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Like most toy breeds, the Shih Tzu reaches full adult size and a weight of 12.5 pounds at 10 months of age. However, a Shih Tzu is considered fully grown when it is one year old.
Shih Tzu tend to be fairly sturdy little dogs when they are 6 to 8 months old, weighing 10 to 12.5 pounds and reaching a height of 8 to 11 inches.
However, if you purchased your Shih Tzu through a breeder, contact your breeder, who will give you an accurate estimate based on your Shih Tzu’s parents and previous litters.
Shih Tzu Age | Approx. Weight |
---|---|
Births | less than 1 pound |
4 weeks | 1.25 lbs. |
8 weeks | 2 – 2.5 lbs. |
3 months | 4 lbs. |
4 months | 6 lbs. |
5 months | 8 lbs. |
6 months | 10 lbs. |
7 months | 12 lbs. |
8 months | 12.5 lbs. |
9 months | 12.5 lbs. |
10 months | 12.5 lbs. |
11 months | 12.5 lbs. |
12 months | 12.5 lbs. |
So, the answer to the question “When Shih Tzu full grown?” is 9 to 10 months, your Shih Tzu will reach its full adult size and weight. Although they may continue to put on some extra pounds as they mature and age, the vast majority of their growth will be complete by this point.
When fully grown, the Shih Tzu typically has a lifespan of between 10 and 16 years. For more information about this charming and loyal breed, readers can check out another article that covers the topic of the Lifespan of Shih Tzu in detail.
How old is a Shih Tzu considered a baby?
Generally, Shih Tzu from birth to 6 months of age are considered Shih Tzu puppies. However, by two weeks of age these puppies have tightly closed eyelids and closed ear canals, so they cannot see or hear.

- Two weeks: Two weeks passed, their eyelids slowly opened and their ear canals opened, and their hearing began to come. During this time you will see your puppy crawling and making some shaky short-lived attempts to walk.
- Three weeks: Then when your Shih Tzu is three weeks old, they can hear quite well and their eyes open completely. At this time they become quite active, their vocalizations begin and they are able to walk on all fours. But their eyesight and hearing are still not fully developed.
- Four weeks: When your Shih Tzu is four weeks old, he’ll start moving out of the whelping box and taking breaks to play. This is the time when their voice and body structure are stronger, so this is the time to transition their food to solid food and begin their socialization phase.
- Six weeks: When your Shih Tzu is over six weeks old, he should be weaned completely. During this time they become quite curious and exploratory and their eyesight and hearing are fully developed. You can transition your two-month-old Shih Tzu to their new home. Because now it has become a house training tool.
- Three months: Once your Shih Tzu is over three months old, you can set his rules. Now you can feed him 3 daily scheduled meals and snacks a day and practice regular walks every day to further build socialization skills.
- Four months: Shih Tzu become very aware of their surroundings from the age of four months. During this time she starts teething, so she is stronger than she was as a child and separation anxiety problems develop.
- Six months: When your Shih Tzu turns six months old, you should introduce him to other animals in your family. Because this is the beginning of their teenage years. This is the best time to teach them socialization, obedience and manners.
How old is a Shih Tzu considered adult?
According to the American Kennel Club, the Shih Tzu is one of the fastest-maturing toy breeds. This breed reaches full adult size and weight in eight to ten months. At this time, they weigh between 9 and 16 pounds and are 8 to 10.5 inches long. But you’ll only consider a Shih Tzu fully grown when it’s twelve months old.
When a Shih Tzu is seven months old, its maturation stages begin. During this time his weight and size increased significantly and his food demand also increased.
Then at eight months of age, he tries to be more endearing to you through his loyalty and behavior.

Your Shih Tzu’s growth may slow noticeably from nine months of age and may stop growing by 11 months of age.
When your Shih Tzu turns 1 year old. He then participates in play, rest, and exercise with you to become alert, active, and engaged.
At what age is a Shih Tzu calm?
Usually, Shih Tzu puppies can be a bit stubborn and arrogant in their early adulthood. As they get older, they drive their owner crazy with hyper behavior. This behavior is a normal part of your puppy’s development.
It is assumed that, like other puppies, your Shih Tzu will calm down naturally once they reach the age of 2 years.
Taking your Shih Tzu for play, short walks, and opportunities to play with other dogs or go for walks will help your Shih Tzu calm down. Because physical activity and mental stimulation help a puppy calm down.
What foods are good for Shih Tzu growth?
Shih Tzu eat a bit more food than other toy breeds, most of them are open-minded eaters, feeding good quality dog food is very important for your dog to grow properly. Because a good quality dog food will help your Shih Tzu maintain the right weight and shape.
How much food you feed your Shih Tzu depends on its age, behavior, and body composition. This is why it is important to weigh your dog, as a Shih Tzu’s normal weight is between 10 and 16 pounds.
