Shih Tzu — questions to ask before paying a deposit
A responsible breeder will have these readily available. Deflection is a red flag.
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)can shorten life or cause chronic pain
Shih Tzus are extremely brachycephalic, with the same volume of soft tissue as a longer-muzzled dog crowded into a much shorter airway. A 2026 cross-sectional study assessed almost 900 dogs across 14 brachycephalic breeds, including Shih Tzu, using the functional grading test, and the Kennel Club responded by expanding free RFG testing at Crufts to Shih Tzu and 13 other breeds from 2026.
Ask to see: The Kennel Club/University of Cambridge Respiratory Function Grading Scheme (RFGS) result on both parents.
The Royal Kennel Club - RFG scheme expansion for Crufts 2026 (https://www.royalkennelclub.com/about-us/resources/media-centre/2026/february/royal-kennel-club-expands-rfg-scheme-with-free-health-testing-available-at-crufts-2026-for-an-additional-14-breeds/) · A cross-sectional study into the prevalence and conformational risk factors of BOAS across fourteen brachycephalic dog breeds (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12915975/)
Brachycephalic ocular syndrome (entropion, pigmentary keratitis, corneal exposure)
The shortened muzzle and large, prominent eyes leave the cornea more exposed and prone to pigmentation and ulceration, and predispose to inward-rolling lower eyelids (entropion). A 2023 ophthalmic study of Shih Tzus from a single kennel found medial lower-eyelid entropion in 71% of the eyes examined.
Ask to see: Annual eye examination by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist (OFA/CAER) on both parents.
UFAW - Shih Tzu: Brachycephalic Ocular Syndrome (https://www.ufaw.org.uk/dogs/shih-tzu-brachycephalic-ocular-syndrome) · Veterinary Ophthalmology - An eye on the Shih Tzu dog: ophthalmic examination findings and ocular surface diagnostics (Sebbag et al. 2023) (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vop.13022)
Patellar luxation
The kneecap slips out of its groove; the American Shih Tzu Club recommends screening for a CHIC number.
Ask to see: OFA patellar luxation exam (graded 0-4) on both parents.
American Shih Tzu Club - CHIC participation (https://shihtzu.org/?q=astc_chic)
Juvenile renal dysplasiacan shorten life or cause chronic pain
Abnormally formed kidneys present from birth, found at unusually high rates in Shih Tzu kidney-biopsy series. Mildly affected dogs can appear normal for years while more severely affected puppies progress to kidney failure early in life, and standard bloodwork (BUN/creatinine) often misses it until most kidney function is already lost.
Ask to see: No fully validated commercial DNA test exists yet. Ask for a renal ultrasound and urinalysis (including urine protein:creatinine ratio) on both parents, understanding these can still miss early-stage disease, and ask about kidney failure in close relatives.
American Shih Tzu Club - Juvenile Renal Dysplasia in Shih Tzu (https://shihtzu.org/juvenile_renal_dysplasia)
Chondrodystrophy with intervertebral disc disease risk (CDDY/IVDD)can shorten life or cause chronic pain
An FGF4 retrogene variant alters disc structure and raises the risk of disc degeneration and herniation. Shih Tzu is one of the breeds OFA names for this DNA test, and insurance-database studies put lifetime IVDD prevalence in the breed at roughly 3.5-5%, well above non-chondrodystrophic breeds.
Ask to see: OFA/DNA CDDY (FGF4 retrogene) test on both parents.
OFA - Chondrodystrophy with Intervertebral Disc Disease (CDDY/IVDD) (https://ofa.org/chondrodystrophy-with-intervertebral-disc-disease-cddy-ivdd/)