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How Big Is The Average German Shepherd

Working Dogs Versus Show Dogs

How Big Can Your German Shepherd Get? Breed History, Types, & Standards

Something that may determine your German Shepherds overall body conformation is whether they were bred to be a show dog or a working dog. Years of line breeding has produced several distinct types of Shepherds.

Show dogs are known for a sloped back in which the back legs are shorter than the front. This unnatural formation can cause back and hip problems along with an abnormal gait. German Shepherds bred for show will also be thinner than their hardworking cousins.

As you can see in this picture, this is a show-bred German Shepherd with an obvious curved back and short back legs.

Working dogs, on the other hand, are bred for a sturdy, straight back so they can work long hours without getting sore. They tend to be thicker than show dogs and will, therefore, weigh more, even at the same height.

As you can see in this picture, this dog has a straighter back and longer back legs, so it has been bred for working.

Something else I wanted to mention here is that, according to some sources, Black German Shepherds are larger than their bi-colored cousins, despite being otherwise the same. Its hard to prove for sure, but its possible that their recessive genes that carry the black gene may also contribute to a larger size.

White German Shepherds, on the other hand, arent known for being any different in size than other dogs. So, if you have one of these rare and beautiful creatures, you can follow the same charts that were listed above.

How Big Will My German Shepherd Dog Or Puppy Get Average Weight Height & Size

German Shepherds are considered a large breed of dog.

Males average 60-65 cms in height, and 30-40 kg in weight.

Females average 55-60 cms , and 22-32 kg .

Typical length is measured from the breastbone/chest to the base of the tail.

An adult GSD might have a length ratio of 10:8.5 with 10 being the length of the back, and 8.5 being the height of the front legs from the ground to the breastbone, looking side on at the dog.

While the above dimensions apply to the pure breed, mix breed GSDs and GSDs with dwarfism might range in size.

Top 10 Claims For German Shepherds

Like all dogs, German Shepherds can get sick or injured unexpectedly. The top 10 accident and illness claims received by ASPCA Pet Health Insurance^ for this breed are:

  • Allergies*
  • Lamenesswhich could indicate hip or elbow dysplasia
  • Arthritis

*Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For all terms and conditions visit www.aspcapetinsurance.com/terms. Preventive and Wellness Care reimbursements are based on a schedule. Complete Coverage reimbursements are based on the invoice. Levels 1-4 reimbursements are based on usual and customary eligible costs. Products, schedules, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Discounts may vary and are subject to change. More information available at checkout.

The ASPCA® is not an insurer and is not engaged in the business of insurance. Products are underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company , produced and administered by C& F Insurance Agency, Inc. , a Crum & Forster company. Through a licensing agreement, the ASPCA receives a royalty fee that is in exchange for use of the ASPCAs marks and is not a charitable contribution. C& F and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United States Fire Insurance Company. Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group is a trademark of United States Fire Insurance Company. The Crum & Forster group of companies is rated A by AM Best Company 2020.

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How Can You Help A Giant German Shepherd Live A Healthier Lifestyle

Your vet can tell you this, but in general you could:

Buy from a responsible breeder and get certifications for health, + a guarantee of health for your dog

Feed your German Shepherd a healthy and balanced diet get feedback from your vet on a diet that will suit giant dogs

Get regular vet health checks

When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing

German Shepherd Size: How Big Is A German Shepherd?

Like many large breeds, a German Shepherd dog is not considered fully grown until they are about 18 months old. Female German Shepherds continue to fill out until they are around two years old, while the male German Shepherd growth rate continues until they reach two and a half years of age. Males are larger are require more time to fill out their chest and abdomen.

As you can see by the German Shepherd weight chart, these dogs can continue to grow until they are three years old, but the majority of growth occurs within 24 months. If your GSD is older than 36 months and continues to put on weight, contact your veterinarian to ensure weight gain does not lead to obesity.

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German Shepherd Husky Mix Breeders

There are adverts for puppies on specialist online breeder forums.

German Shepherd Husky mix puppies also often crop up on Craigslist and other selling sites.

But beware.

Some of these will be genuine sellers from loving homes. Others will be less concerned about animal welfare and more preoccupied with making money.

Our guide to finding your perfect puppy will help you start your search.

It shows you how to find responsible breeders. And how to avoid dodgy dealers and puppy mills.

Raising A German Shepherd Husky Mix Puppy

Choosing a German Shepherd Husky mix puppy comes with lots of responsibilities.

But raising them can be fun and very rewarding. Provided you get it right from the start. Perhaps it isnt the best breed for a first time owner.

But if youve decided this is the breed for you, here are some puppy care and training guides to help you get off on the right foot.

