AVS Licensed Pet Shop in Balestier
Shih Tzu Puppies for Sale in Singapore
5.0 from 41 Google reviews
Shih Tzu prices in Singapore commonly run $2,000 to $5,000. Ours are $3,988 to $5,288, with the $500+ starter kit, free home delivery and setup, and a free first training lesson already in the price.
From $3,988 all-in. HDB-approved. No add-ons quietly billed later.
- AVS licensed · AS24J00046
- 41 five-star reviews
- HDB-approved companion breed
Shih Tzu
Available Shih Tzu Puppies
A few of the Shih Tzu puppies looking for a home right now. Litters move fast, so tap any pup to WhatsApp us for its latest photos, video, and full price, or to arrange a viewing at our Balestier shop.
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Looking to Buy a Shih Tzu in Singapore?
Our Shih Tzu puppies in Singapore arrive and are reserved quickly, so we keep availability live on WhatsApp rather than on a page that goes stale. As an AVS licensed pet shop in Singapore, we'll send you photos, gender, age, colour, and exact prices for the Shih Tzu puppies available now.
Unlike most listings you'll compare us against, we tell you the number upfront: every Shih Tzu for sale in Singapore here is between $3,988 and $5,288, and what you see is the full price. Book a puppy viewing appointment at our Balestier shop to meet them in person, or after you reserve with a deposit we board your puppy for free, food and lodging covered, until your home is ready.
Ask for current Shih Tzu photos and prices, or meet our Shih Tzu puppies at our Balestier pet shop in person, with free home delivery in Singapore once you reserve.
What is a Shih Tzu?
The Shih Tzu is a small companion breed of roughly 4 to 7.5 kg, bred for centuries in Chinese palaces to do exactly one job: be excellent company. It carries a long, low-shedding coat, a short muzzle, and one of the most tolerant, affectionate temperaments in the small-dog world, with a lifespan of 12 to 16 years.
Curious Tails is an AVS licensed pet shop at 2 Balestier Road. We match by lifestyle first, and the Shih Tzu is one of our easiest recommendations: sturdy enough for families, calm enough for seniors, low-shedding, and HDB-approved.
Verify our licence on the AVS public registryShih Tzu at a glance
- Bred as a palace lapdog; company is the job
- Roughly 4 to 7.5 kg fully grown
- Long, low-shedding, hair-like coat
- Famously tolerant with children
- 12 to 16 year lifespan
Sizes vary by line; ask us about a specific puppy's expected adult weight.
Why Singapore families get their Shih Tzu from Curious Tails
- five-star Google reviews
- 41
- Shih Tzu pricing starts here, all-in
- $3,988
- starter kit included free
- $500+
- years in Balestier
- 2+
five-star Google reviews
Shih Tzu pricing starts here, all-in
starter kit included free
years in Balestier
Shih Tzu Temperament: A Thousand Years of Being Good Company
Some breeds were shaped to herd, hunt or guard, and keep those instincts in a flat. The Shih Tzu was shaped for centuries to sit with people and be pleasant about it, and that history is exactly what you live with: an affectionate, even-tempered, slightly comic companion that likes everyone it meets and holds no strong opinions about squirrels.
The honest part, from two years of matching puppies to families: the Shih Tzu's one training quirk is a gentle stubborn streak. It isn't defiance; it's a lapdog's honest confusion about why anyone would do anything on command. Short, cheerful, treat-led sessions work; drill-sergeant repetition doesn't. Toilet training in particular takes a few weeks longer than a Poodle cross, and knowing that upfront saves frustration.
With children the Shih Tzu is one of our safest picks: sturdier than the true toys and famously tolerant. If you want the same family fit with faster trainability, compare the Cockapoo.
Can a Shih Tzu Be Left Alone During Work Hours?
Better than most companion breeds. A Shih Tzu's idea of a good Tuesday is a long nap in a cool room with water nearby, which happens to describe a working household's weekday perfectly. With a safe playpen and a settled routine, most Shih Tzus handle 8am to 6pm calmly once matured into it.
The condition is temperature, not company: the room it stays in must stay cool and ventilated, because this flat-faced breed does not sweat out a Singapore afternoon the way other dogs do. Fan or aircon, shaded from the west sun, water always topped up.
