How many steps does a Shih Tzu take on a walk?
An adult Shih Tzu takes about 5,158 steps per mile. That's roughly 6,448 steps on a 30-minute walk at an easy 2.5 mph.
A Shih Tzu counts as a senior from about 10 years old.
Walk tips
Walking a Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are relaxed little companions that enjoy short, easy walks. They're a flat-faced breed, so they overheat easily; walk in the cooler morning or evening hours, avoid hot pavement and take breaks for water. Keep the pace gentle, and check with your vet for puppies, seniors or any concerns.
At a glance
Shih Tzu walking numbers
- Typical adult weight
- 13 lbs
- Size
- Small (11–22 lbs)
- Energy level
- Laid-back
- Daily walking goal
- 15 min · 0.6 mi · 2 walks
- Dog steps to hit the daily goal
- about 3,095
How we estimate
Why dogs take more steps than you
You take about 2,060 steps in a mile. Dogs walk on four legs with a shorter stride, so they take more, and smaller dogs take more still. Doggy Doo multiplies the steps you'd take over the same distance by a factor for your dog's size, then adjusts for age: puppies bound along with extra steps, and seniors slow down a little.
These are estimates, not a pedometer reading. They’re built to be consistent, so you can compare one week of walks with the next.
FAQ
Shih Tzu walk questions
How many steps does a Shih Tzu take on a walk?+
About 5,158 steps per mile for an adult Shih Tzu, so roughly 6,448 steps on a 30-minute walk at an easy 2.5 mph. Puppies take more steps (about 5,571 per mile) and seniors fewer (about 4,952).
How much walking does a Shih Tzu need a day?+
Doggy Doo starts a typical adult Shih Tzu (laid-back, small (11–22 lbs)) at about 15 minutes and 0.6 miles a day, split over 2 walks. Every dog is different, so check with your vet, especially for puppies and seniors.
How can I count my Shih Tzu’s steps without a collar?+
Use your phone. Doggy Doo tracks the walk with your phone’s GPS and turns the distance into breed-adjusted dog steps for your Shih Tzu, with no collar or tracker. It’s free on iPhone.
Similar size
Compare other breeds
- Bichon Frise5,158/mi
- Boston Terrier5,158/mi
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel5,158/mi
- Cavapoo5,158/mi
- Cockapoo5,158/mi
- Coton de Tulear5,158/mi
- Dachshund5,158/mi
- Havanese5,158/mi