There is no doubt that puppies are extremely cute. However, it is expected that they will grow rapidly in just a few weeks. They start out small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but before you know it, they have become too big for their dog bed. This raises the question of when dogs reach their maximum size.
Being acquainted with the growth halting time of a dog poses benefits. Firstly, it enables dog proprietors to opt for the perfect size of crate, collar, or bed for their four-legged friend once their dog has reached full growth. In addition, this awareness aids pet owners in determining whether their puppies are growing at a regular and robust rate.
If you are a fur parent who has been wondering about your dog’s growth spurt and when it will end, keep reading. Even though puppies grow at varying rates, it is feasible to estimate when a dog will stop growing by considering various factors, which we will delve into further below.
When Do Dogs Stop Growing?
Being a dog owner brings immense satisfaction as you witness your young pup gradually develop and attain their full-grown size. However, it’s important to note that there is no universal timeline for this process as it varies among different dog breeds and sizes.
Certain puppies continue to develop until they reach the age of two, whereas others may achieve their maximum size and weight at around 10 to 12 months old.
The time it takes for a puppy to reach its adult size is influenced by various factors. Nevertheless, for the majority of dogs, this usually occurs between the ages of 6 and 8 months.
Typically, breeds with larger stature, for example Mastiffs and Labrador Retrievers, have a longer growth period compared to Toy Poodles and Chihuahuas, which are smaller breeds. This is due to the fact that larger bones and joints require a greater amount of calcium for growth and maturation.
Nonetheless, it takes time and effort for this mineral to accumulate in a dog’s system. Therefore, in addition to providing adequate nutrition, it’s essential to have a reserve of patience in order to witness the full potential of breeds such as German Shepherds or other larger dogs.
5 Factors That Affect Puppy Growth
It has been noted that dogs do not all grow at the same rate. Similar to people, the genetics of your dog primarily influences their size, whereas external factors or the surroundings have a secondary impact.
Genetics
The rate at which your puppy grows is mostly determined by its genetics. To predict the final size of your dog, it is recommended to examine the size of the previous litter born to your dog’s parents.
Indeed, breed size and breed purity are the determining factors for the appearance and size of your puppy, as they are influenced by the size of its parents.
Breed Size
Dogs in the doggo realm are categorized into four groups according to their size, with smaller breeds attaining their full adult size faster than larger breeds. This is logical because bigger breeds, such as the Great Dane, need more time to mature and develop due to their larger bones.
It’s advisable to take a look at the puppy growth chart provided by the American Kennel Club. Nevertheless, for those interested in determining the standard growth rate of bigger dogs in comparison to smaller breeds, refer to the information below.
Small Breed Dogs (20 lbs and less)
Small dog breeds such as the Shih Tzu tend to grow twice their size by the age of 4 to 6 months, despite their petite frame. However, they cease to grow once they reach 10 to 12 months of age. Conversely, toy breeds generally reach their full-grown size earlier than other small breed counterparts.
Medium-Sized Dogs (21 to 50 lbs)
As anticipated, medium-sized puppies such as the Dalmatian and Collie require more time to mature compared to smaller breeds. Usually, these dogs undergo a swift growth spurt between 8 and 12 weeks. They attain full growth between 12 to 15 months of age.
Large Breeds (51 to 100 lbs)
Typically, big puppy breeds, such as German Shepherds, experience a growth spurt of doubling in size between 8 to 12 weeks and achieve their maximum size at 18 months.
XL or Giant Breeds (100+ lbs)
It takes more time for a large breed such as the Great Dane to reach full maturity. Typically, giant breed pups take between 18 and 24 months to attain their maximum height.
Breed Purity
Compared to mixed-breed dogs, purebred dogs are more predictable, which makes it easier to estimate when purebred puppies will reach their full size.
Knowing the breed gives you an idea of what to anticipate with purebred puppies, including their temperament and size. Conversely, assessing when a mixed-breed pup will reach full growth is challenging, especially if their ancestry is unidentified.
If you are aware of the breed or the parents’ size, you can estimate your puppy’s size by calculating the average weight or size of the parents.
Gender
Male dogs are frequently taller and bigger than female dogs. Additionally, it takes male dogs more time to reach their full size compared to female canines.
Nutrition
For puppies to reach their full potential in health and development, they need to receive adequate nourishment. It is recommended to provide pet food that is tailored for their life stage and breed, regardless of their size. Otherwise, their growth may be hindered.
A young dog needs food that is rich in energy and protein, unlike older dogs. Additionally, the type of food a dog requires is influenced by their breed. Large breeds or giant puppies need a diet that contains less calcium to ensure their bones grow correctly, while small dogs have different requirements.
Even though larger breeds require significant growth, it is not recommended for big dogs to develop too rapidly as it can lead to skeletal abnormalities such as panosteitis and bow-leggedness.
Neutering or Spaying
PetMD reports that neutering or spaying your dog too early can also have an impact on the growth of puppies, but rather than inhibiting their growth, it has the opposite effect.
