If you’ve got a Shih Tzu puppy you might be wondering when do Shih Tzus stop growing? When will your little pup be a full-grown dog? There is a predictable pattern when it comes to Shih Tzu’s growth, so it is easy to know what to expect and when to expect it.
When Do Shih Tzus Stop Growing
When you have a Shih Tzu puppy, there’s a good chance you don’t want it to grow up.
They are so cute and cuddly it would be wonderful if they could stay small forever, but that’s not going to happen.
So, it is only normal to wonder when your Shih Tzu will stop growing.
Many breeds will continue to grow in size until they are a year old or even a bit after that.
Shih Tzus, on the other hand, like many small breeds stop growing before that.
As a toy dog breed, you can expect your Shih Tzu pup to reach their adult weight at 10 months and their adult height at 8 to 9 months.
It is true that some puppies will take a bit longer and up to 12 months to hit their adult weight, but that is not the norm.
How Much Do Adult Shih Tzus Weight?
Most Shih Tzus will end up weighing between 9-16 pounds when they reach adulthood.
This is the breed standard.
Of course, some will fall outside of that range, but it is what you can expect for your puppy.
I know that both of my Shih Tzus weighs 10 pounds.
They have since they became adult dogs.
As long as you don’t overfeed your Shih Tzu, it should fall within the normal weight range.
It is important to provide your dog with a balanced diet with quality dog foods and to ensure they get regular exercise.
This will reduce health concerns and they have a happy life.
Keep in mind that a Shih Tzu’s energy level is much less than a larger dog, so a couple of short walks should do the trick.
If that isn’t possible, just some play in the house with some toys should be enough for their daily exercise.
It can be difficult to tell if your Shih Tzu has gained weight due to their double coat, so it’s not a bad idea to weigh them once in a while.
Just like in humans, carrying extra weight can lead to negative health conditions.
It is possible for some Shih Tzus to gain weight after they have reached their adult size.
This can happen between 12 and 15 months old.
As long as you aren’t feeding them a bunch of people food, this is most likely normal, but it makes sense to take them to the vet if you are concerned.
How Tall is an Adult Shih Tzu?
An adult Shih Tzu is typically between nine and ten and a half inches tall.
Again, my two fall right within that range.
They are both nine and a half inches tall.
If your Shih Tzu ends up being taller than that, that’s okay, it just isn’t the breed standard.
Of course, you only need to worry about the standard if you are planning on showing your dog.
How Big is a Six-Month Shih Tzu?
At six months of age, a Shih Tzu has almost reached its adult size in most cases.
You can expect them to be between seven and twelve pounds and as tall as they will be as an adult.
They will continue to add weight which is normal.
And you should continue to feed them puppy food until your vet suggests you change to adult food.
Your vet can also help you decide if you should give your Shih Tzu wet dog food or dry dog food or a combination of the two.
Are There Teacup Shih Tzus?
Even though you often hear about teacup-sized dogs when it comes to toy breeds, Shih Tzus do not normally come in this size.
If your Shih Tzu weighs less than nine pounds it is because a breeder has worked to create this small of a dog.
Once in a while, a Shih Tzu will just genetically be this small, but it isn’t typical.
I do have a friend that has a Shih Tzu that weighs 6 pounds as an adult dog.
It is just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen.
My friend didn’t buy the pup from a breeder, so she doesn’t know the background of the Shih Tzu.
Luckily, the little guy doesn’t have any health issues which can happen when breeders try to create small versions of dogs.
Will a Shih Tzu Grow After Being Neutered/Spayed?
Typically, you will have your Shih Tzu pup spayed or neutered around the age of six months old.
So, yes, it will continue to grow until it reaches its adult size at 10 months old.
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What if My Shih Tzu is Not the Right Weight?
If you feel your Shih Tzu’s weight is too high or too low you should see your vet.
They can determine if there is a health issue, or you’re feeding your dog too much food or not enough food.
Don’t put it off if you are concerned especially if you feel your dog is losing weight for no reason.
What is the Life Expectancy of a Shih Tzu?
The average life expectancy of a Shih Tzu is 13 years.
Of course, plenty of them live longer than this.
My Truman is currently 17 years old and my Sammy is 14.
The oldest living Shih Tzu that was recorded was 23 years old when it passed away.
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To Sum it All Up:
Your Shih Tzu puppy will typically stop growing at 10 months old, but some continue until they are a year or even 15 months old to reach their adult weight. But, you can assume that at ten months that is as tall and as heavy as your Shih Tzu puppy is going to get.
Please Note:
This article is informational only and does not substitute for veterinary advice. Always check with your veterinarian if you are concerned about your Shih Tzu’s behaviors. This article should not be considered in any way as veterinarian advice.
