Size of my Shih Tzu

[Guest Anonymous]

One more question...what is the growing stages of a Shih Tzu? My dog is now 14 weeks and weighs about four and a half pounds. After doing some research, I am now concerned that I didn't see the parents and hoping that I didn't purchase a dog who will grow to be a lot bigger than I originally hoped for. Don't get me wrong, nine to sixteen pounds is fine. But he seems to be growing so fast, I hope I don't end up with one on the latter end of the scale. Is there a way to tell?

[imported_Kat]

Put it this way..why worry what size he grows to as long as he is healthy and happy?

[Guest Anonymous]

Small breed dogs grow and mature alot faster than a large breed dog...at the Vet clinic I work at some Shih Tzu's and Lhasa's etc. have their first heat cycle at 4 months where a large breed dog such as a Newfoundland may not have its first heat cycle til well over a year. A small breed dog finishes its growth cycle at much earlier age than large breeds. I don't think I would be too concerned.

[ferky1]

If you never saw the parents or learned their weight and size, then there probably is no good way to estimate what size your guy will be. That being said, 4 1/2 pounds at 14 weeks seems to be on the small size to me. My Miles was 4 1/2 pounds when we first bought him at 12 weeks. He grew quickly to 10 1/2 pounds and then basically stopped. I don't think he has put on any wieght since reaching 11 pounds at 6 months.

Kat makes a good point. The Shih Tzu standard is 9-16 pounds. That's what you want for a healthy dog. Don't buy into the tiny/teacup/imperial b.s., good breading and good health is paramount.

By the way, what are you feeding him?

[Guest Anonymous]

I don't know about Shih-tzus, but with Maltese the rule of thumb is to double the weight they are at 12 weeks, and that's their adult size.

[Guest Anonymous]

I am not at all trying to have an imperial/mini/teacup Shih Tzu. I've seen pictures, and even have a friend who bragged about having one, (who turned out not to be so "imperial" by the time he got to 11 1/2 pounds!) and realize that those poor, innocent dogs have been the victim of human manipulation. Definitely I want my dog to be healthy by all means. But, I also want to have the dog that I was told I would have, so that is why I asked. Thanks.

[Guest Anonymous]

Oh yeah, I am feeding him what the breeder told me he had been eating since the beginning, PUPPY NUTRO MAX. Has anyone heard of this? My friend with the Shih Tzu only gives her doggie Eukanuba, but I was concerned about changing his food. I don't want to create a picky, finicky eater.