At what age do large puppies stop growing

When Do Dogs Stop Growing?

Large to giant breed pups usually stop growing between 12 and 24 months, and can weigh 30-40kg or more as a fully grown adult.

What to consider when your dog is growing?

There are a few things to consider apart from when dogs stop growing, especially if you have a fast-growing small breed. The important thing to remember is that they are an adolescent for less time, which means trainingyour puppy needs to be picked up more quickly. Also, make sure your four-legged friend issocialised well with other dogs as soon as they are able to go outside and that you are firm and consistent with any unwanted behaviour. Remember to make sure that your puppy'svaccinations are up to date before allowing your puppy out and about.

If you have a breed that is a slow-growing breed, this means that they will be a bit more hands-on for a little longer. If you are wanting to get a larger breed, you need to be prepared and patient, as it might take up to 24 months for them to be fully grown. Many people will be surprised how a giant dog can still be and behave like a puppy, despite being a considerable size!

How to exercise a growing puppy safely

Puppies are little balls of energy, regardless of what size breed they are. They all need to be exercised and stay healthy, but too much exercise isnt good for your puppies. Excessive or prolonged activity can be detrimental to bones and joint development. This is why we dont recommend running on roads or jogging with a dog less than 14 to 18 months of age. This is especially crucial in large and giant breeds until the growth plates have fully fused.Instead, walk in shorter bursts on softer surfaces like grass or sand until your dog has finished growing to ensure they dont encounter any issues during its growth period.

At What Age Do Dogs Stop Growing?

Reviewed for accuracy on September 18, 2019, by Dr. Katie Grzyb, DVM

At every new puppy appointment, people always ask how fast they will grow and when they will stop growing, says Dr. Meghan Walker, a veterinarian at Weddington Animal Hospital in Matthews, North Carolina.

The truth is, even your veterinarian cant say for sure. There is no one single, exact answer for when a dog will hit their full-grown weight.

Thats because several different factors affect your dogs growth, including their breed and genetics.

Factors That Determine When Your Dog Stops Growing

Your veterinarian will consider several factors when trying to estimate the adult size of a dog, and a few general estimations of full-grown sizes for different breed sizes.

Genetics are the number one factor that affect growth rate, says Dr. Walker. We have an idea, based on breed, but there are a lot of factors that determine it, such as the size of the parents. Its really guesswork, and the idea that a puppys paws will determine their size really is just a myth, explains Dr. Walker.

Dr. Sara Redding Ochoa, a veterinarian at White House Veterinary Hospital in White House, Texas, adds that growth hormones come into play. Dr. Ochoa explains that growth hormones affect the size that dogs will grow to.

Dr. Walker cites a study in which a large breed dogs growth may also be affected by neutering before one year of age. This can affect dogs of any size, but in small dogs, their growth is only affected by a few millimeters, while in large breeds, it can be centimeters.

Average Ages When Dogs Reach Adult Size

Dogs of different sizes are going to mature differently. In general, smaller breeds will hit their full-grown weight earlier than larger breeds.

This is because it takes more calcium to reach the bones and longer for that development, says Dr. Ochoa. The body and bones in larger dogs need more time for the calcium to build up.

Here are some averages ages for maturation of different breed sizes.

Small Breed Dogs

Dr. Walker classifies small breed dogs as those under 25 pounds when fully grown.

Small dogs include breeds such as the Dachshund, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle, Chihuahua and Bichon Fris.

Dr. Walker says that small breed dogs typically start growing rapidly at 4-6 months and reach their full size between 10-12 months.

Medium Breed Dogs

Dr. Walker classifies medium breed dogs as typically between 25-50 pounds when fully grown. Medium breeds include Beagles, Basset Hounds and Miniature Schnauzers.

We expect medium size dogs to double their size between 8-12 weeks, says Dr. Walker. Medium breeds reach full growth between 12-15 months.

Sometimes, they may grow a little after that, says Dr. Walker.

Large Breed Dogs

Large breed dogs are typically over 50 pounds and include breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, Boxers, Pit Bulls, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and Collies.

Large breed dogs will also double their size between 8-12 weeks, but then the growth slows, says Dr. Walker. She adds that large breed dogs will typically reach full growth at 18 months.

Giant Breed Dogs

Giant breed dogs include the Saint Bernard, Great Dane, Mastiff and Great Pyrenees. These dogs, according to Dr. Walker, take the longest to develop, due to their huge skeletal frame.

They will be at full growth potential by 18-24 months, but could take up to three years to reach their full weight, says Dr. Walker. Until that time, they may appear lanky.

By Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell

Featured Image: iStock.com/Lunja

Lab Growth Chart: When Do Lab Puppies Stop Growing?

During the growth of a Lab puppy, every Lab owner at some point asks the question: When Do Labs Stop Growing? In this article, we explain how long it takes until a Lab is fully grown.

A Labrador Retriever usually stop growing at around 14 to 18 months. A Lab boy reaches a height of 22.5 to 24.5 inches with a weight of 60 to 80 pounds. A Lab girl grows to a height of 21.5 to 23,5 inches with a weight of 55 to 70 pounds.

