Maltese Shih Tzu – PetBudget | Pet Costs & Saving Tips

If you are planning on welcoming a Maltese Shih Tzu at home, you will need to account for several expenses. These include the cost of the puppy or dog itself, vet fees, training expenses, food, supplies, grooming and more. To help you budget and plan, we have developed a cost calculator that lets you estimate your monthly, yearly, and overall costs when it comes to raising a Mal-shi (crossbreed bred from a Maltese and a Shih Tzu). A Maltese Shih Tzu puppy is likely to cost between $830-$2,460 with the average price being $1,450. First-year expenses are around $4,065 and will be about $1,190/year (or $99/month) after that. Through the dog’s lifetime, the average cost of owning a Mal-shi is $18,345. These figures are based on essential expenses. Supplies, training cost, medical expenses, food, treats, grooming costs, license registration and microchip are included. Optional costs, such as sterilization and insurance, as well as dog walking and dog boarding could add up to these amounts. For example, if you spay/neuter your dog, buy pet insurance, send your dog to a boarding facility one week every year, and have it professionally walked every working day, your total cost of ownership could rise to $93,705 on average and should be in the $65,175-$125,810 range. If you are living in an expensive area and/or are planning to purchase high quality products and services, you will want to consider the higher end of the price range. The lower end of the spectrum indicates prices in less expensive areas. In the rest of the article, you will find a comprehensive explanation of the expenses that come with raising a Maltese Shih Tzu. At the end we have added a cost calculator that lets you assess your habits and needs, and ultimately, generate a much more accurate estimate as to the overall cost of owning this breed. Quick Links Maltese Shih Tzu puppy prices After reviewing more than 50 ads on sources such as NextDayPets and PuppyFind, 80% of the Mal-shi puppies were found to fall within the $830 to $2,460 range, with an average cost of $1,450. Some puppies were as high as $2,800. We only considered newborn to 6 months old puppies in the research. Puppy CostRangeAverage CostMaltese Shih Tzu$830 - $2,460$1,450 Adoption is a much more affordable option, with rehoming or adoption fees typically ranging from $50 to $500. If you are planning on adopting or purchasing a Maltese Shih Tzu, we strongly recommend doing some research and finding a shelter or breeder with a good reputation. This will contribute to the wellbeing of your dog. Puppies Price Range Ads Reviewed$400 - $8006$801 - $1,20016$1,201 - $1,6009$1,601 - $2,00015$2,001 - $2,4001$2,401 - $2,8006Total53 This data is 100% original and has been collected by PetBudget's team. Supplies for a Maltese Shih Tzu Maltese Shih Tzu and other small dogs in general require their owner to have many supplies. Through the course of the first year, one can expect to spend $150-$650 depending on product quality, store choice and location. We have analyzed 250 products, mostly best sellers from PetSmart, Walmart, and Amazon, to come up with these figures. Supplies PricesRangeAverage CostFood & Water Bowls$5 - $20$15Dog Collars (x2) $5 - $40 $20Leash $5 - $20 $10ID Tag with Phone Number $5 - $20 $10Dog Bed (24" or 30") $15 - $65 $35Dog Crate (24" or 30") $20 - $80 $40Plastic Poop Bags (900-1080) $15 - $110 $55Pooper Scooper $10 - $30 $20House Training Pads (75-100) $15 - $45 $25Stains and Odors Removal Spray $5 - $20 $10Toys $15 - $50 $30First-Aid Kit $15 - $50 $30Brush $5 - $45 $15Shampoo $5 - $20 $10Tooth-brushing Kit $5 - $15 $10Toenail Clippers $5 - $20 $10 After the initial investment, the price of supplies eases up considerably. Each subsequent year entails expenses ranging from $55-$260, with an average cost of $140. This accounts for all the things that you will need replenishing of stock, such as toys, a bed, shampoo, poop bags, tooth brushing kit. Total Supplies CostRangeAverage CostFirst Year$150 - $650$345Subsequent Years$55 - $260$140 Additionally, you may require things that are not accounted for here, such as clothing/shoes, a play pen, fences, muzzles, harnesses, etc. These items are bound to push your expenses higher, so keep that in mind when planning your finances. A commonsense tip for saving would be to check second-hand websites or stores for cheap equipment. The cost of training a Maltese Shih Tzu According to dog trainer and animal behaviorist Alexa Diaz, Ph.D., Mal-shis would benefit from