Neutering or spaying a puppy before it reaches sexual maturity often results in increased height, which can ultimately cause joint issues. Therefore, the AKC suggests waiting until a puppy is fully grown or has reached sexual maturity before opting for the procedure.
Underlying Health Condition
If a puppy has worms (be they roundworms or hookworms), its growth may suffer as these parasites consume the calories necessary for development. However, eliminating the worms can restore your dog’s normal growth.
It can be difficult to determine when a dog will stop growing since dogs have varying growth rates. However, it is a well-known fact that larger breeds take much more time to grow than their smaller counterparts. Specifically, it will take a large breed twice the amount of time to fully develop and grow.
It is important to maintain a normal growth rate for your puppy, regardless of its breed. Providing your puppies with plenty of tender, loving care (TLC) is crucial. Doing so allows your dogs to achieve not only physical growth, but also mental and emotional well-being. All of these factors contribute to improving the quality of life for your furry friend.
BONUS:DIY Cognitive Dog Toys for When You Are Stuck at Home
Canines possess remarkable intelligence and require mental stimulation alongside physical activity. This is especially vital during periods when dogs are confined within an indoor setting. A lack of mental engagement induces dismay and unwanted conduct in dogs. However, engaging a dog’s mind through cognitive exercises helps expend energy, furnishes amusement, and diminishes problematic behavior. Innumerable enjoyable cognitive training games are readily available, while toys are also effective in challenging a dog’s cognitive abilities.
Numerous enjoyable puzzle toys are available in the market, but some may be costly or not the right size for a particular breed. By making your own cognitive dog toys, you can save money and customize the toy according to your dog’s size and preference. The following easy DIY toys will stimulate your dog’s brain and exhaust them on days when you’re indoors.
Toilet Tube Treat Dispensers
Cardboard receptacles serve well as treat dispensers that can be ruined easily. The tubes of discarded toilet paper or paper towels can be loaded with pliable treats, such as peanut butter or cream cheese, spread on their inner sides. Your pet will need to lick out the treat while also holding the roll in place to avoid it from rolling away or getting compressed. To make it more difficult, fold the ends of the roll to compel your dog to rip the cardboard apart to access the treats. Additionally, you can prolong your pet’s enjoyment by freezing the tube and its contents before offering it to them as a treat.
In case your dog is too big for a paper towel roll or you prefer to use solid dog treats or small pieces of kibble, you can attempt utilizing an empty box. By creating openings in the box a little bigger than the size of the treats, inserting them in the box, and sealing the top, your dog must play with the box to obtain the treats through the apertures. Altering the level of difficulty is easy- just use a different sized container. The technique of manipulating an empty tissue box varies from handling a circular potato chip tube or a pizza box.
Make sure your dog doesn’t ingest any of the cardboard pieces that fall off since the cardboard dispensers are disposable. Like all puzzle toys, they should only be used while you’re keeping an eye on your pet. Plus, considering that these toys were meant to be thrown away, you can always find a new box or tube to fill.
Muffin Tin Shell Game
To play this variation of the shell game, you will need a muffin pan and a ball for every cup in the pan. A regular muffin pan can accommodate tennis balls, but any ball of the proper size will work. If you have a small toy breed dog, a mini muffin pan and mini tennis balls will suffice. Avoid using balls that are too tiny for your pet’s size, as they could present a choking danger.
In order to train your dog to play the game, start by leaving the cups open. Put some treats or kibble in each muffin cup and allow your dog to lick or scratch the food out. Once your dog understands that the cups contain something good, proceed to cover them with balls. Your dog will need to remove each ball to access the treat underneath.
To enhance the challenge, leave a few cups with food as bait and keep all the cups covered with balls. This will require your dog to use their sense of smell to find the treats and prepare them for other scent-based activities such as hide-and-seek.
Shoebox Hide-and-Seek
Having fun with your dog’s sense of smell doesn’t require participating in an AKC Scent Work trial. You can engage your dog in scent work at home using empty containers such as shoeboxes or yogurt tubs. Arrange the containers together on the floor and bait one or a few with strong-smelling treats. Your dog can then search for the hidden treasure by sniffing all the containers.
To start with, you can simplify your dog’s task by creating vents in the lids of the receptacles. After your dog grasps the concept, you can up the ante by filling only one container with bait and scattering them throughout the area. Moreover, the more containers your dog has to rummage through, the harder they will have to work.
Doggy Ball Pit
This toy will challenge your dog’s love of hide-and-seek by increasing the level of difficulty. All that is required is a plastic pool for children and an abundance of balls. Simply fill the pool with balls and add kibble or treats on the surface. As your dog searches through the balls for food, the balls and resulting treats will continually move to keep your dog engaged for a substantial period.
Feeding dogs that have a habit of eating too fast could be effectively done using this method. This technique not only regulates their eating speed but also gives them ample mental stimulation. If your dog is prone to getting agitated or stressed in new environments, start by introducing a few balls in the pool and gradually increase the count as the dog adjusts.
