Average German Shepherd Height By Age
Your German Shepherd, whether male or female, will grow in almost every stage of its life to an average size. You must be attentive each time the pet develops to verify that everything is going correctly. In case your pet suffers from dwarfism or some complication in its height, you can consult it with a veterinarian to see if it is hereditary.
Both the male and female German Shepherd have their average height mainly, the male is larger than the female. There are cases where the female German Shepherd exceeds her average size this is normal for having good height genes. Among the size that each of the German Shepherd dogs presents is:
How Much Should A 1
The average weight of a 1-year-old female German Shepherd Dog is 58.5 lbs .
The typical weight range of a 1-year-old female German Shepherd Dog is from 47.8 lbs to 69.2 lbs .
The average weight of a 1-year-old male German Shepherd Dog is 75.1 lbs .
The typical weight range of a 1-year-old male German Shepherd Dog is from 65.1 lbs to 85.0 lbs .
However, a recent research study on dog weight shows that 1-year-old female German Shepherd Dogs can normally weigh as low as 37.2 lbs and as high as 84.5 lbs
Correspondingly, 1-year-old male German Shepherd Dogs can normally weigh as low as 43.7 lbs and as high as 98.3 lbs
How To Weigh A German Shepherd Puppy
To weigh a German Shepherd puppy, weigh at home using your own scales. For young puppies, hold the dog safely in your arms and deduct your own weight from the total. For a more accurate reading, have the dog weighed at the vets using professional scales that have a bigger base.
When my German Shepherd puppy, Willow, was developing, I took her to the vets every month to have her weighed. It also allowed me to ask any questions on how she was developing.
Read Also: What Are German Shepherds Allergic To
When Do Anatolian Shepherds Stop Growing
Anatolian Shepherds are considered adult dogs when they reach 14 to 19 months. As with most dog breeds the males are slightly larger than the females in adulthood.
That said, you can expect a female dog to reach their full size sooner than a male dog would. This is because the females have less growing to complete.
It is not uncommon for larger dogs to take a bit longer before they reach adulthood.
Anatolian Shepherds usually require more time to finish their growth because they are categorized as giant or large breeds .
Usually, you may notice that large breeds are done growing when they reach 1 year old but there are a few giant breeds that are done growing only after two years old. For Anatolian Shepherd, they may take between 12 to 24 months.
Male Vs Female German Shepherd Growth Chart
Male German Shepherds are heavier and slightly taller than female German Shepherds.
A male German Shepherd weighs between 71 and 84 pounds with a height of between 24 and 26 inches while a female German Shepherd weighs between 62 and 68 pounds with a height of between 22 and 24 pounds.
You can measure the height of your German Shepherd at home. Take a measuring tape and measure from the withers to the ground.
To get accurate measurements, ensure that the dog is standing straight on a flat surface. If they cannot stand still, get a family member to help you hold them.
Recommended Reading: Are German Shepherds One Owner Dogs
Beginning From 3 Months To 6 Months Old
Another significant period in German Shepherd growth is the juvenile period that lasts from 3 to 6 months of age. Now, they dont tend to develop but grow. You are going to see significant German shepherd growth during this period. As soon as he reaches the 6th month, the German Shepherd puppy becomes large enough to start its training as a pet and as a great guard.
Under the juvenile phase, as they reach three months, all their teeth will grow. They will also start running a little bit, and they will learn all the essential dog skills from their mother.
As soon as he enters his 4th month, all the puppy teeth will break, and he will start to have adult teeth, after which he will be able to eat solid dog food and other food items.
In the 5th and 6th months, they will grow large to attain the adult size, and it will become the perfect time to start their basic training as a pet.
Growth Distinctions Of Different German Shepherds
There are five different types, or lines, of the German Shepherd breed. These are:
- West-German Working Line
- American Show Line
- European Show Line
The Czech working line is thought to have the slowest growth rate. So, if you have a Czech German Shepherd, he might be slightly behind the average schedule. But this is something that your breeder will make you aware of.
The breeders of the European show line German Shepherd have attempted as much as they can to breed out the sloping back. Meaning that they usually have better hip scores and overall joint health.
You May Like: What To Know When Getting A German Shepherd Puppy
Average German Shepherd Height
On average, male German shepherds reach a larger size when adult than females. So your girl German Shepherd is likely to be a little smaller than her brothers when she is full grown.
