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It is important for a Shih Tzu owner to know how long their Shih Tzu lives. It is generally agreed that the average lifespan of a Shih Tzu is 13 years and most of them last between 10 and 16 years. Again there is evidence that some of them lived for 19, 21, or 23 years. However, there are exceptions to this assumption.
When does the Shih Tzu reach full maturity? Generally, this breed is considered fully grown when they reach 10 months of age. To find out more about the growth of the Shih Tzu, you may want to read our article dedicated specifically to that topic.
When mixed with breeds such as Pitbulls, the life expectancy of a Shih Tzu can be slightly extended. With proper care, nutrition and exercise, it is possible to extend the lifespan of your Shih Tzu mixed breed even further.
It is important to note that overall, female Shih Tzu have an average life expectancy of 1.5 years longer than male Shih Tzu.
A more than the two-decade study by veterinarians found that even young Shih Tzu die prematurely. Its number 1 cause is infection. Infections include parvovirus, distemper and leptospirosis, but these can be avoided if vaccinated correctly.
And the number 2 reason is trauma. Symptoms of trauma include severe injuries to the head, body, or both in death and accidental falls down stairs. And the 3 leading causes of death in adult Shih Tzu are Cancer, urogenital, and infections.
Lifespan of shih Tzu Maltese
The Maltese Shih Tzu is a very intelligent, friendly and outgoing toy-sized dog. They are one of the most popular cross breed dogs in Australia. The Maltese Shih Tzu was bred in the 1990s from a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Maltese. For those who crossbreed, the crossbreeding of the Maltese and the Shih Tzu is a great success.
They are extremely easy to train and make great companion dogs for people of all ages. Maltese Shih Tzus have an estimated lifespan of 12 to 18 years and, like other small breeds, have an average chance of developing health problems during their lifetime. Although the Maltese Shih Tzu is a new hybrid breed, Maltese Shih Tzus make a small, low-shedding companion dog with a good disposition and outgoing temperament.
Generally, the body structure of Maltese Shih Tzus is They are very small in size, have round heads and a small mouth. Their eyes and nose are similar to the Shih Tzu and their long hair is similar to the Maltese.
Their coats usually come in other color combinations such as black, brown, black and white, brown and white, and black and brown.
At what age is a Shih Tzu ready to train?
According to most dog trainers, it is most important to start training a Shih Tzu when they are 8 weeks old. Because when Shih Tzus are 8 weeks old, they learn about the world around them and begin to form habits and learn basic commands that are likely to last a lifetime.
Start socializing your Shih Tzu at 12 weeks of age. During this time, your puppy is most open to new experiences. Expose yourself to as many new people, animals and experiences as possible during this time. This will help them grow up right and reduce fear.
Is Shih Tzu a good dog for first-time owners?
Because of its lively and friendly attitude, the Shih Tzu is a good dog for first-time owners. They make excellent companions and house pets as their luxurious coats are easy to maintain and they require minimal exercise. They love to play with people and are very easy to train so they are great house dogs.
They bond with their owners with their intelligence and loyal behavior and take their place as their owner’s lifelong companions. The nice thing about Shih Tzus is that they are great for apartments, as they love being indoors.If you are looking for a dog that loves to stay inside and hang with their owner, the Shih Tzui will be the perfect companion for you.
Benefits of Shih Tzus
Excellent Coat The Shih Tzu has some excellent colors, colors are gold, white, red and black mask with gold, black and white, liver, solid black and brindle and white. You can keep their coats as long or as short as you like
Very affectionate with children, the Shih Tzu is affectionate with children and makes an excellent therapy dog, as they are known for their friendly nature and charming personality.
They mostly like to spend time indoors, because they were bred as companion dogs so they are the best for your home.
Since Shih Tzus were bred for companionship they are really great lapdogs. If you are elderly or considering a pet companion for your parents, the Shih Tzu can be the perfect companion. Their grooming costs can add up quickly
Disadvantages of Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus require a high quality diet, these puppies have certain nutritional needs. They benefit from your home-made food but to make sure they are getting everything they need in home-made food, ask your vet how much to feed and how often.
Although these puppies are charming and friendly, they can be a bit stubborn. If you don’t start training them in time then you can get bad behavior from them instead of good. So when you first bring a Shih Tzu into your home, start house training and obedience training quickly.
Like other small breeds, Shih Tzus have some health problems, the most common of which are hip dysplasia, patellar luxation (a slipped kneecap), cataracts with eye anomalies, progressive retinal atrophy, all of which require veterinary advice.
If you purchase a Shih Tzu puppy from a breeder. So ask about his bloodline health before buying and ensure the best chance of healthy puppies
At what age is the Shih Tzu more active?
Most Shih Tzus start to become more active by 3 weeks of age and are able to walk around. At this time they can hear better and their eyes open fully. But at this time their eyesight and hearing are not fully developed.
Then when they are 6 weeks old they are completely weaned. And at this time their eyesight and hearing are fully developed. Now your Shih Tzu is more active and curious than ever
Why does Shih Tzu follow you everywhere?
If you feel like your Shih Tzu is following you everywhere, know that he loves and trusts you very much. A Shih Tzu following its owner around is normal behavior for a Shih Tzu. However, there are some breeds that get very irritable and irritable when their owner is not in front of them.
Just as you love to be close to your loved one, your beloved Shih Tzu loves to be close to you and feels a warm glow, as if you are his whole being. So they feel happy and safe being with you.
So whenever you see your dog following you, give him your feedback by rewarding him. And pay attention to him, to encourage him to continue this behavior.
Your Shih Tzu may follow you for many other reasons, such as when they are upset or trying to tell you something, or are scared.
What is the most common cause of death in Shih Tzu?
Shih Tzus generally have an average lifespan of 10-16 years, but some can die prematurely. The most common cause of death in Shih Tzus is infection, usually from viruses such as parvovirus, distemper and leptospirosis that can be avoided by vaccinating as per vet recommendations. Other reasons for premature deaths include trauma (such as severe head or body injuries from falls down stairs) and illnesses like cancer, urogenital problems, kidney failure, respiratory infections, and liver diseases. Furthermore, old age is also often a major factor in the overall decrease of lifespan.
