Published pricing
How much a Shih Tzu costs in Singapore
The Shih Tzu price in Singapore runs from about $2,388 to $4,800 at licensed shops. Ours is from $3,888, all-in, and this page itemises every dollar of it: what the band includes, what other shops charge, and the real costs that follow. From Curious Tails, an AVS licensed shop.
How much does a Shih Tzu cost in Singapore?
A Shih Tzu at licensed Singapore shops lists from about $2,388 to $4,800 and above. At Shihtzu.sg the price is $3,888 to $4,888 all-in: a 30-item starter kit worth $533, the first professional groom, vaccinations on schedule, microchip, AVS licensing paperwork, home delivery with playpen setup, and a free training lesson. All-in means transparent pricing: no hidden costs, no hidden fees, the number you see is the number you pay.
From $3,888 all-in, every dollar itemised
What the $3,888 to $4,888 actually includes
Our all-in price for a Shih Tzu is $3,888 to $4,888, and all-in is doing real work in that sentence. How much is a Shih Tzu once every first-week cost is counted? With us, exactly what the sticker says, because the band covers the puppy plus everything a new owner normally pays separately: the starter kit, the first groom, the licence paperwork, the delivery, the setup, the training lesson.
No other Singapore listing publishes an itemised price breakdown of what the price includes, so here is ours, a line-by-line breakdown. Every puppy is vet-checked, microchipped, dewormed at each vaccination visit, and vaccinated on the week 6, 8 and 12 schedule before anything else is discussed.
The first professional groom is in there deliberately. Grooming is this breed's signature commitment, so the first $75 to $120 salon session is on us; it starts the every 4 to 6 weeks habit that keeps a Shih Tzu coat healthy in our humidity.
Itemised: what all-in covers
- Starter kit included: 30 items, $533 itemised value
- First professional groom included, on us
- Vaccinations at weeks 6, 8 and 12, deworming each visit
- Microchip and vet health check
- Licensing handled at purchase: AVS paperwork done
- Free home delivery with playpen setup
- Free training lesson, AVS-certified trainer
- Free boarding up to 1 month after deposit
- 5-day bring-back-if-sick support
What other Singapore shops charge
Market anchors first, clearly attributed and dated July 2026, because they are not our prices. OnlyPaws lists a Shih Tzu puppy price of $2,388 nett with a package it does not itemise. Wag A Tail has listed at $4,800. The Lovely Pets quotes a $3,000 to $7,000 spread with no criteria for what moves a puppy up or down it. That is the Shih Tzu price Singapore shops publish today: a licensed pet shop price spectrum wide enough to confuse anyone.
Read the price spread carefully. The cheapest Shih Tzu headline is a nett price with nothing itemised, and the price gap between shops is mostly an inclusions gap. Our published price band sits inside that market, above the cheapest headline and below the inflated ceiling, and it is value for money you can audit because every line is printed above.
| Seller | Listed price | What is published about inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Shihtzu.sg (us) | $3,888–$4,888 all-in | Itemised on this page, line by line |
| OnlyPaws | $2,388 nett | Package named, contents not itemised |
| Wag A Tail | Around $4,800 | No itemised breakdown published |
| The Lovely Pets | "$3,000–$7,000" | No criteria given for the spread |
| Carousell / Telegram sellers | Varies, often lower | Unverifiable; licence status unknown |
Why the same breed spans $2,388 to $4,800
Why prices differ is not mysterious once you know what moves them. The biggest lever is what is bundled: a bare handover costs less to sell than a package with a $533 starter kit, a groom, delivery, setup, boarding and aftercare attached. Shop overheads, vet spend before sale, and post-purchase support all sit inside the sticker.
What should not move the price for a companion buyer: paper claims. A purebred Shih Tzu placed as a companion pet needs a vet health check, health screening records, vaccination records, a microchip and breed identification, all of which come standard with every puppy we place. We do not trade on paper certification, and for a family pet that is exactly fine.
Colour and gender do not move our band either. We have placed gold and white, black and white, brindle, liver and liver and white, red and white, and solid black Shih Tzus, all inside the same $3,888 to $4,888. A shop charging a rarity premium for a colour is pricing marketing, not the dog. Coat length is a grooming choice you make later, not a price tier.
The "mini / teacup" premium is a red flag, not a tier
Some sellers price "mini", "imperial" or "teacup" Shih Tzus above the normal band. Those are size labels, not a breed, and deliberately undersized dogs carry real health risk. We refuse to sell or price on the label. If a premium is justified by a size word, walk away.
Checking availability costs nothing
If you are ready to buy a Shih Tzu Singapore has no shortage of listings; the difference is what stands behind the number. Litters change week to week, so the fastest way to a real quote inside the band is to ask. One honesty gate first, because we ask it of everyone: a Shih Tzu needs daily brushing and a $75 to $120 groom every 4 to 6 weeks, about $900 to $1,400 a year. Ready for that? Then message us on WhatsApp to ask about availability and current litters. No pressure, no deposit talk until you have the full picture.
