How long does a Shih Tzu live?

The life expectancy of the Shih Tzu is 10-16 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.

How much does a Shih Tzu weigh?

An adult Shih Tzu weighs between 4-7 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is toy.

How much exercise does a Shih Tzu need?

The Shih Tzu has media energy. **Exercise:** 45-60 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Calm walks + mental play.

Who is the Shih Tzu NOT recommended for?

It isn't the right breed for: Very sporty families. Very warm climates without air conditioning. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.

How much care does its coat need?

A lot. The long coat tangles easily and requires daily brushing; many families opt for a short cut every 6 weeks to simplify maintenance.

Does it tolerate heat well?

No. Being brachycephalic it breathes with more difficulty and suffers in the heat; avoid exercise during the middle hours of summer and make sure it stays cool.

Less than other toy breeds. It is calm and balanced, though it is worth socialising it so it does not develop excessive barking out of insecurity.

Why do its eyes need so much cleaning?

Its large, prominent eyes are more exposed to watering, irritation and ulcers. Daily hygiene of the eyes and folds prevents infections.

Is it a good breed for beginners?

Yes, thanks to its balanced and affectionate character, provided the owner takes on the high coat maintenance and the care specific to a brachycephalic breed.

Breed profile

Shih Tzu

Beautiful long coat, expressive face. Balanced, affectionate, playful character. An excellent companion dog. Like other brachycephalic breeds, it has respiratory and eye problems.

Origin: China/Tíbet Size: Toy Lifespan: 10-16 años Energy

Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA

Ideal for

✓Families
✓Flats
✓Older people

Reconsider if

×Very sporty families
×Very warm climates without air conditioning

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Is the Shih Tzu a good match for you?

Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).

Suitable for flats

Suitable for first-timers

Good with children

With other dogs

With cats

Tolerates being alone

Energy level

Ease of training

Shedding level

Grooming needs

Tendency to bark

Tolerates heat

Tolerates cold

💶 Estimated cost of ownership

50-95 €/month

Feeding: 15-28 € · Preventive veterinary care: 18-35 € · Hygiene and grooming: 12-25 € · Insurance and extras: 5-15 €

History and origin

Originating in Tibet (the lion dog of Buddhist monks), refined in imperial China. Nearly extinct during the Cultural Revolution, recovered in the West.

Recognised by the FCI within Group 9 (companion and toy dogs). Its small size makes flat living easy, but "small" is not a synonym for "needs no training": small dog syndrome (excessive barking, fearfulness, reactivity) is common when it is not given the same routine as a large dog.

Temperament and character

Affectionate, cheerful, sociable. Good-natured. Learns quickly if motivated. Barks less than other toys. Needs daily mental stimulation — scent games, food Kongs and short trick sessions channel its energy better than physical exercise alone. Responds best to positive reinforcement: physical punishment breeds fear, anxiety and reactivity — coercive methods are NOT recommended by veterinary behaviourists. Sensitive to its family's mood: it picks up on tension and takes it on.

Living together

Children: excellent. Other dogs: sociable. Cats: good.

Life stages of the Shih Tzu

Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 10-16 años.

Puppy

0-9 months

Avoid heat due to brachycephalic anatomy; care of eyes and facial folds; start of dental and coat hygiene.

Junior

9 months-1.5 years

Socialisation and training; grooming and eye-cleaning routine; weight control.

Adult

1.5-9 years

Eye protection (dry eye, ulcers), rigorous dental hygiene (periodontal), patella control and heatstroke prevention.

Senior

9+ years

Eye, dental and respiratory monitoring; joint and renal management with a senior diet.

Care

Exercise: 45-60 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Calm walks + mental play.

Brushing: daily; intensive during the moulting seasons (spring and autumn).

Feeding: quality food suited to life stage (puppy/adult/senior) and size. Weight control: obesity is the leading preventable cause of joint problems.

Vet: annual check-up with preventive blood work from age 5 (7 in giant breeds); twice a year from age 8.

Exercise 30-45 min/day. Daily brushing or a "puppy cut" every 6 weeks. Cleaning of eyes and folds. Weight control. Heat care.

Care in detail

🍽️ Nutrition

Quality food for small breeds, controlling the amount to avoid the excess weight that worsens its brachycephalic breathing.

