
German shepherds are some of the most popular dog breeds in America. They’re remarkably intelligent and very receptive, capable of performing several other impressive tasks. These smart fluff balls are excellent for guide and assistance work, police and military service, and drug detection. Besides all the incredible jobs they excel in, German shepherds also make fantastic pets.
When you adopt one of these furry pals, you can rest assured you’ll have a loyal life companion. However, before bringing a German shepherd home, you must do some research. Every breed has their prevailing unique traits, and German shepherds are not the exception. One of the most important things you should learn about these pups is how much they’ll grow.
It’s always important to keep track of your pet’s development. A German shepherd growth chart will help you determine if your pup’s developing as they should.
How Big Will Your German Shepherd Get?
Before we dive deep into charts and figures, it’s vital to clarify that German shepherd growth depends on various factors. A fur parent should always keep in mind that every puppy is different. These measurements are only an averaged estimate to help you understand better where your pup stands and watch their health. Try not to get caught up in the numbers as you explore every stage in your unique fluff ball’s life.
Understanding Your German Shepherd’s Growth Stages
Just like with humans, our pets also go through several phases throughout their lifetime. If you’ve never had a furry companion before, you probably aren’t familiar with the different stages in a dog’s life. Understanding your puppy’s growth milestones helps you get a better estimate of what their standard size and weight should be depending on their age.
- Puppyhood
At this point, your little one is quite helpless. For now, they’ll need your help with pretty much everything. These first few weeks are crucial for your furry friend to start exploring their surroundings. During this time, your pup will begin developing a sense of smell, taste, hearing, and sight.
Puppyhood is the best time for your pup to begin socializing with humans and other animals. This stage could easily lead to trauma, so it’s crucial to take things slow. Your German shepherd will start to test their boundaries, so you should keep an eye on them.
This early stage in your dog’s life usually lasts about six months. Whatever happens during this timeframe will have a significant impact on your German shepherd’s health and well-being. By the end of 26 weeks, your puppy should reach about 75% of their expected adult size and weight.
- Adolescence
The second half of your German shepherd’s first year might seem like there’s not much going on. However, between this time and your pup’s second year of life, there are several milestones you’ll need to pay attention to.
Now is the right time to teach them basic tasks and skills. As you train your dog, you must be very patient. Soon enough, your German shepherd will start being more attentive, and their memory will significantly improve. This stage is your pooch’s transition into early adulthood. By the end of the adolescence stage, your pup should be almost as big as they’re ever going to get.
- Adulthood
The adulthood stage is the point when your German shepherd reaches sexual maturity. As your dog becomes more active, they’ll need some extra room to play and run around. Their freedom to play is fundamental for your pup to maintain a healthy lifestyle and be happy. Daily exercise is vital for your adult German shepherd to stay within the average expected weight.
German shepherd dogs grow rather fast. However, from this point on, changes in weight and size might not be as dramatic as those in earlier stages. Adulthood should mark the end of your pup’s growth potential.
- Seniority
When German shepherds are about six to ten years old, they are considered to have reached seniorhood. At this stage, your furry friend is no longer growing, and their overall development considerably slows down. As your pet ages, you’ll need to pay more attention to their health and weight control. Obese senior German shepherds are prone to frequent joint pains, decreased stamina, and hip dysplasia.
When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing?
New German shepherd parents may have a lot of questions in mind. One of the most popular queries is, “When do German shepherds stop growing?” It’s vital to have this information handy at every stage of your pup’s life. However, these numbers are only for reference: A German shepherd’s size depends on genetics and developmental circumstances.
There might be a small difference between male and female German shepherd weight and size. At adulthood, their height can reach about 24 to 26 inches for males and between 22 and 24 inches for females. The average German shepherd’s weight can be between 66 to 88 pounds for males and between 49 and 71 pounds for females. Needless to say, German shepherds are considered a relatively large breed.
The Right Proportion
German shepherds are typically larger from head to tail than they are tall. The average balance of their length to height is 10:8.5 in most cases. Although these calculations have nothing to do with the numbers on the scale, there might be some underlying conditions that cause abnormalities in your dog’s proportions.
