How to Adopt a Shih Tzu in the United States | PetzLover
To adopt a Shih Tzu in the United States, apply to a Shih Tzu breed rescue or a local shelter, expect an application, references and often a home visit, and pay an adoption fee that usually includes vaccines, a microchip and spay or neuter. Rescue listings include many adult and senior Shih Tzu, and that suits the breed well: the AKC gives a life expectancy of 10 to 18 years, so an adopted adult can share many years with you.
This guide explains where to look, how the process works, what it costs, what health care rescued Shih Tzu often need and how to help your dog settle in.
Key points
- Breed rescues usually place Shih Tzu from foster homes, so fosters can describe daily life with the dog.
- Shelter fees are typically $50 to $300 (AKC); Shih Tzu breed rescue fees are often a few hundred dollars, sometimes lower for seniors.
- Expect an application, a reference check and a home visit before you meet a dog at many rescues.
- Plan an early vet visit for eyes and teeth, a fresh groom and a harness from day one.
Where can you adopt a Shih Tzu?
| Route | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Shih Tzu breed rescue | Volunteers foster dogs at home and screen adopters | Detailed knowledge of each dog; often a waiting list |
| Public or private shelter | Dogs are kept on site and adopted directly | Often faster, often lower fees; Shih Tzu mixes turn up too |
| Breeder retiree | A breeder places an adult show or breeding dog | Known history and health records |
| Private rehoming | An owner places their own dog | Full history if the owner is honest |
The American Shih Tzu Club has a rescue committee with contacts in several states, and many regional Shih Tzu rescues list dogs on their own websites. The club also notes that breeders sometimes have older puppies or retired adults that need pet homes. You can browse Shih Tzu for adoption by location, and owners placing their own dogs are covered in taking in a rehomed Shih Tzu.
Is an adopted Shih Tzu right for your home?
The breed standard describes a happy, affectionate, friendly and trusting companion, and the AKC lists the Shih Tzu among good breeds for apartments. Daily needs are modest: short walks, indoor play and company. The commitments are the coat, which needs daily brushing if kept long or a regular trim, and heat, which short-faced dogs handle poorly.
- Seniors suit quiet homes, but budget for more vet care.
- Adults often have a known temperament, though some come from neglect and need patience.
- Young dogs may still need house training; the AKC notes Shih Tzu can charm owners into skipping it.
- Homes with toddlers: the breed club warns that small dogs are easily hurt by young children, so many rescues prefer homes with older children.
How does the Shih Tzu adoption process work?
- Search rescues, shelters and listings, and save a search so you hear about new dogs quickly.
- Message the poster or rescue about the dog's health, behavior and why it needs a home.
- Fill in the application: household, landlord, work schedule, other pets, past dogs and your vet.
- Expect a reference check with your vet and, often, a home visit or video tour before you meet a dog.
- Meet the dog with everyone in your household, and introduce your own dog on neutral ground if allowed.
- Sign the adoption contract, which usually requires returning the dog to the rescue if it does not work out, and pay the fee.
Some Shih Tzu rescues add their own rules, such as no invisible fences or retractable leashes; read them before you apply. The other side of the process is covered in how to list a Shih Tzu for adoption.
How much does it cost to adopt a Shih Tzu?
The American Kennel Club puts typical shelter adoption fees at $50 to $300. Shih Tzu breed rescues set their own fees, often a few hundred dollars, with lower fees for seniors at some groups. Fees usually cover a vet exam, vaccines, a microchip and spay or neuter; paid separately, the AKC estimates spay or neuter at $50 to $300 and a microchip at $25 to $50.
Budget beyond the fee for grooming every few weeks if you keep a groomer, a harness, food, parasite prevention and a dog license where your city or county requires one. Compare with buying a Shih Tzu puppy, where breeder prices typically run $1,000 to $3,000.
What health care do adopted Shih Tzu often need?
- Eyes. Large eyes in a short face injure easily. A red, squinting or cloudy eye needs a vet the same day, and the AKC lists dry, irritated corneas from incompletely closing eyelids among breed concerns.
- Teeth. The breed club says crowded, misaligned and missing incisors are common, so many rescued adults need dental work.
- Breathing and heat. VCA Animal Hospitals lists the Shih Tzu among short-nosed breeds prone to airway problems and overheating; extra weight makes it worse.
- Kidneys. The AKC says Shih Tzu have an especially high incidence of renal dysplasia; increased thirst and urination are early signs to report.
- Coat. Dogs from neglect may arrive matted and need a short clip to start fresh.
What should you expect in the first weeks after adopting a Shih Tzu?
Many shelters use a 3-3-3 guideline: about three days to decompress, three weeks to learn your routine and three months to feel at home.
