The facts
- Size class Small
- Adult weight 4.5 to 7.5 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 10 to 17 lb
- Adult height 20 to 27 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming High
- Typical lifespan 11 to 14 years
Source: https://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/utility/shih-tzu/
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Shih Tzu puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A small breed puppy at eight weeks is light enough to carry everywhere, which is exactly how you get it socialised before the vaccination course finishes. It will still need four meals a day. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are high. Start daily brushing and short, positive handling sessions at eight weeks, well before the adult coat arrives, or the first professional groom will be traumatic. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)
- Hereditary eye disease screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
- Skin problems in the facial folds
- Dental crowding and periodontal disease
From Shih Tzu breed information at https://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/utility/shih-tzu/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Your Shih Tzu puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Small for a Shih Tzu.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 4.5 to 7.5 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Other small breeds
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.