There is no doubt that we love dogs due to their playful nature. Shih Tzu is especially known to mix well with humans. This dog breed tends to act young forever because of its comparatively small size as well as its friendly disposition. The Shih Tzu breed are known to be great with kids which makes them the perfect family pet.
If you already have one or plan to buy one, it’s important to understand when do Shih Tzu puppies stop growing. In this article, we will talk about the Shih Tzu growth and weight chart, the time when a Shih Tzu is fully grown, how to ensure the health of your Shih Tzu puppy, and other useful tips.
Shih Tzu Growth and Weight Chart – From Puppy to Adult
If you are considering getting a Shih Tzu or are already a dog parent of an adorable Shih Tzu pup, you must be curious to know about how big do Shih Tzus get. We have put together two separate charts for growth and weight that will help you determine when your gorgeous pup will reach their adult size. Whether your Shih Tzu is a male or female, there won’t be much difference in their weight and height.
Shih Tzu Growth Chart
Birth to 2 Weeks
A newborn Shih Tzu puppy can’t see or hear anything whatsoever. They will hide and suck everything, and won’t mind if you pick them up anytime.
3 Weeks to 8 Weeks
By the time Shih Tzu puppies reach six weeks, they can see and hear everything just like an adult canine. And before you know it, they start to learn the art of walking during this period. At four weeks old, they become active and love to play with other puppies. Also, their milk teeth start to come through during this period. At the 8 week mark, this young puppy can start the transition to a new family.
4 to 6 Months
When Shih Tzu puppies are approximately four months old, they will start showing some emotions, such as anxiety. Also, this is the time when they are full of activity. In comparison to human growth rates, you can consider 4 to 6 months of age to be adolescents.
7 to 9 Months
Once a Shih Tzu puppy attains the age of seven months, they will become somewhat calm in their attitude. This is also the stage where there will be more sluggishness in their development. When they reach nine months, you can consider them to be an adult Shih Tzu fully grown in size. While they may be a full adult height at this stage, there is still some weight gain that can continue for some time. This could last for another couple of months or maybe more.
10 to 12 Months
Once a Shih Tzu puppy reaches the age of one year old, they will become a fully grown adult. This is also the stage where they become the most active. The adult size of Shih Tzus is 10 inches tall. The size of a full-grown Shih Tzu is a toy dog in size.
Shih Tzu Weight Chart
Now that you we’ve gone through the growth chart of this particular dog breed, let us discuss the puppy weight chart. The weight of these puppies is usually less than 1 pound when they are born. During pregnancy, Shih Tzu puppies weigh approximately 6 ounces.
At around the three month old mark, you will have noticed a rapid growth However, this will increase to approximately 4 pounds when they’re around three months old. When they get to the age of seven months, they will weigh around 12 pounds. Lastly, we like to mention that the average weight of a Shih Tzu puppy at a year old will be approximately 12.5 pounds. This is considered to be the Shih Tzu’s adult size in terms of weight though a fully grown Shih Tzu weighs from 9 to 16 pounds.
When Is a Shih Tzu Dog Fully Grown?
While all puppies are considered an adult by the time they are a year old, each dog breed develop in height and weight at different lengths of time. The Shih Tzu puppy’s growth and maturity is completed by the age of 10 to 12 months old.
One surefire way to know your Shih Tzu’s growth patterns is to observe the size of their paws. In case you find that the size is somewhat more as compared to their body, then it will indicate that the puppy will grow even more. The size of your puppy also depends on the size of the parents to some extent.
If you have any doubts regarding the growth and development of your adorable canine, it will be a sensible idea to take the guidance of your vet or check the adult weight table.
How Often Should You Feed Shih Tzus Puppies?
When you bring home a new puppy, it is important to understand how you can best support healthy growth through exercise and diet to help them reach adult size. The frequency at which you should feed your pet depends on various factors, mainly their age as stipulated below.
- Make it a point to provide the puppy with three meals daily during the first year after the completion of those three months.
- Even though it will be advisable to provide your Shih Tzu canine with as many as two to three meals every day, some pooches like to be fed only a couple of times every day. Here, of course, we are talking about the main meals. While this still okay to do, we do suggest you refrain from feeding them only once a day. As humans we wouldn’t cope being fed once a day so you should not do the same to your furry friend.
- It is a fact that a Shih Tzu is prone to suffer from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) during their puppy stage, especially when they are less than three months old. Consequently, make sure to feed them often with fresh food items for preventing this condition.
Is Your Shih Tzu Healthy?
Shih Tzu’s are generally a healthy breed of dog but like human beings, they can also suffer from some ailments that can effect the Shih Tzu’s health. The average lifespan of a Shih Tzu is between 12 and 16 years old. We have collated a few common health problems that can be associated with this breed of dog. If you’re concerned about your pups health, consider taking them to your local veterinarian.
Common Health Problems of Pet Shih Tzus
Breathing problems: On some occasions, a Shih Tzu canine might find it somewhat difficult to breathe mainly because of the shape of their head as well as face and airways. At times, it will be a good idea to take the help of surgical procedures for widening the airways so that it becomes somewhat easy for the canine to breathe while having an adequate supply of oxygen.
Eye issues: These adorable creatures can also suffer from cataracts. This particular condition can prevent the pup from being able to see properly. If you think your pet is having issues seeing, make it a point to visit your vet for expert advice.
Ear infections: At times, these friendly canines also struggle with ear infections, which can happen because of the excessive growth of bacteria or yeast. In that case, it is advisable to treat this condition with proper medication so that the canine will stop displaying symptoms related to ear infections, such as too much shaking of the head and so on.
Joint issues: A Shih Tzu may be prone to hip dysplasia over the course of their life. Hip dysplasia is a painful genetic health concern where the hip joints develop abnormally causing your furry friend, pain and discomfort. The only way to prevent this condition is by ensuring dogs that do exhibit the condition, are not bred from as this is a genetic health problem. Shih Tzus can also be prone to back problems due to their long back. The most common back condition in this breed is the intervertebral disk disease. This condition refers to the intervertebral disks which are there to cushion their spines. When it bulges or ruptures, it can cause nerve issues as well as severe pain.
Tips for Looking After a Fully Grown Shih Tzu
- Maintaining the hygiene of your pet is also vital to ensure they are healthy and free from mites or infections. To do this, bath and brush your dog regularly. This will help in the removal of fleas in a most-effective manner. It’s also helpful to wipe their face with wet cotton after meals.
- Just like human beings, a Shih Tzu must remain hydrated at all times. Make sure their water bowl is full of clean drinking water for them. You want to make sure that the water you give them is also free from bacteria or pollutants that can build up in water over time.
- Providing your dog with quality food will help your canines overall health in a great way. Like humans, your pet has to be well nourished to stay healthy. When you choose quality food for your dog, it also includes essential nutrients that easily get included into their diet through food. Consider choosing food items for them that are either grain-free or consist of health grains for their little bodies.
Final Thoughts on Shih Tzu Dog Breed Growth
Shih Tzus provide fantastic company to humans, especially children. It is a fact that Shih Tzu is known for their loving and friendly personality more than anything else. Since these dogs are small as well as adorable, they are perfect for apartments. Kids love to cuddle and play with them.
Hopefully, this particular guide has answered the question how big does a Shih Tzu get? Just like any other dog breed, this toy dog requires care and monitoring when developing from a puppy to an adult canine.
Now that you know about Shih Tzu growth patterns, weight chart, and how to keep your Shih Tzu healthy, follow the tips so that your puppy may develop into a full adult-height dog. Also, do visit your vet at regular intervals to make sure that they remain in optimum health at all times.