professional training. To this end, Alexa highly recommends private training for positive leadership, house manners as well as crate/potty training and group lessons for basic obedience, socialization with other people and dogs outside the home, barking, and jumping. Also know that Maltese Shih Tzu can sometimes be stubborn and hard to train. Generally, 5-7 private lessons should be enough for a Maltese Shih Tzu and will cost $750-$1,000 to which you should add five 1-hour group sessions that will likely be $150 to $200. Training CostRangeAverage CostMaltese Shih Tzu$900 - $1,200$1,050 Picking up training books can be an inexpensive help, provided you have the time to commit to training your Maltese Shih Tzu. Veterinary costs for a Maltese Shih Tzu Licensed veterinarian Leslie Brooks (DVM) has helped us highlight all the important medical expenses that come with owning a Maltese Shih Tzu. On average, expect to spend around $590 for the first year on veterinary fees and $465 every year after that. These expenses may vary depending on location as well as your dog’s age and health condition. Medical CostRangeAverage CostFirst Year Vet Cost$385 - $795$590Spay/Neuter (optional)$50 - $300$175Adult Year Vet Cost$280 - $645$465 Medical cost for the first year with a Maltese Shih Tzu Experts like Leslie Brooks typically suggest a minimum of three trips to the vet through the course of the puppy’s first year, with the first visit being scheduled when the puppy is around 8 weeks of age. Each appointment should cost you anywhere between $65 and $170. At her clinic, these include physical checkups, vaccines (including rabies), heartworm prevention, flea prevention and a fecal examination. Additionally, Dr Brooks suggests continuing with heartworm and flea medication after the initial visits, which are $50-$105 and $70-$105 for the rest of the year. Moreover, the dog may need vaccines that depend on lifestyle and activities: Leptospirosis if the dog is exposed to wildlife or taken on camping/hiking trips often ($15-$25 but is sometimes included in the appointment fees with the other essential vaccines).Influenza is recommended if the dog is boarded or kept in a daycare for extended periods of time ($70-$90 for initial dose and booster shot).Lyme if your Mal-shi is exposed to ticks when camping, hiking, or staying in a wooded area or on a farm ($60-$80 for initial dose and booster shot). As your Maltese Shih Tzu grows, a neutering or spaying procedure may be considered. Generally, these cost $100-$300, depending on your locality as well as the clinics therein. Keep in mind that spays are usually slightly more expensive. Some low-cost clinics also provide sterilization services for as low as $50. Veterinary expenses for an adult Maltese Shih Tzu Generally, your adult dog will require at least one trip to the vet for every year. This falls in the $125-$265 range, depending on your clinic and the services provided. This usually includes the annual exam and vaccines, heartworm test and blood work (to detect any hidden medical conditions for older dogs especially). Leslie Brooks, DVM, recommends following through with heartworm and flea prevention medication, which usually fall in the $55-$70 and $100-$150 ranges respectively for the year. Additionally, optional lifestyle vaccines may also command annual booster shots ($15-$45 each), and a fecal examination may be required if the pet is regularly exposed to other animals or has inconsistent stool quality, adding another $40-$50 to the total. Possible Maltese Shih Tzu health issues Maltese Shih Tzu are subjects to some potential medical problems throughout the course of their life according to Dr Brooks. Health ProblemLikelihoodTreatment Cost EstimatePatellar LuxationHigh$300 - $2,000Dental DiseaseHigh$400 - $800Mitral Valve DiseaseMedium$300 - $800AllergiesHigh$80 - $2,000 per yearCollapsing TracheaHigh$250 - $4,500 Patellar luxation: the low end is just for pain management as needed and joint supplements. The high end is if surgery is required (if it is causing the dog a lot of pain and if it cannot get its knee back in place on its own). Dental disease: this is the cost estimate for the dental procedures to clean the teeth and remove any infected teeth if needed. It typically needs to be done multiple times throughout the dog's life. Mitral valve disease of the heart: the high end of the range is if an echocardiogram needs to be done on top of x-rays and lifelong medications expenses. Allergies: this depends if the pet has allergies throughout the year or just 