Breed guide

Shih Tzu

Little lion dog. Affectionate, adaptable, low-energy. Grooming and dental care are daily commitments.

AKC Rank

#20

Size

toy (9-16 lbs)

Life Expectancy

10-18 yrs

Activity

low

Feeding a Shih Tzu

Toy breed. ~300-500 kcal/day. Dental and eye health are the main dietary considerations.

Key nutrients

•dental support
•omega-3
•antioxidants

Portion notes: Two small meals. Keep weight in check — easy to overfeed.

Fresh food picks for Shih Tzus

Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for toy dogs.

fresh food

The Farmer's Dog

Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog

•Human-grade fresh food
•Portioned per dog
•Vet-developed recipes
•50% off first box

See The Farmer's Dog →

fresh food

Nom Nom

Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing

•Pre-portioned pouches
•Vet-formulated
•Microbiome testing available
•50% off first order

See Nom Nom →

fresh food

Spot & Tango

Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice

•Fresh or UnKibble options
•Human-grade ingredients
•Shelf-stable storage option
•50% off first order

See Spot & Tango →

First-year cost

What a Shih Tzu actually costs year one

Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).

First-year total

$2,250-$5,460

Ongoing years run $1,670-$4,130 (no gear + training one-times).

Food (year one)

Fresh food subscription

$550-$900

Gear (one-time)

Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys

$180-$280

Vet care

Wellness + breed-specific

$720-$1,550

Grooming

high grooming needs

$400-$1,200

Training

Puppy class + supplies

$150-$500

Supplements

Breed-matched, optional

$0-$480

Other first-year

Vaccines, neuter, DNA test

$250-$550

Pet insurance (estimate)

Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.

$499-$874/yr

Estimates based on US market averages for toy dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.

Supplements for Shih Tzus

Matched to this breed's common health concerns. All NASC-sealed.

supplements

Cosequin (Nutramax)

The #1 vet-recommended joint supplement

•#1 vet-recommended
•NASC Quality Seal
•Glucosamine + chondroitin
•Clinically studied

See Cosequin (Nutramax) →

Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.

Health concerns to watch

brachycephalic airway issues (mild)

patellar luxation

hip dysplasia

eye problems (cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy)

dental disease

ear infections

kidney and liver issues

Long coat requires daily brushing or short haircuts.

Dental disease is very common — daily dental care essential.

Protruding eyes need monitoring; keep face clean and dry.

Gear for Shih Tzus

Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.

Crate

for Shih Tzus

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Harness

for Shih Tzus

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Bed

for Shih Tzus

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Collar

for Shih Tzus

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Leash

for Shih Tzus

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Slow feeder bowl

for Shih Tzus

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Chew toy

for Shih Tzus

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As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.

Training for Shih Tzus

Matched to Shih Tzu temperament (affectionate, playful, outgoing).

training

BAXTER & Bella

Online puppy training program, lifetime access

•Lifetime membership
•Self-paced video lessons
•Puppy + adult content
•Behavior troubleshooting

See BAXTER & Bella →

training

GoodPup

1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers

•1-on-1 live video sessions
•Certified trainers
•Custom per-dog plan
•Weekly structure

See GoodPup →

training

Dogo

App-based training with daily structure

•App-based daily plans
•AI-guided feedback
•Affordable monthly cost
•Trick training library

See Dogo →

GPS trackers for Shih Tzus

Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.

gps tracker

Tractive

Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range

•Attaches to any collar
•Worldwide GPS coverage
•Activity monitoring
•Budget-friendly

See Tractive →

Curious about their DNA?

Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.

dna

Embark

The most comprehensive dog DNA test

•350+ breeds identified
•250+ health conditions screened
•Cornell-partnered science
•Relatives finder

See Embark →

dna

Wisdom Panel

Breed identification + health screening

•350+ breeds
•Genetic health insights
•Budget-friendly option
•Fast results

See Wisdom Panel →

Common symptoms in Shih Tzus

What to watch for, what causes it, and when to worry.

Coughing →

Dry hacking, wet cough, or gagging — causes range from kennel cough to heart disease to co…

Eye Discharge & Tearing →

Watery eyes, crusty discharge, or colored goop — common in flat-faced and toy breeds. Usua…

Shih Tzu questions, answered

How long do Shih Tzus live?▾

Shih Tzus typically live 10-18 years. Good nutrition, regular vet care, and weight management are the three biggest factors in reaching the top of that range.

How big do Shih Tzus get?▾

Adult Shih Tzus typically weigh 9-16 lbs and stand 9-10.5 inches at the shoulder. That makes them a toy breed.

How much exercise does a Shih Tzu need?▾

Shih Tzus are a low-activity breed. Plan on 30-60 minutes of gentle activity per day. Mental stimulation (training, puzzle toys) matters as much as physical exercise.

What health problems do Shih Tzus commonly have?▾

Shih Tzus are most prone to: brachycephalic airway issues (mild), patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, eye problems (cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy), dental disease. Preventive vet visits, a quality diet, and weight management reduce risk on most of these. Reputable breeders screen for the genetic conditions.

Are Shih Tzus hard to groom?▾

Shih Tzus need high grooming — daily brushing, regular professional grooming (every 4-8 weeks), coat maintenance. Their long coat requires daily attention to prevent matting.

What should I feed a Shih Tzu?▾

Toy breed. ~300-500 kcal/day. Dental and eye health are the main dietary considerations. Key nutrients to look for: dental support, omega-3, antioxidants.

Are Shih Tzus good for first-time owners?▾

Shih Tzus are generally suitable for first-time owners with basic commitment. They're affectionate, playful, outgoing. Plan for consistent training from day one.

Ask Barkly about your Shih Tzu

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