When Do Dogs Stop Growing?
Veterinarian
Dogs are a favorite pet choice for many, primarily due to the joy, comfort, and unconditional love they bring to their owners' lives. Whether bounding with energy or curling up beside you, a dog's presence makes every day brighter. But as puppies grow, many dog owners ask, “How big will my puppy get?” or "When will my dog stop growing?"
Knowing when your furry friend will reach their full size comes in handy when planning their diet and overall care, including buying the correct-sized accessories. This article explores some factors that affect dog growth and offers insights into when your dog will stop growing.
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At what age do dogs stop growing?
Puppies go through several key stages of growth, each crucial to their development. When you understand these stages, you can provide the best care and anticipate changes in behavior and size as your dog matures. Here's a puppy growth chart for insights.
| Development Period | Age Range | Key Features | Growth & Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neonatal Period | 0-2 weeks | Newborn puppies are blind, deaf, and dependent on their mother. Reflexes like rooting and sucking are present. |
Rapid weight gain (10-15% per day). Eyes and ears remain closed. No voluntary movement yet. |
| Transitional Period | 2-4 weeks | Eyes and ears begin to open. First attempts at walking. Teeth start to emerge. |
Puppies start to respond to sounds and visual stimuli. Increased coordination, though movement remains wobbly. |
| Socialization Period | 4-16 weeks | Critical period for social bonding with humans, littermates, and other animals. Play behavior and curiosity increase. |
Full weaning occurs around 6-8 weeks. Basic training can begin. Introduction to different environments is essential. |
| Juvenile Period | 3-6 months | Puppies are more independent and confident. Sexual maturity begins for some. Growth rate slows, but bone development continues. |
Permanent teeth replace baby teeth. Height growth slows down, but weight and muscle development continue. |
| Adolescent Period | 6-12 months weeks | Sexual maturity is achieved. Energy levels may spike, leading to increased exploration and mischievous behavior. |
Smaller breeds may reach their adult size. Larger breeds still have significant growth, particularly in muscle and weight. |
| Mature Period | 12-24 months | Dogs reach their full size (height and weight). Behavioral maturity continues to develop. |
Larger and giant breeds may continue growing until around 24 months. Energy levels stabilize, and adult personality emerges. |
Factors Affecting Dog Growth
Understanding the factors that influence your dog's growth can help ensure they receive the proper care during each stage of development. While genetics play a significant role, other factors, such as diet, gender, and health, also affect how fast and large your dog grows. Here's a closer look at the main contributors to a dog's growth rate.
Diet
Diet plays a vital role in a puppy's growth and overall health. Proper nutrition ensures your dog gets the right balance of protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals to support its development. High-quality puppy food specifically designed for your dog's breed size is essential during the first year of life.
Overfeeding can lead to excessive weight gain, which puts unnecessary strain on growing joints, especially in larger breeds. On the other hand, underfeeding or feeding your dog foods that miss some essential nutrients results in stunted growth and developmental issues. Portion control is crucial, particularly for large and giant breeds, where fast growth can lead to joint problems such as hip dysplasia.
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Gender
Male dogs are larger and grow for a more extended period than female dogs. The reason is that male dogs have more muscle mass than females. Male dogs may also experience growth spurts for a longer duration, especially in larger breeds. On the contrary, female dogs reach maturity earlier and are slightly smaller than males. They may stop growing sooner than males but still require adequate nutrition to support their development.
The difference between male and female growth is minimal in some breeds, while in others, it can be pronounced.
Spaying and neutering
Hormones play a critical role in regulating growth. Therefore, altering a dog at a very young age may interfere with the growth process. Early spaying or neutering can sometimes result in a dog growing slightly taller, as removing reproductive hormones delays the closure of growth plates in the bones. However, this can also increase the risk of joint problems in larger breeds.
Delaying spaying or neutering until after your dog has reached full growth allows their bones to develop more naturally. However, it may also lead to increased risks related to unwanted breeding and specific health issues like cancer.
It is important to consult a veterinarian about the best timing for spaying or neutering, especially for larger breeds prone to joint and bone issues.
Health
Some health issues slow growth or result in abnormal growth patterns, especially if you don't address them early. For example, Portosystemic Shunts, a liver condition where blood bypasses the liver, hinders proper detoxifying. Consequently, dogs with this condition gain weight poorly and may experience developmental delays.
In the same way, roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms deprive your dog of essential nutrients, causing malnutrition and poor growth. A heavy parasite load can significantly affect a dog's ability to grow, but regular deworming treatments can prevent and treat this issue.
Panosteitis is another issue that endangers dog growth. The condition is characterized by inflammation of the long bones, causing pain and limping. Although the problem resolves on its own as the puppy matures, it can temporarily affect the dog's growth and movement.
Keeping your puppy on a regular veterinary schedule ensures early detection and treatment of any health conditions that could impede their growth.
Breed Size
Different breeds have varying growth rates and final sizes, which are often grouped into categories:
- Toy and Small Breeds: Breeds like Chihuahuas and Pomeranians mature quickly, often reaching their full adult size between 6 and 12 months. These small dogs don’t get very big, typically weighing under 25 pounds, so their growth spurts are short but rapid.
- Medium Breeds: Dogs like Beagles and Cocker Spaniels fall into the medium-sized category, with growth continuing until around 12-15 months. These breeds experience steady growth and reach weights of around 25-50 pounds.
- Large Breeds: Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and similar large breeds tend to grow more slowly, taking around 18 months to reach full size. They require more time for their bones and joints to develop fully, weighing 50-100 pounds.
- Giant Breeds: Breeds such as Great Danes and Mastiffs are the slowest to mature, with growth continuing up to 24 months. These breeds can weigh over 100 pounds, requiring extended periods for their musculoskeletal systems to develop properly.
When do mixed-breed dogs stop growing?
Like their purebred counterparts, mixed-breed dogs grow at varying rates depending on several factors, primarily their genetic makeup. Since mixed-breed dogs often have parents of different sizes, predicting exactly when they will stop growing can be tricky.
The secret to predicting when mixed-breed dogs stop growing is to learn some clues about your dog's lineage and then understand its size. You can also document their weight in two-week intervals to create a trajectory line to help predict their growth rate.
Takeaway
Now that you understand at what age dogs stop growing and what factors affect dog growth, you are better positioned to provide your puppy with proper care to boost its growth. The key is offering the right nutrition, keeping up with veterinary visits, and paying attention to health concerns. Note that every dog grows at its own pace, but with proper care, you can help your furry friend reach its full size and thrive as a happy, healthy adult.
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Veterinarian
Ricky Walther, DVM, is a small animal general practitioner in the greater Sacramento, California area. Realizing the positive financial and medical impact that pet insurance can provide for pet parents and the profession, he lends support and advice to companies like Pawlicy Advisor "The Pet Insurance Marketplace") that simplify the process of connecting with veterinary financing resources.