1-2 flare-ups per year. It would also depend on the owner's decision to proceed with allergy testing and injections. Note that the pet may also need to be fed prescription food, which can easily be as high as $75 per month. Collapsing trachea: the owner can expect to pay $250-$450 for diagnostic x-rays and medications to control symptoms. If the condition is severe enough, surgery might be needed and could cost $3,000 to $4,500. However, surgery is usually not recommended due to many severe complications post-surgery. Dog insurance The North American Pet Health Insurance Association’s latest State of the Industry Report marks the average price of insurance for both accident and illness coverage at $565 per annum, while $190 is the average cost for accident-only plans. This can be particularly important and may help you save a lot of money in the long run. The cost to feed a Maltese Shih Tzu Maltese Shih Tzus are some of the smallest dogs around and grow to be 9 lb. on average (usually 6 to 12 lb.). As a result, Mal-shis tend to consume close to 70 lb. of dry food per year. This puts food-related yearly expenses in the $50-$130 range for a puppy and $45-$135 for an adult. These figures are based on the prices of four popular dog food brands detailed below. Yearly Food CostRangeAverage CostPuppy$50 - $130$85Adult Dog$45 - $135$80 Daily treats to reward your dog can add another $40-$240 to yearly expenses, based on the price of more than 25 best-selling treats seen at Walmart, PetSmart and on Amazon. Naturally, expenses will depend on the quality of food or treats you buy, premium grade brands being considerably more expensive. Treats CostRangeAverage CostYearly Treats$40 - $240$150 Four dog food brands compared A Maltese Shih Tzu puppy will eat close to 70 lb. of dry food during the first year. Puppy Food BrandsQuantity per BagNumber of Bags / YearUnit PriceTotal PricePurina - Puppy Chow36 lb.2$27.78 (Walmart)$55.56Purina One - Smart Blend Puppy16.5 lb.5$21.98 (Walmart)$109.90Pedigree - Puppy36 lb.2$25.83 (Walmart)$51.66Blue Buffalo - Puppy30 lb.3$44.08 (Amazon)$132.24 A Maltese Shih Tzu owner should expect to buy around 70 lb. of food every year for his/her adult dog. Adult Food BrandsQuantity per BagNumber of Bags / YearUnit PriceTotal PricePurina - Dog Chow50 lb.2$22.98 (Walmart)$45.96Purina One - Smart Blend40 lb.2$40.36 (Walmart)$80.72Pedigree - Adult50 lb.2$25.83 (Walmart)$51.66Blue Buffalo - Adult30 lb.3$44.98 (Amazon)$134.94 Make sure to consult your vet on the type of food you should be giving to your dog. Example for a more expensive premium brand Royal Canin - Size Health NutritionQuantity per BagNumber of Bags / YearUnit PriceTotal PriceSmall Puppy13 lb.6$44.99 (PetSmart)$269.94Small Adult14 lb.5$41.99 (PetSmart)$209.95 This illustrates the price difference between budget-friendly and premium dog food. Grooming prices for Maltese Shih Tzu Our professional groomer, Corryne Smith, suggests that a Maltese Shih Tzu receives grooming 4 to 8 times a year, with a session typically ranging from $50 to $60. The price will depend on the services requested as well as the dog (health, age, coat, behavior). On average, this comes up to an annual cost of $340. Yearly Grooming CostRangeAverage CostMaltese Shih Tzu$200 - $480$340 Most professional groomers offer a bath, shampoo, hair removal (if needed), brushing, styling as well as nails, tooth, eyes, and ears care. DIY enthusiasts can find grooming equipment online for $75 on average. You will be able handle all your dog’s grooming needs from within the comfort of your own home, if you have the skill set and patience to do so! Additional costs to consider for your dog Additional CostsRangeAverage CostLicense$10 - $20$15Microchip$25 - $50$40 Dog Walking (per walk) $15 - $25 $20 Dog Boarding (per day)$25 - $85$40 Licensing Licenses usually fall in the $10-$20 range in the USA, depending on your location. If your Mal-shi is not spayed or neutered, the cost is likely to be a little bit higher. We strongly recommend licensing your dog, as it can be illegal, depending on local regulations, to own an unlicensed dog. Moreover, it makes identification and locating in the case of emergencies much easier. Microchip Microchips create a unique identification for your dog, allowing them to be on medical and emergency databases. Microchips are required in many U.S. states and will range from $25-$50. Dog walking If you cannot walk your dog during the day, Tamaria Reddick, a well-reputed dog walker and dog sitter with over 10 years of experience, highly recommends