Shorkies are a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Yorkshire Terrier. These mixed-breed dogs not only look adorable, but many of them are also hypoallergenic. This makes them a great choice as pets for people who suffer from pet allergies around dogs.
Before you set out to buy an adorable Shorkie pup, it is important to know how much it can cost. In this guide, we discuss the Shorkiepuppy’s purchase price as well as other expenses you will incur once you bring your pet home.
How Much Does a Shorkie Cost? Shorkie Price
Shorkie puppies are in great demand, therefore their prices are pretty high.
You can expect to spend anywhere between $500 and $1500 for a Shorkie puppy from a reputed breeder.
The first-year expense of raising this adorable dog comes to nearly $1890 while the annual costs afterward come to $874.
The lifetime cost of raising this pet is almost $15,000.
Shorkie Puppy Price
We analyzed hundreds of advertisements to bring you the exact Shorkie puppy prices:
- We found the minimum Shorkie puppy (from a reputed dog breeder) price to be $580 and the maximum to be $1500.
- The national average Shorkie puppy price came to $994.
- The price of adopting a Shorkie pup was slightly lower – around $300-$500 with some shelters even covering the initial vaccination, deworming, etc.
Related – Shorkie-Poo Puppy Price in the USA & Shorkie Puppy Price in the USA
Shorkie Puppy Initial Costs – The Basic Equipment and Tools for a Shorkie
Your Shorkie will need some basic tools and supplies to keep it comfortable. Here are some items to buy and keep for your little dog:
Food and Water Bowls
Select small-sized bowls that are perfect for your small dog. Ensure they are made of safe materials free from BHA, BHT, and other toxins. Glass/ceramic/stainless steel bowls work best. Make sure they have anti-skidding bottoms and are heavy enough so they won’t tip over. Most dog bowls cost $10-$30 per bowl.
Leash and Collar
Small-sized dogs like Shorkies are prone to tracheal collapse – so, to avoid that, one needs to use a dog harness instead of a collar for walking these small dogs. Leash and collar sets made of comfortable and soft materials can cost around $20-$40.
Grooming Kit
A basic dog grooming kit contains brushes/combs, shampoo, some bows for long-haired dogs, nail clippers, pet-hair trimmers, dental care items, etc. These cost $45-$75 depending on the items you buy and their quality.
Training Items
These include a crate (since crate training and potty training should be done together), cleaning supplies, pee pads, poop scooper/potty bags, etc. These can cost about $200-$400.
Bed
A comfortable dog bed is what your little pet needs unless you want it on your bed! A good-quality dog bed costs anywhere between $50-$300.
Here is a table showing these costs:
| Item | Average cost |
| Food and Water bowls | $10 to $30 |
| Harness and Leash | $20-$30 |
| Training tools – poop bags, disinfectants, odor removals, potty pads/dog training pads | $50 |
| Grooming Tools – shampoo, brush, toothbrush and paste, nail clippers, wipes | $40 to $100 |
| Bed and Crate | $125 to $200 |
| Toys – chew toys, teething toys, outdoor toys | $50 |
Medical Costs for Shorkie
Your Shorkie puppy will need several vaccinations in its first year to prevent deadly canine diseases like hepatitis, distemper, etc. Later on, your pet will also need several booster shots for these diseases. Some areas that have ticks will require your puppy to take shots for Lyme disease. Similarly, there are other optional or noncore vaccines that vets may recommend.
You must also spay/neuter your doggy to prevent unwanted puppies as well as behaviors like aggression, spray marking, etc.
Other medical costs include dental cleaning, emergency costs, etc. Here is a table showing you these various costs:
| Name | Cost |
| Routine veterinary checkup | $50 and $250 |
| Vaccinations (first year) | $170 |
| Spaying or neutering | $160-$200 |
| Physical exam | $45 – $55 |
| Fecal exam | $25-$75 |
| Heartworm test | $45-$50 |
| Dental cleaning | $70-$400 |
| Allergy testing | $195-$300 |
| Bloodwork | $80-$100 |
| X-ray | Up to $200 |
| USG | Up to $500 |
| Hospitalization | $600-$3500 |
| Emergency surgery | Up to $5000 |
* These are approximate costs – the actual costs will vary from vet to vet and city to city.
Shorkies are prone to dental issues, skin problems, hip/elbow dysplasia, eye problems, etc. These can cost more than $1000 to diagnose and treat. With pet insurance, you could cover some of these medical costs. Most pet insurance plans cost between $20-$50 a month.
Dog Training Costs
This is another major expense that pet owners must consider. Training a Shorkie can cost anywhere between $200 and $2000 a year depending on the option you select. Here are some choices before you:
- Group training (cost per class) – $20 per class
- Private obedience school (cost per session) – $45 to $120
- Dog boot camp – $500-$1250 per week
- Minimum online training program price – $100
- YouTube videos – $0
- Minimum puppy basic training cost (total) – $500
- Maximum puppy basic training cost with boarding (total) – $2000
Shorkie Food Costs – How Much Does it Cost to Feed a Shorkie
Shorkies measure between 6-14 inches and weigh around 10 lb. To feed a dog of this size, you’d need approximately 7.625 lb. of food per month. Based on the average food prices we found in the market, here are the costs you can expect:
- If you select budget/low-priced food which costs around $1.75/lb., then the monthly expenditure on dog food comes to $13.34 per month.
- For medium-range dog food which costs $3 per pound, you can expect the monthly cost to be $22.88.
- For premium food which costs about $5 to $6.5 per pound, you’d spend $35 to $48 a month.
- Dog treats can cost $5-$7 a month.
Other Costs of Owning a Shorkie
In addition to training, medical, and food costs, you could spend on the following for your Shorkie:
Dog Grooming
Shorkies need plenty of grooming to keep their silky coat free from tangles and mats. Professional groomers charge $20 for a basic puppy cut. Special haircuts with top knots cost more. Simple grooming with bath, nail trimming, and hair brushing costs $40.
Travel
If you travel with your Shorkie, the cost of airfare can be between $125 to $300 for a round trip. In case you opt to board your dog, dog hostels charge $30-$50 per night. Pet sitters charge almost $20-$45 per day.
Dog Walker
Shorkies can get destructive, bored, or depressed without exercise. Therefore, you must walk and play with your pet daily for at least 30 minutes. If you are too busy for that, you can always hire a dog walker. Most dog walkers charge $10-$30 per short walk.
Microchipping and License
Microchipping is an essential one-time expense costing around $25-$45. Dog license renewal needs to be done annually and costs between $8 and $34 per year.
Summary – How Much Does a Shorkie Cost?
Shorkie puppies cost, on average, $994 per pup. The first-year cost of keeping this small dog is about $1890 while the annual cost of raising it comes to about $874.
The medical costs for these small dogs are usually $600 per year. Dog food can cost $420 a year if you opt for premium dog food. Other expenses like dog grooming, pet boarding, and travel could come to almost $500 a year.
Since Shorkies live for 15 years, the lifetime cost of keeping this pet could come to $15,000.