From $3,888
All-in, published
$533
Starter kit value
30+
Shih Tzus placed
45
Five-star reviews
The costs that continue after purchase
The cost of owning a Shih Tzu is really two numbers: the purchase price, then the ongoing ledger that decides whether the dog fits your budget for its 12-plus year lifetime. Grooming leads that ledger. The grooming cost Singapore salons quote is $75 to $120 a session, every 4 to 6 weeks, roughly $900 to $1,400 a year per Singapore grooming price surveys.
Add small-breed food, the annual core booster from year 1 onward, licence renewal, and a buffer for vet visits, and the first-year cost beyond purchase lands near $2,000. The realistic monthly cost of a Shih Tzu in Singapore is around $150 to $250 once grooming is averaged in, before any insurance. Pet insurance is optional and adds a monthly premium on top; an emergency vet bill without it can run into four figures.
We put this table on a sales page on purpose. A family that budgets the whole ledger before buying keeps the dog.
| Cost | Typical figure |
|---|---|
| Professional groom, every 4–6 weeks | $75–$120 per session |
| Grooming per year | $900–$1,400 |
| Food, small-breed kibble | Roughly $60–$100 a month |
| Annual booster and health check | From year 1, yearly |
| Dog licence renewal | $13.50 a year (sterilised or under 5 months) |
| Realistic monthly all-in | About $150–$250 |
Grooming: the real second price tag
Honestly, this is the question we ask before we talk price at all: are you ready for the grooming? Hair not fur means low shedding but a high-maintenance coat, daily brushing to prevent matting in our humidity, and a groomer on retainer for the dog's whole life. The short muzzle adds real heat sensitivity in Singapore, which is one more reason the practical puppy cut rules here. PDSA's Shih Tzu care guidance sets the baseline; Singapore's damp heat tightens the cadence to 4 to 6 weeks.
Budget before you buy: if $900 to $1,400 a year on the coat does not fit, the purchase price does not matter, and we qualify grooming-readiness before we quote anyone. Read the full grooming reality, costed before you commit; it is the most useful page on this site for a budgeter.
Low shedding, high maintenance: budget the groomer before the puppy.
AVS licence fees, exactly
Every dog in Singapore must be licensed with AVS, and the fee tiers reward sterilisation. Your puppy goes home at about week 9, well under 5 months, so the first licence is the $13.50 a year licence tier, the cheapest on the schedule. We complete the licensing paperwork at purchase, so this is handled before handover, not left on your to-do list.
First-time owners also complete the short AVS pet ownership course before licensing. It is free and online.
| Dog | Licence fee |
|---|---|
| Under 5 months (your new puppy) | $13.50 a year |
| Above 5 months, unsterilised | $81 a year |
| Above 5 months, sterilised | $13.50 a year, or $35 one-time lifetime licence |
The cheap puppy that costs $10,000
The most expensive Shih Tzu in Singapore is usually the cheapest one. Carousell puppy listings and Telegram puppy sellers undercut licensed shops by $500 to $1,000, and the stock is often smuggled puppies from across the Causeway, sold without veterinary care. Parvovirus is the common outcome, and the parvovirus treatment cost is a $5,000 to $10,000 vet bill with no guarantee the puppy survives.
The law now reaches buyers too: one purchaser was fined $7,000 by NParks for buying a smuggled dog. Saved $800 on the sticker, then paid the $7,000 NParks fine; that is the real arithmetic of the bargain listing.
Verification takes one minute. Any legitimate shop appears on the AVS public registry of licensed pet shops. Our licence is AS24J00046; look it up before you pay anyone, including us.
Before you pay any seller
- Check the shop on the AVS public registry
- Ours: AVS licence AS24J00046
- Expect vaccination records and a microchip
- Expect a vet health check, not just photos
- No licence shown means walk away
What happens after you pay
To reserve a puppy, place a deposit; deposit and balance are the only two payments, with payment at collection for the balance. From deposit to handover, boarding with us is free for up to 1 month, and vaccinations continue on schedule at weeks 6, 8 and 12 with deworming at every visit, costs covered.
The puppy goes home at week 9 or so, about a week after the second vaccination. We deliver to your door, set up the playpen, hand over the 30-item starter kit and the records, and the AVS licence is already sorted. If you are in a flat, the breed is HDB-approved; the full HDB rules for a Shih Tzu and HDB's keeping-pets guidelines cover the one-dog rule and the licence requirement.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Deposit | Reserves your puppy; free boarding up to 1 month begins |
| Weeks 6, 8, 12 | Core vaccinations, deworming at each visit, costs covered |
| Week 9 handover | Home delivery, playpen setup, starter kit handover |
| At purchase | AVS licensing paperwork completed by us |
| First 5 days home | Bring-back-if-sick support, plus ongoing care advice |
Which buyer are you?
