When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing?

GSD Growth Explained 

German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) are among the greatest canine breeds for police and military work because they are intelligent, active, and task-driven. When do German Shepherds stop growing? 

The German Shepherd growth chart shows that these dogs can continue to develop until they are three years old, but most of their growth occurs within the first 24 months of their lives.

When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing?

Around 18 months, a German Shepherd dog is not in its full size, as is the case with many other large dog breeds. The growth rate of female German Shepherds remains steady until they reach an age of around two years. 

However, the growth rate of male German Shepherds remains steady until they reach an age of approximately two and a half years. Because males are larger, it takes longer for their chest and abdomen to reach their full potential.

If your GSD is 36 months and older and still gaining weight, you should consult a veterinarian immediately to ensure that the weight gain does not result in obesity. The fact that mature German Shepherds can get huge is likewise not surprising.

Male German Shepherd Weight and Height Chart

Age	Height	Weight
1 month	4 to 6 inches (10.16 to 15.24 centimeters)	5.5 to 9 pounds ( 2.49 to 4.08 kilograms)
2 months	7 to 9 inches ( 17.78 to 22.86 centimeters)	16 to 20 pounds ( 7.26 to 9.08 kilograms)
3 months	9 to 11 inches ( 22.86 to 27.94 centimeters)	22 to 30 pounds ( 9.98 to 13.62 kilograms)
4 months	11 to14 inches (27.94 to 35.56 centimeters )	35 to 40 pounds ( 15.89 to 18.16 kilograms )
5 months	14 to 16 inches (35.56 to 40.64 centimeters)	40 to 49 pounds ( 18.16 to 22.24 kilograms)
6 months	16 to 18 inches ( 40.64 to 45.72 centimeters)	49 to 57 pounds ( 22.24 to 25.87 kilograms )
7 months	19 to 20 inches (48.26 to 50.8 centimeters)	57 to 62 pounds ( 25.87 to 28.14 kilograms )
8 months	20 to 22 inches (50.8 to 55.88 centimeters)	62 to 66 pounds ( 28.14 to 29.96 kilograms )
9 months	21 to 23 inches (53.34 to 58.42 centimeters)	64 to 71 pounds ( 29.05 to 32.23 kilograms )
10 months	22 to 24 inches ( 55.88 to 60.96 centimeters )	66 to 73 pounds ( 29.96 to 33.14 kilograms )
11 months	22 to 24 inches ( 55.88 to 60.96 centimeters)	71 to 75 pounds ( 32.23 to 34.04 kilograms )
1 year	22 to 24 inches ( 55.88 to 60.96 centimeters)	71 to 79 pounds (32.23 to 35.86 kilograms )
1.5 years	23 to 25 inches ( 58.42 to 63.5 centimeters)	71 to 79 pounds (32.23 to 35.86 kilograms )
2 years	23 to 23 inches (58.42 to 58.42 centimeters)	71 to 84 pounds ( 32.23 to 38.13 kilograms )
3 years	24 to 26 inches (55.88 to 66.04 centimeters)	79 to 88 pounds ( 35.86 to 39.9 kilograms )

Female German Shepherd Weight and Height Chart

Age	Height	Weight
1 month	3 to 6 inches ( 7.62 to 15.24 centimeters)	4.5 to 8 pounds ( 2.04 to 3.63 kilograms )
2 months	6 to 9 inches ( 15.24 to 22.86 centimeters)	11 to 17 pounds ( 4.99 to 7.71 kilograms )
3 months	8 to 10 inches ( 20.32 to 25.4 centimeters)	17 to 26 pounds ( 7.71 to 11.80 kilograms )
4 months	10 to 12 inches ( 25.4 to 30.48 centimeters )	31 to 35 pounds ( 14.07 to 15.89 kilograms )
5 months	12 to 14 inches ( 30.48 to 35.56 centimeters)	35 to 44  pounds 15.89 to 19.97 kilograms )
6 months	15 to 17 inches (38.1 to 43.18 centimeters)	44 to 49 pounds ( 19.97 to 22.24 kilograms )
7 months	17 to 19 inches ( 43.18 to 48.26 centimeters)	49 to 53 pounds ( 22.24 to 24.06 kilograms )
8 months	18 to 20 inches (45.72 to 50.8 centimeters)	53 to 57 pounds ( 24.06 to 25.87 kilograms )
9 months	19 to 21 inches (48.26 to 53.34 centimeters)	55 to 60 pounds ( 24.97 to 27.24 kilograms )
10 months	19 to 21 inches (48.26 to 53.34 centimeters)	57 to 62 pounds ( 25.87 to 28.14 kilograms )
11 months	20 to 22 inches (50.8 to 55.88 centimeters)	60 to 64 pounds ( 27.24 to 29.05 kilograms )
1 year	20 to 22 inches (50.8 to 55.88 centimeters)	60 to 64 pounds ( 27.24 to 29.05 kilograms )
1.5 years	21 to 22 inches (53.34 to 55.88 centimeters)	60 to 66 pounds ( 27.24 to 29.96 kilograms )
2 years	21 to 22 inches (53.34 to 55.88 centimeters)	60 to 66 pounds ( 27.24 to 29.96 kilograms )
3 years	22 to 24 inches ( 55.88 to 60.96 centimeters)	66 to 70 pounds (29.96 to 31.78 kilograms)

