Shichon Full Grown: Size, Lifespan, Price & More

The Shichon is a small hybrid dog breed produced by breeding the Shih Tzu and the Bichon Frise. As they mature into adulthood, Shichon dogs will undergo changes in their size, weight, appearance, personality, health needs, and more. In this guide, we'll explore what to expect from a Shichon once they reach their full adult size.

About the Shichon Breed

Before diving into what a Shichon is like fully grown, it's helpful to first understand the breed's background and origins. The Shichon first emerged in the late 1980s when breeders in the United States decided to cross the Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise.

Their goal was to create a small companion dog with the affectionate, playful nature of both parent breeds.

Today, the Shichon remains a very popular designer breed. They make wonderful family pets due to their gentle, loyal temperaments. On average, Shichons have a lifespan of 12-15 years when properly cared for.

Size at Full Growth

As with any hybrid breed, the size a Shichon reaches as an adult can vary depending on which parent breed's traits they inherit more strongly. In general, Shichons fully mature between:

• Length: 12-15 inches from nose to tail
• Height: 8-12 inches at the shoulder

Most Shichons will fall right in the middle of those size ranges. Females also tend to be slightly smaller than males. By around 18 months of age, Shichons reach their full-grown dimensions.

Weight at Full Growth

When it comes to weight, fully grown Shichons typically fall in the 7-15 pound range. The average weight for an adult Shichon once mature is 10-12 pounds. As with size, females usually weigh a pound or two less than males. Overweight or underweight dogs can face health issues.

Appearance at Full Growth

The Shichon coat changes considerably from puppy fluff to the adult fur. Fully grown, a Shichon will have a curly, soft coat that requires minimal grooming. Coat colors include cream, white, tan, silver, black, or combinations thereof. Typical traits include:

• Short, dense, hypoallergenic double coat
• Erect, curly hair varying from tight curls to loose waves
• Soft, furry facial furnishings including an arched brows and curled tail
• Small, triangular ears and soft dark eyes

Personality at Full Growth

While the Shichon temperament develops from a young age, their true personality shines through once adulthood is reached. In general, fully grown Shichons have a fun-loving, happy-go-lucky demeanor. They are:

• Affectionate toward owners and new people
• Playful and enjoy interactive toys and games
• Loyal companions who form strong bonds
• Calm yet still energetic indoor dogs
• Typically tolerant of other pets in the home

Training should be completed by one year, after which Shichons are well-behaved family pets. Their small size also makes them suitable for apartment living.

Price of a Shichon Puppy

When acquiring a Shichon as a puppy, be prepared to pay between $800-$1500 depending on the breeder. Top breeders who health test parents and offer contracts cancharge up to $2000. Lower prices may indicate a puppy mill situation to avoid. Adopted adult Shichons from rescues cost $150-350 with vetting already done.

Food and Feeding

By their first birthday, Shichons have fully mature energy levels that their diet should support. Most require 1/2 to 3/4 cup of a high-quality dry kibble divided into two feedings daily. Senior dogs may do well with 1/2 cup once or twice daily. Higher protein diets suit Shichons' needs.

Fresh, clean water should always be available. Table scraps are to be avoided, as obesity shortens the Shichon lifespan. Consult your vet for guidance on calories as dogs can gain weight easily in adulthood.

Lifespan of a Shichon

With proper preventative health care and a enriched lifestyle, the typical lifespan range for a Shichon is 12-15 years. Good breeding stock and nutrition help Shichons thrive into their senior dog years. On average, they remain spry, friendly companion into their mid-teens.

Health Conditions at Full Growth

As with all dogs, fully grown Shichons may be prone to certain hereditary or lifestyle health issues based on breeding and care. Common concerns for the breed include:

• Patellar luxation (slipped kneecaps)
• Cataracts
• Eye and skin allergies
• Dental issues like tartar buildup
• Intervertebral disk disease
• Von Willebrand's disease (bleeding disorder)

Reputable breeders screen for these. Regular vet checks catch any early. Good preventative care keeps Shichons happy into senior years.

Care Needs as an Adult Dog

While Shichons are low-shedding, their coats still require monthly brushing to remove loose hair and distribute natural skin oils. Weekly nail trims and ear cleaning stop infections. Brush teeth 2-3 times weekly. A fenced yard is best for potty and play, but they are content with daily walks and playtime indoors too.

Nutritional and Grooming Needs

By one year, a Shichon's nutritional and grooming routines are finalized. High-quality kibble formulated for toy breeds meets dietary needs. Several brushings weekly prevents mats with their curly coat. Regular teeth brushing prevents early dental disease as these are small mouth dogs. Professional grooming every 4-6 weeks keeps their hygiene and appearance in top shape.

