According to the American Kennel Club, the standard weight of the shih tzu is 9-16 pounds and the standard height is 8-11 inches, measured from the floor to the withers (the top of the shoulder blades). Apart from being cuddly, playful, social and good-natured, they are simply lovable. If you’re questioning this, you’ll want to have the veterinarian examine your Shih Tzu. When you measure the shih tzu carefully, you’ll notice that the dog is slightly longer than it is tall. Periods of intense activity are interspersed with periods of rest. So, of course, there’s a bit more to this. Maltese dogs belong to a toy group and are smaller and more fragile than Shih Tzus. Which is better: Maltese or Shih Tzu or Yorkshire Terrier? Males normally are about 18-21 inches (45–53 cm) in height and around 35-60 pounds (15–27 kg) in weight. It’s also good to note that miscarriages among shih tzu females are uncommon. According to the American Kennel Club, 9 to 16 pounds is the healthy weight range for this breed, although there are many exceptions. Shih Tzus are heavier than Maltese and can weigh up to 16 pounds, while the Maltese weigh up to 8 pounds. at 8 weeks old (.5 kg). Maltese vs Shih Tzu: Lifespan We can expect a happy, healthy Maltese to live for between 12-15 years, whereas the Shih Tzu has a wider range of 10-18 years. Teddy (left) and Bentley (right) are brothers with the same parents but from different litters 1 year apart! They also need the exercise to strengthen their bones and muscles. In Canada, per the Canadian Kennel Club, the Shih Tzu is a small breed classified in the 'Non-sporting Dogs' group; the breed standard. If you know the size and weight of the parents or the grandparents, you will have a good idea of what size and weight your dog will be. 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. It stands to reason that what you feed your dog will determine its growth. She might be less active if she used to be active or she might become markedly more active. As … The two other physical aspects of the shih tzu that contributes to its appearance as sturdy and compact are its broad chest and shortened muzzle. 4 Week... How Much To Feed A Lab Puppy? A puppy that is fed a healthy, balanced diet, will flourish and put on weight. Also known as Malti Tzu, Mal-Tzu, Shih-tese and Shima, this hybrid is easy-to-train and a delight to have around. If knowing a Shih Tzu’s actual weight range were as simple as looking at the aforementioned breed standards, we’d stop right here. All rights reserved. All text and images are protected by copyright laws. If you consult the shih tzu growth chart, you will quickly learn what that the standard range of sizes and weights for this delightful breed is. Maltese vs Shih Tzu Having a small toy dog in the house would be applicable for people with a limited space to live, especially for the city dwellers. So, while these vary a bit, all clubs are close in agreement. So, you can reasonably expect to have at least 3 puppies in the litter. Other Names Mal-Shi Malti zu Malt-Tzu Cross between the Maltese and the Yorkshire Terrier. Cross of a Maltese and a Poodle Peekapoo Cross of a Pekingese and a Poodle. Is the Shih Tzu a Toy Breed or a Small Breed? The typical shih tzu litter is 3. This is the case with all dog breeds. By 9-months, most shih tzu puppies will have reached their adult size although they do continue to put on some weight. If you have a Shih Tzu, you'll want to check out. Looking at the name, one would think that Shih Tzu originates from China, but that’s wrong. 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. Sometimes a shih tzu will be smaller than the standard size and weigh less. Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is a fairly common health problem in small breed dogs like the shih tzu. This breed was designed to be a low-shedder, making him a popular companion for those who suffer from allergies. Shih tzu puppies mature within a year. And the maximum weight is between 16 to 17.6 pounds (16 lbs. 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. life expectancy ranges from 10 to 16 years. Each Maltese Shih Tzu can have a slightly different appearance. These figures take into account expenses like food, treats, grooming costs, license registration, a microchip, training costs, and medical expenses (spay/neuter). 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. The Maltese Shih Tzu is a hybrid dog which was bred with a goal of eliminating known health faults present in the purebred parents whilst introducing the hypoallergenic coat of a Maltese. When the puppy is 6 months old, it has reached adolescence and puberty. In exceptional cases, the puppy can continue growing until 15 months and put on a little weight until 2 years. They love attention and being with their human companion. Where puppies have round bodies with short limbs, adult dogs tend to be longer and somewhat slimmer, but they still look sturdy. The Shih Tzu gestation period is 63 days on average, which is the same for all breeds of dogs, large and small. The first sign that your dog is pregnant, is a change in behavior. If your dog is overweight, it’s probably due to a combination of bad diet and lack of exercise. 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. If you are not sure whether you shih tzu is pregnant, have a pregnancy test done. 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. Newborn shih tzu puppies weigh around 6 ounces and have an undeveloped nervous system. Excluding issues of dogs being overweight, it’s all in the genes; so, essentially, it comes down to breeding. Only if it’s been determined that there’s a problem, should you then take steps to. 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). range and a good number of them that weigh more (without being overweight) that are in the 17 to 20+ lb. A total of 2991 Shih Tzu owners completed it. As they grow bigger, these dogs increase in weight and height. During the pup’s first year, your expenses will be around $2,570 and will come to about $98 per month after that. Perhaps your groomer is comparing against other dogs/or Shih Tzu she's … Traditionally the weight is predicted based on the size of the parents. In fact, Shih Tzu is Mandarin Chinese for lion. The Shih Tzu is an affectionate, playful and intelligent dog. A Shih Tzu puppy can cost you anywhere between $500 and $1,600, the average price is $850. Maltese and Shih Tzu are such small dog breeds with a very small spatial requirement, yet their importance as lovable and friendly companions is … Whether Shih Tzu dogs are considered to be a toy breed or a small breed depends on where you are. By week four her belly will clearly show that she’s expecting a litter. By 8 weeks, puppies can be moved to their new owners and house training can start. 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'. You may also commit to additional optional costs like insurance, dog walking services, certain medical procedures, and dog boarding. However, if your Maltese Shih Tzu mix is the direct offspring of a Maltese parent and a Shih Tzu parent, then his appearance could be a bit more difficult to determine. At this stage, your puppy will be able to handle adult food because he will have his adult teeth. Female shis tzus generally live 1.5 years longer than males. or so overweight and simply have the most robust bone structure he's ever seen with the Shih Tzu breed. A shih tzu puppy weight chart gives you all the information you need to give your peace of mind and let you enjoy your little dog. The color of your 8-week-old puppy won’t be the same when he turns one. While we provide information resourced and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. There will almost never be any surprises of smaller or larger dogs. But what set any certain up-and-coming breed apart from the others? Toy and small breeds finish growing much earlier than their medium and large-sized counterparts. Initially, her appetite won’t be affected, but by week four of her pregnancy, her appetite will increase. As soon as you’re sure that your dog is pregnant, make sure she’s following a nutritious diet. , 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. However, the litter can be anywhere from 1 to 5 puppies. Weight Dogs 1.4–3.6 kg (3–8 lb) Bitches 0.91–3.18 kg (2–7 lb) Coat white Litter size avg. If you easily can, this points to little to no excess fat and if you cannot at all this points to excess fat. Another aspect of the dog that changes over the first year, is its coat color. (3.6 kg) and under. She will also show all the usual signs of pregnancy like enlarged nipples and a growing belly. In 1960, there were two Shih Tzu clubs in the U.S., the Texas Shih Tzu Society and the Shih Tzu Club of America. (5.4 kg) each with 10%. 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.