Shih Tzu insurance
Shih Tzu insurance
Flowing coat, gentle soul! Napo's lifetime Shih Tzu insurance includes dental treatment as standard, unlimited 24/7 video vet appointments through FirstVet, and payments made straight to your vet.
Flowing coat, gentle soul! Napo's lifetime Shih Tzu insurance includes dental treatment as standard, unlimited 24/7 video vet appointments through FirstVet, and payments made straight to your vet.
Shih Tzu quick facts
Shih Tzu quick facts
Meet your fluffy new companion. Once a Tibetan palace dog, Shih Tzus are loyal and lively. With their flat faces and long coats, they’re sensitive to heat and can be prone to skin and eye conditions as they get older.
Join over 100,000 pet parents who’ve trusted us to care for the hairiest members of their household
Size & weight:
Small, around 4.5-8kg
Coat:
Long, dense double coat, needs daily grooming
Exercise
Up to 1 hour a day
Lifespan:
10–16 years
Breed group:
Toy
Temperament:
Outgoing, friendly, loving
Shih Tzu temperament & personality
Shih Tzu temperament & personality
Shih Tzus are outgoing dogs who genuinely enjoy company, so they usually get on well with children and other pets.
This means they tend to adapt well to a wide range of households, from busy families to quieter, single-person homes.
Bred for centuries as companion dogs, they're happiest close to their humans and don't love being left alone for long.
Shih Tzus are outgoing dogs who genuinely enjoy company, so they usually get on well with children and other pets.
This means they tend to adapt well to a wide range of households, from busy families to quieter, single-person homes.
Bred for centuries as companion dogs, they're happiest close to their humans and don't love being left alone for long.
Shih Tzu training and exercise needs
Shih Tzu training and exercise needs
Shih Tzus are bright and eager to please, though they can have an independent streak. Short, positive sessions with plenty of encouragement tend to work best.
These hardy little dogs don't need much exercise - a couple of short, varied walks a day tend to suit them better than one long outing.
It’s worth keeping exercise light in warm weather, as their flat faces make it harder for Shih Tzus to cool down.
Shih Tzus are bright and eager to please, though they can have an independent streak. Short, positive sessions with plenty of encouragement tend to work best.
These hardy little dogs don't need much exercise - a couple of short, varied walks a day tend to suit them better than one long outing.
It’s worth keeping exercise light in warm weather, as their flat faces make it harder for Shih Tzus to cool down.
Shih Tzu grooming
Shih Tzu grooming
Shih Tzus come in a variety of colours, often with a white blaze on the forehead and white tail tip. That long, flowing double coat needs daily brushing to prevent matting!
Many owners choose to keep their Shih Tzu clipped shorter for easier coat care. Regular trims around the eyes also prevent hair from irritating or scratching them. Their facial folds need regular, gentle cleaning.
As grooming is routine care, it isn't covered by pet insurance. Worth knowing when you're totting up the cost of owning a Shih Tzu!
Shih Tzus come in a variety of colours, often with a white blaze on the forehead and white tail tip. That long, flowing double coat needs daily brushing to prevent matting!
Many owners choose to keep their Shih Tzu clipped shorter for easier coat care. Regular trims around the eyes also prevent hair from irritating or scratching them. Their facial folds need regular, gentle cleaning.
As grooming is routine care, it isn't covered by pet insurance. Worth knowing when you're totting up the cost of owning a Shih Tzu!
What health conditions are Shih Tzu prone to?
What health conditions are Shih Tzu prone to?
Shih Tzus are resilient dogs considering their size, but their flat faces and long coats mean there are a few things worth knowing about before bringing one home.
Common conditions include breathing difficulties, dermatitis and dental disease.
Insure your Shih Tzu with Napo now to keep them covered for life.
Shih Tzus are resilient dogs considering their size, but their flat faces and long coats mean there are a few things worth knowing about before bringing one home.
Common conditions include breathing difficulties, dermatitis and dental disease.
Insure your Shih Tzu with Napo now to keep them covered for life.
Breathing difficulties (BOAS)
Shih Tzus are a brachycephalic breed, and while they’re typically less severely affected than some flat-faced breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs, they may still experience breathing difficulties, particularly in heat or after exercise.
Breathing difficulties (BOAS)
Shih Tzus are a brachycephalic breed, and while they’re typically less severely affected than some flat-faced breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs, they may still experience breathing difficulties, particularly in heat or after exercise.
Eye conditions
Their prominent eyes can be more exposed to injury, dryness or irritation than in other breeds, so it's worth watching for any excessive tearing or redness.
Eye conditions
Their prominent eyes can be more exposed to injury, dryness or irritation than in other breeds, so it's worth watching for any excessive tearing or redness.
Skin fold dermatitis
The folds around a Shih Tzu's face can trap moisture and debris, which can lead to irritation if they aren’t kept clean and dry.
