How big can Shih tzu dogs grow? Mine is almost 20lbs. Is that normal?

Answer 1

I am so sick of people saying back yard breeder. I have eight Shih Tzu's ...they all run different weights. Shih Tzu are normally around 9 - 16 pounds. I have one that reach 20 pounds.. he is short and stocky. Some times people mistake Lahasa Apso for a shih tzu since they look similar. 20 pounds is not normal but it can happen. As I said one of mine is 20 pounds. Mine range from 10 - 20 pounds. All you people blaming breeders for all these dogs running around. It doesn't always have to be a breeder. Look out your back door how many strays do you see because of an owner getting bored with their dog, or they out grew the house, or they just don't have time to mess with them anymore. How many times have you seen someone leave their dog at a camp site after camping. I am a breeder of Shih Tzu's. My dogs live in my home not in a kennel, I do not crate my dogs, I make them sign a contract that if for any reason they no longer can keep the dog that dog comes back to me, No matter what age or health problems it has. I don't end my responsibly because I sold a puppy I keep in touch with the owners of the dogs I sale. I do know they are some bad breeders those are not breeders they are people that don't care about anything but the money and instead of me yelling, like you all about back yard breeders, I do my part in shutting those down. For a 20 pound Shih Tzu there is just more there to love. Enjoy your baby they are loving dogs.

Answer 2

They are supposed tbe 9-16 lbs. I have seen 28 pound Shih tzus. They do not LOOK like Shih tzus though. Just another reason why breeding within the standard is a good idea!!! It is funny how the BYB and pet store Shih tzus are almost always the ones that are VERY oversized!!!

nanook...if it is oversized..it DOES NOT look like a Shih tzu!!!!! Do you think a 30 Shih tzu LOOKS like a Shih tzu just because it is fluffy????? SIZE is whatpart of what makes a breed a breed!!!

Let's look at the 7 foot human analogy!!! Do they look "normal" compared to others???? No. They look HUGE! I have a friend that has a 40 pound Lab. Does it look "right"...no...it looks small. It is also VERY true that many "breeders" that do not care about the standard, breed examples that are either oversized, or undersized. Have you seen some of the Shih tzus in the pet stores????? I saw one last christmas that was 9 weeks and was almost 12 pounds. It will end up closer to a hairy cocker than a shih tzu. All I am saying is that when a breed gets too far out of the standard, a lot of people don't even know what breed it is. What is the use of that????????????

And nanook....do you REALLY think that it is a good things for breeds of dog to GET BIGGER over time and have that be a good thing???? That shows how little you know. When breeders breed for LARGER size than the standard...the same thing happens that does with the teacups. Health problems arise. Heart, joint, temperment....all things are effected. They are bred to be a certain size and there is a reason for that. Shih tzus have been the size they are for a LONG time. Generally, they are being bred by BYB to be smaller....and health problems have followed.

Answer 3

Each dog is different, even within the specific breed.

My mom has a Shih Tzu that weighs in at 22 pounds.

Torbay, my mom's Shih Tzu looks like a Shih Tzu. He is just bigger than most.

Torbay, I respectively disagree. Just because it's larger doesn't mean a thing. Are humans all the same size? So if there is a human that's 7 foot tall, does that mean he/she isn't human? My mom's Shih Tzu looks like a Shih Tzu and nothing else. He just big. My mom has had three Shih Tzus, two that were around 15 pounds and Shadow which is the 22 pounder. They all look the same save for the size.

You breeders really need to get off the elitist kick. Just like humans who now have better health care and have grown larger over time, I expect our pets to do the same thing.

Answer 4

Hi there -

It sounds like your shih tzu might be a little big for breed standards. How old is he/she? Are they taller as well? There's a lot of variables that can determine weight.

Here are some links below for Shih Tzu info

- Your friends at Dog Public

http://www.dogpublic.com

Answer 5

depends on the specific type of shih-tzu you have. I had one that was around 15 pounds. Some don't get over three or four pounds. They vary from type to type

Answer 6

They can get fat like humans do and grow chubby especially as they get older. It is due to all that hair. Have her groomed every now and then.
Your dog can gain and lose pounds through diet and exercise. Dont make a big deal of it since that will cause her to get stressed. Just give her fresh vegetables for snacks if her snacks are too rich in carbs.

Answer 7

Oh no! they're somewhat evry small dogs. they're toy dogs afterall and additionally they somewhat don't get very enormous in any respect. the biggest i've got heard of any of them getting is approximately sixteen-20 pounds and that's with the somewhat heavy ones. my own shih tzu has never weighed greater suitable than 9 or 10 pounds, yet on everyday weighs approximately 8 pounds and she or he has weighed that maximum of her grownup existence.

Answer 8

Sounds like a poorly bred backyard breeder or puppymill dog- breed standard I believe has a max weight of 11 lbs.