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.
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