This Is How Fast Labs Grow

Depending on the dog breed, a puppy grows fastest in its first 3 to 8 months. During this time, the more significant growth spurts also take place. The legs often grow faster than the rest of the body and the dog then usually looks disproportionate. During the growth spurts, a puppy gets tired quickly and is less resilient.

As a rule of thumb, the following can be said: After 6 months, a medium to large dog breed like the Labrador Retriever should have reached 60% of its final weight.

At 6 to 7 months, your Lab puppys milk teeth should be replaced by adult teeth. At 7 to 12 months, a Lab enters puberty.

By 16 months of age, he is as good as full-grown. Slight growth beyond this is nothing out of the ordinary. At the age of 2 years, a Lab should have reached its final size.

The following diagram shows a Labradors size and weight gain in the first 24 months. As you can see, the dog grows rapidly in height. The weight gain is slower.

In summary: At the age of two, a Labrador puppy should have reached its final size and weight. From the first to the third year of a Labs life, its appearance will change. The dog becomes broader and more muscular. The shape of the head, chest, and shoulders change. The coat also completes its development during this time. The growth is fully completed at around 3 years.

Lab Size and Weight

Here we have shown the back length, shoulder height (height at withers), neck size, and weight of a full-grown Labrador male and female.

Labrador Male Size:

A fully grown Labrador male should have the following sizes:

Labrador Female Size:

A fully grown Labrador female should have the following sizes:

Lab Growth Chart

The following puppy growth chart shows the weight gain for Labs (male and female) in the first 24 months. These values are interpolated and may deviate. You can use them as a reference.

Labrador Male Growth Chart

• at 3 months the weight should be between 26-30 lbs.
• at 6 months the weight should be between 46-54 lbs.
• at 1 year the weight should be between 62-78 lbs.
• when full grown the weight should be between 65-80 lbs.

The following table lists the weight of a male Labrador puppy in the first 12 month:

Labrador Female Growth Chart

• at 3 months the weight should be between 26-30 lbs.
• at 6 months the weight should be between 46-54 lbs.
• at 1 year the weight should be between 62-78 lbs.
• when full grown the weight should be between 55-75 lbs.

The following table lists the weight of a female Labrador puppy in the first 12 month:

Puppy Daily Weight Gain

From this chart, you can see the daily weight gain of different-sized dogs.

For a Labrador the maximum is reached after 3 months. Here the puppy gains about 5.3 ounces per day. During this period, the dog also grows the fastest. After about 9 months, the growth rate decreases.

Nutrition During the Growth Phase

It is advised by many breeders and veterinarians to avoid too rapid growth in puppies. In large dog breeds, too fast of a growth rate can lead to skeletal development disorders. Therefore, you shouldnt overfeed the puppy, especially in the first 6 months of life.

Number of Meals

The following number of meals is recommended for puppies:

• 2 to 3 months: 4 meals daily
• 3 to 6 months: 3 meals daily
• from 7 months: 2 meals daily
• optionally you can start with one meal a day from the age of one year

Food

A dog in the growth phase needs special puppy or junior dog food. There is now excellent dog food on the market, developed especially for puppies. When buying, you should make sure that the packaging says Puppy or Junior and not Adult.

Tip: The recommended daily amount of food is usually printed on the backside of the package.

Important: If you are unsure about the amount of food and its composition (wet or dry food), you should ask a breeder or veterinarian.

An adult dog needs an average of 2% of its body weight in food every day. For a Lab weighing 65 pounds, this is about 1.3 pound per day. You should constantly check your dogs weight and ensure that the dog does not become too fat. If you feel the ribs without looking for them, the dog has the ideal weight. If you feel the ribs too much, the dog may be underweight. If you can barely feel the ribs, the dog may be overweight.

Tip: To avoid over or under-feeding, you can check the correct amount of food with a scale.

Possible Reasons for Too Small or Too Large Growth

There are many reasons why a dogs growth is not within the normal range. Here we have listed some of them:

1. All puppies are individuals, just like humans. They grow and mature at different rates.
2. Small or large parents: There are upper and lower limits to height. If both parents are small, it is likely that the puppies will also be small. If both parents are large, it is also very likely that the puppies will be large.
3. Improper nutrition: During the growth phase, the supply of proper nutrients is important. In dogs, the bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles build up until the age of one year. Here it is best to seek advice from a breeder or veterinarian.
4. It may be a mixed breed: Does not have to be, but should not be excluded.

Tip: If you have the opportunity, you can compare its size with the littermates. From this, you can already make lots of conclusions about the size of your dog.

When Do Mixed Breed Dogs Stop Growing?

The same basic idea applies to mixed breed dogs. The larger the breed (or mixed breed), the longer it will take him to reach full growth. You can estimate the final weight to determine how long it will take for a puppy to grow fully.

The following table lists the final weight of a dog and the approximate growth time:

Growth in Comparison

In the following chart, you can see an overview of the growth of different-sized dog breeds. It takes longer for large dog breeds to reach the final weight than for small dog breeds.

Here you can find more information: When Do Dogs Stop Growing?

Summary

In general, you can say: A dog is full-grown when a female comes into heat, and a male starts to lift his leg. However, until the final stature is reached, it may take a bit longer. In small dog breeds, this happens faster than in large dog breeds. To determine whether the dog is in the normal range, you should ask a breeder or veterinarian.

Sources and Further Information