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Weight

Shih Tzu Weight

Overview

Per AKC breed standards, the Shih Tzu has an ‘ideal weight’ of 9 to 16 pounds (4.08 to 7.257 kg); however, that range refers to dogs in conformation events. The majority of adult pet Shih Tzu dogs have a much larger variance, with most weighing between 8 to 20+ lbs.

This article covers Shih Tzu breed standard weights around the world, how those compare to actual weight, small vs large Shih Tzu, results from a weight survey asking ‘how much does your Shih Tzu weigh?’, and more.

So, let’s dive in.

A Little Backstory about Breed Standards

As you probably know, the many different dog breeds that we have today all started from a much smaller group. Throughout the centuries, there were countless different mixes of bloodlines and experimental breeding, all in an effort to product a ‘new’ dog breed. But what set any certain up-and-coming breed apart from the others? What allowed a breed to be accepted and recognized as a purebred?

While there are a lot of criteria and steps along the way, a huge part of this was/is consistency. Whether a particular breed always appeared with one coat color or one of ten colors, had drop ears or triangle ears, or usually fell under a defined weight or typically landed within a weight range, there were physical features that could be seen with reliability.

These attributes were documented and made official by the breed’s ‘parent club’ which is submitted to the major kennel clubs (AKC, CKC, FCI, etc.).

The standards serve as guidelines for judges of conformation events when determining how closely a dog matches the ‘ideal specimen’ of his breed and are criteria for breeders to keep in mind when striving to produce litters for the ‘betterment of the breed’ in order to maintain consistency.

And, like all other purebreds, it was this way with the Shih Tzu.

In 1960, there were two Shih Tzu clubs in the U.S., the Texas Shih Tzu Society and the Shih Tzu Club of America. In 1963, they combined with the name The American Shih Tzu Club which is still the parent club today. They are responsible for writing the details of the breed standard. And while changes can be made, at the time of this writing, there have actually been no updates since 1989, including in regard to expected weight.

The Breed Standard Weights of the Shih Tzu

American Kennel Club (AKC): There is an ‘ideal’ weight, which is much looser terminology than other breeds with strict weight limits that can get a dog automatically disqualified in conformation events. It is: “Ideally, weight of mature dogs, 9 to 16 pounds.” This is 4.08 to 7.257 kg.

Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): No weight is listed on their breed standard. A height is, however: “Height at withers approximately 9 to 10-1/2 inches (23 - 27 cm).”

Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI): A weight is set: “Weight: 4.5 to 8 kg. Ideal weight 4.5 - 7.5 kg.” In imperial units, this is ‘Weight 9.9 to 17.6. Ideal weight 9.9 to 16.5”.

The Kennel Club of the UK: “Weight: 4.5-8 kgs (10-18 lbs.). Ideal weight 4.5-7.5 kgs (10-16 lbs.).”

So, while these vary a bit, all clubs are close in agreement. The minimum expected weight for Shih Tzu dogs in conformation show rings around the world is between 9 and 10 pounds (9 lbs. for the US, as an ideal). And the maximum weight is between 16 to 17.6 pounds (16 lbs. in the US, as an ideal).

Is the Shih Tzu a Toy Breed or a Small Breed?

Whether Shih Tzu dogs are considered to be a toy breed or a small breed depends on where you are.

In the US (per the AKC) and in many European, Asian, and Central American countries (per the FCI), the Shih Tzu is a toy breed.

In Canada, per the Canadian Kennel Club, the Shih Tzu is a small breed classified in the 'Non-sporting Dogs' group; the breed standard clearly states, "The Shih Tzu is not a toy dog. This is a smaller type of dog with good bone and substance."

And in the UK, per The Kennel Club of the UK, the Shih Tzu is classified in the 'Utility' group with a general size of 'small'.

Breed Standard Weight vs Actual Weight

If knowing a Shih Tzu’s actual weight range were as simple as looking at the aforementioned breed standards, we’d stop right here. So, of course, there’s a bit more to this.

There are adult Shih Tzu dogs that weigh a bit less than the standard in the 7 or 8 lb. range and a good number of them that weigh more (without being overweight) that are in the 17 to 20+ lb. range.

