At what age do Maltese stop growing
Maltese Puppy Growth Chart
Newborn puppies should gain each day. For 8-week-old puppies that are just transitioning to their new homes, growth can be much more of a roller coaster.
Since this breed typically does not reach over 7 lbs. (though some pet Maltese do end up a bit larger than the standard, at 8 lbs. or so), the end goal is well within sight; however, the road to reach it will be unique for every puppy.
It is entirely possible for two 3-month-old Maltese puppies to be at
different weights(for example, 2.5 lbs. and 4 lbs.) but both end up as 6.5 lb. adults.
Nevertheless, when you take a look at the growth rate, you will see an upward movement that stretches from birth to the 9 month mark.
If a Maltese puppy is consistently on the low end of the scale, he will most likely end up being on the low end of the standard, which is 3 to 4 lbs. And if a Maltese puppy is consistently on the higher end of the growth scale, he is more than likely going to be on the higher end of the standard, at just under 7 lbs., and in some cases a bit larger.
Most of the growing will be done in the first 6 months. For the 3 remaining months of 6 to 9 months old, there may be small adjustments in weight, height, or both.
When Do Maltese Stop Growing: What to Expect As Your Puppy Grows Up
In the world of purebred dog breeding, there are five major size categories: giant, large, medium, small, and toy. Maltese are considered a true toy dog breed.
Some breeders will go even smaller and breed teacup Maltese, but this is not a recognized purebred size category for show competition purposes.
For people new to the Maltese breed, it is hard to imagine how small such a tiny dog could be when they are first born! In this article, learn about the Maltese growth process and find out when Maltese puppies stop growing.
When Do Maltese Stop Growing?
While some owners state that their Maltese puppies had finished growing by the age of eight months, PetMD says that 10 to 12 months is more typical.
As Whelping Puppies explains, in most cases, a Maltese puppy will grow quite slowly until around 12 weeks (three months) of age.
After that time, the growth typically speeds up noticeably, and the puppy finishes most of its growth by 10 to 12 months.
Watch a Maltese Puppy Grow Up
In this short and sweet owner video, you can watch a tiny eight-week-old Maltese puppy grow up through eight months of age.
Because the Maltese is a toy dog breed, these dogs tend to grow up quite quickly, as you will notice.
And in fact, there isnt a lot of growing size-wise to do past a certain point, but other important growth-related changes are occurring, such as the development of the adult coat and the transition from puppy teeth to adult teeth.
Maltese Puppies Grow More Slowly Than Other Breeds
According to the American Maltese Association (AMA), Maltese puppies grow so slowly in the first few months of life that AMA-associated breeders pledge not to let new owners take puppies home before the age of 12 weeks (three months).
This is quite unusual, especially in an era where the reigning school of responsible puppy breeding is retaining a puppy until the age of eight to nine weeks.
But the Maltese have an unusually slow growth rate in those first critical few weeks of life due to this dogs extremely small adult size. These puppies rarely weigh even seven pounds fully grown, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Keeping a puppy longer with its mother and littermates ensures two critical needs are met in full: the puppy gets the nourishment of the mothers milk for longer, and the puppy gets the vital socialization of being with the mother dog and the littermates for longer.
Because Maltese dogs are known to be stubborn and slow to learn obedience and potty training skills, this extra socialization time in the litter helps to make for the best possible experience for the new Maltese owner.
Learn About the Stages of Maltese Puppy Growth
So what are the typical stages of a Maltese puppys growth chart? Lets take a closer look.
Newborn puppies
According to Maltese Mystique breeders, each newborn Maltese puppy will weigh between two and six ounces at birth. The average smartphone weighs around four to six ounces. So that is a really small puppy!
Two weeks old
A two-week-old Maltese puppy will be starting to open their eyes and weigh as much as 10 ounces.
Three weeks old
At three weeks old, a Maltese puppy will start to move about more and explore its immediate surroundings.
Four weeks old
At four weeks old, a Maltese puppy will become more mobile and social and may weigh up to 11 ounces.
Five weeks old
At five weeks old, a Maltese puppy may be starting to get their baby teeth in. Their weight will likely have doubled from their birth weight, and they will be more interested in moving and playing.
Six weeks old
At six weeks old, a Maltese puppy is starting to play with puppy toys and with their littermates and is awake for longer.
Seven weeks old
At seven weeks old, a Maltese puppy is starting to exhibit more coordination as a result of sibling playtime and exploration.
Eight weeks old
At eight weeks old, a Maltese puppy is beginning to show an active interest in people and will have an abundant curiosity about the people around them.
Nine weeks old
By the age of nine weeks old, most puppies of other dog breeds are all set to go to their new forever homes. But Maltese puppies will stay with their mom and littermates for an additional three weeks.
