If you are thinking about adding a Shichon to your household, your most pressing question is probably, “what is the Schichon price?”
The Shichon puppy price is between $1000 and $2000 from a reputable breeder, and $75 – $300 from a shelter or rescue organization (if you are lucky).
There are many factors to think about when you adopt a new pet, and the cost of your new best friend is certainly an important aspect.
This article will help you make smart financial decisions as you plan for your new Shichon.
In this article, we will walk you through the costs associated with breeders, adoption, rescue, grooming, feeding, care and annual medical bills.
What is a Shichon and is this Designer Dog Right for You?
Before we get too far into the financial commitments associated with a Shichon, let’s first talk about the Shichon dog breed.
What is a Shichon?
A Shichon, also known as a “Teddy Bear Dog,” is a designer breed that was created by crossing a purebred Shih Tzu with a purebred Bichon Frise.
The Teddy Bear Dog also sometimes goes by the name of Zuchon or Tzu Frise.
The breed was created to combine the affable personality of the Bichon Frise with the small size of the Shih Tzu.
Components of the Shichon Temperament
The Shichon temperament tends to be silly, playful, happy and friendly. They tend to be outgoing and sweet with new people, including kids.
They are energetic, and they need daily exercise and enrichment, but they can be happy in an apartment or small house due to their small size.
Shichons are low-shedding and hypoallergenic, so they are good for people with allergies.
Like many small breeds, Shichons can be tricky to housebreak.
Small dogs have small bladders and physically cannot hold their urine as long as larger dogs.
If you own a small dog like a Shichon, be prepared to make some accommodations if you work longs hours. You may need to explore options such as pee pads, a dog door, doggie daycare or a dog walker.
Shichon Cost – What is the Average Shichon Price from a Good Breeder?
The Shichon price can vary widely depending on the breeder.
In general, the Shichon puppy price is anywhere between $1000 and $2000.
However, the price can go a bit higher depending on the breeder and the bloodlines.
Specialized colors or sizes, such as a Giant Schichon, might have a slightly different price range.
If you decide to purchase a Shichon puppy through a breeder, you will need to do research to make sure you avoid scams, puppy mills and backyard breeders.
Finding a Good Shichon Breeder
Finding a humane, high-quality breeder will take time and effort.
However, it is definitely worth the extra time and effort to avoid internet scams, puppy mills and backyard breeders.
Never purchase Shichon puppies over the internet or from a pet store. You might be inadvertently ordering a puppy from a puppy mill or backyard breeder.
What is a Puppy Mill?
A puppy mill is a commercial breeding operation that churns out puppies for profit.
Puppy mills breed their dogs with no regard for protecting the health or temperament of the breed. They only care about making money.
Puppies that come from puppy mills are frequently plagued with health and behavioral issues.
Plan a Visit to the Breeder
The best way to make sure that the breeder is ethical is to ask to visit the premises.
If a breeder does not want you to visit and wants to conduct all of their business by phone or the internet, this is a red flag.
A good breeder will welcome your visit and will be happy to show you around and introduce you to the breeding dogs.
Ask to see AKC registration papers, medical records, and the results of genetic testing.
A good breeder will probably place you on a waiting list for a puppy—they will not overbreed their dogs, and therefore will not have puppies available at all times.
Do not forget to factor in the cost of transportation and accommodations to the final price tag if you plan to purchase a puppy from a breeder.
The Cost of Adopting a Shichon From an Animal Shelter or Rescue Group
If you prefer not to purchase your Shichon from a breeder for ethical or financial reasons, you can find a great pet through a rescue group, humane society or animal shelter.
The cost of adopting a Shichon is significantly lower than purchasing one from a breeder.
Adoption fees vary depending on the organization, but they are generally between $75 and $300.
This fee usually covers the dog’s spay/neuter procedure, vaccinations, microchip, deworming, and other veterinary care such as heartworm testing.
Why Adopt a Shichon?