When in doubt, multiply the length of your dog with 0.85. This way, you can quickly know what the ideal proportion of your dog should be. However, never skip on your vet appointments. The doctor will detect any problems you could’ve overlooked and confirm your pup’s ideal size.
Average Male German Shepherd’s Growth Chart by Age
As we mentioned before, a male dog might be a tad larger than their female counterparts. These are the average measurements of a male German shepherd as they grow up.
Weight
- 1-month old: 4.2 kilograms.
- 2-month old: 9 kilograms.
- 3-month old: 14.2 kilograms.
- 4-month old: 19 kilograms.
- 5-month old: 22.9 kilograms.
- 6-month old: 26.1 kilograms.
- 7-month old: 28.4 kilograms.
- 8-month old: 30.1 kilograms.
- 9-month old: 32.3 kilograms.
- 1-year old: 34.5 kilograms.
Height
- 1-month old: 15.5 centimeters.
- 2-month old: 22.62 centimeters.
- 3-month old: 27.13 centimeters.
- 4-month old: 35 centimeters.
- 5-month old: 40.73 centimeters.
- 6-month old: 46.5 centimeters.
- 7-month old: 52.38 centimeters.
- 8-month old: 57.43 centimeters.
- 9-month old: 59.9 centimeters.
- 1-year old: 63 centimeters.
Average Female German Shepherd’s Size by Age
Females of almost every species tend to be smaller and more delicate than males. These should be the typical ranges of a female German shepherd’s sizes since puppyhood.
Weight
- 1-month old: 3.3 kilograms.
- 2-month old: 7.5 kilograms.
- 3-month old: 12.1 kilograms.
- 4-month old: 16.4 kilograms.
- 5-month old: 20 kilograms.
- 6-month old: 22.7 kilograms.
- 7-month old: 24.7 kilograms.
- 8-month old: 26.1 kilograms.
- 9-month old: 27.8 kilograms.
- 1-year old: 29.1 kilograms.
Height
- 1-month old: 14.17 centimeters.
- 2-month old: 21 centimeters.
- 3-month old: 25.5 centimeters.
- 4-month old: 31.49 centimeters.
- 5-month old: 36.72 centimeters.
- 6-month old: 42.34 centimeters.
- 7-month old: 48.62 centimeters.
- 8-month old: 53.43 centimeters.
- 9-month old: 54.1 centimeters.
- 1-year old: 56.64 centimeters.
German Shepherd’s Body Mass
When it comes to your German shepherd’s height, there’s not much you can do to control the outcome. However, it’s vital for your dog’s health that you continually monitor their weight. If you notice your four-legged baby isn’t within the standard proportions, maybe it’s time for dietary and activity changes.
You might think your German shepherd is just naturally slender, but if their weight is below 30 kilograms, chances are they’re underweight. Look for signs of low body mass on your pup. If you can very easily spot their ribcage, spine, and hip bones, your furry friend might need a visit to the vet. A professional will propose a higher, albeit healthy, fat diet to help them gain weight.
After they’ve turned one year old, the average weight of a German shepherd is between 35 kilograms for males and 30 kilograms for females. When in good shape, you’ll still see a hint of your dog’s bone structure, and they’ll have a well-proportioned waist.
If your dog’s shape is not defined and you are can’t see even the slightest trace of their spine and pelvic bones, chances are your German shepherd is overweight. This extra weight might cause severe health issues if not addressed immediately. A balanced diet and moderate activity should keep these problems at bay.
Conclusion
Having a dog is a big responsibility. Their wellness depends primarily on their fur parents. Most health problems can be prevented by dedicatedly keeping a keen eye on your fur baby as you would your child. This German shepherd growth chart will help dog owners monitor the height and weight evolution of their furry friends.
However, don’t rely solely on the numbers. It’s essential to examine your pooch physically. If you feel your pup’s a bit out of shape, you should check-in with your veterinarian. These specialists are trained to know exactly what to do to shape German shepherds back to their ideal weight.
0 Comments