Other Juvenile Period Physical And Behavioral Developments
During the juvenile or ranking period, German Shepherd puppies start to understand and learn about dominance and submission within a pack.
They can begin proper obedience training towards the end of this period, but you need to bear in mind that your puppys attention span is still quite short.
At around 4 months, they also go through a chewing phase as they start to lose their baby teeth, and they can enter another fear phase.
German Shepherds And Other Pets
To help them be calm and patient, it’s best to socialise your German Shepherd with other dogs and pets from a young age. Some can be a bit bossy with other dogs as they get older but with proper care, training and socialisation this is unlikely to become a problem. If youre having issues with your German Shepherd around other pets, the best thing to do is get advice from a trainer or behaviourist.
German Shepherds are usually fine with other family pets they have grown up with. If they havent grown up with a cat or other smaller pets, though, they may have the urge to chase them so any introductions later in life should be done very carefully.
How Old Do German Shepherds Have To Be To Be An Adult
It is also interesting to know that, as a breed, German Shepherds do not just stop growing at one year of age. In fact, I personally do not consider my German Shepherds to be adults until the males are between 2 1/2 3 years of age and for the females to be over 2 years old.
Their growth rate slows noticeably at 6 months and continues minimally after 12. Here is a great time lapse video that shows GSD Dunders growth from 8 weeks to 1 year.
At 1 month, a German Shepherd should be at 10% of the average adult weight and height at 6 months, they should be at 70% at 9 months, they should be at 90%, and they should reach full adult size by 3 years. If your puppy is slightly above or below the averages weights or heights at a given age, it does not mean that there is a problem.
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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.
What Should I Look For In A German Shepherd Growth Chart
Here you will find the German Shepherd weight and growth chart as per FCI Standard. Keep in mind that dog growth is influenced by genetics and the environment, so take that into consideration when comparing your puppys data with the German Shepherd weight and Growth chart. Also Read: Boundary Training your German shepherd Teach Your Dog to stay
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Does Growth Differ Between Male And Female Adult German Shepherd Dogs
Now it is time to focus more on gender and growth rates.
The official breed standard for the German Shepherd dog states that adult dogs can stand between 22 and 26 inches tall and weigh anywhere from 50 to 90 pounds.
The official breed standard also specifies that adult male GSDs often stand taller and weigh more than adult female GSDs.
Typically, an adult male will stand two inches taller and weigh anywhere from 15 to 20 pounds more than an adult female.
This is exactly why. A bigger German shepherd male dog is likely to continue growing for a longer period because the skeleton can only grow so fast.
How Much Exercise Does A 1 Year Old German Shepherd Need
Your German Shepherd will need a minimum of two hours of exercise every day. This should include walks and off-lead exercise in a safe area, with extra playtime and training on top to give them a good variety. You can find out how much exercise your dog needs, or even find exercises you can do together online.
Also Check: German Shepherd Line Drawing
How Can I Tell If My German Shepherd Is Overweight
3 Signs Your German Shepherd Is Overweight
Origin Of The German Sheprador
The German Shepherd Lab mix is considered to be a designer dog. The term designer dog was coined in the 1980s to describe matings between two different pedigrees. Along with a catchy portmanteau name, it distinguishes them from mongrels of complicated and unknown ancestry. But mating pedigrees with very different body shapes or polar opposite personalities can create muddled and unhappy offspring.
As well cover further down, theres a lot of overlap in the size and temperament of German Shepherds and Labradors. So whilst a Labrador Retriever German Shepherd mix is technically a designer dog, it doesnt warrant much controversy in terms of health and welfare.
Also Check: Can A Chihuahua And A German Shepherd Mate
Recommended Reading: German Shepherd Puppy Training Tips
Dog Feeding Chart: How Much Should I Feed My Dog
Determining how much food you should feed your dog isnt always straightforward.
Bringing a dog home for the first time, getting another dog or changes with your dogs weight, age or health can all warrant a closer look at how much food youre feeding at mealtimes.
Although complete and balanced dog food packages have feeding recommendations on the label, every dog is unique so you may still need to adjust how much and how often to feed your dog.
Month Old German Shepherd Puppy
When they reach three months, your pup should be about 17-31 lbs. depending on gender. At this age most puppies are settled in with their new families and are on three meals a day. If your puppy struggles to eat their full day ration in three meals, its fine to break it up into four portions for another few weeks.
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Reference/source:
Hawthorne, A. J., Booles, D., Nugent, P. A., Gettinby, G., & Wilkinson, J. . Body-Weight Changes during Growth in Puppies of Different Breeds. The Journal of Nutrition,134, 2027S-2030S. doi:10.1093/jn/134.8.2027s
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Video Answer: Feeding A German Shepherd Puppy With German
You can provide 1 to 1 ¾ cup of food from 16 weeks to 9 months. For 9 months to 12 months old puppy, you can provide 2 to 2 ½ cups of the meal. After 12 months you can give 2 ½ to 3 ½ cups of food at each meal.
In summary, for adult dogs, feeding German Shepherds about 2.5 to 3.5 cups of quality kibble per day, twice a day, is a good starting point. Modify amount fed as required based on your dogs size, weight, age and overall daily activity.
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Socialization Period: Three Weeks To Three Months
The socialization phase is incredibly important to help your young German Shepherd puppy get on in the company of others, which includes other dogs, other animals, and, of course, people.
Because so much positive socialization happens while your pup is still with their mom and littermates, it is important not to take your German Shepherd puppy home too soon!
What Happens After Your German Shepherd Puppy Turns One Year Old
As you likely have already noticed from reviewing the generic growth charts for a male and a female GSD puppy, puppies do a healthy chunk of their growth during the first six months of life.
