By Curious Tails · AVS licensed
Shih Tzu Puppies for Sale in Singapore
Healthy, HDB-approved Shih Tzu puppies from a licensed Singapore shop, $3,888–$4,888 all-in. See who is available, then let us ask you the one honest question every buyer should hear first.
Shih Tzu puppies
From $3,888, all-in
Puppies available now
Every Shih Tzu puppy for sale in Singapore that we list here is representative of the litters we place; the gallery is refreshed weekly with real stock, so message us for this week's available Shih Tzu puppies in Singapore and photos. Each is a vaccinated, microchipped puppy before it ever goes home. Colours mirror what we actually home: gold and white, black and white, brindle, liver, red and white, and solid black. Every puppy is vet-checked, vaccinated and microchipped before homecoming, with the starter kit included and licensing handled at purchase.
What is a Shih Tzu puppy?
A Shih Tzu puppy is a small companion dog of the ancient "lion dog" (獅子狗) breed, HDB-approved as item 48 on Singapore's approved small-breed list. Adults weigh about 4 to 7.5 kg, and the coat is hair rather than fur: low-shedding, but it needs daily brushing and a professional groom every 4 to 6 weeks.
$3,888
All-in, published price
30+
Shih Tzus placed
★ 5.0
45 Google reviews
Item 48
On the HDB approved list
Why buy from a licensed Singapore shop
Curious Tails is an AVS licensed pet shop at Balestier, licence AS24J00046, and every claim on this page is checkable. Look us up on the AVS public registry of licensed pet shops before you message us; we would rather you verify first.
We have placed 30+ Shih Tzus with Singapore families over 2+ years, and our approach is simple: honest breed-fit advice before any price talk. If you want to buy a Shih Tzu puppy in Singapore without guessing which Shih Tzu for sale listing to trust, start with the licence, the reviews, and a shop willing to say who the breed does not suit. Everything else about the breed lives on our Shih Tzu in Singapore guide.
Licensed, vet-checked, honestly priced
The all-in price, itemised
A Shih Tzu puppy from us costs $3,888 to $4,888 all-in, and we publish that band rather than making you ask. The Shih Tzu price in Singapore is a mess to research: market listings run from a $2,388 nett product card to vague "$3,000 to $7,000" answers, most with no word on what is included. Ours is the price you actually pay, with no hidden costs, itemised below.
All-in means exactly that: the starter kit included, the first groom included, free home delivery with playpen setup, and the AVS licence paperwork completed at purchase. The full breakdown of what drives a puppy's position in the band, and how our transparent pricing compares with the wider market, is on our guide to how much a Shih Tzu costs in Singapore.
| Included | Detail |
|---|---|
| Health, done properly | Vet health check, vaccinations at weeks 6, 8 and 12, deworming at every visit, microchip, breed identification |
| Starter kit | 30 items, $533 itemised value: food, playpen, pads, grooming basics and more |
| First professional groom | Included, because grooming is the real commitment and we want you started right |
| Delivery and setup | Free home delivery islandwide with playpen setup on arrival |
| Training lesson | One free session with an AVS-certified trainer |
| Licence paperwork | AVS dog licence completed with you at purchase; first-year fee is $13.50 for a puppy under 5 months |
| Aftercare | 5-day bring-back-if-sick support, free boarding up to 1 month after deposit, ongoing care advice |
From our nursery to your flat, week by week
- Wk 6First core vaccination and deworming at the vet.
- Wk 8Second vaccination and deworming; microchip done before homecoming.
- Wk 9Puppy goes home, about a week after the second jab, with records in hand.
- Wk 12Third vaccination; your vet may advise an optional fourth at week 16.
The honesty gate
One question before we talk price: are you ready for the grooming?
A Shih Tzu needs daily brushing and a $75 to $120 professional groom every 4 to 6 weeks, about $900 to $1,400 a year, for the dog's whole life. Low shedding is how the breed gets sold; a groomer on retainer for 12+ years is what you are actually buying.
We ask every buyer this before price talk, and the full reality is laid out in our guide to Shih Tzu grooming in Singapore. Ready for that? Then message us.
I'm ready, WhatsApp usHDB-approved, with the receipts
The Shih Tzu is item 48 on HDB's approved small-breed list, one of roughly 62 breeds cleared for flat living, verifiable on HDB's keeping-pets guidelines. Approval means one dog per flat, a mandatory AVS licence, and a fine of up to $4,000 for keeping a non-approved dog.
Licence fees are small: $13.50 a year for a puppy under 5 months, then $13.50 a year or a $35 lifetime licence once sterilised. First-time owners also complete the short AVS pet ownership course. The full rules, with sources, are on our page answering are Shih Tzus HDB approved.
The HDB facts
- Approved: item 48 on the HDB list
- One approved dog per flat
- AVS licence mandatory, done at purchase
- Fine up to $4,000 for a non-approved dog
- First-year licence: $13.50 (under 5 months)
Colours we place, and the mixes question
We home six colour lines: gold and white, black and white, brindle, liver and liver-white, red and white, and solid black. Colour changes the look, not the temperament, and none of them carries a "rare colour" premium here; a solid black Shih Tzu costs the same honest band as a gold and white one.