Good fit if
- Family with children, or a quieter senior home
- You want low-shedding without high energy
- Working household with a cool room for the day
Shih Tzu Size, Coat and Lifespan
Honest numbers for the breed that invented the lap.
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Adult weight | Roughly 4 to 7.5 kg; sturdier than the true toy breeds |
| Height | Around 20 to 28 cm at the shoulder |
| Coat | Long, dense, hair-like and low-shedding; gold, black, liver, brindle and white combinations |
| Lifespan | 12 to 16 years with good care |
| Exercise | About 20 to 30 minutes of gentle walking a day, in the cool hours, plus indoor play |
| Shedding & allergies | Very low-shedding; one of the classic picks for allergy-sensitive homes |
The 4 to 7.5 kg range makes the Shih Tzu a sweet spot: small enough for any flat, sturdy enough for family life. If you're comparing low-shedding companions by size, the Maltese is the daintier option and the Cavapoo the livelier one.
Shih Tzu Price in Singapore: What You'll Pay and What's Included
Most shops make you WhatsApp them just to learn the number. Here's ours in writing: $3,988 to $5,288, all-in.
Typical Singapore market
- Shih Tzu price commonly $2,000 to $5,000
- Price usually not published; enquiry required
- Rare colours and markings priced at a premium
- Starter supplies, training and delivery charged separately
Curious Tails
- $3,988 to $5,288, printed right here
- $500+ starter kit with 30+ items included
- Free home delivery with the playpen set up before you arrive
- Free first lesson with an AVS-certified trainer, plus free boarding after deposit
Why is our price printed? We don't carry the marketing spend the bigger names do, and we'd rather win on value and word of mouth. Compare the full picture on our transparent puppy pricing page, and plan the ongoing costs with the first-year puppy budget guide.
The $500+ Starter Kit Every Shih Tzu Goes Home With
Every Shih Tzu leaves us with a starter kit worth $500 and up: more than 30 items across eight categories, a playpen, a carrier, grooming tools, small-breed puppy food, outdoor gear, toilet training supplies, oral health care, and toys. For this breed the grooming tools and the eye and face wipes earn their keep daily, and the oral care items matter because short-muzzled jaws crowd teeth.
On delivery day, Nelson or Kim walks you through every item: how to use it, and how it fits into your Shih Tzu's daily care. Most of the questions new owners would otherwise ask later are answered before we leave your home.
See the full 30+ item kit breakdown, category by category.
Is a Shih Tzu Right for Your Lifestyle?
We ask about your routine before recommending any breed. Here's the honest short version for a Shih Tzu.
| Your situation | Our honest take |
|---|---|
| Family with young children | Great fit. Sturdy for its size and famously tolerant; one of our first recommendations for families |
| Senior or quieter household | Ideal. Modest exercise needs and a calm, affectionate default setting |
| Working household with a cool room | Good fit. Handles alone time better than most companions; temperature is the real requirement |
| Allergy-sensitive household | Great fit. One of the classic low-shedding breeds |
| You want a jogging or hiking partner | Reconsider. Flat-faced breeds and endurance exercise don't mix, especially in our heat; look at the Corgi if you have private housing |
Not sure the Shih Tzu is your match?
We'd rather talk you out of the wrong breed than sell you the wrong dog. Message us your daily routine and we'll tell you straight.
Shih Tzu vs Maltese: Which Low-Shedding Classic?
The two old-money companion breeds, both low-shedding, both HDB-approved, both bred for laps. The honest differences: the Shih Tzu is sturdier at 4 to 7.5 kg and more tolerant of family chaos; the Maltese is daintier at 2 to 4 kg, silkier-coated, and leans harder on having its people around. Grooming effort is similar; both live in a puppy cut happily.
Pick the Shih Tzu for a family with kids or a home that's empty on weekdays; pick the Maltese for a lighter lap dog in a home with more daytime company. With us the price, the starter kit, and the aftercare are identical either way.
Weighing the two? See our Maltese puppies, or message us your routine and we'll tell you straight.
Quick comparison
- Shih Tzu: 4 to 7.5 kg, sturdier, better alone-time tolerance
- Maltese: 2 to 4 kg, daintier, wants more daytime company
- Same price, same starter kit, same aftercare either way
Keeping a Shih Tzu in an HDB flat
The Shih Tzu is named on the HDB-approved breed list, so you can keep one in an HDB flat. HDB allows one dog of an approved breed per flat, and the Shih Tzu's calm indoor manner makes it one of the easiest approved breeds to live with in one. Every Shih Tzu we place has its dog licensing completed at purchase, so the paperwork is handled for you.