Shih Tzu’s are prone to obesity, so check with your vet about feeding your dog and what foods are best for your Shih Tzu to ensure he doesn’t become obese.
Most vets say. Since Shih Tzus are prone to obesity, their diet should not be high in carbohydrates. You should feed your shih tzu a good amount of protein for healthy growth.
Foods that are high in protein include chicken, chicken, turkey and eggs. And foods that are high in carbohydrates include sweet potatoes, oats, rice, and barley. However, vegetables can be a very important component in meeting their mineral and vitamin needs.
4 Effective Ways To Make Your Shih Tzu Gain Healthy Weight
Getting your Shih Tzu to gain weight can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. With proper care, nutrition, and exercise, your pup can recover from its unditsght state and regain a healthy body. Find four effective strategies that you can use to help your Shih Tzu gain some much-needed weight.
Increase Calorie Intake.
Increasing the calorie intake of your Shih Tzu is an important part of helping them gain healthy weight. Look for foods that are specifically designed to meet the nutritional requirements of small breed dogs, as these will provide more energy and nutrition than standard dog foods. Try to choose ones with ingredients like chicken and fish, as these are high in fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals that all work together to fuel your pup’s growth and development. Make sure to always feed your Shih Tzu two meals per day and don’t forget about treats—these can be a great way to add some extra calories into their diet!
Feed More Frequent and Smaller Meals.
While it can be tempting to increase your Shih Tzu’s daily serving size, it’s best to try and spread their meals out over the course of the day. This way, you can better monitor how much food your pup is actually consuming since smaller meals mean less chance for overeating. If you find that your pup is hungry in between meals, try adding two or three smaller meals during the day instead of one larger one. This will give them the fuel they need to gain weight without feeling like they’re over-eating.
Choose Nutritious Treats.
Another great way to help your pup gain healthy weight is to choose nutritious treats. Since treats usually consist of high-calorie, carb-rich ingredients, the calories can really add up if you don’t watch how many and what kind you give your pup throughout the day. To make sure your pup gets healthy nutrition from their treats, look for low-fat options like shredded fruit or veggies. Your pup will love these tasty alternatives and you’ll know that what they’re consuming is beneficial for them!
Consult Your Vet for Advice and Supplements Recommendation.
It’s always a good idea to consult your vet if your pup is underweight. Your vet can provide more in-depth advice to make sure your pup is eating the right food and getting adequate nutrition and exercise. In some cases, your vet may also recommend supplements for additional nutrition or medication to help your pup’s metabolism process food better.
When does Shih Tzu stop growing?
Are you wondering why your Shih Tzu isn’t getting any bigger? In this section, we’ll look at when they stop growing and how to ensure your furry friend is healthy. We’ll also go over any signs of concern and what to do if you notice any issues with your pet’s growth.
Understand the Growth Rate of a Shih Tzu.
Knowing the growth rate of your Shih Tzu can help you better understand your pet’s development. Generally, most puppy Shih Tzus will reach their full size between 12 and 18 months – but this time frame can even stretch up to two years old. During the first 6 to 7 months, the Shih Tzu is likely growing at its fastest rate, with length typically expanding more rapidly than width. So keep an eye on your pup’s measurements for any changes!
Signs of the Shih Tzu Maturing.
It can be hard to tell when your Shih Tzu is done growing, despite keeping measurements over time. However, there are some tell-tale signs of maturing you may notice, such as changes in behavior and coat texture. Generally they’ll become calmer and more independent with age. Additionally, the pup’s coat should slowly start developing the adult luster that it will retain into adulthood. With these physical and behavioral shifts, you can know you’ve reached the end of your pup’s growth stage!
On Average, How Long Does a Shih Tzu Stay a Puppy?
Though the exact age that marks the end of a Shih Tzu’s growing phase can vary slightly from pup to pup, most Shih Tzus reach full size by 12 months of age. However, behavioral shifts towards maturity have been known to take as long as two years. During this time your pup will continue to grow and develop into adulthood while also taking time to explore their environment and establish solid behavior patterns.
As most people know, the standard Shih Tzu comes in a variety of coat colors and patterns. They can be solid, parti-color (two or more sections of contrasting colors), brindle (a tiger-striped pattern), and sable (hairs that are darker at the tip than the base). Some very rare variations may include white markings on the face, neck, or body coat. The color possibilities are limitless and part of what makes this breed so attractive to its many admirers. Find out different colors of shih tzu in other article we cover.
Conclusions
On average, a fully grown Shih Tzu will reach anywhere between 8 to 11 inches in height and 10 to 16 pounds in weight. Some specimens of the breed may grow larger or smaller than this range, depending mainly on their genetics. To get an accurate estimate of your dog’s final size, it is important to look at the parents as they are usually indicative of what their offspring will become.