When is a German Shepherd Full Grown?

When is a German Shepherd full grown? GSDs are a very popular dog breed. Not only are they loving and adorable, but they are extremely intelligent, obey commands at the ready, and do a wonderful job of protecting the ones they love. However, it’s no secret that they are a fairly big-sized dog. A lot of the times people want to know when their German Shepherd will finally stop growing.

So, when is a German Shepherd full grown? A German Shepherd will likely reach his full-grown size at around 1 and a half to 2 years. Keep in mind, though, that every dog grows at its own pace. Some German Shepherds may continue to grow a bit more past the 2-year mark, as some GSD owners have claimed their pup continues to grow to 2 and a half.

So what is the real deal when it comes to a German Shepherds size and weight? How fast do these darling dogs grow, and what can you expect within the first year or two of their lives? We are going to discuss the average growth of the German Shepherd from start to end to give you a basic idea of what to expect.

When do German Shepherds Stop Growing?

The average German Shepherd will stop growing anywhere between 1 and a half and 2 years old. However, remember that every dog is different and some dogs may stop growing sooner than others. It’s not uncommon for German Shepherd’s to continue to grow a little bit past the 2-year mark, with slight growth continuing until they are 2 and a half.

Remember that the size of your German Shepherd will also depend on the sex. Female German Shepherds tend to be a bit smaller than their male counterparts. They are also a tad bit easier to train and tend to be a bit more sweet and agile. As far as size and weight are concerned, we’re going to discuss the minor differences in further detail.

Average Adult German Shepherd Weight

For the most part, you can expect your German Shepherd to continue to grow rapidly through his first year. By the end of the second year, though, male German Shepherds should weigh roughly between 65 and 85 pounds, while female German Shepherds will hit anywhere between 48 and 70 pounds.

Here is a simple German Shepherd growth chart showing what to expect in terms of weight:

Average Adult German Shepherd Height

As you can see, a German Shepherd puts on a lot of weight in his first year. He will also gain a lot in terms of height, too. In fact, you can expect your German Shepherd to double his weight and size in the first few weeks of life. He will continue to grow, with males reaching anywhere between 24 and 26 inches and females hitting 22 to 24 inches.

Keep in mind that dogs are measured in a form known as ‘withers’. What this means, is basically the dog is measured up to their shoulders. This is done because dogs likely won’t hold still with their heads upright.

How Big Should Your German Shepherd be?

While this is just an estimate of how big your German Shepherd should be by 2 years old, keep in mind that German Shepherds have very specific standards when it comes to their overall proportions. 

Whether they are a little on the small side or a bit bigger than most, the most important thing to keep in mind is that they should have a ratio that equates to 10:8. This means that no matter the size of your GSD, he should always be a bit longer than they are tall.

When it comes to weight, your German Shepherd should have these features:

• A well-proportioned waist compared to the rest of his body size, and
• Easily felt ribs, spine, and pelvic bones.

It is important to give your German Shepherd proper nutrition while he is a growing puppy and as he is an adult. Your German Shepherd should never be overfed or he may put on weight. You should always make sure to regularly exercise your German Shepherd. This is important to expel any pent up energy your GSD may have while also maintaining a good size to weight ratio.

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