When you think of a German Shepherd, you are likely to think of a confident, larger-sized dog. One who is loyal to his owner and ready to protect the house with respect and honor. And you would be right on the money with this thinking! The problem is, is a German Shepherd possibly too big for you? Maybe he’s not too big for you, but do you have a baby? One thing to consider before buying is the size.
How tall do German Shepherds get? German Shepherd male and female adult sizes will vary slightly: a male German Shepherd will grow between 24 and 26 inches while the female will be between 22 and 24. Males are likely to stop growing upward by the 9th month of age, while females will likely stop around the 8th month.
Knowing what to expect in terms of size and weight is important when considering adopting a dog into the family. We are going to discuss the German Shepherd’s size and weight and what you can do to ensure your German Shepherd stays strong and healthy from puppyhood to adulthood and beyond.
All About the German Shepherd
German Shepherds are generally friendly but overprotective of their owners and loved ones. For this reason, they make excellent dogs for families or anyone who wants a good guard dog by their side.
However, the German Shepherd is often used for many other things like service, police, military, and search and rescue. This is due to the simple fact that the German Shepherd is incredibly intelligent and can be easily trained, making them a great breed for both show and work.
With so many positive features, it would seem as if the German Shepherd is the perfect pet for just about anyone. It’s really no wonder why they have been named the second most popular dog in the United States (second behind the Labrador Retriever).
However, there is still one thing that crosses everyone’s mind when they are considering a new dog in the family: the size.
And, well, a German Shepherd isn’t exactly the smallest breed available to the public.
The German Shepherd’s Size from Puppyhood to Adulthood
On average, German Shepherd puppies are born being only around 1 pound each. That’s pretty incredible considering how large these adorable puppies will rapidly get!
There are typically 6 to 8 puppies found in a German Shepherd litter, all of which will be around the same size and weight at the start.
In only one short week the weight of the average German Shepherd can range anywhere between 1.5 pounds to 2.1 pounds. That is quite a big difference, and you should be able to start seeing which dogs will end up being the larger ones out of the bunch at this point.
At around a month of age, you can expect your male German Shepherd puppy to be anywhere between 5 and 9 pounds. The females will be a bit less heavy and shouldn’t top 8 pounds. At two months of age, the German Shepherd continues to gain weight and will likely be anywhere between 11 and 20 pounds.
At three months of age, your German Shepherd puppy can range anywhere between 18 and 31 pounds. The difference in weight will depend on the original size of the puppy when he was born, and gender also plays a role. Females will always be smaller and weigh less.
Hitting the four-month mark, most German Shepherds will weigh anywhere between 29 and 29 pounds. At this point your German Shepherd will be half the weight of his adult weight, so you should pay close attention at this point.
The biggest growth spurts will occur during the first 2 through 5 months of age. After this, around 6 months, German Shepherd puppies will average anywhere between 46 and 53 pounds.
Your German Shepherd will continue to grow at a steady pace for the next 2 to 3 months. Females will reach their adult age around 8 months old, and should be 55 to 59 pounds. Males, on the other hand, will likely grow until they are 9 months old and average between 64 and 71 pounds.
For the most part, the growth process for German Shepherd puppies will end at 9 months of age. But don’t be surprised if your male German Shepherd puppy gains another inch before he is 15 months old. Females can continue to grow a little under an inch until they are 15 months old as well.
By the time the German Shepherd is 36 months, he will reach his adult weight and height.
Helping Your German Shepherd Grow
Dealing with a larger breed of dogs you have a lot more to worry about. This is because a German Shepherd who is overfed or overeats may end up with hip and elbow dysplasia. They may also end up with osteoarthritis and joint disorders.
So what can you, as the other, do to ensure your German Shepherd grows up healthy and strong?
1. Feed him the right food
They make size-specific dog food for a reason. That is why you need to make sure you are seeking out German Shepherd food that will help him grow.
Also, don’t go cheap on your purchase. Too many harmful ingredients will lead to an overall unhealthy dog, so do him a favor and go with the good stuff.
2. Don’t overfeed him
You should only feed your adult German Shepherd twice a day, in the morning and at night.
In general, a German Shepherd should eat anywhere between 3 and 5 cups of food, depending on his size.
(start by following the feeding instructions on the dog food packaging and adjust!)
This will keep him from becoming too large for his body type, which can lead to some serious health issues.
3. Make sure he is exercised often
German Shepherds are energetic and require a lot of activity in order to be happy. And being the loyal dogs that they are, it’s hard for them to get their energy out when they are alone.
As the owner, you will need to help your dog get active by playing with him, taking for walks/runs, and visiting dog parks regularly.
With the right amount of food and exercise, your German Shepherd should have no problems in terms of weight or size.
Purchasing the best German Shepherd dog food that is made with wholesome ingredients is a great way to start from the get-go. This teaches him what he should be eating without allowing harmful ingredients to stand in the way of his proper growth.
A male German Shepherd will be anywhere between 24 and 26 inches, while a female German Shepherd will be slightly smaller at 22 to 24 inches. When it comes to weight, males can range between 66 and 88 pounds with females only hitting 49 to 71 pounds.
If you think your dog may be too heavy for his height, you may need to contact your veterinarian to see what proper steps need to be taken.
Related Questions
The average German Shepherd will stop growing at around 18 to 24 months of age. There are some dogs, though, that will grow ever-so-slightly up until around 36 months.
The best time to train a German Shepherd is as early as possible. The sooner you start, the better they will react and learn. Around 8 and a half to 9 weeks is ideal so the puppy has time to safely leave his mother’s side and be on his own.
