Are there any health problems you need to be aware of when owning this breed? Shih Tzus are not immune to health problems and are prone to the following:

Eye Conditions – Because of their flat faces and bulging eyes, Shih Tzus are prone to a number of eye conditions including bacterial infections and corneal ulcers.

Brachycephalic Syndrome – This breed is prone to breathing difficulties due to their flat faces and symptoms of this condition include laboured breathing and difficulty eating.

Intervertebral Disc Disease – This is a degenerative disease that affects the discs in the neck and spine. Dogs can recover from this, but it depends on the degree of degeneration.

Of course, grooming is all part and parcel of pet ownership, but this is a relatively low maintenance breed with little to no shedding. Your Shih Tzu will require routine grooming, but brushing is all you need to do in-between professional appointments. The frequency of brushing will depend on the length of your pet’s hair.

If you are looking for a breed that has moderate energy levels, the Shih Tzu is a great match. This breed will be happy with between 30 minutes to an hour of exercise per day and this should be split up into two walks per day.

So, what can you expect when your Shih Tzu reaches adulthood? Small breeds are often quicker to mature than larger breeds so you can expect your Shih Tzu to stop growing around ten months old.

Nutrition is a big part of keeping your dog healthy and happy and you will want to avoid overfeeding or underfeeding your pet but how much should your Shih Tzu be eating? This will depend on how old your Shih Tzu is as their needs will change as they grow from being a puppy to adulthood. The easiest way to decipher the right amount of food for your pet is to go by the weight of your pet. Shih Tzus eating habits are unique in that they need four meals per day as a puppy which can be cut down to two and three portions spaced throughout the day.

Reward based training has the highest success rate when training a Shih Tzu. When teaching your dog commands, use a treat that they love, or clicker and you will soon be able to put any bad habits in the past.

Shih Tzus are hardy dogs but like all breeds, they are more prone to certain health issues that others, so having pet insurance can help to protect you against those unexpected vet bills. You can find out more about your cover options benefits with Asda Money Dog Insurance here.