Two years of matching puppies to Singaporean families has taught us that the price question is really a fit question. So here is the honest routing, the same one we use on WhatsApp.
And sometimes the honest answer is: not yet. If the grooming budget is not there, wait. If reaching $3,888 means skipping vet care later, wait. A Shih Tzu is a 12-plus year commitment, and the wrong time is a worse problem than the wrong price.
We'd rather talk you out of the wrong breed than sell you the wrong dog.
| Your situation | Our honest advice |
|---|---|
| Budget-first, still doing the maths | Read the ongoing-cost ledger above before committing to any shop |
| Comparing shops on price | Compare inclusions line by line, not headlines |
| Tempted by a cheap unverified listing | Check the AVS registry first; the discount is the warning |
| Buying as a surprise gift | Slow down; the recipient owns the grooming for 12+ years |
| Grooming-ready and budget-clear | WhatsApp us about current availability |
What protects your money
Paying in the middle of the market should buy you protection, so here is exactly what stands behind our price. Every puppy leaves vet-checked, vaccinated on schedule and microchipped, with 5-day bring-back-if-sick support once home. Free boarding runs up to 1 month after deposit, and care advice is free for as long as you own the dog.
The proof is checkable rather than claimed: 45 five-star Google reviews at a 5.0 Google rating, 30+ Shih Tzus placed with Singapore families, 2+ years operating as an AVS licensed pet shop, and a licence you can verify on the AVS registry. You can also visit the shop: our Balestier Road shop at #01-701 is open weekdays 12pm to 6pm and weekends 10am to 6pm. We publish the price band because we can defend every line of it.
5 days
Bring-back-if-sick support
1 month
Free boarding after deposit
5.0
Google rating, 45 reviews
2+ yrs
Operating, AVS licensed
The band vs the add-it-yourself route
Run the value ledger before deciding a lower headline is cheaper. Start from a bare $2,388-style listing and add what our band already includes: a $533 starter kit, a $75 to $120 first groom, delivery and playpen setup, a training lesson, licence paperwork time, and a month of boarding flexibility. The gap between the headlines narrows fast, and that is before support has any value to you at 11pm with a worried first-time-owner question.
That is what all-in pricing is for. Recently placed puppies in every colour we work with are on the Shih Tzu puppies page; availability changes weekly, so what you see there is representative, not a fixed shelf.
What a bare listing leaves you buying
- Starter kit and supplies: $500+ at retail
- First groom: $75–$120
- Transport home and setup: your time and cost
- First training session: separately booked
- Licence paperwork: yours to file
- Boarding flexibility and aftercare: none
Keep exploring before you commit
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Shih Tzu cost in Singapore?
Licensed-shop listings run from about $2,388 to $4,800 and above. At Shihtzu.sg a Shih Tzu costs $3,888 to $4,888 all-in, including the 30-item starter kit, first professional groom, vaccinations on schedule, microchip, AVS licence paperwork, home delivery with playpen setup, and a free training lesson.
Why are some Shih Tzus so much cheaper?
Usually a stripped package with no starter kit, groom, delivery or aftercare, or an unlicensed source. Compare inclusions, not headlines. A smuggled bargain risks a $5,000 to $10,000 parvovirus vet bill, and one buyer was fined $7,000 by NParks.
What does a Shih Tzu cost per month after purchase?
Budget about $150 to $250 a month. Grooming is the biggest line at $75 to $120 per session every 4 to 6 weeks, about $900 to $1,400 a year, plus food, the annual booster from year 1, and licence renewal.
How much is the dog licence and when do I pay?
Under 5 months the AVS licence is $13.50 a year, which covers your new puppy. Above 5 months it is $81 a year unsterilised, or $13.50 a year or a $35 one-time lifetime licence once sterilised. We complete the paperwork at purchase.
Is a deposit required, and when does the puppy come home?
Yes, a deposit reserves the puppy, with the balance at collection. Boarding is free for up to 1 month while vaccinations continue at weeks 6, 8 and 12, and the puppy goes home at about week 9 with delivery and playpen setup included.
Do mini or teacup Shih Tzus cost more?
Sellers price them at a premium, but "mini", "imperial" and "teacup" are marketing labels, not a breed. Deliberate undersizing trades a dog's health for a size word, so we refuse to sell or price on the label.
Does colour or gender change the price?
Not with us. Gold and white, black and white, brindle, liver, red and white and solid black have all been placed inside the same $3,888 to $4,888 band, both genders. Rarity markups elsewhere price the marketing, not the dog.
Is adopting a Shih Tzu cheaper than buying one?
Upfront, yes: adoption fees are far below any shop price. The ongoing costs are identical, especially the $900 to $1,400 a year of grooming. If adoption suits your home, it is a genuinely good route, and the budget maths on this page still applies.
Meet 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.
Still doing the budget?
Read the grooming reality first; if the second price tag fits, the first one will make sense.
Read the grooming reality