Coat length is a separate choice you make later: the long flowing coat or the practical puppy cut most Singapore owners land on for the heat. Either way the top-knot, tear-stain wipes and daily brushing come with the breed.
Alongside purebreds we place honest crossbreeds: the Shih-Poo (Toy Poodle cross), Malshi (Maltese cross) and Pomshi (Pomeranian cross). A mix is a real crossbreed with its own trade-offs, and we will not promise "hypoallergenic" or "healthier" to close a sale.
A mix is also not a size gimmick. That distinction matters, and it is the next section.
Why we refuse 'mini, imperial and teacup' labels
"Mini", "imperial" and "teacup" are marketing terms, not breeds, and we refuse to sell or label puppies with them. Deliberately breeding for undersize, or selling a runt under an exotic label, trades a dog's health for a price premium; some Singapore listings do exactly that.
A correctly sized Shih Tzu is 4 to 7.5 kg and about 20 to 28 cm: already flat-sized. If a smaller number on the scale is the goal, we will talk you out of it; the full story is in the truth about mini and teacup Shih Tzus.
Size, without the labels
- Adult weight: about 4 to 7.5 kg
- Height: about 20 to 28 cm
- Size stabilises around 10 to 12 months
- "Teacup" pricing is a red flag, not a premium
The lion dog at home
The Shih Tzu is a sturdy, outgoing companion, not a fragile ornament. Bred for a thousand years to sit beside people, it is famously good with children and the elderly, calm indoors, and content with short walks; the whole package is built for flat living.
Two honest notes. There is a stubborn streak, so toilet training takes longer than the internet promises, which is exactly why a free lesson with an AVS-certified trainer is included. And this is a companion breed: it wants you around, so build alone-time up gradually rather than starting with ten-hour days.
We would rather talk you out of the wrong breed than sell you the wrong dog.
Is a Shih Tzu right for your home?
Young family, 4-room flat
Sturdy enough for supervised play with kids, calm enough for nap time. The grooming budget is the real question, not the space.
Retiree couple
Low exercise needs, affectionate, happy on a lap through the afternoon. Owners commonly report the breed settles beautifully with elderly households.
Working couple
Doable once the dog is adult and the flat stays cool, but a puppy needs midday attention. Be honest with us about your hours and we will be honest back.
Wrong fit, honestly
Want a jogging partner, or zero grooming? The flat face rules out midday runs and the coat needs a groomer on retainer. We will point you to a better-suited breed instead.
How the Shih Tzu compares with the other HDB toys
Most buyers cross-shop the Shih Tzu against the other HDB-approved small breeds, so here is our honest one-line take on each. We place Shih Tzus, but the right dog for your household matters more to us than this sale.
| Breed | Compared with the Shih Tzu |
|---|---|
| Shih Tzu | The sturdy, regal, easygoing companion; the catch is grooming labour and the flat-face heat profile |
| Maltese | Smaller, softer and more delicate; better for calm, mostly-home households |
| Toy Poodle | The sharp, biddable athlete; easier to train, needs more mental work |
| Pomeranian | The bold, foxy spitz; more vocal, more coat blow, big personality |
| Bichon Frise | The bouncy cotton companion; similar grooming load, springier energy |
| Maltipoo | The soft-touch cross; temperament varies more litter to litter than a purebred's |
If a line above fits your home better than the Shih Tzu does, follow it. That advice costs us a sale sometimes; it is also why families trust us with the ones we do place.
The flat face, honestly
A Shih Tzu is a brachycephalic breed: the short muzzle that gives the face its charm also brings a degree of heat intolerance, which matters in Singapore's climate. Practically, that means walks in the early morning or evening, aircon or a fan at home, and never a midday jog; vet charity PDSA's Shih Tzu health guidance covers the breathing and eye profile in detail.
The prominent eyes need daily attention too: a quick wipe, and hair kept out of them with a trim or top-knot. Every puppy we place is vet-checked with clear eyes and open nostrils before homecoming; the flat face is a profile you manage, not a defect you ignore, and we would rather you plan for it now.
Designing around the climate
- Walks before 9am or after 6pm
- Aircon or fan during the midday hours
- Daily eye wipe, hair trimmed or tied up
- Vet-checked, clear eyes, before homecoming
Licensed shop vs cheap listing: the real price gap
A cheaper puppy from an unlicensed source is not a bargain. Smuggled puppies typically cross the Causeway without veterinary care, and parvovirus is the common result: a single treatment can run $5,000 to $10,000 with no guarantee of survival, against $500 to $1,000 "saved" upfront.
The law now reaches buyers too: one purchaser of a smuggled dog was fined $7,000 by NParks. The check takes one minute: every legitimate shop, including ours, is listed on the AVS public registry. If a seller is not there, walk away.
The one-minute check before any deposit
Ask for the seller's AVS licence number and match it on the registry. Ours is AS24J00046; we put it on every page for exactly this reason.
