When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing? - German Shepherd Growth Chart
German Shepherds are a modern German breed of large-sized dogs. They are strong and intelligent as they learn faster and are more accessible to train than other dogs. They are also very loyal and protective of their owners and their territory. It should come as no surprise that adult German Shepherds can get really big!
German Shepherds go through different stages of growth before they actually reach their full size.
This article will discuss when German Shepherds stop growing as well as their stages of growth.
Table of Contents
When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing?
The growth rate in dogs differs from breed to breed and in females and males. In general, a German shepherd stops growing at around 18 months old. However, males will stop growing at 20 months while females will stop growing at 22 months.
In terms of size, a male will stop growing at the height of between 2 1/2 feet and 3 feet tall and will weigh between 80 to 90 pounds. A female will stop growing at a height between 2 1/2 feet and 2 3/4 feet tall and weigh between 70 to 80 pounds.
How Big Do German Shepherds Get?
One question that many owners ask is how big will my dog get?
To answer the question, When do German Shephards stop growing? First, it’s essential to look at the typical German Shepherd weight and growth chart for males and females, what to expect during different stages of their life, and the factors that can affect their size.
Factors such as current age, weight, and breed come into play when estimating how big your pup will get. The estimate is based on typical development patterns for puppies. There are no guarantees that every puppy will grow up exactly like its parents, but this is an excellent way to get a general idea of how big your puppy might become.
German Shepherd Growth Chart
Below is a chart to help you monitor your dog’s growth. You can use this growth chart to track your puppy’s development. It will help you determine if your dog is the right weight for the age.
Growth of German Shepherd Female
When the female grows, she will be in a constant change state.
It’s exciting to watch her develop, but it can also be worrying as you don’t know if every change is normal or not.
According to its size, the weight of the German Shepherd female at:
| Age | Height (in.) | Weight (lbs) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 3 - 6 | 4.5 - 8 | 2 - 3.6 |
| 2 months | 6 - 9 | 11 - 17 | 5 - 7.7 |
| 3 months | 8 - 10 | 17 - 26 | 7.7 - 11.8 |
| 4 months | 10 - 12 | 31 - 35 | 14.1 - 15.9 |
| 5 months | 12 - 14 | 35 - 44 | 15.9 - 20 |
| 6 months | 15 - 17 | 44 - 49 | 20 - 22.2 |
| 7 months | 17 - 19 | 49 - 53 | 22.2 - 24 |
| 8 months | 18 - 20 | 53 - 57 | 24 - 25.9 |
| 9 months | 19 - 21 | 55 - 60 | 24.9 - 27.2 |
| 10 months | 19 - 21 | 57 - 62 | 25.9 - 28.1 |
| 11 months | 20 - 22 | 60 - 64 | 27.2 - 29 |
| 1 year | 20 - 22 | 60 - 64 | 27.2 - 29 |
| 2 years | 21 - 22 | 62 - 66 | 28.1 - 29.9 |
| 3 years | 22 - 24 | 66 - 70 | 29.9 - 31.8 |
Growth of German Shepherd Male
The weight of the male will vary depending on the growth stage as follows:
| Age | Height (in.) | Weight (lbs) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 4 - 6 | 5.5 - 9 | 2.5 - 4.1 |
| 2 months | 7 - 9 | 16 - 20 | 7.3 - 9.1 |
| 3 months | 9 - 11 | 22 - 30 | 10 - 13.6 |
| 4 months | 11 - 14 | 35 - 40 | 15.9 - 18.1 |
| 5 months | 14 - 16 | 40 - 49 | 18.1 - 22.2 |
| 6 months | 16 - 18 | 49 - 57 | 22.2 - 25.9 |
| 7 months | 19 - 20 | 57 - 62 | 25.9 - 28.1 |
| 8 months | 20 - 22 | 62 - 66 | 28.1 - 29.9 |
| 9 months | 21 - 23 | 64 - 71 | 29 - 32.2 |
| 10 months | 22 - 24 | 66 - 73 | 29.9 - 33.1 |
| 11 months | 22 - 24 | 71 - 75 | 32.2 - 34 |
| 1 year | 22 - 24 | 71 - 79 | 32.2 - 35.8 |
| 2 years | 23 - 25 | 71 - 84 | 32.2 - 38.1 |
| 3 years | 24 - 26 | 79 - 88 | 35.8 - 39.9 |
German Shepherd Growth Stages
German Shepherds grow in stages. Therefore, you will notice changes in your puppy every few weeks. These changes and stages are both physical and behavioral.
As a responsible owner, you need to understand the changes as they happen to handle your dog during the growth process better.
Below is a brief look at the various German Shepherd growth stages and the different changes in each stage. Knowing these stages will help you plan out your pet’s future care and better understand what to expect next.
1. Puppy growth stage: 0 to 12 months- This is when the German Shepherd grows the most. The puppy reaches essential milestones such as teething, opening of ears and eyes and crawling in the first few weeks of this stage. The puppy hits other essential milestones, such as the acquisition of socialization skills at the middle to the end of this stage
2. Juvenile maturation stage: 12 to 18 months- At this stage, the rate of growth plateaus as the puppy has done most of the growth in the previous stage. This is also when you should start training your puppy as it will begin to acquire fine and gross motor skills. Another significant milestone of this stage is growing adult teeth.
3. Adult maturation stage: 18 months until full maturity- Although your German Shepherd will continue to grow during this stage, there aren’t any significant milestones other than sexual maturity.