Skin fold dermatitis
The folds around a Shih Tzu's face can trap moisture and debris, which can lead to irritation if they aren’t kept clean and dry.
Other things to keep an eye on
Weight management - any excess weight makes breathing more difficult, so be sure to keep an eye on this
Luxating patella - a slipping kneecap is a fairly common condition in smaller breeds like the Shih Tzu, so watch for any changes in how your dog walks or plays
Dental disease - Napo pet insurance includes dental cover as standard, as long as you take your Shih Tzu for annual dental check-ups
Other things to keep an eye on
Weight management - any excess weight makes breathing more difficult, so be sure to keep an eye on this
Luxating patella - a slipping kneecap is a fairly common condition in smaller breeds like the Shih Tzu, so watch for any changes in how your dog walks or plays
Dental disease - Napo pet insurance includes dental cover as standard, as long as you take your Shih Tzu for annual dental check-ups
How much does Shih Tzu insurance cost?
How much does Shih Tzu insurance cost?
The cost of insuring a Shih Tzu depends on their age and the level of vet fee cover you choose. Napo's lifetime cover limits range from £2,000 to £16,000 a year, so you can pick what you need for your dog and budget.
As they get older, Shih Tzus may develop health issues like BOAS and eye conditions that need ongoing care, not just one-off treatment - but that's exactly what lifetime pet insurance is built for.
The cost of insuring a Shih Tzu depends on their age and the level of vet fee cover you choose. Napo's lifetime cover limits range from £2,000 to £16,000 a year, so you can pick what you need for your dog and budget.
As they get older, Shih Tzus may develop health issues like BOAS and eye conditions that need ongoing care, not just one-off treatment - but that's exactly what lifetime pet insurance is built for.
Shih Tzu FAQs
Shih Tzu FAQs
Are Shih Tzus good for first-time owners?
Generally, yes! They're affectionate and easygoing, though new owners should be mindful of their heat sensitivity and heavy-duty coat maintenance needs.
Are Shih Tzus good for first-time owners?
Generally, yes! They're affectionate and easygoing, though new owners should be mindful of their heat sensitivity and heavy-duty coat maintenance needs.
Do Shih Tzus get on well with cats?
Usually, yes. Their friendly, sociable nature tends to make them comfortable around cats and other household pets.
Do Shih Tzus get on well with cats?
Usually, yes. Their friendly, sociable nature tends to make them comfortable around cats and other household pets.
What's the difference between a Shih Tzu and a Lhasa Apso?
They may look similar but are two distinct breeds. Shih Tzus tend to be slightly smaller and more overtly friendly with strangers, while Lhasa Apsos were bred as watchdogs and can be more reserved.
What's the difference between a Shih Tzu and a Lhasa Apso?
They may look similar but are two distinct breeds. Shih Tzus tend to be slightly smaller and more overtly friendly with strangers, while Lhasa Apsos were bred as watchdogs and can be more reserved.
How big do Shih Tzus get?
They're a small breed, typically standing around 20-28cm at the shoulder and weighing between 4-7kg.
How big do Shih Tzus get?
They're a small breed, typically standing around 20-28cm at the shoulder and weighing between 4-7kg.
Are Shih Tzus good in hot weather?
Not especially, no. Their flat faces make it harder to regulate temperature, so hot weather calls for shade, water and limiting exercise to cooler times of day.
Are Shih Tzus good in hot weather?
Not especially, no. Their flat faces make it harder to regulate temperature, so hot weather calls for shade, water and limiting exercise to cooler times of day.
Do Shih Tzus bark a lot?
Not especially. Shih Tzus aren't known to be excessive barkers, but they'll usually let you know when a visitor arrives! Their easygoing nature means they're rarely yappy.
Do Shih Tzus bark a lot?
Not especially. Shih Tzus aren't known to be excessive barkers, but they'll usually let you know when a visitor arrives! Their easygoing nature means they're rarely yappy.
A note from Napo, our original founder
Hi! I’m Napoleon, but everyone calls me Napo. Like all small Dachshunds, I’m remembered for my enormous personality.
My owner JP (the human founder of Napo) struggled to find good insurance to cover my health needs as I got older. And he loved me so much that when we had to say goodbye, he created an inclusive pet insurance company in my memory 💙
A note from Napo, our original founder
Hi! I’m Napoleon, but everyone calls me Napo. Like all small Dachshunds, I’m remembered for my enormous personality.
My owner JP (the human founder of Napo) struggled to find good insurance to cover my health needs as I got older. And he loved me so much that when we had to say goodbye, he created an inclusive pet insurance company in my memory 💙
A note from Napo, our original founder
Hi! I’m Napoleon, but everyone calls me Napo. Like all small Dachshunds, I’m remembered for my enormous personality.
My owner JP (the human founder of Napo) struggled to find good insurance to cover my health needs as I got older. And he loved me so much that when we had to say goodbye, he created an inclusive pet insurance company in my memory 💙