The Ideal Size of a 6-Month-Old GSD Puppy

As a result of the tremendous development spurts that many German Shepherds have between the ages of two and five, a German Shepherd puppy that is six months old will be extremely large. 

At six months, a male German Shepherd will weigh an average of 53 pounds ( 24.06 kilograms), while a female German Shepherd will weigh approximately 46 pounds (20.88 kilograms).

How Big Will My German Shepherd Get?

There are ways you can utilize to estimate how much larger a German Shepherd will get.

Find out how old your new puppy is first. If your GSD is under two years old, they still have plenty of room to develop their physical and mental capabilities.

The size of your puppy’s paws is another way to determine whether or not they still have a lot of development. Do their paws appear disproportionately enormous to the size of their legs and bodies? This characteristic of a dog, typically an adolescent, indicates that your puppy is most likely still growing.

If your German Shepherd is from a breeder, they should be able to provide you with a specific weight estimate based on your puppy’s parents and other older litters. In most cases, a dog will not develop into a larger size than either of its larger parents.

Full-Grown GSDs on Average

According to the German Shepherd agency standards, an adult male German Shepherd normally measures between 24 and 26 inches (55.88 and 66.04 centimeters) in height. In comparison, an adult female German Shepherd typically measures between 22 and 24 inches (55.88 and 60.96 centimeters) in height.

There is a notable difference between the male and female in terms of a prediction of adult size. An adult male German Shepherd weighs anything from 75 to 90 pounds (34.05 to 40.86 kilograms), giving or taking a few. A female German Shepherd typically weighs between 55 to 70 pounds (24.97 to 31.78 kilograms), which is significantly less than a male.

Please remember that the sizing information provided here is simply an estimate to give you a tip on how much bigger a German Shepherd puppy could potentially develop. Because of the wide variety of hereditary and environmental influences, some dogs whose adult weights will fall outside these limits while others will exceed them by a greater amount.

How Do I Care for My German Shepherd?

It is essential to provide preventative care for your German Shepherd if you want it to live a long and healthy life. The most crucial step to guarantee that your German Shepherd is in good condition and functioning at its peak is to take them to the veterinarian regularly. 

A knowledgeable veterinarian can evaluate your pet’s health, provide advice regarding their overall health and welfare, and keep an eye out for illnesses typical in their breed.

Because of their huge stature, deep chests, and high energy level, German Shepherds risk developing stomach dilatation-volvulus condition. They are also more likely to experience hips and gastrointestinal tract problems. 

Your pet should get routine checkups with a veterinarian who will look for signs of these diseases and conduct testing to identify any conditions they may have owing to their breed. 

To guarantee that your dog can have a long and healthy life alongside you and the rest of your family, preventative care is an absolute necessity for their overall well-being.

Visiting the veterinarian is essential if you want your pet to have a long and healthy life. It is also important to make a strategy for the costs you may incur due to diseases or accidents. Treatment for various conditions, including bloat and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, can easily cost thousands of dollars.

19.44 percent of pet owners believe they wouldn’t be able to come up with the cash to meet an expense of around $5,000 out of pocket. Since dogs are physically larger than other types of pets, the cost of their medical treatment is also significantly higher. 

As a result of the greater overall medical expenses associated with caring for larger animals, owners of German Shepherds are more likely to purchase pet insurance than owners of other dog breeds.