What happens after you message us
1
Message us
WhatsApp +65 8220 6408 and we reply with current availability, photos and the all-in price for each puppy.
2
Meet the puppy
Visit us at 2 Balestier Road #01-701, Singapore 320002, weekdays 12pm to 6pm or weekends 10am to 6pm. No pressure; the grooming talk happens here, before money does.
3
Reserve a puppy
A puppy deposit holds your chosen puppy, boarded free for up to 1 month, with vaccinations and deworming continuing on schedule at our cost.
4
Homecoming at about week 9
We deliver to your door, set up the playpen, hand over the 30-item starter kit and vaccination records, and complete the AVS licence paperwork with you.
The first week at home is mostly routine-building: pee-pad in the playpen, short calm introductions, walks in the cooler hours, a daily minute with the brush so grooming becomes normal early, and patience with a breed that housetrains on its own schedule. We stay on WhatsApp for all of it, the free training lesson slots into this window, and the 5-day bring-back-if-sick support plus ongoing care advice are in writing before you pay anything.
What owners say about living with one
Our own proof is aggregate and real: 45 five-star Google reviews for Curious Tails, and 30+ Shih Tzus placed. We do not publish invented testimonials, so the lived-in detail below comes from the breed's own community, attributed as such.
Recurring themes among Shih Tzu owners on r/shihtzu and Singapore pet forums: the daily brush is non-negotiable once matting bites, many switch to a practical puppy cut for the heat, and tear stains surprise most first-timers. None of these are dealbreakers; all of them are exactly what our grooming-readiness question is for.
Aftercare, in writing
- 5-day bring-back-if-sick support
- Free boarding up to 1 month after deposit
- First professional groom included
- Free AVS-certified training lesson
- Ongoing care advice on WhatsApp
Papers, health checks, and what we don't trade on
Every puppy goes home with a vet health check, vaccination records, a microchip, and breed identification. That is what actually protects a companion dog and its family.
What we do not do is trade on paper certification. A companion Shih Tzu does not need a certificate to be a healthy, purebred family dog, and we price on health and honesty rather than paperwork theatre.
Buying a Shih Tzu in Singapore: your questions
How much does a Shih Tzu puppy cost in Singapore?
Our Shih Tzu puppies are $3,888 to $4,888 all-in. That covers the vet health check, vaccinations, microchip, a 30-item starter kit worth $533, home delivery with playpen setup, a first professional groom, a training lesson, and the licence paperwork.
Are Shih Tzus HDB approved?
Yes. The Shih Tzu is item 48 on the HDB approved small-breed list, so it can be legally kept in a flat. The rules: one approved dog per flat, a mandatory AVS licence, and a fine of up to $4,000 for a non-approved dog.
How much does Shih Tzu grooming cost in Singapore?
Budget $75 to $120 per salon session, every 4 to 6 weeks, which works out to about $900 to $1,400 a year, plus a daily brush at home. We say this before price talk, and your first professional groom is included.
When can my Shih Tzu puppy come home?
At about week 9, roughly a week after the second vaccination in the weeks 6, 8 and 12 schedule. If your flat or travel plans need time, we board your reserved puppy free for up to 1 month after deposit, with vaccinations continuing on schedule.
Do you sell mini, imperial or teacup Shih Tzus?
No, and we never will. Those are marketing labels, not a breed; deliberately undersized dogs carry real health risk. A correctly sized Shih Tzu is 4 to 7.5 kg, already perfect for a flat.
Can a Shih Tzu be left alone while I work?
An adult copes with a normal workday if you build up to it gradually and keep the flat cool. A puppy cannot; plan midday attention for the first months. Owners commonly report the breed is a companion first, so daily together-time is part of the deal.
Do Shih Tzus shed?
Very little. The coat is hair, not fur, so it grows continuously instead of shedding. The honest trade is maintenance: daily brushing to prevent matting and a professional groom every 4 to 6 weeks for life.
How do I know you are a licensed seller?
Check us yourself. Curious Tails holds AVS pet shop licence AS24J00046, verifiable on the AVS public registry. Any legitimate Singapore seller appears there; one buyer of a smuggled dog was fined $7,000 by NParks.
Still deciding? Keep reading
Ready when you are
Litters are small and real, so a Shih Tzu for sale in Singapore this week may be reserved by the weekend. Message us with your household, your hours and your grooming budget, and we will match you to the right puppy, or tell you honestly to wait.
Daily brushing plus a $75 to $120 groom every 4 to 6 weeks: if that sentence did not scare you off, you are exactly who this breed is for.
WhatsApp usMeet your Shih Tzu
Come say hello at Balestier
2 Balestier Road #01-701, Singapore 320002 · Weekdays 12pm–6pm · Weekends 10am–6pm. Or message us first: tell us about your home and routine, and we'll tell you honestly if a Shih Tzu fits.
Not sure a Shih Tzu fits?
Tell us about your home, hours and grooming budget. If the breed is wrong for you, we will say so and point you somewhere better.
Read the grooming reality