How Much is a Shorkie Puppy (PRICE & COST)?

Shorkie puppies, also known as Shorkie Tzu, are becoming increasingly popular. Here is a quick rundown on how much these designer puppies will cost.

A Shorkie will cost between $500 and $6,000. The price can change based on breeding rights, show quality, and papers. The current median cost of a Shorkie puppy is $1,000, with the average price being $800. The price of a Shorkie ultimately depends on what is wanted from this designer breed.

Here is everything you need to know about the cost of a Shorkie puppy and a bit about what you would be getting yourself into if you purchase one.

Cost of a Shorkie Puppy

The cost of a Shorkie puppy greatly depends on what you are looking for in one of these puppies. If you're just wanting one as a pet, you could be looking at a cost of about $300 to $800. If you are wanting a Shorkie Puppy with papers, you will spend $1,000 to around $2,000. For anything more, like breeding rights and show quality, you will pay $2,000 to about $6,000.

However, that's just the initial cost of a Shorkie Puppy. Once the puppy is yours, you will have to pay for grooming, food, vaccinations, and medical bills.

Grooming

Due to the Shorkie being a mix of a Yorkshire Terrier and Shih Tzu, it requires regular grooming. The nature of the Shorkie's hair is medium to long and curly. This means that it gets dirty very fast and can block the eyes, mouth, and ears. If the Shorkie is not regularly groomed, they can develop health problems.

Grooming rates vary depending on the size and breed of the dog. On average, for a smaller dog like the Shorkie, expect an average full-service appointment to cost about $40. However, there are really three main grooming options, each with its own pros, cons, and costs.

Going to a Groomer

This is the most common grooming method. It requires minimal effort on your part, as you simply need to take your dog to a groomer you trust and pick them up when they are done.

Mobile Dog Grooming

This option allows you to book an appointment with a groomer that will come to you. On average, this option will cost around $75. However, the groomer comes to you and can work on your dog in the comforts of home. Depending on your dog, this may be a good way to reduce anxiety and keep your dog comfortable.

Self-Service Grooming

This option is great if you know what you are doing and have the confidence to groom your own dog. A self-service station will cost you about $11 for a smaller dog like the Shorkie while providing you with everything you'd need.

You can also get the grooming tools yourself and groom your dog in the comforts of your own home. However, this could clog drains and not be the most fun thing in the world for you. A grooming kit can be anywhere from $15 to $130 depending on the brand, exact tools, and specialty items you may want.

Food

Because Shorkies are smaller dogs, they need to be fed the right kind of food for their size. They need certain key nutrition to keep them healthy with a smaller kibble size to fit their smaller mouths. Be sure to look for high-quality ingredients to give your pup what it needs to stay healthy.

Dry kibble is crucial to keeping your Shorkie healthy. While other foods are okay every once and a while, a Shorkie needs dry kibble to help its teeth stay healthy and strong. Because a Shorkie is a small dog breed, they are prone to tooth problems and need all the help they can get to keep a healthy mouth.

On average, a bag of kibble will be anywhere from $10 to $20. If you want something on the higher end or more specific to your Shorkie, you will spend about $20 to $60 per bag of kibble. Depending on what you want from your puppy, the extra cost may be worth it.

It is also important to keep an eye on your Shorkies weight in order to keep it in prime condition. With ample exercise and a healthy diet, you shouldn't have too much trouble keeping your Shorkie at a healthy weight.

Medical

The Shorkie is prone to the same medical problems as the Yorkie and Shih Tzu. While both breeds are generally healthy, it is not uncommon for them to be more prone to some sicknesses than others. Medical bills can get expensive, so keep your Shorkie as healthy as you can. Here are the main diseases you need to watch out for.

Glaucoma

This disease affects the eyes. It can be seen as excess discharge from the eyes and lots of itching or irritation. It is treated with prescription medicine and pain killers. Catching it in time can save your dog from blindness.

Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome

This syndrome affects the lungs and causes your dog to have audible noise when breathing, grow more tired, and maybe even faint or collapse after exercise. Obesity greatly increases the risk of this disease.

Dental Disease

Dental Disease is the beginning of worse diseases. It affects the teeth and causes bad breath. It is a build-up of plaque that eventually erodes the teeth and makes them weak which can lead to chipping and breaking. It is treated by brushing your dog's teeth.

Lens Luxation

This affects the lens of the eye, which weakens and breaks either falling into the eye or away from it. This causes discomfort in your dog's eye and can lead to Glaucoma. In order to prevent this, keep an eye on your dog's eyes to see if they change. Sadly, only surgery can fix it.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is the lack of sugar in the blood. This can be seen in your dog in a variety of ways, most of which revolve around weakness in the muscles and lack of energy to do things your dog normally does. This can become serious and should be looked out for. A quick solution to keep your dog conscious while taking it to the hospital is honey or corn syrup on their gums. Treatments vary depending on the severity and possible cause.

Cindy J.

Cindy is a prolific writer and online researcher who can't imagine life without dogs. There is scarcely a dog topic she has not researched or written about. Her love for dogs and helping dog parents is evident by the thousands of dogtemperament.com visitors who read her articles monthly. Most of all, each topic Cindy writes on helps forge a stronger bond and understanding between her and her happy Catahoula Leopard Dog Jossie.