hiring a dog walker for a daily 30-minute walk. It is imperative that a Maltese Shih Tzu gets some sort of daily exercise as well as outdoor time. On average, these are affordable. A 30-minute walk usually costs between $15 and $25 ($20 to $50 for 1 hour) depending on your location. But you must be aware that those costs add up very quickly if you need a dog walker five days a week all year long. To find a dog walker in your area and validate the price, you can use apps like Rover or Wag. An owner might need to pay for private walks if the dog is not well socialized. These are obviously more expensive. Traveling In the case of extended travel plans, you can leave your Maltese Shih Tzu in the care of a dog boarding service. Budget $25 to $85 a day, depending on location, services, and time of year. During particularly busy stretches of the year, such as the holidays, you will need to book dog boarding services in advance, as you are likely to get much better rates when doing so. If you are on a tight budget, checking with any friends or family to see if they would be willing to host your dog is a good idea, especially since small dogs are more likely to be taken in by relatives for a few days than bigger ones. Finally, you might be able to take your dog with you, as many airlines and train companies offer special provisions to help move your pets. You will probably have to submit a formal request ahead of time. Moreover, the cost varies drastically, as it depends on several variables such as location, destination, mode of transport, etc. Yearly and monthly cost of a Maltese Shih Tzu The cost of a puppy during the first year The average cost for the first year when buying a Maltese Shih Tzu puppy is around $4,065 and usually ranges between $2,590 and $6,025. Note that most of the major expenses are required soon after buying your puppy. First Year CostsRangeAverage CostPuppy$830 - $2,460$1,450Supplies$150 - $650$345Training$900 - $1,200$1,050Medical$385 - $795$590Food & Treats$90 - $370$235Grooming$200 - $480$340License$10 - $20$15Microchip$25 - $50$40First Year Total$2,590 - $6,025$4,065 Depending on your situation you might also need to consider some of the optional costs below. Optional First Year CostsRangeAverage CostSpay/Neuter$50 - $300$175Insurance$350 - $780$565Dog Walking (30 minutes per day)$15 - $25$20Dog Boarding (per day)$25 - $85$40 For example, the average cost for the first year will be $4,805 if you spray/neuter the dog and have pet insurance. With additional services tacked on, such as dog walking (five times a week for 42 weeks) and boarding services (one week), these amounts can rise as high as $9,285 on average and range between $6,315 and $12,950 for the first year! Potential First Year CostRangeAverage CostWith Spay/Neuter and Insurance$2,990 - $7,105$4,805With Spay/Neuter, Insurance, Dog Walking and Dog Boarding$6,315 - $12,950$9,285 Yearly and monthly cost of a Maltese Shih Tzu for the subsequent years For an adult Mal-shi, supplies, medical expenses, food and treats, grooming and license renewal will run you anything between $630 to $1,780 with an average of $1,190 per year (or $53 to $148 with an average of $99 per month). Adult Year CostsRangeAverage CostSupplies$55 - $260$140Medical$280 - $645$465Food & Treats$85 - $375$230Grooming$200 - $480$340License$10 - $20$15Adult Year Total$630 - $1,780$1,190Estimated Monthly Cost$53 - $148$99 Once again, with insurance and additional services (dog walking five times a week for 50 weeks and dog boarding for one week), the average cost rises to $7,035 per year ($586 per month) and ranges between $4,905 and $9,405 a year ($409 to $784 a month). Potential Adult Year CostRangeAverage CostWith Insurance$980 - $2,560$1,755With Insurance, Dog Walking and Dog Boarding$4,905 - $9,405$7,035 Total cost of ownership of a Maltese Shih Tzu Using these figures detailed above and considering an average life expectancy of 13 years (usually 12 to 14 years), we estimate the total cost of owning a Maltese Shih Tzu to fall between $10,150 and $27,385, with an average cost of $18,345. Total Cost of Ownership (13 years)RangeAverage CostMaltese Shih Tzu$10,150 - $27,385$18,345 For those willing to spay/neuter their dog and pay for insurance the average cost of ownership will be around $25,865 and will range between $14,750 and $37,825. Finally, if five professional 30-minute dog walks a week for fifty weeks and one week of dog boarding are necessary every year on top of everything else, the total cost of ownership can be as high as $65,175 to $125,810 averaging $93,705 over the course of the dog’s life! Potential Total Cost of Ownership (13 years)RangeAverage CostWith Spay/Neuter and Insurance$14,750 - $37,825$25,865With Spay/Neuter, Insurance, Dog Walking and Dog Boarding$65,175 - $125,810$93,705 Thank you for reading us! Stay tuned for more information about pet costs, product reviews and saving tips. PetBudget Maltese Shih Tzu cost calculator The cost of a Maltese Shih Tzu – A summary in 7 questions 1- How much is a Maltese Shih Tzu puppy? On average a Maltese Shih Tzu puppy will cost $1,450 in the USA. Most puppies can be found between $830 and $2,460. The price will vary depending on the breeder and location as well as the dog’s bloodline, color, and age among other things. 2 – How much are dog supplies? A new owner can expect an initial investment between $150 and $650 in supplies when welcoming a small dog. Every year, the cost to renew some of them should be between $55 and $260. Prices vary depending on location, stores, brands, and products quality. 3 - Does a Maltese Shih Tzu need training and how much will it cost? Having a Maltese Shih Tzu professionally trained is usually recommended (both private and group training) and should cost around $900 to $1,200. For this breed, training should mainly focus on basic obedience, socialization, house manners, potty training, crate training, barking, jumping, and positive leadership. 4 - What is the cost of preventive medical care for a Maltese Shih Tzu? Preventive medical care should amount to around $385 to $795 for a Maltese Shih Tzu puppy during the first year and around $280 to $645 every adult year. This does not include a spay or neuter procedure (usually between $100 and $300). 5 - How much food does a Maltese Shih Tzu eat and how much will it cost? A Maltese Shih Tzu will eat around 70 lb. of dry food yearly (it varies for each dog and food brand). Annual expenses should be between $50 and $270 for a puppy and $45 to $210 for an adult dog. Other types of food and treats would increase the costs. 6 - How often should a Maltese Shih Tzu be professionally groomed and how much will it cost? A Maltese Shih Tzu should be professionally groomed 4 to 8 times every year. Most dog owners will not be able to groom the dog themselves. Each visit to a grooming salon should cost from $50 to $60 for this breed depending on the dog and the services offered. 7 – Are there any other expenses to expect? In the United States, a dog license usually costs between $10 and $20. The cost could be slightly higher if the dog is not spayed or neutered. Having the dog licensed is mandatory almost everywhere. A dog microchip costs $25 to $50 on average in the US and is generally implanted during a medical appointment. It is placed under the skin usually between the shoulder blades. Dogs adopted from a shelter or bought from a breeder sometimes already have a microchip. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association’s latest State of the Industry Report, the average annual price is $566 for accident and illness coverage plans or $190 for accident only plans. Dog walkers usually charge $15 to $25 for 30 minutes group walks and $20 to $50 for 1-hour long ones. Prices vary mainly depending on location. Private walks are more expensive. A dog owner should budget $25 to $85 per day for dog boarding services. Prices vary depending on location, time of the year, and the level of service among other things. To help you out, this guide contains all the primary expenses that are necessary to ensure your future dog's well-being. Make sure to take these considerations seriously before adopting or purchasing a Maltese Shih Tzu, as they are imperative to your dog leading a healthy, happy, and comfortable life in your home. Moreover, the dog should not be a financial burden on you or your family, so make sure to carefully read through each section to better understand the expenses that come with raising a Maltese Shih Tzu. Figures provided in this article are for informational purposes only. A dog owner should always find the actual costs applicable to his own situation before making any decision. References and Resources Leslie Brooks, DVM – Licensed VeterinarianMendi Baryzk, DVM – Licensed VeterinarianAlexa Diaz, Ph. D. – Animal BehavioristCorryne Smith – Dog GroomerTamaria Reddick – Dog Walker, Pet SitterOrthopedic Foundation for AnimalsThe American Kennel ClubNorth American Pet Health Insurance AssociationAssociation of Professional Dog Trainers This article is original content from PetBudget.