  • Ideal for active homes
  • Excellent choice for someone into positive reinforcement training

Dont worry if the cons seem to outweigh the pros. There are plenty of other Husky and German Shepherd mixes that might fit the bill.

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How Big Will A German Shepherd Grow To Be

A German Shepherd is a medium-sized dog that can sometimes grow to be fairly large.

As far as weight goes, for a male German Shepherd, they will typically weigh between 65 to 90 pounds, or 30 to 40 kilograms, at the end of their growth. This could happen around 2 1/2 to 3 years of age.

For a female, her average weight will be from 46 to 70 pounds or around 22 to 32 kilograms.

As for their height, an adult male German Shepherd will usually be around 24 to 26 inches, or 60 to 65 centimeters tall. A female will be around 22 to 24 inches, or 55 to 60 centimeters tall.

For all of these measurements, their growth should be done by three years old. At a year old, the growing is actually mostly finished, but there will be about another 5% left to gain in both weight and height from the year to the three-year mark.

It is important to note that all of these numbers are averages. There may be some individual German Shepherds that are smaller or larger than these numbers indicate.

That is perfectly normal. As long as the dog is healthy, can still run around and play, and doesnt have any noticeable issues, there is no need to worry, even if your dogs numbers dont seem to match these.

If you get obsessed with the numbers and think your GSD puppy must match them exactly, then you will probably never be completely happy because I can almost certainly assure you that your German Shepherd Dog puppy will never perfectly match the numbers.

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How Much Does A Female German Shepherd Weigh

How Much Does A GERMAN SHEPHERD Cost?

A: A male German Shepherd will generally weigh 85 to 95 pounds at maturity. He should be no taller at the shoulder than 26 inches. A female will, typically grow to weigh between 60 and 70 pounds and should be no taller than 24 inches at the shoulder. Q: Do German Shepherds shed a lot? A: Nearly every dog sheds to some degree.

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Giant German Shepherd Lifespan And Health Issues: Are They Healthy Dogs

The lifespan of Giant German Shepherds ranges from 10 to 13 years which is quite the same as the normal German Shepherd.

Crossbred dogs are expected to be healthier than purebred ones. However, although they are quite immune to other health problems due to the benefit of cross breeding, there are still health conditions that are common for Giant German Shepherd breeds.

Nonetheless, both King Shepherd and Shilo Shepherd are just like other dog breeds vulnerable if not well taken care of.

Here are the common health issues among Giant German Shepherds:

  • Joint Dysplasia: This is an abnormal formation of joints that can eventually cause lameness, instability, weakness, and pain.
  • Von Willebrands Disease: This is the most common inherited bleeding disorder of dogs. With this disease, proper blood clotting is impossible due to the deficiency of a protein that the platelets need.
  • Perianal Fistula: This skin disease also known as anal furunculosis is a serious medical condition that most commonly affects German Shepherd dogs both purebred and mixed breed dogs. It is a skin disease that affects the area immediately surrounding the anus.
  • Hypothyroidism: This is an endocrine disease that affects the dogs metabolic functions which often result in obesity and canine diabetes.
  • Eye Issues: Giant German Shepherds are also susceptible to different eye problems which include irritation, inflammation, watery eye, and pus discharge among others.

Where Can I Find Giant German Shepherd Puppies For Sale Good Breeders Or Even Adopt

When it comes to getting a Giant German Shepherd, you can either buy from a breeder or adopt from a rescue or shelter.

Despite the myth, most dogs from shelters are not broken or aggressive.

Many are probably the opposite they are just looking for someone to give their love to.

Thousands of dogs die in shelters and rescues every day if you are looking for a Giant GSD, strongly consider them first.

In terms of breeders, youll want to find a breeder that cares more about the dogs than the financial reward of breeding.

Here are some very helpful guides on considerations for breeders and rescues/shelters, and where to find good breeders and shelters/rescues:

While looking around on the net, we had a scan over several breeders that say they offer Giant German Shepherds.

We are not suggesting you go to any one particular breeder, you ultimately have to do your own research and due diligence and make up your own mind.

But, one breeder that stood out as caring about their dogs to us was Royal Air German Shepherd.

They appear to be experienced, care about the health of their dogs, care about you as an owner offering health and temperament guarantees for the dogs, and also express that size of their dogs is secondary to health and well being.

They are also very transparent with what they offer and photos of their dogs.

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When Should You Spay Or Neuter A German Shepherd

A male German Shepherd can be neutered at an age of eight weeks. However, it is not advisable to neuter them at too early of an age. This is because their growth cycle has not been fully completed. A German Shepherd that has been spayed or neutered too early may be prone to develop hip and joint issues much sooner than normal.