Cost of Ownership

Beyond the initial purchase price of a Shichon puppy or adult, these dogs have moderate lifetime ownership costs of $500-$1000 per year.

The biggest cost drivers are quality food, preventative veterinary care including yearly exams and vaccines, flea/tick/heartworm preventions, dental cleanings, and any emergencies that may arise.

Behavior Changes in Adulthood

As Shichons reach maturity at 18 months, their behavior may change slightly from the exuberant puppy stage. For example:

• Chewing and nipping behaviors decrease markedly
• Barking lessens and is from excitement, not frequent demand barking
• Housetraining is fully grasped by this age
• They settle calmly indoors instead of zooming constantly
• Dedicated training results in polite, obedient conduct

With age also comes lessening of willful stubbornness. Overall Shichons remain playful, bonding companions in adulthood.

Notable Mature Shichon Characteristics

Some unique qualities and behaviors stand out in Shichons who have reached full maturity:

• Unconditional love and affection for family members
• Bright eyes and alert facial expressions
• Loyal guardian instincts despite small size
• Talkative nature through various vocalizations
• Confident yet gentle demeanor as a full grown housepet
• Strong bonds with fellow canine pack members if other dogs present

When is a Shichon Fully Grown?

The general age when a Shichon can be considered fully mature is 18-24 months old. While they reach physical adult size around 12-15 months, Shichons continue neurological and behavioral development into their second year. By 18 months, growth plates are closed and their true personality emerges.

However, the final stages of mental maturity may still be unfolding up until 24 months. This is when Shichons truly settle into an adult routine and habits. Their trainability and obedience skills cement at this age too. So while fully sized at a year, it's really closer to 2 years that Shichons can be viewed as fully grown dogs.

Suitability as a Pet

When cared for properly, Shichons absolutely make wonderful family pets and are well-suited for the role. Their even temperaments and small stature lend to suiting most lifestyles. However, their suitability depends on owners' circumstances:

Suitable For:

• Families with children ages 7+ who are taught gentle pet handling
• Single owners or retirees seeking a friendly companion
• Households with other friendly small dogs or low-shedding cats
• Apartment dwellers with access to daily outdoor time

Less Suitable For:

• Homes without solid pet-proof fencing in yards
• First-time dog owners unless committed to training
• Very busy lifestyles without someone home part-time
• Young children under age 7 due to risk of accident

Overall, dedicated owners find Shichons a perfect pet with their friendly ways indoors and tractability to rules. Proper care meets all their needs well into senior years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Shichons shed?

As an adult, the Shichon has a soft, hypoallergenic double coat that sheds minimally year-round. With regular brushing at least weekly, loose hair and dander are managed well.

Is the Shichon good with other pets?

In general, well-socialized adult Shichons get along swimmingly with other dogs and household pets. Early puppy training helps reinforce polite greetings and peaceful co-existence.

Do Shichons bark a lot?

As they mature, most Shichons' barking lessens to only when truly needed—such as at newcomers initially. Consistent training curbs excessive demand barking from a young age.

Are Shichons high energy?

Once fully grown, Shichons have moderate exercise needs met through 1-2 walks daily and play sessions. As lapdogs, they adapt to calm indoor living too.

At what age are Shichons potty trained?

Most Shichon puppies can understand basic potty training between 12-16 weeks of age, though accidents may still occur occasionally until 6 months. Consistency is key, and by 1 year most Shichons will be fully reliably potty trained both indoors and outdoors.

Do Shichons get along with cats?

Provided they are raised together from a young age through supervised play sessions, most adult Shichons and cats can develop peaceful coexistence in the same home. It depends highly on the individual animals' temperaments as well. Early positive introduction is best.

Are Shichons high-strung?

In general, no - Shichons are known for their calm, happy-go-lucky demeanors. As they mature into adulthood, any excess puppy energy fades into a gentle, easygoing nature indoors. Consistent training and exercise prevents stress behaviors from developing.

What health problems do Shichons commonly have?

As with many smaller hybrid breeds, common Shichon health issues can include hypothyroidism, kneecap dislocations, eye issues like cataracts, dental problems, and skin or food allergies. Reputable breeders screen breeding stock to reduce risks of genetic disorders. Early veterinary care also plays a role in pet health.

In Summary

The Shichon undergoes quite a transformation from fluffy puppy to fully grown adult canine companion. By 18 months to 2 years, they have completely changed in their size, coat, personality, needs and as a pet. With preventative care and positive training from an early age, Shichons grow into wonderful, lifelong family members. Their affectionate temperaments continue shining for 12-15+ years as calm yet playful adult dogs.