How Big Do Shih Tzus Get? Adult Weight, Height and Growth
By Maya Ellison
The American Kennel Club's ideal Shih Tzu stands 9 to 10½ inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 9 to 16 lbs, but many pet Shih Tzus weigh more. In UK vet records covering 11,082 Shih Tzus, the average adult weighed 17.4 lbs (7.9 kg).
Key takeaways
- The AKC's ideal is 9 to 10½ inches tall and 9 to 16 lbs.
- In UK vet records, adult males averaged 18.7 lbs and females 16.1 lbs.
- About one in five adult males weighed 22 lbs or more, against about one in seventeen females.
- Weight alone doesn't show whether a dog is overweight. A compact, solid build is part of the breed standard.
- Most growth is done by 12 months, but the records show weight rising until about age 3.
How big a full-grown Shih Tzu gets
| Source | Measure | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| AKC breed standard | Ideal weight | 9–16 lbs4.1–7.3 kg |
| AKC breed standard | Ideal height at shoulder | 9–10½ inNot under 8 in or over 11 in |
| UK Kennel Club | Standard weight | 9.9–17.6 lbs4.5–8.0 kg |
| UK vet records | Average adult, all | 17.4 lbs7.9 kg |
| UK vet records | Average adult male | 18.7 lbs8.5 kg |
| UK vet records | Average adult female | 16.1 lbs7.3 kg |
The vet record figures come from a 2024 study of Shih Tzus under UK veterinary care. It didn't report height, so we can only give the standard for that.
How much Shih Tzus vary
The same study grouped adults aged 18 months or older by weight. It reported kilograms, so the pounds are rounded.
| Adult weight | Females | Males |
|---|---|---|
| Under 11 lbsUnder 5 kg | 7.2% | 1.9% |
| 11–13.2 lbs5 to under 6 kg | 14.3% | 5.4% |
| 13.2–15.4 lbs6 to under 7 kg | 23.9% | 13.3% |
| 15.4–17.6 lbs7 to under 8 kg | 22.2% | 20.7% |
| 17.6–19.8 lbs8 to under 9 kg | 17.3% | 21.2% |
| 19.8–22 lbs9 to under 10 kg | 9.2% | 17.0% |
| 22 lbs or more10 kg or more | 5.9% | 20.5% |
More than half of the males (58.7%) and about a third of the females (32.4%) weighed 17.6 lbs or more, the top of the UK Kennel Club's range. The Kennel Club standard describes pedigree dogs, while these records cover Shih Tzus in general practice. Some of the extra weight could also be body fat. The study didn't measure that, and it covers UK dogs only.
Is my Shih Tzu overweight?
The scale can't answer this alone. The AKC standard asks for a compact, solid dog with "good weight and substance," so a healthy Shih Tzu can feel sturdy for its size. A long coat also hides body shape, so use your hands. The WSAVA body condition chart gives three checks:
- Ribs: at an ideal weight you can feel them easily under a thin fat covering.
- Waist: from above, the body should narrow behind the ribs.
- Belly: from the side, the belly should tuck up toward the back legs.
Obesity was diagnosed in 3.5% of the UK Shih Tzus in one year, at a median age of 4.4 years. Your vet can score your dog's condition and suggest a target weight. Our Shih Tzu lifespan guide covers the breed's other flat-faced health concerns, such as airway and eye problems.
How much should a Shih Tzu puppy weigh?
We couldn't find a published week-by-week chart for Shih Tzus alone. Breed charts online are often estimates with no data behind them, so treat them with care. The closest reliable guide is growth data for small breeds, from our puppy weight chart. It groups together breeds with adults of 14 to 20 lbs.
| Age | Typical small-breed puppy | Middle half of puppies |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 4 lbs | 3–5 lbs |
| 12 weeks | 6 lbs | 5–7 lbs |
| 16 weeks | 8 lbs | 6–10 lbs |
| 20 weeks | 10 lbs | 8–12 lbs |
| 6 months | 12 lbs | 9–14 lbs |
| 9 months | 14 lbs | 12–17 lbs |
| 12 months | 15 lbs | 12–18 lbs |
Weigh your puppy regularly and look at the trend. Our puppy weight calculator estimates adult size from their age and current weight, and our puppy feeding calculator gives a starting point for daily food.
When do Shih Tzus stop growing?
Mostly by their first birthday. In small-breed growth data, puppies reach about 90% of adult weight around 9.5 months and 95% around 12 months, as we explain in when puppies stop growing.
The UK vet records show Shih Tzus growing fast in their first year and gaining some further weight up to age 3. That's weight, not necessarily height, and the records can't separate muscle from fat. To see what your dog's age means in human years, try our Shih Tzu age calculator.
Check for baby teeth too
Retained baby teeth were recorded in 8.5% of Shih Tzus under age 2, against no more than 1.4% of older dogs. The median age at diagnosis was 1.6 years. If an adult tooth comes in and the baby tooth is still beside it, show your vet.
How big will your Shih Tzu puppy get? Enter their age and current weight for an estimated adult size.
Frequently asked questions
How big does a full-grown Shih Tzu get?
The AKC's ideal is 9 to 10½ inches at the shoulder and 9 to 16 lbs. In UK vet records, adults averaged 17.4 lbs, with males at 18.7 lbs and females at 16.1 lbs.
Is a 20-pound Shih Tzu overweight?
Not necessarily. It's above the AKC's ideal, but about 38% of adult males and 15% of adult females in UK vet records weighed about 19.8 lbs or more. Check your dog's ribs, waist and belly, and ask your vet.
Are male Shih Tzus bigger than females?
On average, yes. Adult males in UK vet records averaged 18.7 lbs and females 16.1 lbs, though many females are bigger than many males.
How much should a 3-month-old Shih Tzu weigh?
There's no published chart for the breed alone. In growth data for small breeds, a typical 12-week-old puppy weighed about 6 lbs, with the middle half between 5 and 7 lbs.
When do Shih Tzus stop growing?
Most of their growth is finished by about 12 months. UK vet records show weight continuing to rise until about age 3, which may not all be growth.
Sources
- Dale F, Brodbelt DC, West G, Church DB, Lee YH, O'Neill DG (2024). Demography, common disorders and mortality of Shih Tzu dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. Canine Medicine and Genetics 11: 2. doi:10.1186/s40575-023-00135-y
- Salt C, Morris PJ, German AJ, et al. (2017). Growth standard charts for monitoring bodyweight in dogs of different sizes. PLOS ONE 12(9): e0182064. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0182064
- American Kennel Club. Official Shih Tzu breed standard.
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Body Condition Score chart for dogs.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for questions about your dog's health.