Most German Shepherds, male and female, are spayed and neutered at around the age of 6 months. This is because this is the average age at which a German Shepherd begins to reach their full sexual maturity. At this point, obvious hormonal changes will begin to occur that will alert an owner to the fact that they are ready to breed.

Modern Utilization Of The German Shepherd

Do German Shepherds Need Large Breed Food? â World of Dogz

German Shepherds are seen as working dogs everywhere. The breed is well known for its police work, mostly used for narcotics detection, tracking criminals, and other types of detection. The ability to handle these tasks also make the breed a good candidate for the military. German Shepherds in the military detect items such as mines and explosives.

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Shiloh Shepherd: Are They Giant German Shepherds

Photo from

The other breed of Giant German Shepherds is called Shiloh Shepherds. This Giant German Shepherd breed came earlier than the King Shepherd. In fact, Shiloh Shepherds are the foundation of King Shepherds!

This GSD variety came into existence in 1970 as a way of improving the German Shepherd breed due to their numerous health issues, temperament problems, and trainability concerns.

German Shepherds back then were considered as too much for average families to handle.

This being said, Tina Barber, a German Shepherd trainer, had seen the need to breed a better version of the German Shepherd that can perfectly fit into a family as a working dog. This is how the birth of the gentle Shiloh Shepherd started.

Shiloh Shepherds are a mix of German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, and few other dog breeds that are larger in size and have better genetics when it comes to health.

As hip dysplasia is a common crippling disease for German Shepherds, breeds with better hip conditions were crossbred to produce the Shiloh Shepherd.

It is said that Shilohs perfectly resemble the intelligence and loyalty of German Shepherds but are less aggressive and domineering. They are even called gentle giants because of their stable temperament.

How Easy Is The King Shepherd To Train

We know by now that this is a super smart canine, but despite this, initial training will require a lot of patience, consistency, and persistence, as is with any other dog.

However, as King Shepherds are so eager to please you, training will be really fun and your new canine companion will get the hang of it pretty quickly.

Once trained, your King Shepherd retains the lessons taught. As long as you also remember and implement what you learned in obedience classes, then you are in for years of loyal companionship.

Follow the training progress of this five-and-a-half-month-old King Shepherd

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When Do You Know Your German Shepherd Is Fully Grown

Most German Shepherds will tend to reach their full physical maturity at about the age of 18 to 24 months. At this time, they will reach their full height, girth, weight, and neck size.

However, it should be pointed out that there are some exceptions to this rule. There are some variants of the breed that hail from Eastern Europe. These dogs will mature considerably more slow. A dog that comes from this bloodline may not reach their full maturity until about 36 months of age.

For reasons that remain largely unexplained, the growth rate of this particular variant seem so to suddenly slow down at about the age of 6 months. Their rate of growth will then pick up, albeit at a somewhat minimal level, after they reach the age of about 12 months.

Juvenile Period: 3 Months 6 Months

Sable German Shepherd frequently asked questions

At this point, puppy development begins to slow down as they have done most of the developing they need and will now primarily just grow larger. Near the end of this stage is when youll want to start puppy classes and start training your puppy.

Here are some important milestones that a German Shepherd puppy will go through at this stage:

  • Have all puppy teeth
  • Improved motor skills
  • Begin getting adult teeth

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Drawbacks Of Their Size

If you arent looking for a large dog made to work, this dog may not be the one for you. For example, if you live in an apartment and a big dog just isnt logical, then a shepherd might not be the best fit for you.

But, you love their look and personality and you feel the German Shepherd is your perfect soulmate then theres good news! There are GS breed mixes that come in different sizes and still have the charm of full sized shepherds.

Average German Shepherd Weight By Age

The most reliable numbers when it comes to a German shepherds measurements come from German Shepherd Dog FCI. It will also be the ones that well be using in this section.

Its also important to understand that males and females typically have different weights. This is a chart that shows the average weight of a German shepherd with 1-month intervals.

However, this German shepherd size chart will skip some months to show you how a full-grown German shepherd should weigh normally.

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What Age Is A German Shepherd Fully Grown By

Your German Shepherd will have acquired much of their adult size and weight by the time they have hit their first year. However, they will continue to grow, usually reaching their full adult size somewhere between 18 months to 2 years of age.

The age of maturity, though, is somewhat dependent on the specific type of German Shepherd that you have. Eastern European varieties, for instance, are particularly late bloomers and are unlikely to reach their full size much before the age of three.

Larger dogs will also naturally take longer to achieve their full size. A female German Shepherd might be expected to get there at 24 months, whereas for a male, it could be closer to 30.

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