No Shih Tzus listed on LocalPetFinder right now
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Shih Tzus in St. John's, right now
We aren't tracking any adoptable Shih Tzus in or near St. John's at the moment. Listings update regularly as Newfoundland rescues take in new dogs, and a Shih Tzu in St. John's typically gets adopted within days of being posted. Browse the full Newfoundland dogs list to see Shih Tzus in other Newfoundland cities, or save this page and check back soon.
See every adoptable Shih Tzu across Newfoundland and Labrador →
Adopting a Shih Tzu in Newfoundland and Labrador
Shih Tzus are affectionate toy companions, usually 9 to 16 pounds, bred for centuries purely to be lap dogs, and it shows: they are gentle, friendly, and want little more than to be with their people. They suit singles, seniors, families, and apartment living equally well. This page pulls every adoptable Shih Tzu and Shih Tzu cross from the Newfoundland shelters we cover into one place, refreshed regularly.
Shih Tzus and their crosses (including the popular Shichon and Shih Poo mixes) reach Newfoundland rescue through owner surrenders, often when the grooming proved more than expected. Their size and temperament make them adopted quickly, so set an alert.
Grooming, health, and temperament
The long, low-shedding double coat is the main commitment: without regular brushing it mats fast, so plan on brushing several times a week or keeping the dog in an easy-care "puppy cut," plus a professional groom every 6 to 8 weeks. Shih Tzus are calm, adaptable, and generally good with children and other pets, needing only modest exercise, a couple of short walks and indoor play.
As a flat-faced (brachycephalic) breed, Shih Tzus can have some breathing and heat sensitivity, so avoid over-exertion in warm weather (rarely an issue in Newfoundland) and keep them lean. Also watch eye health, dental disease, and ear cleaning. Newfoundland rescues provide a veterinary assessment before adoption.
Looking more broadly? Browse every adoptable dog across the province on Dog Adoption Newfoundland and Labrador.
Shih Tzu Adoption FAQ — St. John's
How many Shih Tzus are available for adoption in St. John's?
As of September 2026, there are no Shih Tzus listed in St. John's rescue on LocalPetFinder right now — Shih Tzus are among the rarer dogs in local rescue. Inventory turns over quickly, so setting an alert is the most reliable way to catch one, or consider an adoptable Shih Tzu mix.
Where can I adopt a Shih Tzu near me in Newfoundland?
Shih Tzus and their crosses come into Newfoundland rescue through owner surrenders, and St. John's shelters see them from time to time. This page aggregates every adoptable one from the Newfoundland shelters we cover; set an alert because their gentle, apartment-friendly nature makes them adopted fast.
Are Shih Tzus good family dogs?
Yes. Shih Tzus are gentle, affectionate, and adaptable, and they generally do well with children, seniors, and other pets. They are companion dogs first and want to be part of the household. They need only modest exercise, so they suit a wide range of homes. Ask each rescue about the individual dog's history and do a proper meet first.
How much grooming does a Shih Tzu need?
A fair amount. The long double coat does not shed much but mats quickly without care, so plan on brushing several times a week and a professional groom every 6 to 8 weeks. Many owners keep a shorter "puppy cut," which is far easier to maintain, especially through Newfoundland's wet weather. Add regular eye, ear, and dental care.
Should I buy or adopt a Shih Tzu in Newfoundland?
Adopt. Shih Tzus and their mixes appear in rescue, and adopting an adult means the temperament and any health issues are already known. Adoption fees run roughly $300 to $500 and include spay or neuter, vaccinations, and a microchip, versus well over $1,500 from a breeder. A rescue Shih Tzu is just as loving and far cheaper.
How much does it cost to adopt a Shih Tzu in St. John's?
Adopting a Shih Tzu in St. John's typically costs $300 to $600, and puppies usually carry a premium at $500 to $900. The exact fee varies by rescue, and older dogs are often reduced. That fee is not a purchase price. It covers work already done on the dog: spay or neuter, vaccinations, deworming, microchip, and a basic vet workup, which would cost several hundred dollars more if you arranged it yourself after buying. Buying the same breed from a registered breeder generally runs well over $1,000, usually with a waitlist. Ask the rescue what is included before you apply, since a few include extras like a starter bag of food or a first-month insurance trial.
Are these Shih Tzus for sale in St. John's?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Shih Tzu here comes from a St. John's rescue or shelter, not a breeder, pet store, or classified seller. Adoption fees are typically $300 to $600, with puppies at $500 to $900 and already include vaccinations, deworming, microchip and spay or neuter when age-appropriate, versus roughly $2,000 to $5,000 or more to buy a Shih Tzu from a breeder. If you searched "shih tzu for sale st. john's" or "shih tzu puppies for sale," adopting gets you a healthy, vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy a Shih Tzu in St. John's, and should I?
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable Shih Tzu breeder typically charges $2,000 to $5,000 or more and often has a waitlist, while a rescue Shih Tzu costs $300 to $600, with puppies at $500 to $900 fully vetted and may be available now. Be cautious of cheap shih tzu-for-sale ads on classified sites and marketplaces, which are frequently backyard breeders or puppy-mill resellers with unvetted, sometimes sick animals and no health guarantee. If you do buy, insist on seeing where the puppies were raised and getting vet records. For most families in St. John's, adopting a rescue Shih Tzu is cheaper, faster, and gives a dog in need a home.
Are there free Shih Tzus in St. John's, or shih tzus under $500?
Adoption is the closest honest answer, and it is not free. A rescue Shih Tzu in St. John's typically costs $300 to $600, with puppies at $500 to $900, so the lower end lands under the "$500" people search for and the rest does not. What the fee buys is work already done, the vaccinations, deworming, microchip and spay or neuter, which would cost more than the fee itself if you arranged it yourself, and it is still far below breeder prices. Be wary of genuinely free shih tzu listings. An animal advertised free to a good home has usually not been vetted, and free rehoming ads are the route flippers and unregistered breeders use to move animals with no health guarantee and no recourse. Paying a rescue fee buys you a dog someone has already examined, treated, and been honest with you about.
Are there Shih Tzu puppies in St. John's, or only adults?
Both, but adults far outnumber puppies, and it is worth knowing that before you start looking. Most Shih Tzus arriving in St. John's rescue are adolescents and adults, because that is the age at which first homes tend to give up. Puppies do come through, usually as accidental litters or with a surrendered mother, and they are typically spoken for quickly. Setting an alert beats refreshing the page. It is also worth asking whether you actually want one: an adult arrives with a temperament a foster has already observed and described, where a Shih Tzu puppy is a prediction, and for this breed in particular knowing what you are getting is the more useful thing.
Where can I find a Shih Tzu near me in St. John's?
Start with the listings on this page, which pull from St. John's rescues and shelters and are refreshed regularly, so what you see is what is genuinely available rather than a stale directory. If nothing suits today, that is normal for this breed: rescue intake is intermittent rather than steady, and a breed with none listed this week often has several next month. Setting an alert beats checking back, and it is worth widening to nearby towns, since most rescues serving St. John's will adopt out across a reasonable driving distance rather than only inside one municipality.