By nine weeks old, a Maltese puppy will have nearly doubled in weight again and can weigh up to 16 ounces (one pound). In comparison, an adult Maltese dog may weigh anywhere from four to seven pounds.
10 weeks old
By the age of 10 weeks old, a Maltese puppy may weigh up to a pound and a half and have a full set of puppy teeth. They are playing and rough-housing with their siblings and becoming more athletic.
11 weeks old
At 11 weeks old, a Maltese puppy is beginning the journey towards potty training in earnest, learning to use pee pads and chewing everything in sight.
12 weeks old
By 12 weeks of age, it is finally time for the still-little Maltese puppy to head to its new forever home. They may weigh anywhere from 1.5 to two pounds and will have longer coats and better muscle coordination.
So this gives you a great idea of all the changes your Maltese puppy has to go through in just the first three months of life. Because these dogs are so little, even as adults, the changes are less visible but just as significant.
Potty Training a Maltese Puppy
According to DFW Maltese breeders, potty training a Maltese puppy doesnt have to be as difficult as some owners and breeders make it out to be.
The key to success is consistency yours as well as your puppys.
Your Maltese puppy will likely come to you already familiar with puppy pads. Many Maltese breeders begin potty training by using puppy pads for the simple reason that a Maltese puppys bladder is so tiny there is little room for error.
It can be easier to train a Maltese puppy to take a few steps over to a puppy pad than to run all the way to the door, make an alert to be let out and then go. Most Maltese puppies simply cannot hold it that long.
A big part of consistency in Maltese puppy potty training is identifying times when your Maltese puppy will always need to go out (or stay in and use a puppy pad).
Here are the most common times when a Maltese puppy must relieve themselves:
- Right after waking up in the morning.
- Right after a nap.
- Right after a meal.
- Right after drinking water.
- Every two hours.
- Right before bedtime.
- After any session of play.
For general purposes, plan to let your Maltese puppy relieve themselves every two hours if not sooner. This can mean setting your alarm and waking up during the night when your puppy first comes home.
You can take away the water dish a couple of hours before bedtime to try to extend that first period of nighttime rest by an hour or two. But if you hear your puppy crying at night, there is a good chance it is because they need to relieve themselves.
Over time, and certainly by the age of one-year-old, with careful management of food and water, your Maltese should be able to make it through the night without a bathroom break.
When your Maltese puppy has a potty accident in the house, it is not useful to scold them. It is quite likely your puppy just couldnt hold it. Rather, praise your puppy every time they go on cue.
The Special Challenge of Maltese Hypoglycemia
One more unusual thing about choosing such a tiny dog breed is that the Maltese can fall prey to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
As McHenry Maltese Puppies breeder explains, Maltese puppies have such small stomachs it can be hard for them to eat enough to maintain their blood sugar between meals.
Using a fortified supplement like Nutrical can help maintain blood sugar levels between meals. Your breeder will be able to tell you what they have been using and how to dose it so you can continue doing this after your puppy comes home.
You will want to keep emergency honey or Caro syrup (or whatever your breeder recommends) so you can give your Maltese puppy some quick nourishment if the need arises.
The Maltese dog breed fully grown is surprisingly hardy. But puppyhood can be a fragile time, and it is important to know what to expect.
When Do Shih Tzus Stop Growing: Full Size & Growth Chart
When exactly do Shih Tzus stop growing and reach their final weight? And what is their final weight?
This article will diver into the Shih Tzus growth timeline and everything there is to know about how big they get and overall size.
Lets get into it!
When Do Shih Tzus Stop Growing?
In general, Shih Tzus reach their full size between 10 and 12 months of age.
While they may continue to fill out a little beyond this age, most of their physical development happens in the first year.
Their growth rate will be fastest during the initial months, then slow down as they approach maturity.
How Big Do Shih Tzus Get?
Shih Tzus are small dogs, typically weighing between 9-16 pounds (4-7.25 kg) when fully grown. Their average height ranges from 9-10.5 inches (23-27 cm) at the shoulder.
Male vs Female
Like many dog breeds, there are slight differences in the average size and height of male and female Shih Tzus.
Male Shih Tzus tend to be slightly larger on average than females. A full-grown male Shih Tzu will typically stand about 9.5 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 10 and 16 pounds.
On the other hand, female Shih Tzus are usually a bit smaller. They typically stand about 8.5 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 9 and 15 pounds when fully grown.
