Find a healthy, well-bred Shih Tzu, and learn the eye care this breed needs and why no "imperial" or "rare color" is worth a premium.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu mix
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu mix
Shih Tzu mix
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu mix
The Shih Tzu is a sweet, sturdy little companion bred to sit in laps, not to work. Buying one well comes down to two things: knowing how much its eyes and coat need, and seeing past the "imperial" and "rare color" marketing.
This guide covers the eye care, the health, the coat and the "imperial" myth, a fair price, and how to avoid a scam. The Shih Tzus listed above update as sellers add new ones, so read on before you send anyone a deposit.
Short answer
The Shih Tzu's big, round eyes sit in a shallow socket, so they are easily injured and prone to problems. Plan for daily eye care, and learn the warning signs. The most important one to know is proptosis, where a bump or rough handling can pop the eye out of its socket.
Proptosis is an emergency. If the eye comes out of its socket, keep it moist and get to a vet within minutes; waiting can cost the eye. Because the socket is so shallow, never scruff or restrain a Shih Tzu hard by the neck.
Day to day, the bigger issues are dry eye and corneal ulcers. Dry eye, where the eye does not make enough tears, is common in the breed and needs lifelong drops. Stray lashes and inward-rolling lids rub the surface and cause ulcers, so any redness, squinting, or pawing at the eye means a vet visit.
The daily routine is simple. Wipe the corners of the eyes with a damp cloth each day. Keep the hair around them trimmed or in a topknot, so it cannot scratch the surface. A little care here prevents most of the trouble.
Short answer
The Shih Tzu is a flat-faced breed, but a moderate one, so it handles heat better than a Pug or Bulldog while still needing care on hot days. Watch the teeth in that small mouth, know the signs of a kidney problem some lines carry, and expect a long life of about 12 to 13 years.
Because of the short face, a Shih Tzu can snore and overheat, so go easy on exercise in hot weather. The same small jaw crowds the teeth, which makes dental disease the breed's most common health problem, so brush the teeth and plan for cleanings.
Two more to know. Some Shih Tzu lines carry renal dysplasia, where the kidneys do not form properly and can fail young. A puppy that drinks and pees a lot needs a vet check. And like other long-backed, short-legged dogs, the breed can have slipped discs in the back, so discourage big jumps on and off the furniture.
The Shih Tzu comes in every color, and the breed standard treats them all equally, so none is rarer or worth more. Liver and blue are not rare colors; they are dilute pigments that simply turn the nose and eye rims brown or gray instead of black.
"Imperial," "teacup," "tiny," and "miniature" Shih Tzus are not a real size or type. The breed club is clear that there is no "imperial gene", and breeding for an extra-small dog can bring extra health problems. A healthy adult Shih Tzu weighs about 9 to 16 pounds, and a premium for a smaller one is a red flag.
On the coat, plan for daily brushing down to the skin, or a professional groom every few weeks if you keep a puppy cut. A matted coat is uncomfortable and traps moisture against the skin, so most pet owners choose the shorter clip.
A responsible breeder follows the breed club's health tests: a yearly eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist, and a knee (patella) check. Ask for the certificates, and look the parents up on OFA.org.
Short answer
From a responsible, health-testing breeder, expect a rough 2026 estimate of $1,200 to $4,000, with show lines at the top. A much cheaper Shih Tzu, or one sold as "imperial" or "teacup," usually means corners were cut.
These ranges are estimates, since the AKC and breed clubs do not publish prices. The responsible-breeder price pays for the parents' eye and knee tests, vet care, and early socialization. For a wider view, read how to find a quality puppy within your budget.
Short answer
Most puppy scams start with a too-good price and a push to pay by gift card, wire transfer, or a payment app. Insist on a live video call with the puppy and its mother, and never send money you cannot get back.
The BBB has logged thousands of puppy scams that follow the same pattern: a deposit, then surprise fees for shipping, crates, or insurance. The FTC adds that only scammers demand gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps. Pay only with a method you can dispute. For more, read our guide on how to avoid puppy scams.
Short answer
A Shih Tzu is small, so food is cheap, but grooming, dental care, and eye care are the steady costs. Pet insurance is worth it, since the eyes can need treatment at any age.
The costs people forget are the groomer and the eye drops. Budget for both, keep up the daily eye care, and a Shih Tzu is an affordable, devoted companion.
Petmeetly connects you directly with people listing Shih Tzus, with no broker in the middle. The Shih Tzus available for sale are listed near the top of this page. Open to an adult dog instead of a puppy? Here is how to adopt a Shih Tzu.
Sources
Get answers to common questions about buying Shih Tzus responsibly
Their big, shallow-set eyes are prone to dry eye, corneal ulcers, and proptosis, where the eye can pop out of the socket from a bump or rough handling. Proptosis is an emergency. Clean the eye corners daily, keep the hair tied up, and see a vet for any redness or squinting.
No. "Imperial," "teacup," "tiny," and "miniature" are marketing words, not real sizes or types. The breed club says there is no "imperial gene," and breeding for an extra-small dog can add health problems. A healthy adult Shih Tzu is about 9 to 16 pounds.
No. The Shih Tzu comes in every color, and the standard treats them all equally, so none is rare or worth a premium. Liver and blue are not rare colors, just dilute pigments that turn the nose and eye rims brown or gray.
The breed club requires a yearly eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (a CAER exam) and a knee (patella) check. Ask for the actual certificates and look the parents up on OFA.org. A good breeder will also talk openly about the eyes.
From a responsible, health-testing breeder, expect a rough 2026 estimate of $1,200 to $4,000, with show lines at the top. A much cheaper puppy, or one sold as "imperial" or "teacup," usually means corners were cut.
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