Shih Tzus are playful, outgoing, and love sitting on your lap. It’s a good thing, too, because their small stature and regal appearance make them perfect lap dogs. From puppy to full maturity, they only gain about 10 to 15 pounds. One look at them, and you’re just itching to sit down for a Shih Tzu snuggle. Is it any wonder why they’re in the top 25 most popular breeds in the US1?
But wait, how do you know if your Shih Tzu is growing properly? Will they always stay so small?
In this post, we’re going over what to expect as your Shih Tzu grows in weight, length, and height.
The 6 Facts About Shih Tzus
1. Pekingese and Lhasa Apsos Helped Create the Breed
About 1,000 years ago, long before China ruled Tibet, the two civilizations worked together, experimenting with the Pekingese and Lhasa Apso1. The result was the adorable and playful Shih Tzu.
2. Shih Tzu” Is a Mandarin Term
“Shih Tzu” is a Mandarin term meaning “little lion.” This may be a reference to Mañjuśrī, the Buddhist God of Learning. His name in Sanskrit means “gentle, or sweet, glory.”
3. They Were Owned by Royalty
Shih Tzus lived as lap dogs to emperors and royalty, particularly with The Ming Dynasty from 1368 to 1644.
4. Shih Tzus Were Used as a Status Symbol
Although the Ming Dynasty’s had significant political and cultural influence over China, the Shih Tzu remained a secret between Tibetan and Chinese royalty. They used the breed as a status symbol, exchanging dogs as valuable gifts.
5. Shih Tzus Almost Went Extinct
Eventually, China took over Tibet in the 1950s, and the breed went almost extinct2.
6. Several Dogs Went into the Breed’s Survival
The breed’s survival can be traced back to 14 dogs, thanks to hardworking American military personnel and diligent breeders.
Shih Tzu Size and Growth Chart
Shih Tzus started as fancy lap dogs and haven’t changed much. From birth to maturity, they only gain about 10 to 15 pounds. Take a look at this growth chart for reference.
| Age | Weight Range | Height Range |
| Birth | < 1 pound | 1–2 inches |
| 4 weeks | 1.5 pounds | 2–4 inches |
| 8 weeks | 1.5–2 pounds | 3–4 inches |
| 3 months | 4 pounds | 5–6 inches |
| 4 months | 5 pounds | 6–7 inches |
| 6 months | 6–10 pounds | 7–8 inches |
| 9 months | 7–12 pounds | 8–9 inches |
| 10 months+ | 9–16 pounds | 9–10.5 inches |
*Source from Pet Insurance Review
When Does a Shih Tzu Stop Growing?
Small dogs reach maturity faster than large dogs, which makes sense since they don’t need as much time to grow. Expect a Shih Tzu to be fully grown by 10 months old. Larger Shih Tzus could take a full year to grow, but 10 months is the average.
If you’re interested in estimating your Shih Tzu’s adult weight, a few formulas will give you a rough estimate. These are merely estimates, so don’t treat these formulas as law.
Formula 1
8 Weeks Old: weight X 3, + 2–3 pounds = Estimated Adult Weight
Formula 2
12 Weeks Old: weight X 2 + 1 Pound = Estimated Adult Weight
Formula 3
16 Weeks Old: weight x 2 = Estimated Adult Weight
Factors Affecting the Size of a Shih Tzu
Genetics, diet, exercise, and the dog’s overall health will affect how big or small a Shih Tzu becomes.
Genetics
Shih Tzu puppies will often grow to be the average size of the parent. So, if your adult Shih Tzu is small and one of the parents is small, you know why.
Diet
Diet also plays a huge role in your Shih Tzu’s size. Malnourished puppies tend to be smaller and possibly sickly into adulthood. Proper nutrition is vital for young puppies to grow to their ideal weight and fight disease.
Of course, you don’t want to feed your Shih Tzu too much. This breed is prone to obesity since they don’t require as much exercise. Your veterinarian can help determine your Shih Tzu’s body condition score and how many calories should be fed daily.
Exercise
Even though they’re fancy lap dogs, Shih Tzus still need some exercise to stay healthy and strong. Generally, 20 minutes per day is all they need. A few laps around the block, tossing a toy around in the backyard, or fun indoor playtime is enough.
If your Shih Tzu doesn’t receive any exercise, don’t be surprised if you notice weight gain. Simple exercises and a well-rounded diet will help fix the problem.
Ideal Diet for Maintaining a Healthy Weight
All dogs should eat a diet that suits their season of life. You can achieve this through commercial or homemade diets if you work with a veterinarian to provide proper nutrition.
Typically, puppies need a high-protein, high-fat diet to provide the necessary energy requirements for a hyperactive puppy. In addition, you’ll want to look for food with amino and fatty acids, including DHA, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids. Offering grain-free or grain inclusive is your choice, as long as your puppy receives the basic nutrition requirements.
As your dog ages, you can transition to a diet designed for adult dogs and its activity level. Shih Tzus are lap dogs, so they don’t require caloric-dense foods.
Elderly dogs need more protein, but this can vary from dog to dog. Some dogs develop specific medical ailments that require a veterinarian-designed formula.
No matter what, it is important to make adjustments based on what your dog needs for its age, activity level, and overall health.
How to Measure Your Shih Tzu
It’s a good idea to measure your Shih Tzu’s length and weight to ensure it’s growing correctly. Luckily, measuring your Shih Tzu is simple!
To measure your Shih Tzu’s height, take a tape measure and note the measurement from the wither (shoulders) to the floor. For length, measure the distance from the wither to the base of the tail.
Measuring weight requires more math, but it is still easy as pie. Start by standing on the scale and measuring your weight. Next, stand on the scale again, this time holding your Shih Tzu. Note the difference in weight.
You can also take your Shih Tzu to the vet’s office for weight checks. These are usually free of charge.
Conclusion
Shih Tzus are small dogs, so don’t be alarmed if your luxury lap dog stays smaller than the size of a pillow. Sometimes, dogs don’t stay within the normal range of weight.
Even with its small stature, it is a good idea to record your puppy’s weight, length, and height. This information will give you a good idea about how your Shih Tzu is doing.
See also:
Featured Image Credit: Drazen Zigic, Shutterstock
The 6 Facts About Shih Tzus
5 Responses
I’m thinking about getting a dog three years old male Shih Tzu. His owner died. She was a lady. How do they transition or do you think it will be hard for them to transition to another couple.
Thanks for your help.
Hello Doris,
thank you for your message and sorry for a bit of a late reply. It is admirable to hear that you are willing to provide the Shih Tzu with a new home. As to your question, Shih Tzus are not known to have harder time transitioning than other dogs, however, it is important to mention that any dog can have issues while getting used to a new home.
There are some strategies and methods you can try to make this transition easier for the dog and a veterinarian can be a great source of knowledge in this matter.
Since it is not necessary to take your dog to a clinic with this issue, I can recommend you to book an online appointment with one of our veterinarians at PangoVet.com. In 20-minute video-call they will be happy to answer all your questions and give you valuable tips on how to make your Shih Tzu feel at home.
You can make your appointment at https://www.pangovet.com.
Another BIG question we have: how long does it take for Choco to get his teeth cut ?? He chews on anything..wood inside is the biggie. and outside is leaves on the ground..I bought him a plastic bucket for his toys..it is now destroyed. chewed up..HE HAS A BUCKET FULL OF CHEW TOYS !!..AND SEVERAL NYLA BONES..PLEASE HELP !!!
Please tell me how to potty train our 3 month old ( born July 6, 2024).. we have a small fenced yard that we are trying to teach him to go potty in..how often does he need to go out…even if he does go in the yard he still comes inside and goes again on the floor. One good thing he does do is go all night..approx. 8-9 hours and then goes outside to potty. we have had him since August 28..I know he's still a baby..how long approx..till he learns to hold his bladder and bowels ??
Hi Angela, thank you for reaching out to us. Potty training a puppy can be challenging, but with consistency and patience, it will get easier! We believe in positive reinforcement here at Dogster, so be sure to praise and reward him right after he goes potty outside—treats and affection are great motivators. Establishing a consistent routine will help him learn more quickly. We also have a few articles that I have sent you to help you out in the coming weeks. Keep being patient and encouraging, and he’ll get the hang of it! 🙂