✂️ Grooming

The greatest part of its care: daily brushing if kept in long coat, or a "puppy cut" every 6 weeks. Daily cleaning of the eyes and facial folds.

🎓 Training

Affectionate and quite willing if motivated with treats. Learns quickly despite a certain stubbornness; it needs the same routine and rules as a large dog to avoid "small dog syndrome".

🏃 Exercise

30-45 minutes daily of gentle walks and play. Avoid exercise during hot hours because of its short muzzle.

Breed-specific health

Brachycephalic syndrome. Eye problems (prominent eyes). Disc herniation. Hypothyroidism. Bladder stones. Life expectancy 10-16 years. Life expectancy of 10-16 years with appropriate care. Pre-breeding testing is recommended in responsible kennels (dysplasia + cardiac + ophthalmology screening according to the breed's conditions). When adopting, ask the rescue for a vet report on the dog's current condition.

🩺 Health predispositions of this breed

Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.

🐶Síndrome braquicefálico 👁️Entropión 🦿Luxación de rótula

Common diseases in dogs

Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.

🐾Dermatitis atópica 🍄Tiña (dermatofitosis)🦟Alergia a la picadura de pulga (DAPP)🤢Gastroenteritis ☠️Parvovirosis canina 🆘Torsión gástrica (dilatación-vólvulo)

See all 158 diseases in the health guide

Screening and prevention for the Shih Tzu

Recommended tests and screenings

✓Ophthalmological examination (prominent eyes)
✓Airway assessment (brachycephalic syndrome)
✓Thyroid panel
✓Patella and spine assessment (disc herniation)

Prevention

Daily cleaning of facial folds and eyes, avoiding heat and intense exercise, weight control to protect the spine.

Check-up schedule

Annual check-up with eye and respiratory monitoring.

Warning signs

!Snoring or laboured breathing
!Red eyes, watering or corneal ulcers
!Back pain or reluctance to jump (herniation)
!Weight gain and lethargy (thyroid)

Shih Tzu gallery

Foto de la raza shih tzu — Foto: Wikimedia Commons

Frequently asked questions about the Shih Tzu

How long does a Shih Tzu live?: The life expectancy of the Shih Tzu is 10-16 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.
How much does a Shih Tzu weigh?: An adult Shih Tzu weighs between 4-7 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is toy.
Where does the Shih Tzu breed come from?: The Shih Tzu originates from China/Tíbet. Originating in Tibet (the lion dog of Buddhist monks), refined in imperial China. Nearly extinct during the Cultural Revolution, recovered in the West.
How much exercise does a Shih Tzu need?: The Shih Tzu has media energy. **Exercise:** 45-60 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Calm walks + mental play.
Is the Shih Tzu good with children?: Children: excellent. Other dogs: sociable. Cats: good.
Who is the Shih Tzu NOT recommended for?: It isn't the right breed for: Very sporty families. Very warm climates without air conditioning. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.
What health problems does the Shih Tzu have?: Brachycephalic syndrome. Eye problems (prominent eyes). Disc herniation. Hypothyroidism. Bladder stones. Life expectancy 10-16 years. Life expectancy of 10-16 years with appropriate care. Pre-breeding testing is recommended in responsible kennels (dysplasia + cardiac + ophthalmology screening according to the breed's conditions). When adopting, ask the rescue for a vet report on the dog's current condition.
How much care does its coat need?: A lot. The long coat tangles easily and requires daily brushing; many families opt for a short cut every 6 weeks to simplify maintenance.
Does it tolerate heat well?: No. Being brachycephalic it breathes with more difficulty and suffers in the heat; avoid exercise during the middle hours of summer and make sure it stays cool.
Does it bark a lot?: Less than other toy breeds. It is calm and balanced, though it is worth socialising it so it does not develop excessive barking out of insecurity.
Why do its eyes need so much cleaning?: Its large, prominent eyes are more exposed to watering, irritation and ulcers. Daily hygiene of the eyes and folds prevents infections.
Is it a good breed for beginners?: Yes, thanks to its balanced and affectionate character, provided the owner takes on the high coat maintenance and the care specific to a brachycephalic breed.