Did you know that small breed dogs like Shih Tzus are almost completely done growing by the time they reach 8 to 9 months?
Giant breeds take a while longer. They aren’t fully grown until closer to the 12-18 month mark according to the AKC. Some large breeds may take up to 24 months to reach full growth maturity. In general the larger the breed the longer it takes to be fully grown.
It is important to make sure you’re feeding your Shih Tzu the right amount of food to avoid an overweight or underweight dog. Your Shih Tzu puppy should be eating puppy food or food for all life stages until full maturity is reached. Talk with your veterinarian about the best time to switch to adult dog food. Most Shih Tzus weigh between 9 to 16 pounds. Click here to learn more about how to tell if your Shih Tzu puppy is the correct weight.
