AKC Standards For Shih Tzu is 9-16lbs? Mine is only 6lbs!?

Question

Later on, I want to show my Shih Tzu, she's far from ready now, I've been researching her standards, though and they said that the Shih Tzu must be no less than 9lbs and no more than 16 lbs.

My Shih Tzu is 10 months old, and 6 lbs. The vet said that this would be the biggest she would ever grow. The vet said for her size, that's what she's supposed to weigh.

Does this mean that I cannot show her?

*Sigh*

I'm doubting the "Show Quality" and "Great Pedigree" that the breeder assured me.

I still love her, anyway, but I would have loved to have shown her.

Smarten up? Thanks, a lot. The breeder had ASSURED me. I was going to get her spayed, but I decided to show her because there is no high risk of pregnancy here. Was it my fault that the breeder gave me great pedigree? What else am I supposed to do? Sheesh.

Shanna, she's 9 inches from the ground, which is the minimal in size.

I understand you and your Dobie's, Shanna! :)

Shih Tzu showing standards are so hard! There's so much! Lol. Like, I said everyone - she's the minimal of 9 inches tall, I just measured her. I don't want her to be overweight, but tomorrow I'll ask the vet what is okay for her.

It wasn't important to me at the time, I didn't think about showing her. I had just turned 16, so I wanted a good dog! :)

Now that I'm more educated about this breed, she's registered, hadn't been spayed yet -- I thought about showing her. Prior to buying her I had NO expectations to show her. Later on, I'm not going to breed. I didn't even think about it.

Nancy M - That's a good idea, maybe she does have slow maturing lines? I'll have a good talk with some very reputable breeders.

Yeah, maybe I am being a little impatient. Is 18 months like the definite know of their maximum size? I'll wait it out for another 8 months.

Answer 1

I am not as familiar with small breeds, but with big breeds they usually reach their full height by 8-10 months but then continue to bulk up some. She may put on a little more weight as she matures because she is still very much a puppy. Is her height right on for standard? Because if her height is right then she may fill out to the right weight, but if she is shorter than standard, then she is not going to hit that 9 lb. mark. 3 pounds is a lot of weight for a 6 pound dog to put on, and since I don't know small breeds that well I can't tell you for sure, but my guess is that she may put on 1-2 pounds more, but I can't see that she would put on 3 pounds.
Like I said, I only know large breeds, so I am only guessing. Hopefully others can offer more info.
Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

Added: Hmmmm, if she is the minimum height, maybe there is hope that she is just slow in bulking up to the right weight. Give her up to about 18 months of age and see what happens. I wouldn't be too hopeful because adding 50% of her current weight is a lofty goal, but it may happen.
Maybe there is hope, eh?

Added: Generally, 18 months is about when most dogs reach their adult size. They may still grow a tad, but not much after about that point.

Answer 2

If she is otherwise a good representative of her breed, that wouldn't be a killer in the ring. I wouldn't listen to many vets regarding specifics like that -- they know what they are taught in college regarding medical situations and treatments but very few except maybe breeder/exhibitor vets have much knowledge about specific breeds or their maturity rates. At ten months I would think she would still have some maturing to do but it would depend on her lineage. Your best bet is to talk to her breeder about it and your concerns. A conscientious breeder would want you to call and discuss this with them and would be able to tell you if she is out of slow maturing lines (like my dogs are) or if this is likely as mature as she will become. The breeder also needs to know these things so that she can make better informed breeding decisions in the future. It is not a disqualification in the breed so if she is excellent quality other than that aspect, she could very well be shown and win -- again, the breeder should have valid input on that as well. I have owned and known dogs that can fall outside of standard ranges that aren't disqualificiations and they were good enough representatives of their breed that they were more than capable of finishing easily. The breeder or A breeder that is very knowledgeable, would be your best source of information about this situation. Good luck.

Answer 3

Did you buy your dog from a show breeder? If so, I'd get their opinion, and it may be that you need a better quality dog if you want to show seriously. That said, it can be done if it's not a disqualifying fault. I haven't shown for several years, but I don't remember them having scales at ringside (although they did have wickets for the height standard). There are little tricks to showing a slightly smaller dog. For instance, when you line your dog up, unless you have to go catalog order, try to pick out the dog that is closest to yours in size, and line up near them. Always stack your dog towards the inside of the mat, or slightly inside of the line up if there are no mats....it will make your dog appear bigger. Another thing, which you're running out of time on....try to finish them from the puppy class. Still, if it is a disqualifying fault, why would you want to invest the money and effort into showing a dog that will in all likelihood be hard to finish, and doesn't meet the standard? Now, if you're talking about showing in obedience....that's a totally different story. Size doesn't matter. Take your dog, have a great time, and see how many titles you can get. A UD 6 lb shih-tzu....that would be cute. :O)

Answer 4

If the standard say there is a limit or range and anything out of it is a disqualification...then you cannnot.
If your is undersized, and NOT disqualified, you can still show it, but it better be the best example of the breed OTHER than the size, because it will be clear when you are in the ring that it does not conform to the standard. So, you may get dumped all the time, and just be point fodder for others!!!!

Answer 5

It means if you do show her it is unlikely that you'll win and you may be excused from the ring for undersize (if it is a disqualifying fault for Shih Tzu's).

Did you buy her as show stock? What does her breeder say? What does your mentor say?

Both of my breeds come from very slow maturing bloodlines and often are "undersized" until 3 years of age or so... and finally at that age finish filling in and maturing.. but neither of my breeds has size as a disqualifying fault.

Edit: It also depends on what you're showing her in... size doesn't matter in Rally, Obedience, Agility (has to be big enough to tip the see-saw)..

Answer 6

Henry(Thats my shih tzu) Romeo Bumpy Stallion hour of darkness Hercules Terrence Mr handsome revolris - sir lover backward yobrevol - lover boy backward my canines dad became into curiously stated as enormous call-boy(stated on his delivery certificates) comet yin-potential darkish in chinese language - & shih tzu's originated from china! hevalump

Answer 7

I was actually just reading about how many people are in your situation with their pups that were sold as show quality. I was actually on www.amrottclub.org which obviously doesnt apply to your dog but, it did say that alot of times when you purchase a "show quality" dog from a breeder it does only mature into a pet. Your breeder may have been a novice that thought bc the parents were both champs that means puppy is automatically show quality. Sometimes the breeders are just not yet proficient in differenciating a show quality pup from the others.

Answer 8

Hi Lucy-
Sorry, I don't have much experience in showing, but I do have a small breed dog and some experience with weight gain. I have a chinese crested, and he hasn't grown any in height since 7 mo. of age, but he HAS put on nearly a pound (without being overweight), which is pretty significant for a 6.5 pound dog. Most of the shih tzus that we see in our clinic do gain some weight after maturity, so I would hope that your girl would put on at least another pound (not that that will help you that much). Good luck and I hope she beefs up!!

Answer 9

If she is undersized she can not be shown. If she is so small, she may have other issues as well. Here is the link to the American Shih Tzu Club. Their website is a very valuable resource.

http://www.shihtzu.org/

If you have the "show quality" in writing, you may have a recourse against her. The pedigree should have been checked out PRIOR to purchasing her, if it was important to you. I am so sorry that you dealt with one of the lying pieces of scum that claim they are breeders when they are nothing more than "greeders"!

Answer 10

She may put on a little more weight, but it sounds like she is undersized. You could still try showing her, but she may stand out like a sore thumb if she is the smallest dog in the ring. The ribbons and points go to the dogs that are the right size as well as other traits that meet the standards.