Shih Tzu Pregnancy Calculator
Estimate your Shih Tzu’s due date and whelping window, then see a typical litter of 2 to 5 puppies, with about 3 being common, a dated vet-visit schedule, and a week-by-week timeline pinned to real dates. The breed is already selected for you — just enter the date.
Calculate your Shih Tzu’s due date
What is the Shih Tzu Pregnancy Calculator?
The Shih Tzu Pregnancy Calculator estimates when your Shih Tzu will give birth. Enter the date your Shih Tzu was mated — or a vet-confirmed ovulation or heat date — and it returns a due date, a realistic range, a live countdown, and a dated day-by-day plan. The breed is already selected, so your result also shows the typical Shih Tzu litter size and the whelping-risk notes that matter for this breed.
Every dog breed is pregnant for about the same length of time — roughly 63 days from ovulation — so a Shih Tzu is not pregnant any longer or shorter than other dogs. For the full week-by-week explanation of how a Shih Tzu’s due date is worked out, see the main dog pregnancy calculator. What changes from breed to breed is litter size, whelping risk, and care — which is what the sections below cover for the Shih Tzu.
Shih Tzu litter size and puppy development
Shih Tzu litters are small, usually 1 to 5 puppies with about 3 typical. The breed’s rounded heads make each puppy fairly large for the mother, so an X-ray count and careful monitoring help ensure the whole litter is delivered.
Shih Tzu whelping and delivery
Whelping carries a moderate risk in the Shih Tzu. As a flat-faced toy breed with large-headed puppies, she is more likely than average to need help, and an emergency caesarean is sometimes required. Discuss a delivery plan with your vet and watch labor closely for any stall.
How to care for a pregnant Shih Tzu
Keep a pregnant Shih Tzu cool and calm, as her flat face makes heat and breathing strain a concern, especially with the extra weight of pregnancy. Keep the long coat trimmed and clean around the rear and belly, and feed small, frequent meals.
Preparing to whelp a Shih Tzu litter
Set up a warm, padded whelping box in a quiet, cool room. Have your vet’s number ready in case delivery stalls. From day 58, take her temperature twice daily and watch for nesting and the pre-labor drop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many puppies do Shih Tzus have?
Usually 1 to 5, with about 3 typical.
Do Shih Tzus need a C-section?
Sometimes. As a flat-faced toy breed with large-headed puppies, the Shih Tzu has a moderate risk of whelping difficulty, and assisted or surgical delivery is occasionally needed. Plan with your vet.
Is the Shih Tzu Pregnancy Calculator free?
Yes. It is 100% free, needs no registration, and runs entirely in your browser.
Do I need to sign up?
No. There is no registration and no login required.
Do you store my data?
No. Every calculation runs in your browser. We do not collect or store the dates or breed you enter.
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Whelping and Queening in Dogs and Cats. merckvetmanual.com
- American Kennel Club — Dog Pregnancy: Signs, Care, and Preparation. akc.org
- VCA Animal Hospitals — Breeding for Dog Owners: Pregnancy and Whelping. vcahospitals.com
- The Royal Kennel Club — Pregnancy in dogs. royalkennelclub.com
- Evans KM, Adams VJ (2010) — Proportion of litters of purebred dogs born by caesarean section. Journal of Small Animal Practice. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov