The German Shepherd is a large and powerful dog with a life expectancy of 9 to 12 years. They can grow up to 26 inches in height and weigh up to 90 lbs.
It takes around 2 years for German Shepherd puppies to fully mature, but the growth period varies depending on several factors such as gender, genetics, diet and environment.
So how long does it take for your beloved puppy to grow into an adult? Read on as we cover everything you need to know about German Shepherd growth from when do they start growing teeth until the final stages of maturity!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| German Shepherds typically take 18 to 24 months to be fully grown. |
| Factors like genetics, nutrition, exercise, and health can influence a German Shepherd’s growth rate. |
| Male and female German Shepherds may have slightly different growth patterns. |
| Providing a balanced diet, regular exercise, and proper veterinary care contribute to healthy growth. |
| There are growth charts available to track a German Shepherd’s development. |
The German Shepherd Growth
German Shepherds are large dogs, with both males and females reaching a height of around 23-26 inches at the shoulder.
Their weight varies from 80 to 90 pounds, depending on their build. The German Shepherd’s coat is short and thick with a dense undercoat that helps keep them warm in colder climates. This breed comes in all colors including solid black, gray/white and brown/tan.
Bred as working dogs for herding sheep, police work or companion animals for families, these dogs have proven themselves to be loyal companions who are intelligent and strong willed.
They grow slowly during the first year of life (about one pound per month) but reach adult height by age two months when they weigh between 55-70 pounds on average depending on gender (males weigh more than females).
Understanding the typical lifespan of German Shepherds is essential for their care and wellbeing. Explore our comprehensive guide on the typical lifespan for German Shepherds to ensure you provide the best support throughout their entire journey.
How Long Do German Shepherds Stay Puppies?
German shepherds are puppies until they are around 2 years old. At this point, your German shepherd will be fully grown and should have all of their adult teeth.
However, it’s important to note that large breed dogs like German shepherds tend to grow at a slower rate than smaller breeds. If your pup is over 18 months old but still has some baby teeth, don’t worry! It’s still safe to think of them as a puppy.
12 Factors Affecting German Shepherd Growth
There are many factors that affect a German shepherd’s growth rate and adult size. The following are the most important ones:
Diet And Nutrition
A good diet is essential to your dog’s growth, health and well-being. Your German Shepherd needs the right amount of food in order to grow into a healthy adult.
Since they are a large breed, German Shepherds need plenty of calories as they grow. They can eat as much as 5 cups (1/2 pound) per day or more when they are young puppies but this will decrease as an adult dog.
You should feed your puppy three times a day until 12 weeks old then 2-3 times per day until 6 months old before feeding only once daily.
You should also avoid giving your pet any table scraps while it is still growing; this may cause weight gain which could lead to joint problems later on in life because of pressure on bones due to excess weight!
Have you ever wondered when German Shepherds put their ears up? It’s an exciting milestone in their growth process. Discover more about this fascinating phase in our article about when German Shepherds put their ears up and witness their transformation.
Gender
Gender matters for German shepherds. Female German shepherds tend to be more cautious and less aggressive than males. They also tend to be more protective of their owners, which is probably because they’re so loyal that they want to protect them from any harm.
Male dogs are the opposite—they’re much more likely to be aggressive and territorial. But don’t worry! It’s not like male German shepherds will turn into bloodthirsty monsters once they start maturing.
This just means that you should keep an eye on how your pup develops as he grows up, so that you can make sure his bad habits don’t become too bad (like chewing on things or biting people).
Overall, though, male or female dogs tend to mature at the same rate when it comes to breeding behavior: six months old is when most puppies start acting like adults
| Gender Differences |
|---|
| Size |
| Weight |
| Height |
| Physical Features |
| Behavioral Traits |
Genetics and Health History of Parents
It’s also important to consider the health history of your puppy’s parents. Are they healthy? What is their temperament like? Do they have any genetic or congenital conditions? Does either parent suffer from any chronic condition that might affect its offspring, such as hip dysplasia or von Willebrand disease (a bleeding disorder).
The size and weight of your German Shepherd can also be an indicator of how long it will take for the dog to reach its full size.