In addition to saving money, there are other benefits of adoption.
For example, animals that are up for adoption often come with some prior training from their previous home.
They are usually past the destructive puppy stage, so they can be a good choice for people who do not have as much free time for puppy training.
Most importantly, you can save the life of a dog in need and you can avoid contributing to the pet overpopulation problem in the United States.
Where to Adopt a Shichon?
If you are looking to adopt a Teddy Bear Dog, check out your local animal shelter or humane society.
You can also use internet resources such as Petfinder.com, Getyourpet.com, Adoptapet.com and Facebook.
There are also private rescue groups that specialize in small breed dogs such as Shichons and similar mixes. You can locate these groups by searching online or contacting the staff at your local animal shelter.
The Annual Cost of Shichon Care
Since Shichons are small dogs, their annual upkeep is not as expensive as some larger breeds, but their ongoing care can still be costly.
This section will help you prepare to feed, groom and care for your Shichon for its whole life.
The Cost of Feeding a Shichon
Talk with your veterinarian about the best nutrition for your Shichon.
You will probably want to purchase high-quality dog food that does not contain filler ingredients such as corn or animal by-products.
Since Shichons are small, they do not eat as much per day as a larger breed such as a Mastiff or Rottweiler.
However, you should still budget about $30 per month for food.
The Cost Associated with Training you Shichon
Puppy training and dog training is an excellent investment.
It might seem expensive at first, but it is worth every penny.
If you acquire your Shichon as a puppy, sign up for a puppy kindergarten class at your earliest convenience.
Puppy socialization classes will cost about $100 to $200 for 5 or 6 sessions.
Puppy class is the best way for your puppy to acquire important social skills with other dogs.
If you adopt your Shichon as an adult, you can get your dog off to a great start with a basic obedience class. These classes also cost between $100 and $200 for about 5 or 6 sessions.
If you need help with move advanced issues such as housetraining or separation anxiety, you may need to hire a private trainer.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan a world-class Dog Trainer from New Zealand is worth taking a look at. This online resource has hundreds of fun informative dog training videos that can help you learn the basics and more.
The Cost of Shichon Grooming
The Shichon coat requires regular grooming.
You will need to brush your Shichon frequently at home. Probably at least once per day.
You will also need to bring your Shichon to a professional groomer at least once every few months for a haircut.
The cost of grooming can add up quickly.
Make sure you can budget about $50 to $100 per month for grooming expenses.
If you Shichon does not get groomed on a regular basis its coat can quickly become tangled and matted.
The Cost of Shichon Medical Care
Ove of the biggest expenses to consider is the cost of veterinary care.
At the very least, your Shichon will need to visit a vet once per year for an annual wellness exam and vaccinations. Depending on the vet clinic this will probably cost anywhere from $100 to $250 for this yearly checkup.
If you add on dental care of bloodwork, the price tag will increase substantially.
You will also need to set aside funds for monthly flea, tick and heartworm prevention. The exact cost will vary depending on the brand.
Shichons are prone to some medical conditions that can require expensive care. Talk with your veterinarian about the following Shichon health issues to make sure that you will be prepared if they arise:
- Patellar Luxation
- Cataracts
- Eye Issues
- Thyroid Problems
You may even want to look into the option of pet health insurance.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Conclusion: Final Thoughts on the Shichon Price
Bringing home a new pet is a big commitment and a big investment.
There are so many things to think about and learn about.
One of the most important things to research is the cost of a Shichon—not just the initial cost, but all of the expenses that go along with responsible ownership.
Shichons can live a very long time! It is not uncommon for them to live 15, 16, or even 17 years! Make sure you are ready to care for your furry friend for its whole life.
Allie has worked in the field of animal welfare for over ten years and as a freelance writer the space for many years. She has had many different kinds of dogs (and cats) throughout her life—all adopted. She currently shares her home with a lovable pit bull mix named Huckleberry.
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