- Use a harness and an ID tag from day one; VCA advises harnesses rather than neck collars for short-nosed dogs.
- Keep walks short and cool in summer, and never leave the dog in a parked car.
- Start gentle, short grooming sessions with treats, especially if the dog is wary of handling.
- Return to house-training basics, with praise and a regular schedule.
- Book a vet visit in the first week or two and register the microchip in your name.
If problems continue after the first weeks, ask the rescue for help before anything else. Most would much rather advise than see a dog returned.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to adopt a Shih Tzu?
Shelter fees are typically $50 to $300, according to the AKC. Shih Tzu breed rescues often charge a few hundred dollars, sometimes less for seniors, and the fee usually includes vaccines, a microchip and spay or neuter.
Where can I adopt a Shih Tzu near me?
Try regional Shih Tzu rescues, the American Shih Tzu Club's rescue contacts, local shelters and adoption listings filtered by breed and location. Save a search so you hear about new dogs quickly.
Why do Shih Tzu rescues do home visits?
They want the placement to last, and many dogs in rescue have already lost a home. A volunteer checks for hazards, fencing and where the dog will sleep. It is a chance to get advice, not a test to fear.
Is it a good idea to adopt a senior Shih Tzu?
Often, yes. The AKC gives the breed a life expectancy of 10 to 18 years, so a senior can still have years ahead, and older dogs are usually calm and house-trained. Ask about eyes, teeth and kidney tests, and budget for more vet care.
Can I adopt a Shih Tzu if I live in an apartment?
Yes. The AKC lists the Shih Tzu among good breeds for apartment dwellers, and its exercise needs are modest. The bigger questions are grooming time, keeping the dog cool and who is home during the day.
Should I adopt a Shih Tzu or get a free one?
Adoption usually includes vet work, screening and a return policy, which suits first-time owners. A free dog can work well too if you check it carefully; see how to get a free Shih Tzu safely.
Helpful guides
Pet for AdoptionHow to List a Shih Tzu for Adoption in the United StatesWrite adoption criteria for each Shih Tzu, set a fee that reflects vet work, describe eyes, teeth, breathing and coat honestly, screen adopters with an application and home check, and follow up.
Pet for SaleHow to Buy a Shih Tzu Puppy in the United StatesPick a Shih Tzu breeder who shows the parents' eye and patella results, keeps puppies to about 12 weeks and gives a written contract; expect typically $1,000 to $3,000 and avoid imperial or teacup sellers.
Pet for SaleHow to Sell Shih Tzu Puppies in the United StatesCheck federal, state and local rules, health-test the parents, keep Shih Tzu puppies until about 12 weeks, price within the local range, and hand over in person with a contract and full records.
Pet for FreeHow to Get a Free Shih Tzu Safely in the United StatesMeet a free Shih Tzu and its owner in person, check eyes, breathing, teeth and coat, get the vet records, never pay shipping fees, and budget for grooming and vet care the dog may have missed.
Pet for FreeHow to Give Away a Shih Tzu for Free Without Risk in the United StatesContact your breeder or a Shih Tzu rescue first; if you list the dog yourself, screen applicants on grooming, children and heat, sign a short rehoming contract and hand over in person with the records.
Pet for RehomingHow to Take In a Rehomed Shih Tzu in the United StatesAsk the owner about the Shih Tzu's eyes, teeth, breathing, kidneys, grooming and behavior, meet it at home, check the microchip, pay any modest fee only at handover, and allow weeks for it to settle.
Pet for RehomingHow to Rehome Your Shih Tzu Responsibly in the United StatesAsk your breeder or a Shih Tzu rescue first; if you rehome privately, disclose health and grooming facts honestly, set a modest fee, screen applicants, and hand over in person with records and a signed agreement.
Pet for MatingHow to Find a Mate or Stud for Your Shih Tzu in the United StatesBefore mating your Shih Tzu, make sure both dogs have OFA-registered eye and patella results, a recent negative brucellosis test, sound breathing and size within the standard, and sign a written stud contract.
Pet for MatingHow to Advertise Your Shih Tzu for Mating in the United StatesFinish your Shih Tzu's eye and patella tests and a brucellosis test before advertising for mating, list results and terms honestly, screen the other dog for health and breathing, and use a written contract.
Pet WantedHow to Respond to a "Shih Tzu Wanted" Ad in the United StatesMessage the poster of a Shih Tzu wanted ad, ask about their home, children, grooming plan and vet, verify them by video and in person, refuse overpayments and shipping, and hand over with records and an agreement.
Pet WantedHow to Post a "Shih Tzu Wanted" Ad and Get Replies in the United StatesSay what kind of Shih Tzu you want, your budget, location and travel range, and describe your home and grooming plan honestly; insist on meeting the dog before paying and ignore imperial or teacup offers.