The German Shepherd breed standard specifies that a good height for adult male German Shepherds is 24-26 inches at the withers. For females, a size of 22-24 inches at the withers is about right.
You Just Need To Feed Your Dogs Less Right Wrong
Mathematically, eating less will reduce weight gain. However, it can easily lead to malnourishment if your dog is not given the proper nutrition.
We are talking about nutrients beyond the common proteins and carbohydrates. They include omega fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, amino acids and many more!
The key here is not to eat less. The key here is to maintain a balanced diet.
And what constitutes a balanced diet?
That requires a deep understanding and a wide study in the field of pet nutrition to truly determine it so much that it warrants a university degree.
To get the most balanced, holistic and healthiest dog foods, it is often better to leave it to the experts.
Also Check: Do German Shepherds Ears Naturally Stand Up
Start With The Dog Breed Standard
According to the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, the German Shepherd as a breed typically stands between 22 and 24 inches tall for female adult dogs and 24 to 26 inches tall for male adult dogs.
No weight range is given for the official dog breed standard.
However, the standard does say the dog typically measures between 8.5 and 10 inches from the dogs breastbone to pelvis .
So these can give you some good starting measurements.
The American Kennel Club gives a 50 to 90 pounds weight range, with about 10 pounds differences between adult females and adult males.
Male German Shepherd Puppy Growth Chart
Heres a look at growth chart timelines if we use an average male GSD with the ideal weight of 75 lbs at one year of age:
| Age: |
|---|
| 22 in – 24 in | 55 cm – 60 cm |
As you can see, both male and female German Shepherd puppies finish a healthy chunk of their growth during the first six months, at which point the typical GSD has reached about 75% of its eventual full size.
Recommended Reading: What Age Do German Shepherds Stop Growing
German Shepherd Weight Chart
A German Shepherd weight chart provides you with the weight estimation of your puppy as they grow.
Your puppys weight may deviate slightly from the numbers, but you should monitor to ensure that the deviation is not too much to avoid your puppy being overweight or underweight.
At three months, a female German Shepherd should weigh between 17 and 26 pounds, weigh between 44 and 49 pounds at 6 months, and weigh between 60 and 65 pounds at one year.
A male German Shepherd on the other hand should weigh between 22 and 30 pounds at three months, 49 and 57 pounds at 6 months, and 71 and 75 pounds at one year.
How Tall Should A 6
A 6-month-old German Shepherd should be between 16-18 inches tall for males and 15-17 inches tall for females. This is derived from measuring 70% of the adult height of the dog as German Shepherds reach this percentage mark in both height and weight by the sixth month.
The common misconception among those who have never had a German Shepherd or a big dog is that the dog will grow consistently. German Shepherds go through uneven growth spurts that are uniform across the species but inconsistent across the years.
Compare the example of an 18-inch tall male GSD at 6 months. The same dog would be 16 inches the month before. But if he were to continue growing at this pace, he would be an impossible 38 inches by adulthood, and that doesnt happen.
German Shepherds grow only 30% more from the 6-month mark to the three-year mark.
| Retailer |
|---|
Also Check: When Do German Shepherds Get Their First Period
Do German Shepherds Have Common Health Problems
All dog breeds have a tendency toward some kind of health problem. The severity and risk will vary, however. German Shepherds biggest issue is hip dysplasia.
This is when the hip bones do not sit well within the joint, making them easy to dislocate and injure. German Shepherds can also get elbow dysplasia, where the same thing happens, but with the elbow joint.
A major health concern that you will need to watch out for with German Shepherds is bloat. This is not like the type of bloating that humans experience and it can be life-threatening. It is where the dogs stomach becomes distended to the point of cutting off air to the dog, causing trouble breathing.
It can be avoided by keeping your dog on a consistent schedule and not feeding him right before taking him out for vigorous exercise. You should also make sure your dog is not eating too quickly.
At What Age Is A German Shepherd Fully Grown
German Shepherds require more time to fill out their adult size in their abdomen and chest as well as reach their full height. Female German Shepherds are fully grown when they reach the age of around two years.
On the other hand, male German Shepherds grow to be bigger than female German Shepherds and are fully grown when they are about two and half years old.
Some German Shepherds may continue to grow until they reach the age of three years, but most of the growth happens by 2 to 2½ years old.