The average weight for a fully grown German Shepherd puppy is about 77 pounds (35 kilograms), but this varies slightly depending on whether you want a male or female dog, and what type of assets you give him/her in terms of food consumption per day!
Finally, when looking at how long it takes for a dog to become fully grown we must remember that there are many factors involved: genetics; health history; environment etc.,
So while these guidelines apply to most puppies they may not necessarily apply to yours specifically since every animal has its own needs which need individual attention so always ask yourself “What works best?” before going ahead with anything else!
Curious about the weight of your 14-week-old German Shepherd? Knowing their weight milestones helps track their development. Check out our informative piece on how much a 14-week-old German Shepherd weighs to keep a close eye on their growth progress.
Socialization and Training
Socialization and training are two things that all dogs, but especially German Shepherds, need to be successful in life.
Socialization is the process of exposing your puppy to different people, places and experiences so they know what is expected of them in society.
It’s important to start the socialization process as soon as possible because your puppy will learn more quickly at this young age than later on when they are older.
This means taking them out in public places such as parks where there are other people walking by and lots going on around them; taking them on short car rides so they can experience something new
Hiring a trainer or instructor who can help teach basic obedience commands like “sit” or “stay” before they learn bad habits like jumping up onto furniture or biting down hard when excitedly greeting someone else (these types of behaviors will only get worse if left untreated).
Aggression and Hormone Levels
While humans can control the food their dogs eat and the environment they live in, we can’t control the hormonal balance that determines how fast our GSD will grow.
Aggression can affect growth
If your dog is aggressive towards other animals or people, it’s possible that he will be more aggressive as a puppy than other dogs. Puppies with a head start on growing tend to be more physically mature early on, which may make them seem like they’re bigger than average at first glance.
This doesn’t necessarily mean your pup is going to end up being huge; it just means he’ll need longer before his true adult size is known.
Hormone levels can affect growth
The same goes for hormone levels if you have a pup who has high levels of testosterone or estrogen due to genetics or diet (or both), then there’s no way to know how long it will take him to reach his full height until those hormones start dropping off when he hits puberty later on down the line!
| Hormone Levels | Aggression Levels |
|---|---|
| Testosterone | Increased |
| Estrogen | Increased |
| Progesterone | Increased (during specific phases) |
| Oxytocin | Decreased |
| Serotonin | Decreased |
Living Environment (Hot vs Cold Climate)
The environment in which your dog lives will also affect its growth. If you live in a warm climate, your German Shepherd will grow faster than if you live in a colder one.
That’s because temperature affects metabolism, which affects the rate of growth. Colder climates slow down metabolism, while hotter climates speed it up.
Understanding your German Shepherd’s happiness is crucial for their overall wellbeing. Discover easy tips on assessing their happiness levels in our guide on how to know if your GSD is happy, and ensure a joyful and contented companion by your side
Exercise Level and Activity Pattern
You will want to take your dog outside and give it a chance to run around or explore new places. You can teach your pup basic commands like sit and stay, which are not only great for safety but also help the dog learn how it should behave in different situations.
A German Shepherd is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise, so this is something you’ll have to consider before bringing one into your life.
In addition to giving the dog exercise, you need to make sure that they get enough rest as well! Not getting enough sleep can lead them towards anxiety or even depression if they don’t feel happy with their surroundings.
Over-Exercising And Separation Anxiety
German shepherds are very active dogs and need to be taken on long daily walks. However, if you’re not careful, these walks will lead to over-exercising as your dog gets older.
If your German shepherd continues to run and play hard even when he’s older, this can cause joint problems later in life and it could also lead to behavioral issues or aggression toward other dogs or people (especially if they try to take away your German Shepherd’s toy).
If you’ve got an older German Shepherd who has separation anxiety issues (i.e., he won’t listen when you’re gone), then this added stress might only exacerbate the problem of him being left alone all day while you’re at work
Training a German Shepherd not to attack is essential for their safety and the well-being of others. Learn effective techniques and expert advice in our comprehensive guide on training a German Shepherd not to attack to foster a balanced and well-behaved canine companion.
Overfeeding and Human Food
Overfeeding your German Shepherd can lead to obesity, a condition that also affects their growth.