Is a Shih Tzu HDB-approved? Yes, by name on the list, and it has been an HDB favourite for decades. Just mind the one-dog-per-flat rule, and if you already have a dog, message us first so we can check your situation.
Read HDB's guidelines on keeping petsThe rules in brief
- The Shih Tzu is named on the HDB-approved breed list
- One dog of an approved breed per HDB flat (AVS limits of ownership)
- Condo and landed homes: up to three dogs, subject to your estate's own pet rules
Source: AVS limits of ownership
Grooming: Long Coat, or the Sensible Puppy Cut
Left long, the Shih Tzu coat is a genuine commitment: daily brushing to the skin, a topknot to keep hair out of the eyes, and mats forming anywhere you skip. Almost every Singapore Shih Tzu lives in a puppy cut instead, and we recommend it without hesitation: brush 2 to 3 times a week, salon groom every 4 to 6 weeks, and everyone's happier, the dog included, in our humidity.
The daily non-negotiable is the face: those large eyes and facial folds need a quick wipe each day to prevent tear staining and skin irritation. The wipes are in your starter kit, and it takes ten seconds once it's habit.
Shih Tzu Health: What We Check Before You Take One Home
Every Shih Tzu goes home vet-checked, vaccinated, dewormed, and microchipped. The Shih Tzu health points worth knowing: the short muzzle means brachycephalic airway traits, so snoring is normal but laboured breathing after mild activity is a vet visit; the large, prominent eyes scratch more easily than most breeds', so anything weepy or squinty gets checked early; patellar luxation, the small-breed kneecap issue; and dental crowding in the short jaw, which the day-one oral care routine manages.
Feeding is simple: your puppy comes with the food it is already eating, and any change should be gradual over a week. For portioning guidance see the puppy health checks explained guide.
Living Flat-Faced in Singapore: The Heat Rules
The Shih Tzu's short muzzle is part of its charm and its one genuine vulnerability here. Dogs cool themselves by panting, and a flat-faced breed pants less efficiently, which in a climate that sits at 32°C by 11am means the heat rules are not optional: walk before 9am or after 6pm, never at midday; shade and water on every outing; and home means a ventilated, fan-cooled or air-conditioned room, not an enclosed balcony.
Follow those rules and the breed thrives here, as it has for generations of Singapore families. The signs to act on immediately: heavy relentless panting, a tongue gone very dark red, wobbliness. Cool water on the body, aircon, and the vet, in that order.
The heat rules
- Walks before 9am or after 6pm only
- Cool, ventilated room during the day
- Water available everywhere, always
Your Shih Tzu's First Week at Home
Day 0: we deliver, free, at a time that suits you, usually morning or evening. The playpen, bed, water, and toys are set up before your Shih Tzu explores the room, and we walk you through all 30+ starter-kit items in person. Learn more about how our free home delivery and setup works.
Days 1 to 3: keep it calm, cool and predictable. A fixed feeding routine, the toilet pads where we placed them, and the daily face-wipe habit starting immediately. Some night whimpering is normal adjustment.
Days 4 to 7: the routine sticks. Book your free first lesson with an AVS-certified trainer this week; the Shih Tzu's gentle stubborn streak is easiest to shape early. See what the free AVS-certified training lesson covers. For anything in between, you WhatsApp us.
What Curious Tails Owners Say
41 Google reviews, 5.0 average, and counting.
Read more about Nelson and Kim and how the shop runs, or see all reviews on Google.
Free Training, Free Boarding and Real Aftercare
The price includes a free first lesson with an AVS-Accredited Certified Dog Trainer, free boarding after your deposit until you're ready, and free ongoing customer service for care questions after the sale.
And the safety net we're asked about most: if your Shih Tzu falls sick within the first 5 days of going home, bring them back to the shop and we'll nurse them ourselves.
Included, no add-on
- Free first lesson, AVS-Accredited Certified Dog Trainer
- Free boarding after deposit, until you're ready
- 5-day sick-return guarantee
Buying safely: verify any pet shop's AVS licence first
Every legitimate pet shop in Singapore is listed on the AVS public registry of licensed pet shops. Search the shop's name or licence number before paying any deposit, to anyone; if a seller isn't on the registry, they aren't licensed, whatever the listing claims.
