Irish Wolfhound vs Shih Tzu Cost Comparison 2026
Irish Wolfhound costs $3,130/yr vs $1,790/yr for Shih Tzu. Over a lifetime: $25,910 vs $27,160. Here's where the money goes.
Irish Wolfhound
$25,910
lifetime (7 yrs)
Lifetime Difference
$1,250
Irish Wolfhound costs less
Shih Tzu
$27,160
lifetime (14 yrs)
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Irish Wolfhound | Shih Tzu | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $1,500–$3,500 | $500–$1,800 | Shih Tzu |
| Annual Food | $1,100 | $280 | Shih Tzu |
| Routine Vet Care | $750 | $450 | Shih Tzu |
| Grooming | $120 | $480 | Irish Wolfhound |
| Pet Insurance | $50–$100/mo | $24–$50/mo | Shih Tzu |
| Supplies & Training | $500 | $240 | Shih Tzu |
| Total Annual Cost | $3,130 | $1,790 | Shih Tzu |
| Lifetime Cost | $25,910 | $27,160 | Irish Wolfhound |
Irish Wolfhound Cost Profile
- Size
- giant
- Lifespan
- 7 years
- Purchase Price
- $1,500–$3,500
- Annual Cost
- $3,130/yr
- Lifetime Total
- $25,910
Shih Tzu Cost Profile
- Size
- small
- Lifespan
- 14 years
- Purchase Price
- $500–$1,800
- Annual Cost
- $1,790/yr
- Lifetime Total
- $27,160
Bottom Line
Shih Tzu costs $1,340/yr less than Irish Wolfhound ($1,790 vs $3,130). Over a lifetime, that gap compounds to a $1,250 difference.