Most show dogs (those that regularly compete) come from bloodlines with reliable weights that fall in line with what judges want to see (or that will not get the dogs disqualified). So, of course, with pets that are not being judged, there’s a lot more variance.

Reasons a Shih Tzu May be Smaller or Larger than the Standard

You may be wondering how can there be some relatively small Shih Tzu dogs (8 or 9 lbs.) and some that weigh twice that amount (and one of the reasons why the Shih Tzu is considered to be a small breed, not a toy breed, in some countries). Excluding issues of dogs being overweight, it’s all in the genes; so, essentially, it comes down to breeding.

If a Shih Tzu comes from an established breeding program that consistently has dogs in a certain range (say, for example, 9 to 12 lbs. or 13 to 16 lbs.), and that weight range is seen with reliability going 5 or more generations back, just about all puppies in those bloodlines will be that size. There will almost never be any surprises of smaller or larger dogs.

Most reputable breeders will strive to meet the breed standard and may focus on the lower end (in many areas, there is a market for smaller dogs) or the higher end (wanting to produce sturdier dogs that may be less prone to certain size-related injuries or issues).

And, if there is a fairly new breeding program that had not yet had the time to become consistent or it’s a matter of a hobby breeder not focusing on a certain weight range, there will be more variety.

What about Imperial or Miniature Shih Tzu Dogs?

The terms miniature, toy, teacup, imperial, or any other word that implies a Shih Tzu is smaller than an ‘average’ Shih Tzu, are not official or recognized variations of the Shih Tzu breed. With respect to those that have a dog that was dubbed to be in a separate category in this way (most likely by the breeder whom the dog was purchased from), these nomenclatures are usually marketing terms.

If a Shih Tzu is near the low-end of the expected weight range or is a bit below this, and this is seen with reliability in past litters, this is usually due to purposeful breeding of small dogs as mentioned earlier, but this does not mean that they come from any special sort of ancient bloodline (any more so than all other Shih Tzu dogs).

It may help to think of Imperial Shih Tzu as a nickname of sorts, or to think of it as an adjective meaning ‘small’; though, again, it’s not an official variety of this breed.

The Age that Shih Tzu Dogs Reach Their Full Adult Weight

Toy and small breeds finish growing much earlier than their medium and large-sized counterparts. Generally speaking, many Shih Tzu dogs reach their full adult size by the 10-month mark. They may grow a bit taller or gain just a bit more weight up until the 12-month mark and in rare cases up to the 15-month mark or later. So, it is safe to say that by the 1-year mark, the vast majority of Shih Tzu dogs will be at their final adult weight.

Shih Tzu Weight Survey Results

This is, perhaps, the part that so many of our site Members have been waiting for; after all, they are the ones that participated in one of our many surveys in order for these results to be shown. (If you’re not a Member, see the sign-up info at the end of this article).

In September of 2019, we sent out a short survey to our website Members. A total of 2991 Shih Tzu owners completed it. 74% were in the US, 11% in the UK, 7% in Canada, 3% in Australia, and 5% in various other countries. The gender of the Shih Tzu dogs were nearly evenly divided, with 51% female and 49% male.

After asking how old their Shih Tzu was, those that had dogs 1 year and older (86% of them, which was a total of 2,572 respondents), were asked, “How much does your Shih Tzu weigh?”

The answers, shown from lowest weight to highest weight, were as so:

7 lbs. (3.17 kg) or less 4%

8 lb. (3.6 kg) 6%

9 lb. (4 kg) 4%

10 lb. (4.5 kg) 9%

11 lb. (4.9 kg) 10%

12 lb. (5.4 kg) 10%

13 lb. (5.9 kg) 7%

14 lb. (6.4 kg) 9%

15 lb. (6.8 kg) 8%

16 lb. (7.25 kg) 8%

17 lb. (7.7 kg) 5%

18 lb. (8.2 kg) 5%

19 lb. (8.6 kg) 3%

20 lb. (9.1 kg) 5%

21 lbs. or more (9.5 kg) 5%

I'm not sure! 2%

Let’s look at this a few different ways:

The majority, 65% of adult Shih Tzu, were reported to be between 9 lbs. (4 kg) and 16 lbs. (7.25 kg), which is either a breed standard’s listed ‘ideal’ weight (AKC) or is close to the set weight.

