Health
There are several different causes of health issues in Shih Tzus. Some are more apparent than others. Primary include:
- Old Age
- Obesity
- Infection
- Injury
- Lack of exercise
Owners should be aware of the common health complications with this breed are:
- Eye issues more common in older dogs
- Intervertebral disk disease usually due to the poor immune system
- Breathing difficulties
Lifespan
Black Shih Tzu is expected to have a life of an average of 13 human years. For a dog, this is quite long as most dog breeds live only about a decade. This is remarkable since they usually mature fast within 10-12 months.