I couldn't find a better place to put this question. I am thinking about buying a Shih Tzu and I wanted to know if anyone would know about the average cost I would be spending month to month on this dog and the upkeep of it. Or if anyone knew of any good websites that would help me answer all these questions.
Thanks

Just saw a report the other day that said to keep an average sized dog for 10 years cost on average $16,500 dollars. Pets are not cheep to keep or maintain. Pure breed's can be even more expensive due to inherent health problems.

I'm a cat person, but please consider getting a dog from a rescue organization. There are even shelters for specific breeds. I'm sure a dog person will show up soon to confirm this and to also encourage you to adopt a rescued Shih Tzu. Another plus besides helping the dog overpopulation is that you will be able to adopt a dog whose history is known and who may also be trained, saving you all sorts of grief and expense.

I have a black lab, a pitbull, and a cat, they were both resue from a shelter. They get groom, and with food alone me and my fiancé pays roughly around $350 month. Now when it comes time for shots it's way more.

My friend has 2 shih tzu and she spends roughly around $200 or less a month but this uncludes groomer fees too. You can save some money if you buy the dog food wholesale store like bj's, costco, etc.

Also, I wanted to add that you should put money aside each week in case your dog gets sick because vet aren't cheap.

My pitbull recently had to get undergo sugery one his front legs and that set us back $2800 and he has to have the othe leg done in 4 months.

Pets are like kids you never know when something is going come up and when it does it's going cost you.

Here are some zu rescue orginizations. I don't know if they're near you but you can check out the links;

http://www.jvars-shihtzu.com/Rescue/index.html

Shih Tzu Rescue Adoption and Education Safehouse

Here's some great info on the basic costs involved when owning a dog. Just click on the link;

http://www.edmontonhumanesociety.com...r&sub=dog_cost

Good luck, I hope you decide to rescue a dog, so many need a good home. :)

As the others have said, please adopt a Shih Tzu. There are hundreds of them in shelters right now. I can guarantee you that several of them had to die just today, because of overpopulation. Most times there is absolutely nothing wrong with them, there is just no room! There are MANY Shih Tzu specific shelters. I see you live in the Chicago area! I just researched Zu specific shelters in Chicago, and I found a ton of them! Some have puppies, if your heart is set on that. I will post a few links at the end, so you can get more info.

Please don't buy a dog from a pet store, unless there is someone there having a shelter rescue. Pet store puppies are bought from one of two places. A puppymill, or a backyard breeder. In puppymills, the dogs live in deplorable conditions, and the mothers are bred over and over until their uterus falls out! They live in extreme weather conditions, and in cages where they stuff many into one cage, so they have little room to move. Many of these dogs are born without limbs, eyes, or other defects. A puppy born to that poor mother will have many problems, even if he looks perfectly fine.

Backyard breeders know little of what they are doing. You don't know the care or treatment they've been given. These are amateurs, and this practise shouldn't be supported, as you don't know these people, and what research, if any, that they have done on the breed.

You will save a TON of money if you adopt a dog from a rescue shelter. A reputable shelter will have ensured that the dog is up to date on all shots, has a clean bill of health, and many will already have them micrchipped, or offer it at a reasonable fee. (about $30-$40)

A reputable rescue will also have the dog altered, which save you a great deal--not only on the price of altering itself, but will save you in vet bills further on down the road. Dogs that aren't altered have far many more health problems, behavioural problems, and a risk of cancer, than a dog that hasn't been spayed or neutered.

Some people are under the assumption that this is cruel to the dog, but actually it's quite the opposite. Unless someone is very schooled about their breed, and has done all of their research regarding genetics and such to breed to preserve a bloodline, this is just an untruth.

Your initial costs are likely going to be the highest, if you are looking at it as a monthly expense. Hopefully your rescue dog will already have all of the above mentioned things already taken care of, and all you will have to pay is the adoption fee (which can really vary) and then the initial items you will need.

-Collar and Leash
-Food and water bowls
-Quality Food (Many grocery store brands have a lot of filler, and are unhealthy--especially a store brand!)
-Dog license and ID tags.
-Crate (if you are crate training and/or Dog bed
- Toys and Chewey's etc.
- Grooming supplies (dog brush, comb, "dog" shampoo, nail clippers, etc.)
- Treats (for training)
- I would also recommend Pet Insurance. It could save you a ton in medical expenses!

Here is a link that has a ton of info!

Dog Supplies, What you need for your new puppy or dog

The rest is food, maintenance, and vet bills. Always be prepared for emergencies! Believe me, they can happen when you least expect them! My dog had to be taken to the emerg vet several times last yr.! Everything from an unexpected attack by another dog, a torn dew claw that was bleeding badly, a seizure, and among other things, a head on spray in the face by a skunk she thought would be fun to play with.

Here are the other links I mentioned. One Zu shelter is in Chicago, and the other is Pet Finder, which will direct you to other breed specific shelters in the Chicago area.


Shih Tzu Rescue Adoption and Education Safehouse

Illinois animal rescue and adoption assistance

This next link is not intended to offend, only to educate. There are so many people that just don't realize.

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/d...me-291557.html

Good luck! and please let us know when you get your new fur babe. :)

My personal expenses for keeping two Siberian huskies average around $75-100 a month not including the random treats, Heart worm medicine for two dogs, 60 plus tax for every six months so about 10 monthly, and that's just a typical, non-vet month without the need of professional groomers like a shi-tzu would need. You are going to need to consider spaying and neutering costs, vaccination costs, check ups, and any sickness's or emergencies.