A breeder's guide to Shih Tzu health testing
Here is a surprise: the AKC's health testing page lists no required tests for this breed. That does not mean none are needed. This VerifiedStuds guide explains the exams careful breeders use, the problems no test can show, and what we ask for the Verified Health badge.
The American Shih Tzu Club is the AKC parent club. Although the AKC page shows no required tests, responsible breeders screen for the breed's known weak points. We suggest these three exams:
Clearance
Who does it
Earliest final result
Eyes
Board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist
Any age; valid 12 months
Patellas
Veterinary exam, registered with OFA
12 months
Hips
X-rays sent to OFA
24 months
Eyes matter most. Large, shallow-set eyes are open to injury, dry eye and ulcers, and the breed also gets cataracts and retinal problems. Therefore, a yearly exam is the single most useful test.
With no official list, some sellers claim the breed needs no testing at all. However, loose kneecaps and hip dysplasia both occur, and both are inherited. A stud with registered results shows that his owner looked.
Thyroid panel: a useful extra, since low thyroid appears in the breed.
DNA tests: panels can include degenerative myelopathy and a few other markers.
Renal dysplasia is a kidney defect that puppies are born with. Mild cases stay hidden for years, and no reliable DNA test exists. So ask whether any relative died young of kidney failure.
Breathing is the other concern. The short face can come with narrow nostrils and a long soft palate. Listen to the stud at rest and after a short walk. A dog that snores loudly or tires quickly passes that on.
In addition, "imperial" and "teacup" are sales words, not varieties. The breed standard asks for 9 to 16 pounds. Very small dogs have more health trouble, and tiny females often need a cesarean.
Brucellosis spreads through mating and has no reliable cure. Therefore, the AKC advises testing stud dogs every six months and females before each breeding. In addition, VerifiedStuds asks for a negative test before every booking. Read brucellosis in dogs for the details.
Ask for his registered name, then look up his eye and patella results in the public OFA database.
Request his adult weight, as well as the weights of his parents.
Find out about kidney disease in his family.
Finally, check his nostrils and his breathing when you meet him.
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What health tests should a Shih Tzu have before breeding?
An eye exam, a patella exam and hips are the sensible core, plus a negative brucellosis test.
Does the AKC require health tests for Shih Tzu?
The AKC's breed health page lists none. Even so, careful breeders test eyes, patellas and hips.
Is there a test for renal dysplasia?
There is no reliable DNA test. Family history is the main guide, and a vet can check kidney values in the blood.
Are imperial Shih Tzu a separate variety?
No. The standard recognizes one size, from 9 to 16 pounds. Smaller dogs carry more health risk.
What does VerifiedStuds require for Shih Tzu studs?
A current eye exam and a patella exam, with a negative brucellosis test, for the Verified Health badge. Hips can be uploaded too.
Sources: American Shih Tzu Club, AKC Toy Group health testing requirements, OFA CHIC program.
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