Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Shih Tzu | Yorkshire Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $39,131 | $39,474 |
| First year | $5,855 | $6,095 |
| Monthly average | $255 | $247 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $2,500 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,731 | $2,621 |
| Expected health cost | $590 | $1,203 |
| Documented conditions | 15 | 9 |
| Median lifespan | 12.8 yrs | 13.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 9 to 16 lb | 4 to 7 lb |
| Daily food | 1.1 cups | 0.6 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $720 | $720 |
| Risk profile | Moderate | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Periodontal disease | Periodontal disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | 10% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Hip dysplasia | 22% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Umbilical hernia | 12% | $621–$1,671 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 11% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Ear disease | 6% | $100–$270 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5% | not priced |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3% | $84–$226 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Lipoma | 2% | not priced |
| Patellar luxation | 2% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Unspecified Eye | 2% | $224–$604 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 2% | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Expected total | $590 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | 21% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 4% | $84–$226 |
| Overgrown nails | 6% | $36–$98 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Patellar luxation | 17% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Hip dysplasia | 7% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Tracheal collapse | n/a | $484–$1,302 |
| Expected total | $1,203 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $590 for the Shih Tzu and $1,203 for the Yorkshire Terrier. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Placement reserved — insurance-primary
Common questions
Is a Shih Tzu or a Yorkshire Terrier more expensive?
The Shih Tzu is cheaper by about $343 over a lifetime. Shih Tzu: $39,131. Yorkshire Terrier: $39,474. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Shih Tzu or a Yorkshire Terrier?
The Yorkshire Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Shih Tzu: 12.8 years. Yorkshire Terrier: 13.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Shih Tzu or a Yorkshire Terrier?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Shih Tzu's biggest single risk is periodontal disease, seen in 10% of the breed. For the Yorkshire Terrier it is periodontal disease, at 21%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.