But this doesnt mean theyre done maturing not by a long shot!
In fact, the average German Shepherd puppy will complete most of their height and length growth by the age of one.
But they may continue to pack on the pounds for as long as another 24 months.
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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.
Average German Shepherd Height By Age
Just like with their weight, German shepherds stop growing typically reach the end of their growing process as they reach their first year.
Thats also why weve only shown the German shepherd puppys weight chart since there wont be any significant change past that.
However, 1 year isnt how long German shepherds can grow. They will still grow after this point, but not as much. Heres a chart of the average height of a German shepherd .
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Average Adult German Shepherd Weight
While the vast majority of German Shepherds will fall in this range, there are exceptions. Your veterinarian or else an experienced Shepherd breeder can tell you if your dog is the right weight for their age and height.
The average weight of adult German Shepherds by gender as mentioned in the first paragraph:
- Males: 66 88 pounds
- Females: 48 70 pounds
When Does A German Shepherd Reach Sexual Maturity
Here are some important milestones that a German Shepherd puppy will go through at this stage: As you already guessed, this is the point at which your German Shepherd will reach sexual maturity. By the end of this stage, they will mostly look like an adult dog, though theyll still have some growing to do.
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How Do You Tell If My Puppys Ears Will Stand Up
Another way to tell if your pups ears are likely to stand is by observing where they are set on the head. Ears that will stand, even partially, tend to be set higher on the head and closer together than pendant ears. The cartilage at the base of a standing ear will begin to start feeling firm by 4-to-6 weeks old.
What To Do If You Have A Mixed Breed Dog
If you have a mixed breed dog, then it may feel like you’re entirely in the dark with knowing, or even just guessing, how big your adorable mutt is going to be.
You could do this two ways. You could take a look at all the growth charts on this page and see where your little guy fits in best. Or if you wanted to be more precise, use a DNA test to see which breeds your puppy is mixed with. Then you’ll know which puppy weight chart to use.
Wisdom Panel is a simple cheek swab test that will determine which breeds your puppy is crossed with and has over 250 breeds, types and varieties of dogs.
It can identify purebred ancestors for three generations which will give you a good idea of what your adult dog’s weight will be AND understand your adult dog’s potential behaviors, looks, and health concerns.
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German Shepherd Feeding Guide: Adult Years
Once your German Shepherd has ended his puppy stage and transitioned into adulthood, hes ready to eat a balanced adult diet.
Adult dog food will have a different ratio of calcium, protein, phosphorus, and other nutrients than puppy food does.
Feeding an adult dog a puppy formula can cause obesity as well as put too much strain on kidneys and other vital organs. Long term use of inappropriate food for an adult dog can have catastrophic consequences.
That said, there is no need to panic if your adult GSD eats a bowl of puppy food now and then.
Adult German Shepherds should be fed twice a day. They can get by on once per day, but its always better to split daily caloric intake between smaller meals instead of feeding it all at once.
Again, bloat is a real problem for large breed dogs, and large meals seem to be a big cause of this.
If youre not home for twice-daily feedings, you can use an automatic feeder. These will dispense the proper amount of food at set times each day so your dog isnt left waiting for meals.
Throughout the years, Ive fed a number of different high-quality dog foods to my German Shepherds.
One of my consistent go-tos is Royal Canin Adult Breed German Shepherd dry dog food. I feed my adult dogs this particular blend for a number of reasons.
In addition, this blend also uses optimal levels of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids to make a GSDs coat pop, so to speak. You really can see the difference.
How Big Will My German Shepherd Get
German Shepherds are considered a medium-to-large-sized breed. This means they often fall around the line that separates medium-sized dogs from large-sized dogs. The AKC wants males stand at 24-26 inches and weigh 66-88 pounds, making them considerably larger than females in some cases. Females stand at 22-24 inches and weigh around 49-71 pounds.
As you can see, this is a huge range. There is a significant difference between a 49-pound dog and an 88-pound dog. Therefore, how big your particular dog might get depends largely on their genetics. You can often get somewhat of an idea by looking at both of their parents. Typically, if the parents are smaller, their puppies will be as well and visa versa.
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German Shepherd Size And Function
Because of their dual purpose as both herding and guard dogs, they are one of the larger shepherd dog breeds. There are several types of German Shepherds within the breed, including the King German Shepherd.
The German Shepherd Dogs name is often abbreviated to German Shepherd, or simply GSD. Lets find out a bit about the origins of this awesome dog breed. Stephanitz and others founded the worlds first club for GSDs. He also turned to refining them into good police and guard dogs, creating a very versatile breed still in demand as herding became less common.
The dogs became popular in the U.S. after Rin-Tin-Tin and Strongheart appeared in movies and after the world wars introduced dogs working for the German military to people of other countries.
German dog breeds became unpopular during the second world war and lovers of the breed began referring to them as the Alsatian dog, to protect their dogs from anti-German sentiment.
German Shepherds are often used for service, agility, conformation, obedience, search and rescue, police/military, and guarding. They are easily trained, so they make good show and work dogs.
Male Vs Female German Shepherds
The female German Shepherds are slightly shorter and smaller than the male GSD. They are also more sensitive than male GSDs and easier to train.
Because of their easiness to train combined with their smaller built, female German Shepherds are an ideal candidate if youre looking for a dog to train in agility, rally obedience, or other related dog sports.
Its worth noting that the male German Shepherds are generally better for personal protection while the female ones are better suited for family protection.
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Juvenile Period Weights And Heights
At the start of the or juvenile. or ranking, period male and female German Shepherd puppies weigh 40% of their adult weight and are at 40% of their adult height.
The juvenile period is also called the ranking period, because this is when puppies begin to understand submission and dominance.
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