Maltese Shihtzu Lifespan: Guide: What Every Owner Should Know
Your Maltese Shih Tzu mix typically lives 12 to 15 years. With excellent care, some reach 16 or 17. This hybrid benefits from hybrid vigor—the crossbreeding advantage that often reduces inherited health problems compared to purebred parents.
Your care decisions in the first year often determine whether your dog reaches 15 or falls short at 10. The most impactful changes are cheap and simple — if you start early.
Here’s what actually shortens or extends those years, and how to catch the early warning signs before they become expensive vet visits.
Lifespan Breakdown by Breed Comparison
| Breed | Average Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Maltese (purebred) | 12–15 years |
| Shih Tzu (purebred) | 10–16 years |
| Maltese Shih Tzu mix | 12–15 years |
Your dog’s actual years depend on genetics, diet, dental care, and how quickly you catch problems. Small dogs generally live longer than large breeds, and this mix has that advantage.
The Hidden Lifespan Killer Most Owners Miss
Dental disease is the single biggest preventable threat to your Maltese Shih Tzu’s lifespan.
Small mouths mean crowded teeth. Food gets trapped. Plaque hardens into tartar within 48 hours. Bacteria enter the bloodstream and damage the heart, kidneys, and liver.
How to detect it early:
- Check your dog’s breath weekly. Healthy breath isn’t odorless, but it shouldn’t knock you over.
- Lift the lip. Look for red gums, yellow-brown buildup, or bleeding when you touch the gum line.
- Watch for pawing at the mouth, dropping food, or reluctance to chew hard treats.
Action step: Start daily brushing the day you bring your puppy home. Use a finger brush and dog-safe toothpaste. By 6 months, your dog will accept it like routine.
Verify your brushing is working: Use a plaque-disclosing cotton swab from your vet once a month. Swab the teeth — pink residue shows active plaque buildup, and clean areas won’t change color. If you see persistent pink spots, you need to brush those surfaces longer.
Common mistake: Relying only on dental chews. Chews help, but they don’t clean the gumline where disease starts.
When brushing doesn’t work: Some dogs will never tolerate a brush. A water additive or dental diet can help, but it won’t reach the gumline as effectively. If your dog fights brushing, ask your vet about annual anesthetized cleanings starting at age 2.
3 Expert Tips to Extend Your Dog’s Lifespan
Tip 1: Prevent Tracheal Collapse With a Harness, Not a Collar
Maltese and Shih Tzu lines both carry risk for tracheal collapse. A dog that pulls against a collar compresses the windpipe. Over time, the cartilage rings weaken.
- Actionable step: Use a well-fitted harness for every walk. The Y-front style (like the Gooby Step-In or Puppia Soft) distributes pressure across the chest.
- Verify fit: After putting on the harness, check that two fingers fit between the strap and your dog’s chest. The D-ring should sit between the shoulder blades, not on the throat. A harness that rides up when the dog pulls is too large or poorly designed.
- Common mistake: Using a collar on a dog that pulls, even occasionally. One hard lunge can do damage. Also, avoid harnesses that put a strap across the throat (step-in harnesses are generally safer than overhead ones).
- Trade-off: A harness doesn’t guarantee tracheal protection if the fit is wrong. Measure your dog’s chest girth and neck circumference before buying. Cheaper harnesses often shift during walks — invest in a reputable brand with a front-clip option for control.
Tip 2: Manage Weight Like a Health Metric, Not an Aesthetic
Your Maltese Shih Tzu should weigh 7–12 pounds fully grown. Every extra pound adds stress to joints, the heart, and the airway. Overweight dogs live 2–3 years less on average.
- Actionable step: Use a kitchen scale to measure food. “One cup” by eye is often 25% more than you think. Weigh once a month and adjust.
- Common mistake: Free-feeding kibble. Small dogs will eat when bored, not just when hungry. Meals twice a day, no grazing.
Tip 3: Protect the Eyes With Daily Checks
Both breeds have shallow eye sockets and bulging eyes. Corneal scratches, dry eye, and progressive retinal atrophy are common. An untreated scratch can lead to vision loss or eye removal.
- Actionable step: Wipe eye corners with a damp cloth each morning. Look for cloudiness, redness, or squinting. If your dog rubs her face on furniture, check her eyes.
- Common mistake: Ignoring clear discharge. Clear discharge can mean allergies, but it can also mean a blocked tear duct or early infection.