In addition, some human foods are toxic for dogs, including grapes and raisins, chocolate and cocoa products (including dark chocolate), onions and garlic, avocado pits and alcoholic beverages. Moderation is key when it comes to feeding your dog!
The good news is that there are plenty of safe foods for them to enjoy as well. When you’re shopping at the grocery store or farmer’s market with your furry friend in tow, try these out:
Exposure to Chemicals, Toxins, and Diseases
Exposure to chemicals, toxins, and diseases can also affect the growth of a dog. For instance, if your German Shepherd eats something it should not have eaten (like a medication), it could become ill or even die. This will obviously cause its growth rate to slow down during this time as well.
You need to be aware that there are many other factors which can influence the growth of your dog besides genetics.
These include socialization with humans and other animals from an early age, nutrition and exposure to ultraviolet light (which helps protect against skin cancer).
| Factors | Impact |
|---|---|
| Chemical Exposure | Potential health risks |
| Toxin Exposure | Adverse effects on well-being |
| Disease Exposure | Increased susceptibility |
| Environmental Contaminants | Negative impact on overall health |
| Toxic Substances | Potential long-term consequences |
Vaccination Schedule and Vaccine Side Effects
Vaccinations are a great way to protect your pup, but they can cause problems if not administered correctly.
You should always consult your vet before administering any vaccines to your dog, as they will know what’s best for the particular breed of German Shepherd you have and the age at which they are able to be vaccinated. Some side effects may include:
- Fever
- Shaking/Nervousness
- Discharge from eyes or nose
Stress Levels And Rate Of Maturity
Stress is also a factor that affects the rate of maturity. A dog with too many responsibilities, or one that’s living in an environment where it feels unsafe, will have reduced growth rates and delayed maturity. Some examples of stress include:
- Mating season
- Pregnancy
- Being separated from your family for long periods of time (such as at boarding school)
Conclusion
The German Shepherd is a very active and energetic dog breed, so they need plenty of exercise and playtime.
When they are not getting enough exercise, they can become destructive in your home.
They need a lot of love and attention from their owner since they usually bond closely with one person in the family.
It’s important that this person be consistent about training them so that they grow up well behaved!
Further Reading
German Shepherd Growth and Weight Chart: Discover a detailed growth and weight chart for German Shepherds, providing insights into their development milestones at different ages.
German Shepherd Growth Chart: What to Expect as Your GSD Puppy Grows Up: Get valuable information about the growth stages and expectations as your German Shepherd puppy progresses, helping you understand their physical and mental changes.
When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing?: Learn about the timeline for German Shepherds to reach their full size and when you can expect them to stop growing, providing clarity on their growth journey.
FAQs
How long does it take for a German Shepherd to be fully grown?
German Shepherds typically reach their full physical maturity between 18 to 24 months. However, it’s important to note that mental and behavioral development may continue beyond this timeframe.
What factors can influence a German Shepherd’s growth rate?
Several factors can affect a German Shepherd’s growth rate, including genetics, nutrition, exercise, and overall health. Providing a balanced diet, regular exercise, and proper veterinary care can contribute to healthy growth.
Do male and female German Shepherds have different growth patterns?
Yes, male and female German Shepherds may have slightly different growth patterns. Generally, male German Shepherds tend to be larger and take longer to reach their full size compared to females. However, individual variances exist within each gender.
How can I ensure my German Shepherd grows up healthy and strong?
To ensure your German Shepherd grows up healthy and strong, provide a balanced diet appropriate for their age and size, regular exercise, proper veterinary care, socialization, and mental stimulation. Consult with a veterinarian for personalized advice.
Is there a growth chart or reference to track a German Shepherd’s development?
Yes, there are various growth charts available that can help you track your German Shepherd’s development. These charts typically include average weight and height ranges at different ages, providing a reference point to monitor their growth progress.
I’m Dr. Hellen James, I’ve spent my career working with dogs, and I’ve seen first-hand how important it is to understand the individual needs of each breed. I want to share my knowledge of dog breeds with you so that you can make informed decisions about which dog will be best for your household and lifestyle.