Also Check: How To Get A German Shepherd’s Ears Up
How To Weigh Your German Shepherd
At the vets office, weighing your German Shepherd is a pretty straightforward process and the veterinary technician or assistant is usually available to assist you in getting your German Shepherd onto the scale. Weighing your German Shepherd at home can be quite a different story!
Unless you have a pet scale at home, the easiest way to weigh your German Shepherd would be to use your own scale.
How To Weigh Your German Shepherd At Home Without A Pet Scale
This method obviously isnt perfect and there is room for small discrepancies depending on your scale, how you hold your body weight, and how big your German Shepherd is, but it will help in a pinch if you need to get an estimated weight for your pup!
For adult dogs, unless you can safely pick up an adult German Shepherd, it is best to contact your vet to utilize their scale, or a local groomer or pet store may also have a scale you can utilize.
If you are needing to weigh your German Shepherd frequently for medical or sport reasons, you might invest in a high quality pet scale that you can keep at home.
German Shepherd Growth Chart
Just like humans, German Shepherds have milestones that they should make as they grow. Some of these involve height and weight while others involve behavior and socialization. See the German Shepherd weight chart above.
The stages can be divided into 5 primary categories: the neonatal period, the socialization period, the juvenile period, the sexual maturity period, and the transition into adulthood.
Read Also: How Do You Potty Train A German Shepherd Puppy
Working Vs Show German Shepherds Size Comparison
When adopting a German Shepherd puppy, you will need to consider whether you are looking for a working dog or a show dog.
While you might just be looking for a nice addition to your family, GS puppies have been bred for specific purposes for many years, resulting in dogs that are made to work and dogs that are not.
Working dogs need to have a lot more stamina and energy because they need to do a job. They do not have the same cosmetic attributes that you will find with show dogs, instead making up for it with incredibly athletic bodies that can move all day long.
Meanwhile, show GS are bigger and bulkier and a lot less energetic. They have thicker coats, more color uniformity, and are bulkier in size. These make for better family pets, because they do not require the same level of work to keep them happy.
How To Measure The Proportions Of Your German Shepherd
Measuring Your German Shepherd Puppys Height
For dogs, instead of measuring to the top of the head you instead measure to the top of the shoulder blade.
Measuring Your German Shepherd Puppys Length
While the length of your German Shepherd isnt something thats quite as necessary in a growth chart, you may still opt to measure your puppys length for data purposes. You can either measure from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail or, more commonly, from the front of the chest to the rear end.
You May Like: How To Brush A German Shepherd Hair
What To Do If My Anatolian Shepherd Is Not The Right Weight
It is impossible to precisely predict the size your Anatolian Shepherd will be when adulthood is reached. However, we know that when Anatolian shepherds are born they usually weigh around 2 lb.
If for any reason you believe that your Anatolian Shepherd may not be within the right weight range then you definitely need to pay a visit to your veterinarian so you can get to the bottom of the issue.
You may notice strange behavior in your dog or his droppings.
Transition To Adulthood Phase 16 Months To Three Years
As you can already tell, German Shepherd puppies take some time to reach the full adult maturity stage.
Female German Shepherds mature a little faster than their male counterparts, but as a general rule of thumb, German Shepherds of both genders reach mental maturity at around three years of age and physical maturity around two to 2.5 years of age.
Nutrition is critical at this point, and you should wean your dog off of puppy food and make the transition to high-quality adult dog food in order to help them grow into their final adult weight.
Its important to maintain a healthy amount of nutrition as overfeeding your dog can result in excessive weight gain, and it can hinder the dogs development as well as potentially cause further health issues.
During this transitional phase to adulthood, your pup should exhibit less puppy behavior like chewing and should lean more towards adult German Shepherd behavior.
However, this doesnt mean you still wont have your hands full because your puppy will continue to grow until it reaches between 2.5 to three years of age. At the end of this stage, your dog should reach its adult size and weight.
Recommended Reading: How Much To Spay A German Shepherd
How A Puppy Grows: Stages Of German Shepherd Puppy Development
Before we get to the weight and height charts, lets take a moment to study the developmental stages all puppies go through.
Its crucial to watch for each of these milestones as they come. These, more than weight or height, will help determine if your German Shepherd puppy is developing normally.
Here are the stages of German Shepherd puppy development from birth to maturity: