All about your Shih Tzu
Alert and lively, with a bouncy approach to everyday life. Shih Tzus are small, playful and known for their sense of companionship. Learn more about this cheerful and devoted dog, from their grooming and exercise needs, to the things you can do to keep them happy and healthy.
Breed information & advice
Pint-sized with a loving and friendly heart, the Shih Tzu will make the perfect house dog. They're part of the utility breed group and despite their name meaning “little lion”, this breed is far from fierce, but full of character. Here’s more you should know:
- The Shih Tzu's main purpose is to be a companion – and they’ll want to be with you wherever you goThe Shih Tzu's main purpose is to be a companion – and they’ll want to be with you wherever you go
- Their beautiful, long, silky coat comes in many colours and will require significant grooming – daily brushing is a mustTheir beautiful, long, silky coat comes in many colours and will require significant grooming – daily brushing is a must
- They’ll typically weigh between 4.5kg and 8kg when fully grownThey’ll typically weigh between 4.5kg and 8kg when fully grown
- A healthy Shih Tzu can live between 10 and 16 yearsA healthy Shih Tzu can live between 10 and 16 years
Typical size of a Shih Tzu: Small: 22cm-25cm
Recommended exercise & nutrition
They may be known as a house dog, but you’ll still need to put your Shih Tzu through their paces on a daily basis - taking them out for two or three short walks a day.
Using toys and treats will not only boost their affection for you, but also help keep their mind active – especially as a puppy.
Feeding quantities will depend on the size, age and weight of your dog and always read the portion suggestions on the food packet.
Up to one hour of exercise per day
Taking your Shih Tzu for around one hour's worth of walks or exercise throughout the day will be enough to burn off all their energy. But remember, their small physique may find rough terrain difficult.
Common health problems & illnesses
Your Shih Tzu will need all of the usual vaccinations and check-ups to help protect him against common ailments. There are some conditions which this breed is more prone to though, and you may want to familiarise yourself with the symptoms, so you know what to look out for.
BOAS (Brachycephalic Airways Syndrome) Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is the term used to describe upper airway breathing problems. Due to their compact airways, Shih Tzus might occasionally find it difficult to breathe. They could also find it hard to pant, meaning they can’t cool themselves down as effectively as other dogs after exercise or in warmer weather. For advice on allergies, obesity and other conditions that might have caused breathing problems, contact your vet.
Dry eye is a condition occurs when the immune system attacks the tear glands. Tears help to keep the eyes lubricated and healthy, and without them the eyes can become inflamed, sore and infected. Signs to look out for in your dog include excessive blinking, uncomfortable and red eyes, discharge or pus, and corneal ulcers – caused when the protective surface of the eye is damaged. The sooner dry eye is detected the better, as ointment or drops can be given to control this degenerative condition.
The Shih Tzu breed can be susceptible to Cushing's disease, which is caused by an overproduction of cortisol and affects how the body regulates itself. Symptoms to look out for include a change in your dog's toilet habits, patchy hair loss and an excessive thirst, so speak to your vet if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is a condition which causes the dog to be unable to walk and can seriously compromise the dog’s quality of life. IVDD is curable and recovery is possible without surgery, but it does require patience and a lot of guidance from a pet professional. Conservative management of IVDD is a multi-step process that combines a lot of different treatment options.
Shih Tzus have small mouths that can have overcrowded, misaligned, or missing teeth. They're also prone to periodontal disease, which is why it's so important to brush their teeth regularly at home. You'll also need to have their mouths checked for other problems and get an annual dental cleaning at the vet.
Dog name popularity
If you’re struggling to think of a name for your Shih Tzu, take a look at the most popular ones at Tesco Bank Pet Insurance for inspiration.
Teddy
Bella
Poppy
Alfie
Daisy
Average treatment costs
Wondering whether pet insurance for your Shih Tzu is worth it? We’ve put together the top five conditions claimed for by Tesco Bank Pet Insurance customers in 2021. To give you an idea of how much vet bills can vary, we’ve shown both the average cost and the top 10% most expensive costs for each condition.
Top five conditions and average costs
|
Condition |
Average cost |
10% most expensive |
|---|---|---|
|
Corneal ulcer |
£882 |
£2,350 |
|
Lameness |
£735 |
£1,955 |
|
Tumour |
£805 |
£1,581 |
|
Eye condition |
£904 |
£2,194 |
|
Skin allergy |
£578 |
£1,303 |
Tesco Bank Pet Insurance claims data from paid treatments including excesses from 01/01/21 to 31/12/21.
Considering Shih Tzu insurance?
We know your dog is an important member of the family, so give them the protection they deserve with Tesco Bank Pet Insurance.
Tesco Bank Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd.
Grooming advice
It’s important to stay on top of grooming your Shih Tzu, to keep their long, luscious locks in good condition. You may want to bathe them on a weekly basis, due to the dirt that collects in their hair.
Grooming your dog is a chance for you both to bond. Brush their coat every day to prevent knots and tangles - you may find this difficult in the puppy stages as their coat grows, but it should become much easier as they get older. Some owners choose to have their dog’s coat washed and maintained by a professional every six to eight weeks.
Trim your Shih Tzu's nails every month, and clean their ears out once a week to remove any dirt and reduce the risk of infection.
Keep an eye on their dental hygiene too, as gum disease can be a problem in small breeds of dog. Brush their teeth regularly (ideally on a daily basis), using specialist brushes and pastes.
Fun & interesting facts
- Tibetan Monks call the Shih Tzu the ‘Snow Lion Dog’ and used to regard the breed as holy.
- The first mentions of the Shih Tzu date back to 500 B.C.
- The dog was the official breed of the Chinese Ming Dynasty.
- Shih Tzus are classed as adults at the age of one – the equivalent to 16 in human years.
- Celebrity owners have included Beyoncé, Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor.
Important information
The content on this page aims to offer an informative introduction to pet breeds, but does not constitute expert veterinary advice. If your dog or cat falls ill or has an injury, contact your vet immediately. Tesco Bank Pet Insurance has a partnership with vetfone™ which means that as a customer, you can benefit from their advice as part of your policy.
Tesco Bank Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd. The vetfone™ service is provided by VetsDirect Ltd.
All facts and figures were correct at date of publication and were compiled using a range of sources.
Vetfone™ is a 24/7 unlimited, free telephone or video call service that provides expert advice from vets or vet nurses qualified with the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons). If your pet has a medical emergency, or you need advice on health, grooming, feeding or behaviour Vetfone™ is there to help.
As a Tesco Bank Pet Insurance customer, you can access friendly, expert advice from qualified Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as a standard benefit with your policy, and the service is provided at no additional cost. A quick telephone call or video call could answer any questions you have about your pet, give you peace of mind and could even save you a trip to the vet.
Tesco Bank Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd. The vetfone™ service is provided by VetsDirect Ltd.
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