A helpful piece of advice is that purchasing dog insurance is a smart investment that may provide you peace of mind by covering the cost of emergency care for your pet. There are also wellness programs available that can assist with covering the costs of immunizations, vet exams, microchips, and other such expenses.

In addition to receiving high-quality veterinary treatment and obtaining pet insurance, it is essential that your German Shepherd consumes balanced food and gets the recommendable amount of daily exercise. The best you can do for your dog’s health is to ensure that they keep a healthy weight by assisting them in maintaining a nutritious diet. 

According to estimations by the American Veterinary Medical Association, excess weight can reduce the total life expectancy of your pet by more than two years. 

Consult the veterinarian about an ideal weight for your German Shepherd as well as any modifications in lifestyle that you can make, such as increasing the amount of additional activity, specific diets, rewards, or food, to foster a healthy life for your German Shepherd.

How to Weigh a GSD Pup

To determine the weight of a German Shepherd puppy, you should use the scales that you have at home. When determining the dog’s weight, ensure that the puppy is secure in your arms and subtract your weight from the total. 

Weigh the dog at the veterinarian’s office using professional scales with a larger base since this will produce a more accurate reading. Use the German Shepherd puppy weight chart to calculate the estimates.

German Shepherd Development Explained

You can better care for your new German Shepherd by understanding the stages of development. The phases of German Shepherd growth and development are as below, along with a brief description of what each stage comprises.

Growth Phase	Age	Milestones
Neonatal	Below two weeks	Within the first week, weight doubles. It’s totally reliant on the mother. Restricted motion.
Transitional	2 to 4 weeks	Open eyes. It masters standing and starts to explore. Has knowledge of the mother and siblings. Beginning of weaning.
Socialization	3 weeks to 6 months	The beginning of early socialization. The first encounter with dread. Acquiring social skills and training early. Quick growth after two months.
Adolescent	6 to 18 months	Learn about the chewing, teething, and ranking hierarchical stages. These are the teen years for dogs. Between 6 and 12 months, it reaches sexual maturity.
Adult	18 months to 3 years	Although most mature by the age of 18 months, others can continue to grow until they are 3 years old.Constant training is advisable.

Correcting GSD Weight

Finding your favorable weight and maintaining this healthy state can be easier for you and your dog if you know how to fatten up a German Shepherd. According to the GSD growth chart, your dog or puppy may not be gaining weight for various reasons.

However, there are additional methods you may use at home to give your dog a healthier, more energetic life:

• Select foods that are higher in protein and fat.
• Switch to high-performance or puppy food.
• Feed dry kibble for more calories.
• Add an extra meal to their regular schedule.
• Allow your dog to eat whenever they like.
• Keep your dog at your side when you eat.
• Include treats in addition to their normal meals.
• Include wholesome, natural foods.
• Top with tasty toppings.
• Verify that your dog is consuming the appropriate food for its age.
• Ensure that you are giving your dog the appropriate amount of food.
• Continue your regular exercise regimen.
• Use herbs that stimulate appetite.
• Take in B vitamins.
• Frequently visit your vet.

Our Tips for German Shepherd Puppy Exercise

It is Important to Socialize Your GSD Puppy 

Socialization is the most crucial advice for training a German Shepherd puppy. Enroll your new puppy in a training or socialization class as soon as you get it back from the clinic after reaching its initial round of vaccinations. 

Some veterinarians may advise you to confine the canine companion to the house until you complete the vaccinations. Your chances of rearing an outgoing and self-assured dog are dramatically lower if you keep it in the place until it is at least four to six months old. If you do this, the window of opportunity for healthy socialization will pass forever.

In light of this, whether or not to expose it to the elements by bringing it outside ultimately rests with you. It is generally safe to get your new puppy to a training class where the instructor verifies that all other puppies have at least their first round of vaccinations. 

This is because most major cities in the United States do not have significant illness issues. However, if you stay in a remote region, you should check to see whether there has been an epidemic of a disease that could damage your canine companion.

Instruct Your German Shepherd Puppy to Utilize its Mouth

The second advice is to instruct your German Shepherd puppy to utilize its mouth correctly.

You may find that your German Shepherd puppy enjoys chewing on your shoes, toys, boxes, rugs, pillows, and even your hands. Your GSD puppy likes to chew on pretty much everything. This is normal behavior for a puppy to exhibit before you completely lose your mind (and all your expensive possessions). 

