Shih Tzu insurance in North Dakota: cost and what to look for
Flat-faced toy breed with eye, breathing and dental issues.
- $27–$46/mo est.Typical monthly premium in North Dakota (2 yrs, 80%, $250 deductible)
- $420/yr est.Estimated yearly cost at the midpoint
- 4Breed-linked conditions to check coverage for
Which insurer fits a Shih Tzu? See our top picks by priority →
Insurers for a Shih Tzu in North Dakota
Estimated monthly price for a 2-year-old at 80% reimbursement and a $250 deductible. These are BreedSure estimates, not quotes from the insurers; each insurer sets its own price.
Odie
Lowest est.14-day illness wait Limits $10,000 or $40,000 Exam fees extra Deductibles $250 or $500
$31/mo est.Plan details for OdieLemonade
14-day illness wait Limits $5,000 to $100,000 Exam fees extra Deductibles $100 / $250 / $500 / $750
$32/mo est.Plan details for LemonadePets Best
14-day illness wait Limits $5,000 to unlimited Exam fees included Deductibles $100 to $1,000
$33/mo est.Plan details for Pets BestEmbrace
14-day illness wait Limits $2,000 to unlimited Exam fees extra Deductibles $200 to $1,000
$35/mo est.Plan details for EmbraceSpot
14-day illness wait Limits $2,500 to unlimited Exam fees included Deductibles $100 to $1,000
$36/mo est.Plan details for Spot
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Fetch
15-day illness wait Limits $5,000 to $15,000 Exam fees included Deductibles $250 to $2,500
$37/mo est.Plan details for FetchHealthy Paws
15-day illness wait Limits $5,000, $7,000 or unlimited Exam fees extra Deductibles $100 to $1,000
$39/mo est.Plan details for Healthy PawsTrupanion
30-day illness wait Limits Unlimited Exam fees extra Deductibles $0 to $1,000 per condition
$44/mo est.Plan details for Trupanion
Estimates updated Sep 2026 · How we estimate
Waiting period. How long after the policy starts before accidents, and then illnesses, are covered. Anything that begins during the wait is excluded. More in the glossaryAnnual limit. The most the policy pays in one policy year. "Unlimited" means there is no yearly cap. More in the glossaryExam fees. The vet's charge for the visit itself, usually $50 to $150, separate from tests and treatment. Some insurers include it; others sell it as an add-on. More in the glossaryDeductible. What you pay yourself before the insurer starts paying. Most reset every policy year; some insurers charge it once per condition. More in the glossaryWhat Shih Tzu owners claim for
- Eye conditions (cataracts, PRA, cherry eye)[1]very commonHereditary eye problems; cataract surgery is the expensive end.$300–$6,700[2][3]
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome[4]commonBreathing obstruction in flat-faced breeds; surgery to widen nostrils and shorten the soft palate.$300–$5,000[5]
- Patellar luxation[6]commonDislocating kneecap, common in small breeds; surgical correction in moderate to severe cases.$1,500–$3,000[7]
- Allergic skin disease[8]commonChronic itching and infections managed with medication, diet and periodic vet visits.$300–$1,500[9]
What a Shih Tzu costs to insure by age in North Dakota
Insured as a puppy, a Shih Tzu costs about 44% less per month than one enrolled at 8 (modeled). Conditions diagnosed before enrollment are excluded as pre-existing.
Low, typical and high estimates by age
| Age | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 1) | $25/mo est. | $32/mo est. | $41/mo est. |
| 2 years | $27/mo est. | $35/mo est. | $46/mo est. |
| 5 years | $33/mo est. | $42/mo est. | $55/mo est. |
| 8 years | $44/mo est. | $56/mo est. | $73/mo est. |
| 11 years | $60/mo est. | $77/mo est. | $101/mo est. |
Shih Tzu insurance in other states
Questions people ask about insuring a Shih Tzu
How much does pet insurance cost for a Shih Tzu?
About $27 to $46 a month in North Dakota for a 2-year-old at 80% reimbursement and a $250 deductible, in our model. Older dogs, lower deductibles and higher reimbursement cost more; each insurer sets its own price. How we estimate.
Does pet insurance cover Shih Tzu health problems like eye conditions?
Yes, as long as they are not pre-existing. Accident-and-illness plans cover hereditary and congenital conditions, including the ones Shih Tzus are known for: eye conditions, brachycephalic airway syndrome and patellar luxation. All 8 insurers we compare cover hereditary conditions.
At what age should I insure a Shih Tzu?
As young as you can. A puppy has no pre-existing conditions yet, and premiums rise with age: in our model about $35 a month at 2 years and $56 at 8. When to insure, by age.
Is pet insurance worth it for a Shih Tzu?
For breeds with known expensive conditions, it usually is if you enroll young and keep the policy. One eye conditions bill can run $300 to $6,700, several years of premiums. The full math.
Why is the estimate different in North Dakota?
Our model scales premiums by a state index built from each state's published average dog insurance premium. Insurers set their own prices, so this is an estimate, not a quote.
Questions owners of Shih Tzus ask
Sources
- Demography, common disorders and mortality of Shih Tzu dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. Canine Medicine and Genetics (via PMC), 2024.
- Cherry Eye. Embrace Pet Insurance, 2024.
- Cataracts: What to Expect. University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center, 2025.
- A cross-sectional study into the prevalence and conformational risk factors of BOAS across fourteen brachycephalic dog breeds. PLOS ONE, 2026.
- Stenotic Nares Surgery Cost for Dogs. MetLife Pet Insurance.
- Health Statement, American Shih Tzu Club. American Shih Tzu Club (AKC parent club), 2024.
- Patellar Luxation in Dogs. Embrace Pet Insurance, 2021.
- Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual.
- Allergies in Dogs: What You Need to Know. MetLife Pet Insurance.
How we choose and check sources: Sources we use.
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