handling, so nail trimming can be quite a challenge especially if you are new to dog parenting.
For this reason, you may opt to have your groomer do this. Ask the groomer for nail clipping pointers so that you can try them on your own next time.
If you’re wondering how to clean your furry friend in between baths, this is where spot cleaning applies. Use properly formulated dog grooming wipes to remove dirt, particles, mud, feces, and urine when your little pal comes back in after a good romp outside.
What are the drawbacks of Shih Tzu?
Shih Tzu is hard to housebreak, but crate training proves helpful to foster obedience. This bread is also not the best choice for families with young kids because their miniature size makes them prone to unintentional injuries.
Shih Tzu is especially prone to eating their own or other animals’ feces (coprophagia). So, it is always good to keep a close eye on your pup when he poops and clean up immediately to prevent this behavior from becoming a habit.
Is Shih Tzu a friendly breed?
Yes. Shih Tzu is known widely for its happy and perky personality. This breed gets along well with individuals of all ages as well as other dogs and pets of other species.
Is Shih Tzu high maintenance?
Yes. Shih Tzu breed requires a lot of maintenance especially grooming; thus, they are costly. You’ll need to take your Shih Tzu to the groomer every six weeks. So your average grooming cost will be Rs. 4500.
Does Shih Tzu bark a lot?
Yes. Shih Tzu is prone to barking. They tend to bark at strangers and passers-by a lot. When at home, they can bark at visitors at the front door. This barking portrays anything like hostility. It is their way of communicating and demanding attention.
Conclusion
Have you fallen head over heels for their cute toy dog breed? Hold your horses before driving to your nearest dog breeder. Ensure you do your homework first to guarantee you snug yourself a premium pooch. The Shih Tzu is your “little lion” BFF for life!