Shih Tzu Growth Chart: A Month-by-Month Guide
Its important to note that all Shih Tzus are unique, and growth can vary from one pup to another. However, heres a general month-by-month guide to their growth:
Heres a basic table that outlines the general average growth timeline for a Shih Tzu:
| Age | Weight Range | Growth Phase Description |
|---|---|---|
| Birth 2 weeks | 4 6 ounces (113-170g) | Fully dependent on their mother |
| 2 8 weeks | 2 4 pounds (0.9-1.8 kg) | Rapid growth phase, can be separated from mother |
| 2 4 months | 4 7 pounds (1.8-3.2 kg) | Continues to grow quickly, potentially doubling in size |
| 4 6 months | 7 10 pounds (3.2-4.5 kg) | Growth slows down a bit but still continues at a good pace |
| 6 10 months | Up to adult height and length | Approaches full height and length, may still gain a bit of weight |
| 10 12 months | Mostly reached adult size | Minimal growth, mostly filling out rather than getting taller or longer |
| 12 18 months | Adult weight | Any additional weight gain is minimal, and weight should stabilize |
- Birth 2 weeks: Shih Tzu puppies are tiny, usually weighing between 4-6 ounces (113-170g). They are fully dependent on their mother at this stage.
- 2 8 weeks: This is a rapid growth phase. By the end of 8 weeks, your puppy may weigh between 2-4 pounds (0.9-1.8 kg). This is also when puppies can be safely separated from their mother and siblings.
- 2 4 months: Puppies continue to grow quickly, potentially doubling in size. By 4 months, your Shih Tzu may weigh between 4-7 pounds (1.8-3.2 kg).
- 4 6 months: Growth slows down a bit but still continues at a good pace. By 6 months, expect your pup to weigh between 7-10 pounds (3.2-4.5 kg).
- 6 10 months: This is when your Shih Tzu will approach their full height and length, although they may still gain a bit of weight.
- 10 12 months and beyond: Your Shih Tzu has mostly reached their adult size. Any additional growth will be minimal and mostly involve filling out rather than getting taller or longer.
This puppy growth chart from the American Kennel Club can be a handy tool for tracking your Shih Tzus development.
The Biggest Growth Spurt
The most rapid growth for Shih Tzus typically occurs between 2 to 4 months of age.
This is when your little furball will put on weight and grow in height at a remarkable rate! Its crucial during this period to provide proper nutrition to support their growth.
Its also important to let them rest, sleep and nap as much as they want to during this period. While they might be balls of energy, they also love to sleep, and this is when most of their growth happens!
Factors Affecting Shih Tzu Growth
Several factors can influence the final size of your Shih Tzu:
- Genetics: The size of the parents is a good indicator of how big a Shih Tzu puppy will get.
- Diet: Proper nutrition is critical for healthy growth. Puppies should be fed a high-quality diet designed for small breed puppies.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity is vital for proper muscle development and maintaining a healthy weight.
- Health: Certain health issues, such as parasites or underlying diseases, can impact a puppys growth. Regular vet check-ups are essential.
Remember, individual variation is normal, and each Shih Tzu will grow at their own pace. If you have concerns about your puppys growth, its always a good idea to consult your vet.
Check out why its crucial to prevent your Shih Tzu from jumping up and down too much. This will avoid injuries and growth issues.
Reaching Their Full Weight
Shih Tzus typically reach their adult weight between 10 to 12 months of age. However, they might continue to fill out, adding a bit more weight until they are about 18 months old.
Your fur buddys weight should stabilize after this point, provided they maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine.
Remember, though, that adult weight can vary widely among Shih Tzus, largely due to their genetics. If your Shih Tzu is slightly outside the average weight range, dont panic.
Its more important that they are healthy and at an appropriate weight for their individual size and build.
Nurturing Your Shih Tzus Growth: Expert Tips
A healthy diet and regular exercise are vital for your Shih Tzus growth. Here are some expert tips to help your pup grow into a healthy adult:
- Balanced Nutrition: Provide a diet specially formulated for small breed puppies. It should be high in quality protein for muscle growth and development. PetMD has a great guide on choosing the best dog food.
- Proper Exercise: Regular walks and playtime can help with proper muscle development. However, be careful not to overdo it; too much strenuous exercise can harm a growing pups developing bones and joints.
- Regular Vet Check-ups: Regular visits to the vet will ensure your pup is growing correctly and help identify any potential health issues early.
- Love and Socialization: Dont underestimate the power of love! Lots of affection and socialization can help your Shih Tzu grow into a well-adjusted, happy adult.
Remember, while its fun to watch your Shih Tzu grow, theyll always be your little pup at heart!
You might also like: Do Shih Tzus Have Dew Claws?
Conclusion
There you have ita comprehensive guide to when Shih Tzus stop growing. Remember, each Shih Tzu is unique, and while these guidelines are helpful, there will always be some individual variation.
Most importantly, enjoy every stage of your Shih Tzus growth; theyre only little for a short time!
I hope this guide has been helpful in your journey as a Shih Tzu parent. For more in-depth information, I highly recommend The Spruce Pets, a resource Ive found incredibly useful over the years. Happy parenting to you and your adorable Shih Tzu!
