How to Measure Your Shih Tzu for the Perfect Dog Bed Size? | A Simple 3-Step Method

Most Shih Tzus fit a small bed with a 24–30 inch internal sleeping area, but the exact size depends on your dog’s length and sleeping style. A too-small bed leaves your pup hanging off the bolster, while an oversized one wastes space and feels less secure.

Why Measuring Beats Buying By Breed

Breed charts are a decent starting point, but they vary widely between brands. One manufacturer’s “S” can be another’s “M.” Both are right—for their own sizing systems. Your Shih Tzu’s actual measurements always win over a breed label. A smaller 9-pound female and a sturdy 16-pound male are both “Shih Tzu,” yet they need noticeably different bed sizes. The measurements you take at home take about two minutes and remove all the guesswork—and if you’re comparing options afterward, see our roundup of the best dog beds for Shih Tzus.

How To Measure Your Shih Tzu: 3 Steps

Grab a soft measuring tape and follow these three steps, keeping your dog relaxed throughout.

Step 1: Get your dog into a natural position. Let your Shih Tzu stand flat or lie in its preferred sleeping position. Don’t hold it, sit it up, or stretch it out—capture its natural resting length.

Step 2: Measure nose-to-tail-base. Run the tape from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail where it meets the body. Stop there—do not include the tail tip. Also measure the widest point across the shoulders if your dog sprawls, since that width matters for rectangular beds.

Step 3: Add 6–12 inches. Add at least 6 inches for a curler, and lean toward 12 inches for side sleepers and sprawlers. This accounts for fluff and overnight shifting.

Compare your final number—dog length plus extra room—against the bed’s internal dimensions, not the outer frame size.

Common Measuring Mistakes That Throw Off Bed Size

• Measuring to the tail tip. Stop at the base of the tail. The tail adds 4–6 inches your dog doesn’t occupy when lying down.
• Measuring a posed dog. A dog held upright or stretched gives a false length. Let it stand or lie naturally.
• Trusting the outer dimensions. Bolster, cave, and box beds advertise outside measurements. A 30-inch bolster bed might have only 24 inches of usable flat space inside, per Omlet sizing guidance.
• Ignoring bed-style effects. Orthopedic and bolster beds reduce usable sleeping area compared with same-size flat beds, so a “small” in one style may fit differently in another.

What Size Bed For A Shih Tzu: Brand Examples

Here’s how different brands size Shih Tzus—notice the variation, which is why measuring your own dog matters more than any chart.

• The Foggy Dog: Shih Tzus at 12–16 lb and 10–14″ long, recommending S or XS-S depending on bed type.
• East Perry: Shih Tzu example row at 9–16 lb, fitting a 22″ × 28″ bed for curlers and side sleepers.
• Dogchart.com: Shih Tzu at 15–25 lb, Small size, 24″ × 18″ to 28″ × 20″.

The consistent takeaway is a small bed with a usable sleeping area in the 24–30 inch length class for most Shih Tzus. Adjust up or down if your dog is at the extremes of the breed’s size range.

Special Consideration: Shih Tzu Leg Length

Shih Tzus have short legs relative to body length, so bed entry height matters more than for taller breeds. A tall-sided cave bed can feel like a hurdle, especially for puppies or seniors. For most Shih Tzus, a relatively flat bed or one with low bolsters (2–4 inches) makes entry effortless. If your dog loves burrowing, a cave bed with a wide, low entrance achieves that secure feeling without the climb, per HowStuffWorks guidance.