Excluding the 2% of dogs whose owners were not sure of their weight, this leaves 33% (1/3) whose weight fell outside of the 9 to 16 lb. range.

10% of adult Shih Tzu were reported to be 8 lbs. (3.6 kg) and under.

And 23% of adult Shih Tzu, which is approximately 1 out of every 5 fully grown Shih Tzu dogs and certainly a substantial number, were reported to be 17 lbs. (7.7 kg) or above.

In looking at the most reported weights, it is 11 lbs. (4.9 kg) and 12 lbs. (5.4 kg) each with 10%. Coming in next is 10 lbs. (4.5 kg) and 14 lbs. (6.4 kg) each with 9%.

So, in summary, excluding the 2% with unknown weights, based on 2,520 fully grown 1+ year old adult Shih Tzu dogs, most (65%) weigh between 9 and 16 lbs., a small number (10%) weigh less than this, and a good number (23%) weigh more than this.

Higher Weight Due to Bone Structure vs Excess Weight

It is important to be able to ascertain the difference between being overweight or ‘over-sized’ (at least in regard to what is seen on the breed standards). This is because canine obesity often has a direct impact on a dog’s health. It can lead to extra stress on the joints and bones, increased breathing problems, decreased mobility that leads to even more weight gain, stress and strain on the heart, and increased risk of some diseases including canine diabetes and even some cancers.

Generally speaking, toy or small sized dogs like the Shih Tzu are much more likely to have larger bone structure than they are to be carrying excess pounds. This said, being overweight is possible.

How to know? If you’re questioning this, you’ll want to have the veterinarian examine your Shih Tzu. That said, a pre-exam text that you can do from home involves trying to feel the rib bones. If you easily can, this points to little to no excess fat and if you cannot at all this points to excess fat.

Only if it’s been determined that there’s a problem, should you then take steps to help your Shih Tzu lose weight.

Photo Examples of Adult Shih Tzu at Different Weights

6 lbs. (2.72 kg):

Emmie Lou, a 16-month-old Shih Tzu at her final adult weight of 6 lbs.(2.72 kg).

Though she is under the 'ideal' standard weight, she is at a healthy weight for

her tiny bone structure; photo courtesy of Patti

8 lbs. (3.63 kg):

Kio, seen at 14 months old and 8 lbs. (3.63 kg), photo courtesy of Belinda

12 lbs. (5.44 kg):

Coco Puff, a 22-month-old Shih Tzu at her final adult weight of 12 lbs. (5.44 kg);

photo courtesy of Lucille Tillotson

15 lbs. (6.8 kg):

This is Rusty, at his adult weight of 15 lbs. (6.8 kg);

photo courtesy of Maxine (Max)

17 lbs. (7.7 kg):

Merlot, seen here at 2 years old and at his final adult weight of 17 lbs. (7.71 kg);

photo courtesy of Eileen Ferrarie.

18 lbs. (8.2 kg):

Napoleon (in front) Sebastian (behind), seen here at about 2 years old and 18 lbs. (8.2 kg) each. Both are at healthy weights. Photo courtesy of Tracy

22 lbs. (9.98 kg):

This is Bear, a 6 year old Shih Tzu that's 22 pounds and at a perfectly healthy weight;

photo courtesy of Patricia.

Check out Bear's Instagram: @beargiantshihtzu

The sturdiest, biggest purebred Shih Tzu we've met, 33 and 37 lbs. (15 and 17 kg):

If you are curious about some of the largest purebred Shih Tzu dogs (that are not overweight, but simply have large bone structure), look to these two handsome brothers. Teddy (left) and Bentley (right) are brothers with the same parents but from different litters 1 year apart!

Teddy was just 1.65 lbs. (.75 kg) at 9 weeks old and Bentley was a small 1 lb. at 8 weeks old (.5 kg). Today Teddy is 37.5 lbs. (17 kg) and Bentley is 33 lbs (15 kg). The vet determined both are only about 2 lbs. or so overweight and simply have the most robust bone structure he's ever seen with the Shih Tzu breed.

Photo courtesy of Roy Rigby

Shih Tzu Growth Chart - The speed at which this breed grows and our estimates regarding the final adult size of puppies.