TL;DR
The typical Shih Tzu lifespan is about 12 to 13 years, and many live well into their teens. In a 2024 UK study of 584,734 dogs, Shih Tzus had a median lifespan of 12.8 years, longer than the 12.0 years of mixed breeds, and a UK study of 11,082 Shih Tzus found a median age at death of 12.7 years, with some reaching almost 20. Their most common health problems are teeth (dental disease in 13.3% in a single year), skin and eyes, and the most common causes of death were gut disease, heart disease and poor quality of life in old age (7.9% each). A Shih Tzu is a senior from about 9.6 years.
How long do Shih Tzus live?
| Measure | Shih Tzu | Mixed breed |
|---|---|---|
| Median lifespan, 2024 UK study (5,894 deaths) | 12.8 years | 12.0 years |
| Median age at death, UK Shih Tzu study | 12.7 years | |
| Life expectancy at birth, UK life tables | 11.05 years | 11.82 years |
| Senior from about (last 25% of lifespan) | 9.6 years | 9 years |
In the UK Shih Tzu study, the middle half of dogs died between 8.7 and 14.3 years, the oldest at 19.9 years, and there was no difference between males and females. The authors concluded that Shih Tzus appear relatively long-lived compared with dogs overall.
Shih Tzu age in human years
| Dog's age | Life stage | Roughly like a person aged |
|---|---|---|
| 4 years | Mature adult | 25 |
| 5 years | Mature adult | 31 |
| 6 years | Mature adult | 37 |
| 7 years | Mature adult | 43 |
| 8 years | Mature adult | 49 |
| 9 years | Mature adult | 56 |
| 10 years | Senior | 62 |
| 11 years | Senior | 68 |
| 12 years | Senior | 74 |
| 13 years | Senior, past the median | 80 |
| 14 years | Senior, past the median | 86 |
| 15 years | Senior, past the median | 93 |
| 16 years | Senior, past the median | 99 |
This uses the share of the breed's typical lifespan a dog has lived, compared with US human life expectancy of 79 years. For puppies and young dogs, the DNA-based method in the calculator below is more accurate. Try any age:
Dog age calculator
Enter your dog's age and breed. Choose "Mixed breed" if you are not sure.
Human age (DNA method)
64
From age-related DNA changes in Labradors compared with people (Wang 2020). Least reliable for puppies under a few months.
Same point in a human life
53
Your dog has lived about 67% of the typical 12.0-year lifespan for this group. The same share of a 79.0-year US life expectancy is age 53.
Life stage
Mature adult
AAHA: from maturity until the last 25% of expected lifespan, about 9.0 years for this group.
Mixed breed (crossbreed): median lifespan 12.0 years (95% CI 12.0 to 12.1), senior from about 9.0 years.
Lifespans: UK study of 584,734 dogs (McMillan 2024). Life stages: AAHA. Every dog ages differently; health, weight and lifestyle all matter.
What Shih Tzus die of
In the UK study, the three most common causes of death were tied:
| Cause of death | Share of deaths |
|---|---|
| Enteropathy (gut disease with diarrhea or vomiting) | 7.9% |
| Heart disease | 7.9% |
| Poor quality of life | 7.9% |
Small dogs are prone to leaky heart valves, and Shih Tzus had 2.89 times the odds of a degenerative mitral valve disease diagnosis compared with crossbreeds in another UK study. Ask your vet to listen for a murmur at every check.
Common Shih Tzu health problems
Among 2,423 Shih Tzus with full records in the UK study, the most common problems in a year were:
| Problem | Share of Shih Tzus |
|---|---|
| Skin disorders (all types) | 16.6% |
| Dental disorders (all types) | 13.3% |
| Eye disorders (all types) | 11.9% |
| Periodontal (gum) disease | 9.5% |
| Anal sac impaction | 7.4% |
| Ear disorders | 5.5% |
The authors highlighted oral hygiene as a healthcare priority for the breed. Shih Tzus are a flat-faced breed, and in a UK study of 22,333 dogs, flat-faced breeds had 1.25 times the odds of periodontal disease of breeds with a medium-length skull. Their prominent eyes are also easily injured, so any squinting, redness or cloudiness needs a vet the same day.
How to help a Shih Tzu live longer
- Make dental care daily. Brush if you can, and book professional cleanings when your vet advises. If brushing is hard, daily help in food can slow plaque: in a randomized trial of 60 small dogs, daily treats containing the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum led to significantly less plaque and tartar over 90 days. Our Daily Dental Cleaning Powder contains 700 mg of Ascophyllum nodosum per 4 g serving and is now available to pre-order. See how to clean dog teeth without brushing.
- Check the eyes daily and keep the hair around them trimmed.
- Keep the coat and skin healthy with regular brushing and grooming. See senior dog grooming.
- Keep it lean. The UK study found a mean adult weight of 7.9 kg; extra weight strains breathing, the heart and joints.
- Watch for heart signs: coughing, fast breathing at rest or tiring easily.
- Twice-yearly vet checks from about 9.6 years.
FAQ
How long do Shih Tzus live?
Most Shih Tzus live about 12 to 13 years, and many reach their teens. A 2024 UK study of 584,734 dogs found a median lifespan of 12.8 years, and a UK Shih Tzu study found a median age at death of 12.7 years.
Is 12 old for a Shih Tzu?
A Shih Tzu is a senior from about 9.6 years. At 12 it has lived about 94% of the breed's median lifespan, roughly like a person aged 74.
What do Shih Tzus usually die from?
In a UK study, the most common causes of death were gut disease, heart disease and poor quality of life in old age, each accounting for 7.9% of deaths.
What health problems do Shih Tzus have?
The most common are skin problems, dental disease, eye problems, anal sac impaction and ear problems. Gum disease alone was recorded in 9.5% of UK Shih Tzus in a single year.
Do male or female Shih Tzus live longer?
In the UK Shih Tzu study, there was no significant difference in age at death between males and females.
References
- McMillan KM, et al. Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death. Scientific Reports. 2024. PMID: 38302530
- Dale F, et al. Demography, common disorders and mortality of Shih Tzu dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. Canine Medicine and Genetics. 2024. PMID: 38263229
- Teng KT, et al. Life tables of annual life expectancy and mortality for companion dogs in the United Kingdom. Scientific Reports. 2022. PMID: 35484374
- Mattin MJ, et al. Prevalence of and risk factors for degenerative mitral valve disease in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2015. PMID: 25857638
- O'Neill DG, et al. Epidemiology of periodontal disease in dogs in the UK primary-care veterinary setting. Journal of Small Animal Practice. 2021. PMID: 34374104
- Gawor J, et al. Effects of edible treats containing Ascophyllum nodosum on the oral health of dogs: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled single-center study. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2018. PMID: 30109236
For individual health questions, your veterinarian remains the best partner.