Dogs of this age investigate everything with their jaws, and while this might be frustrating, it is a fantastic time to teach your pet what is suitable for its mouth and how to soften its bite.

German Shepherd dog puppies can learn how much (or how little) pressure to apply when biting different objects, which is one of the reasons why they have such keen teeth. This is very encouraging news. 

It shows that you will be able to teach your dog that when “biting” human skin, they should be extremely gentle and delicate. 

Toilet Training

The next piece of advice is to toilet train your German Shepherd puppy in the correct manner. You must know the appropriate frequency and timing of taking your puppy outside.

If you need to, you can put your GSD in a crate, but you should never penalize it for an accident you did not see happen. Instead, you should try to “catch it in the act” so that you may gently correct it and guide it to the appropriate area.

Use Food Treats During Training

The fourth piece of advice is to utilize food treats when you are training. The ability to motivate the dog is one of the most important qualities that should be present in a skillful trainer. To make this happen, you will need to determine the activities and treats your dog enjoys the most and give those to him as rewards. 

Food is going to be one of them; you should use it. However, you may also utilize anything else, such as going for walks, caressing them, playing with them, giving them toys, etc. 

It is not true that your dog will only obey you when you have treats in your hand just because you are using food as a training tool. If you accurately train your dog, it will abide by your command even if you do not have a treat in your hand. 

Take Your German Shepherd Puppy to Different Environments

The fifth piece of advice is to take your 1-month German Shepherd puppies to various environments and teach them everything as they grow up.

Even for us intelligent humans, this is a difficult idea to wrap our heads around. Humans are creative creatures because we can generalize and apply the concept to any given circumstance whenever we learn something new. 

On the other hand, canines are not capable of making such a cognitive leap. If they learn to always “Sit” in the kitchen, it is highly unlikely they will sit in the yard unless you teach them to do so from the beginning.

Teach Your GSD to Ask for Permission Before Doing Anything

Dog commands are entertaining and helpful; you may likely discover hundreds of them to teach your full-grown German Shepherd. However, this one, “ask for permission,” is technically not a command because you will not ask your dog to do it every time; rather, you want to educate it to do it on its own whenever it’s time for it.

For instance, it would be wonderful if your German Shepherd puppy would look at you for approval before chasing after another kid or dog. Spend quality time doing this with your new puppy, as the rewards will be well worth it.

Because an obedient and secure dog is a dog that asks for permission before doing something, this is also one of the essential training ideas for German Shepherd puppies.

Stop Yanking on Leash

Immediately put a stop to your German Shepherd puppy yanking on the leash. Another one of those seemingly irrational actions by dogs is pulling on the leash. Most people believe these behaviors appear out of nowhere, but the truth is that they appear because the dog didnt get any professional training. 

The only thing to do to stop your puppy from tugging on the leash is to ensure it learns that it will get rewards (food, stroking, attention, vocal praise, continuing to walk, etc.) while the leash is loose. 

This will prevent it from pulling on the leash. During the first few walks, you take together, pay special attention to what it does, and be sure to thank it for keeping close to you.

Reward Positive Behavior While Ignoring Undesirable Actions

You only need to put this rule into practice and make it work by paying attention to your German Shepherd puppy and praising it for the wonderful things it accomplishes. This rule is amazing and will work miracles, and it is also extremely easy to apply. However, for it to be successful, there are a few guidelines that you must follow.

If you’ve seen that the “poor” behavior isn’t getting any better despite your efforts, it’s usually because it’s getting a reward in some way. You need to determine the reward and then take it away from it.

If ignoring your dog’s undesirable behavior does not work, you might teach your canine companion a behavior incompatible with the undesirable one. For instance, it is more difficult to bark when a dog is lying down.

GSD Size Considerations

Because of their medium to large size, it takes longer for German Shepherds to mature than smaller dog breeds. Due to the presence of this component, German Shepherd puppies have a potential for developing joint damage if they overwork or exercise for an excessive amount of time. 

Talk to your veterinarian about the kind of activities appropriate for your puppy according to their age and size. You will be able to know the German Shepherd average weight.

Parting Thoughts

The German Shepherd puppy breeds mature into lovely dogs that can reach sizes ranging from medium to large and are wonderful companions. Policy Advisor allows you to compare and contrast the various best pet insurance solutions available for your breed so that you can give your new puppy the best possible start in life.