The One Failure Mode That Cuts Lifespan by Years
Liver shunts (portosystemic shunts) are the most dangerous inherited condition in this mix.
Blood bypasses the liver, so toxins from digestion aren’t filtered. Signs appear before 1 year old:
- Stunted growth or poor weight gain
- Odd behaviors: circling, head pressing, staring at walls
- Excessive drooling or seizures after eating
- Urinating frequently or drinking excessively
What to do: If you see any of these signs in a puppy under 12 months, request a bile acid test from your vet. Early surgical correction can restore normal lifespan. Missed shunts lead to liver failure by age 2–3.
Breeder red flag: A responsible breeder screens for liver shunts. If you got your puppy from a source that didn’t test, be extra vigilant.
What this means for your next step: If you’re picking a breeder, ask directly: “Have you screened any of the puppy’s parents or siblings for liver shunts?” A vague answer or “they’re all healthy” is not sufficient. Push for documentation of bile acid test results.
Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Lifespan Checklist
Print this. Stick it on your fridge.
Daily (30 seconds)
- Check breath and gums
- Wipe eye corners
- Offer fresh water
Weekly (5 minutes)
- Brush teeth
- Weigh on kitchen scale
- Check skin for lumps or scabs
Monthly (10 minutes)
- Trim nails (if they click on floor, they’re too long)
- Clean ears with vet-approved solution
- Run hands over entire body for new bumps
- Do a plaque-disclosing check with a cotton swab
Vet Visit Triggers
- Bad breath that doesn’t improve after brushing
- Weight gain or loss of more than half a pound in one month
- Squinting or redness in one eye that lasts more than a day
- Any seizure, even if brief
Diet That Supports a Long Life
Your Maltese Shih Tzu needs small-breed kibble or wet food with high-quality protein (chicken, fish, lamb) as the first ingredient.
Daily feeding guide (adult dog, 8–10 pound target):
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup of dry food per day, split into two meals
- Or 3–4 ounces of wet food per day, divided
What to avoid:
- Gravy-style foods (high sugar, little nutritional value)
- Table scraps (onions, grapes, chocolate are toxic; even safe foods add empty calories)
- Cheap fillers (corn, wheat, soy as the first three ingredients)
Product recommendations:
- Hill’s Science Diet Small & Toy Breed Adult
- Royal Canin Small Breed Adult
- Wellness CORE Small Breed Grain-Free
Rotate between two brands every 3–4 months to prevent pickiness and ensure balanced nutrients.
When to Call the Vet Immediately
Some problems can’t wait for the next appointment. Call your vet or an emergency clinic if your dog:
- Collapses or can’t stand
- Has a seizure lasting more than 2 minutes
- Vomits more than twice in 24 hours
- Has bloody diarrhea
- Shows eye pain (squinting, pawing, cloudy cornea)
- Has difficulty breathing (blue tongue, open-mouth panting at rest)
First-aid while you wait: Keep a pet first-aid kit with sterile saline eye wash, triple antibiotic ointment (no pain reliever), and a digital thermometer. Normal temp is 99.5–102.5°F.
Save This Guide
Your Maltese Shih Tzu can live well past 12 years, but only with proactive care. Dental disease, liver shunts, and weight gain are the three biggest threats — and all three are manageable with early detection.
Key takeaway: Brush teeth daily, use a harness, weigh weekly, and test for liver shunts before 12 months. Do that, and you’re giving your dog the best shot at 15+ healthy years.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Maltese Shih Tzu lifespan longer than either parent breed?
Yes, on average. Hybrid vigor often reduces inherited health problems, helping this mix live as long or longer than purebred Maltese or Shih Tzu lines.
At what age should I start brushing my Maltese Shih Tzu’s teeth?
Start at 8 weeks old with a finger brush and dog-safe toothpaste. Early habituation is easier than teaching an adult dog to tolerate brushing.
How do I know if my Maltese Shih Tzu has a liver shunt?
Signs before 1 year include poor growth, circling, head pressing, and seizures after eating. A bile acid test from your vet can confirm it.
Can a Maltese Shih Tzu live to 18 years?
Occasionally, with exceptional genetics and owner dedication. Most live 12–15 years. Focus on quality of life, not just reaching a number.
What food is best for a senior Maltese Shih Tzu?
Switch to a senior small-breed formula around age 8–10. These have adjusted protein, fiber, and joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine.
