That flat, 'cute' face means a genuinely narrowed airway and shallow eye sockets, so breathing trouble in heat and easily injured, bulging eyes are normal parts of Shih Tzu ownership, not bad luck.
12.8years, median
0.3 years above the all-dog median of 12.5.
Measured, not estimated: the middle age at death across 584,734 UK dogs, 284,734 of them deceased. Based on 17,901 dogs of this breed. 95% confidence interval 12.6 to 12.9 years. Half lived longer than this, half did not. UK dogs, so treat it as the best available figure rather than a promise about yours.
In the same study, small breeds as a group had a median of 12.7 years and flat-faced breeds 11.2. This breed is small and flat-faced.
McMillan et al. 2024, Scientific Reports 14:531 — open access · CC BY 4.068.9% of Shih Tzus had at least one disorder recorded in 2016.
From the clinical records of 2,423 Shih Tzus under veterinary care in the UK that year, read by the Royal Veterinary College’s VetCompass programme.
Most often recorded, 2016
| Disorder | Share of Shih Tzus | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Gum disease (periodontal disease) | 9.5% | 8.4–10.7 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7.4% | 6.5–8.5 |
| Ear disorder | 5.5% | 4.7–6.5 |
| Ear infection (otitis externa) | 4.7% | 3.9–5.6 |
| Vomiting | 4.4% | 3.7–5.3 |
| Overgrown nails | 4.3% | 3.5–5.1 |
| Umbilical hernia | 3.9% | 3.2–4.7 |
| Complication after surgery | 3.8% | 3.1–4.6 |
| Obesity | 3.5% | 2.9–4.4 |
| Corneal ulcer | 3.5% | 2.8–4.3 |
Age at death in this sample
Median 12.7 years (middle half 8.7 to 14.3), 2016 data. Of the 89 deaths with a recorded cause: Gut disease 7.9%, Heart disease 7.9%, Poor quality of life 7.9%, Spinal cord disorder 5.6%, Appetite problem 5.6%, Cancer (neoplasia) 5.6%, Underweight 5.6%. Different sample and year from the measured lifespan above, which is why the two numbers differ.
Against dogs overall, the authors note anal sac impaction at 7.4% versus 4.8%, umbilical hernia 3.9% versus 0.93%, corneal ulcer 3.5% versus 0.77% and eye discharge 2.1% versus 0.74%.
“Shih Tzus may have potential predispositions for anal sac impaction, umbilical hernias and eyes problems such as corneal ulceration and ocular discharge, adding to previous literature on Shih Tzus and dog breeds with brachycephaly.”— the authors, Dale et al. 2024, Canine Medicine and Genetics 11:2
Health tests to ask the breeder for
American Shih Tzu Club sets the tests a Shih Tzu needs for a CHIC number in the OFA's open database. A CHIC number means the tests were done and the results are public. It does not mean the dog passed them: ask for the results for both parents, or look them up yourself on ofa.org.
- Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist (OFA Companion Animal Eye Registry certification)
- Patellar Luxation (OFA certification)
When to spay or neuter a Shih Tzu: the UC Davis study of 35 breeds has a suggested guideline for the breed. For males it is any age. For females, 2 years or later. The spay and neuter page has the numbers behind it and what the guidelines say for a dog this size.
Eye ulcers: in a study of more than 100,000 dogs in England, about 1 Shih Tzu in 29 had one in a single year, 10 times the risk of a crossbred dog. A squint or a half-closed eye is a same-day call to the vet. The eye ulcer page has the signs, and the eye drops that make an ulcer worse.
Itchy skin: Merck lists the Shih Tzu among the breeds prone to atopic dermatitis, a lifelong allergy to things like pollen, mold and dust that usually starts between six months and three years of age. Why does my dog keep itching? has how vets tell it apart from fleas, mites and food allergy, and the treatments.
- Cardiac Evaluation
- Hip Dysplasia (OFA certification)
The American Shih Tzu Club joined the CHIC program in 2021 with the two tests above; the AKC's group page still says no tests are recommended, which is out of date.
Test names as the club lists them; checked September 2026. OFA CHIC breed page. How to use this at the breeder: check a breeder.
Adopt a Shih Tzu near you
Shelters and rescues list Shih Tzus and Shih Tzu mixes on Petfinder. Enter a ZIP code to see who is waiting within 100 miles.
Listings come from Petfinder and open there. Petipedia does not take part in adoptions and earns nothing from them.
Living with a Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are easygoing lap dogs that do not need much exercise, which suits apartment life well, but the coat is a genuine daily-brushing commitment (or regular short trims) and the flat face means watching them closely in heat and humidity. Snoring, reverse sneezing, and the occasional eye scrape are par for the course with this breed, not signs that something has gone wrong.
Health you should know about
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) — the shortened muzzle narrows the airway, causing snoring, snorting, and poor heat tolerance; independent UK respiratory-grading research classes the Shih Tzu as a moderate-to-elevated BOAS risk among brachycephalic breeds, well above a normal-muzzled dog.
- Eye injuries and disease — shallow eye sockets leave the eyes exposed, raising the risk of corneal scratches and ulcers and, in severe cases, the eye popping out of its socket; cataracts and dry eye are also common.
- Dental and periodontal disease — a crowded, shortened jaw makes tartar buildup and early tooth loss especially common in the breed.
- Hip dysplasia and patellar luxation — joint problems that can cause lameness and arthritis over time.
Read the full Dog Care Guide first — costs, daily time, and everything a dog needs before you choose a breed.
Naming a Shih Tzu? Chinese and Tibetan dog names, 79 of them, with what they mean.
Sources — 3 references
Last reviewed October 2026. 3 sources listed below. Written and maintained by Petdeals.io. General care information, not veterinary advice — for a sick animal, call a vet.