Shih Tzu, which means ‘Little Lion’, is a toy dog breed that originated in Tibet, as far back as 1,000-plus years ago.
They may be small in stature, but these small dogs have big personalities. They are also friendly, intelligent, playful, and active canines.
How much does a Shih Tzu weigh?
These dogs weigh in at around 8 to 16 pounds (3 to 7 kg).
How Much Does a Shih Tzu Puppy Weigh?
Female Shih Tzu’s usually have 1 to 8 puppies, and each of these puppies weigh around 2 to 3 ounces when they are born.
The Shih Tzu dog breed almost became extinct in the 20th Century. But they have made a huge comeback and are now one of the most popular dog breeds today.
Through the years, they have been a favorite of many celebrities. This has, in turn, led to more people breeding these dogs and keeping them as pets.
In 1968, they became a recognized member of the AKC (American Kennel Club). Today, the Shih Tzu is the 20th most popular dog breed, according to the AKC.
Only measuring 8 to 11 inches at the shoulder, Shih Tzus have long, flowing, dense coats. Their coats come in a wide range of colors and patterns, including gold, black and white, blue, brindle, black, white, dark brown, and light brown.
They need a lot of grooming. But if an owner is willing to take care of these dogs, they make excellent pets.
~ Fun Fact ~
Despite being a popular dog for many years in Asia, the Shih Tzu population nearly disappeared in the 20th century. Fewer people wanted to keep these dogs as pets.
But in the 1930s, the breed was saved by a General Douglas and Lady Brownrigg.They brought some Shih Tzus to the U.K. and started breeding them successfully. In all, there were 14 Shih Tzus brought over to the U.K. at this time. Nearly every one of today’s Shih Tzus is related to one of these 14 dogs!
Resources:
http://www.allshihtzu.com/shih-tzu-age-weight-growth
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shih_Tzu
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/shih-tzu/