Curious Tails holds AVS pet shop licence AS24J00046. Check us first; an honest shop won't mind, and a genuine seller never will. Puppies sold outside licensed channels are often smuggled without vaccination, and buyers have been fined $7,000 for unknowingly purchasing one. Popular companion breeds like the Shih Tzu are smuggled often, so check twice here.
Search the AVS public registryBefore you pay anyone
- Search the seller on the AVS public registry
- Ask for the licence number; verify it matches
- Walk away from Carousell or Telegram sellers with no licence to show
Full walkthrough: step-by-step licence verification guide · SPCA on animal smuggling
Shih Tzu FAQs
How much does a Shih Tzu cost in Singapore?
Shih Tzu prices in Singapore commonly run from around $2,000 to $5,000 depending on colour, markings and shop. At Curious Tails, Shih Tzu puppies are $3,988 to $5,288, and that price already includes the $500+ starter kit, free home delivery and setup, and a free first training lesson with an AVS-certified trainer.
Is a Shih Tzu HDB-approved?
Yes. The Shih Tzu is named on the HDB-approved breed list, so you can keep one in an HDB flat. HDB allows one dog of an approved breed per flat, and we complete the dog licensing for you at purchase, so the paperwork is handled.
Can a Shih Tzu be left alone while we are at work?
Better than most companion breeds, honestly. The Shih Tzu was bred to be a calm palace lapdog, not a working dog, and that history shows: given a safe playpen, a settled routine, and a cool room, most Shih Tzus treat a quiet weekday as one long nap. Keep evenings and weekends warm and people-filled and the breed is content.
Do Shih Tzus shed? Are they good for allergies?
The Shih Tzu is one of the classic low-shedding breeds: its long coat behaves more like hair than fur, dropping very little. That makes it a strong pick for allergy-sensitive homes, alongside the Maltese and the Poodle crosses. No dog is truly allergen-free, so spend time with one at our Balestier shop first if allergies are severe.
Are Shih Tzus good with children?
One of the best small breeds for families, yes. At 4 to 7.5 kg the Shih Tzu is sturdier than the true toy breeds, and its temperament is famously tolerant and affectionate. As with any puppy, supervise young children and teach gentle handling; the free first training lesson covers how to set those habits.
How do Shih Tzus cope with Singapore heat?
This is the one thing to manage. The Shih Tzu is a flat-faced (brachycephalic) breed, so it cools itself less efficiently: walk in the early morning or evening, never at midday, keep water available always, and let it live in your cooler rooms. Managed that way, Shih Tzus have thrived in Singapore for generations; ignored, heat is a genuine danger.
Is an "imperial" or "mini" Shih Tzu a real, separate type?
No. There is one Shih Tzu breed standard, a sturdy little companion of roughly 4 to 7.5 kg. "Imperial", "mini", "teacup" and "tiny teddy bear" Shih Tzu are marketing labels, not recognised sizes, and you will see them used on listings to justify a higher price or a smaller dog. A puppy bred deliberately below the standard can carry the same fragility and health risks as any undersized dog. We quote you the honest expected adult size rather than a size label.
How do I look after a Shih Tzu's eyes and tear stains?
Those big, low-set eyes and the short face are part of the charm, and they need a little daily attention. Wipe gently under and around the eyes each day with a damp cloth to clear discharge, keep the hair trimmed or tied out of the eyes so it does not scratch, and watch for anything red, cloudy or squinty, which warrants a same-week vet check. The white fur around the muzzle can develop reddish-brown tear stains, worse in our humidity; the daily wipe and clean, fresh water keep most of it in check. We show you the routine on delivery day.
What happens after I reserve a Shih Tzu?
You place a deposit, and we board your puppy for free, food and lodging covered, until you're ready. Delivery is scheduled around your availability, and we set up the playpen and walk you through all 30+ starter-kit items before we leave.
Still comparing? See Singapore puppies ready for reservation, our full range of breeds, or Shihpoo puppies.
Visit or message us
Meet Our Shih Tzus at Balestier
2 Balestier Road #01-701 S320002 Singapore
Weekdays 12pm–6pm, Weekends 10am–6pm
Can't make the trip? WhatsApp us for current Shih Tzu photos and prices, with free home delivery across Singapore.
Still weighing your options?
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