my mom is getting a 5 yrold shih tzu dog... how long should she expect him to live w/o medical issues... ???
2006-07-19 02:33:53 · 10 answers · asked by araya1124 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
My Shih-Tzu is 14. We adopted him at age 6. he has been healthy for most of his life. His teeth are decaying, so I would recommend to have his teeth checked regularly and cleaned if needed. Also has a heart murmur now at grade 5.The eyes are also important as mine has Retinal Atrophy, an ulcer on the retina that can erupt and cause blindness. Ask your vet. if there are tests available to see if yours has the condition. Search out the Shih-Tzu breed to find more info. Also ask your vet what you should watch out for with the breed. He has been a joy to us and we will definately look to adopting another one.
2006-07-19 04:23:10 · answer #1 · answered by vprey 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just google shih tzu and the info comes up... but aprox 12 yrs total.
A five year old shih tzu.. hahahha well his little stubborn attitude is well entrenched by now... har har.. they are intelligent and stubborn little clowns.. like a child that never grows up they need attention. They need grooming like crazy and/or take him to a professional groomer and have him clipped.
I have had my shih tzu for three years and he's a beam of light. He's loyal and kookie and I love him to bits.
As far as medical issues.. I'd suggest that your mother have the dog checked by a vet before she gets him or see a recent vet check record. They are prone to joints popping out and pastern problems because of the shrinking of the breed to such a size. Also their teeth fall out early because they have been so bread down in the face that the whole mouth structure is out of whack. Many shih tzu dogs have to have teeth removed in order to function properly. They need dental attention all their lives.. cleaning etc.
Just some of the little things that are needed.
2006-07-19 02:43:06 · answer #2 · answered by whatsit 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A healthy shih tzu can live to be anywhere from 12-18 years old, depending on health, bloodline, etc.
2006-07-19 03:04:08 · answer #3 · answered by little_beth85 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
14 years
2006-07-19 16:36:51 · answer #4 · answered by Ashleigh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
shih tzu's usually live from 15-20 years steadily...
2006-07-19 02:36:49 · answer #5 · answered by bmcrowell 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Shitzu is a boy and he just turned 16 years old and he is very healthy. God Bless Him.
2015-07-15 01:31:12 · answer #6 · answered by karen cabezas 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i heard well actually i read they live from 14-15 years if healthly maybe shorter maybe longer, and the person who answered first what has all that crap about a hospital got to do with a bloody dog??
2006-07-19 02:43:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
shih-tsu lifexpectency: Shih-tsu = about 15 years
2006-07-19 02:41:02 · answer #8 · answered by about2teach 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off ~ I think answerer #1 is a copy and paste king............
I've known a shizu to live 17 yrs
2006-07-19 03:12:35 · answer #9 · answered by debra_har 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mine lived till she was 14. they have really bad breath...!! but cute and fun to play with.
2006-07-19 02:48:59 · answer #10 · answered by Madina A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