If you’ve been thinking about buying a Shih Tzu, and who could blame you, you might be wondering how much does a Shih Tzu cost at PetSmart? It makes sense that you would want to buy a puppy at the place where you will most likely buy all your pet supplies. However, there is a problem with this idea.
How Much Does a Shih Tzu Cost at PetSmart?
The truth is, PetSmart doesn’t actually sell dogs or even Shih Tzus but don’t fear, there is a way to get a Shih Tzu at PetSmart.
Adopt A Pet | PetSmart Charities
While PetSmart doesn’t actually sell Shih Tzus, they do offer adoption days for all kinds of dogs as well as Shih Tzus.
You can go to PetSmart and see the dogs and puppies and even interact with them.
If you find one that you want to adopt, then you will have to fill out an application and have a home visit.
What this means is you can’t adopt a Shih Tzu as PetSmart and take it home with you right then and there.
There is a bit of a process that you will need to go through, but trust me, it will be worth it once you get your bundle of joy home.
Adoption fees will change depending on what part of the country you live in, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $250 dollars to $350 dollars to adopt a Shih Tzu through the PetSmart charities or elsewhere.
If you can’t find the Shih Tzu you are looking for at PetSmart the good news is there are other options.
Find Your Shih Tzu at PetFinder.com
A great place to adopt a Shih Tzu is PetFinder.com. This is where I got my Shih Tzu named Sammy. (You can learn more about Sammy here.)
Sammy was between 8 and 11 months old. They couldn’t nail it down any closer than that, but she was still a puppy.
Unfortunately, she had been badly abused and neglected. She was on death’s doorstep when she was rescued.
Her owner hadn’t fed her in a long time and she was trying to feed herself by eating sticks and dirt.
It was terrible.
Also, her paws were so matted that she couldn’t walk and she had bald spots on her back.
I don’t know how anyone could treat such a sweet puppy in this manner. It makes me furious, quite frankly, but don’t get me started on that.
Anyway, I was happy to be able to give her a good home.
The adoption fee was $250 dollars and well worth the money.
You may or may not be able to find a puppy on PetFinder.com. It will depend on what Shih Tzus are available at the time.
There are advantages of buying a mature Shih Tzu.
They will most likely be housebroken and trained.
If you are older or unable to take care of a bundle of energy that all puppies are, then an older dog might fit your lifestyle a bit better.
You might also enjoy:
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What Should I Know About Shih Tzus Before I Get One?
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Buying a Shih Tzu Puppy From a Breeder
Another option is buying your puppy from a Shih Tzu breeder. If you go this route you want to make sure that they are above board and treat their dogs well and aren’t a puppy mill.
Adopting is always the best choice when getting a Shih Tzu or any other dog, but if you want to go this route be sure to do your due diligence before buying.
I got my first Shih Tzu, Truman, from a breeder. (You can learn more about Truman here.)
I didn’t know about PetFinder.com at the time.
I went to their house and checked everything out. It was clear they weren’t a puppy mill.
They kept the few dogs they had inside their home and they were very well treated.
Truman was actually a litter of one, so he was pretty spoiled.
Cost of a Shih Tzu Puppy
If you decide to buy a puppy from a breeder you can expect to pay anywhere from $600 dollars to $1,000 dollars.
I have to admit it is fun to bring home an adorable little Shih Tzu puppy.
Of course, they are also a lot of work, and housetraining a Shih Tzu is never an easy or quick job.
I met Truman when he was a week old. The breeders also allowed me to come and visit him before he was old enough to take home.
That’s also a good sign that the breeder is reputable.
I brought him home when he was eight weeks old and he has been with me ever since.
Why You Should Never Buy a Shih Tzu From a Puppy Mill
You have to be really careful when you buy from a breeder or from a pet store.
Many of the puppies you see at pet stores have come from a puppy mill.
You could be paying $1,000 dollars for a dog that will have serious health issues during its life. Not to mention that its parents will be living in terrible conditions.
The mom will be overbred and even bred with its own siblings and offspring.
This also leads to health issues for the puppies.
Puppies that have grown up in puppy mills will not be socialized or have any human contact. This can cause behavioral problems for the puppy as it grows.
The fact is, puppy mills are the scourge of the planet, and you will want to do all you can to avoid them and the puppies they produce.
If enough dog owners do so, then perhaps one day, they will all be out of business.
Related Questions:
Do You Have to Pay to Adopt a Dog at PetSmart?
Yes, you do. The fee will depend on where you live and how much the specific adoption agency charges, but it will typically be at least $250 dollars.
Do You Have to Be 18 to Buy a Pet?
Yes, you do have to be at least 18 to buy a pet. If you’re under 18, your parent or guardian would need to purchase it for you.
What is the Right Age to Sell a Puppy?
A puppy needs to be 8 weeks old before it can be sold and go to its new home.
To Sum it All Up:
If you want to buy a Shih Tzu puppy, you will need to go to a reputable breeder. A better option is to check out PetFinder.com and rescue a puppy or adult Shih Tzu. You can expect to pay $250 to $350 for the adoption fees. PetSmart doesn’t actually sell dogs, but they do sponsor pet adoption days in their stores.
