When Do Dogs Stop Growing?

Dogs are the beloved companions of millions of people around the world. They bring joy, comfort, and love to our lives, so it’s no surprise that many of us want to know as much as we can about them. One of the most common questions dog owners ask is, “when do dogs stop growing?”

It’s important to understand when your dog will reach their full size, so you can better plan for their care and well-being (as well as dog door size)! In this article, we’ll explore the factors that contribute to a dog’s growth and development and look at the average growth rate for different sizes of dogs.

Puppy Growth Stages

From birth to adulthood, puppies go through several stages of growth. These stages are critical for their health and well-being and are known as the neonatal, socialisation, testing and adolescence stages. Understanding these growth stages will help you provide the best care for your furry friend, whether you are a first-time dog owner or a seasoned pro.

0 to 3 weeks: Neonatal Period

The neonatal period refers to the puppy’s newborn stage.

A puppy in this stage will begin to grow their first teeth and is completely deaf and blind. Additionally, they cannot control bodily functions and have limited mobility, making them entirely dependent on their mother for food and care. Puppies grow extremely fast, though, so they will begin to hear within ten days, and their eyesight will improve within the first two weeks.

4 to 12 weeks: Socialisation Period

With rapidly developing independence and mobility, your pup is ready to be socialised and trained in this period.

A puppy in this stage has open eyes and can eat solid food alongside their mother’s milk. These puppies will also begin to walk, bark and wag their tails. This stage of development is full of milestones. At five weeks, your puppy will be ready to start house training, and within 8 to 12 weeks, they should be fully weaned from their mother’s milk.

12 to 24 weeks: Testing Period

At this age, your pup will have begun to test the boundaries around them.

During this period, you are encouraged to solidify obedience training and ensure that you prevent any problematic behaviours and habits. Puppies in this growth stage have high energy needs and will need constant stimulation. They’ll also begin to develop their own unique personality.

During this phase, you must avoid new experiences, such as moving or new animals, as they can be incredibly stressful during development. Later, at 21 to 24 weeks, your pup will begin to sexually mature and may show signs of aggression.

24+ weeks: Adolescence

The final major stage in early growth and development in adolescence. This is essentially the teenage years of a dog’s growth and can start at six months in smaller dogs or nine months in larger dogs.

During this stage, you will notice your dog physically filling out; however, they are still mentally developing. They will need consistent support and a routine to ensure that they burn excess energy and don’t develop destructive or aggressive behaviour.

From the neonatal period to adolescence, puppies go through various stages of development that shape their personalities and behaviour. By recognising these stages, you can provide the right care and training to ensure your puppy grows into a happy, healthy, well-behaved adult dog.

Puppy Growth Spurt Symptoms

As your puppy grows and develops, you may notice sudden changes in their behaviour, appetite, and energy levels. These changes can indicate a growth spurt, a period of rapid and intense growth that occurs during certain stages of a puppy’s development. During a growth spurt, puppies may experience a range of symptoms, including:

Growing pains

Common in larger dog breeds and dogs prone to bone and joint disorders, growing pains cause pain in dogs from 2 to 24 months old. Signs of growing pain include fatigue, loss of appetite, excessive chewing, reluctance to walk, pain when touched, unexplained whimpering and weakness.

If you suspect your dog is experiencing growing pains, please talk to your vet to find out what options and strategies are available to help your pup.

Increased appetite

Big puppy, big appetite! A sudden increase in appetite can mean that your pup is burning through food faster than they can eat.

Hair loss

If your pup is shedding excessively, they may be losing their puppy coat and growing in an adult coat.

Greater sleep needs

It takes a lot of energy to grow, so if your pup is going through a growth spurt, they’ll likely sleep a lot more to recuperate that burnt energy.

If you have any concerns or notice any unusual symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian for advice and guidance.

Factors Affecting Puppy Growth

A wide range of factors, including genetics, nutrition, and lifestyle, influence the growth and development of a puppy. Take a closer look at these factors below:

Genetics

Depending on your dog’s lineage, they may be smaller or bigger because of traits passed down from their parents. This is easily traced in purebred dogs, where the breeder can inform you of the dog’s family history.

Nutrition

Eating the right food can vastly improve your pup’s growth with all the minerals and protein required for healthy development. Additionally, larger breeds require their own specialised food to prevent future orthopedic problems.

Lifestyle

The quality of the care given to a young pup can make or break their growth stages, with dogs underfed or deprived of their mother’s milk typically experiencing stunted growth.

By providing your pups with a nutritious diet, a safe and stimulating environment, and plenty of love and attention, you can help them reach their full potential and enjoy a long and fulfilling life.

When Do Puppies Stop Growing?

Every dog breed has a unique timeline for growth and development, so it can be challenging to determine when your pup will stop growing. Depending on the breed and other factors, a dog can take 6 to 24 months to reach their full size.

Understanding when your puppy will reach their full size can help you provide the best care for your furry friend and prepare for their future needs. It’s important to know how large your dog will get before investing in things they may grow out of, such as permanent dog doors. Many factors can impact your pup’s growth timeline; however, basic growth estimates exist for the three main breed sizes: small, medium and large.

Dogs usually stop growing anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on their group size. Toy and small dogs like Pomeranians and Cavalier King Charles reach maturity in 6 to 8 months. Medium sized dogs like Collies and Australian Shepherds will reach their potential weight and height at around 10 months. It can take up to 15 months for a large dog like a German Shepherd to reach full growth, and up to 2 years for giant breeds like a Saint Bernard to reach maturity.

Unfortunately, if your pup is a mixed breed, you will have difficulty pinpointing when their growth will stop. The best way to estimate when your dog will stop growing is to run your hands down their rib cage and see if you can feel the knobs of the ribs. These knobs are growth plates, so if they’re present, it is likely that your dog will continue to grow.

Monitoring Your Dog’s Growth

Monitoring your dog’s growth can help you identify potential health concerns and ensure they are on track for a healthy and happy life. You can do this simply by keeping a log of basic observations and data, such as your dog’s:

• Weight
• Height
• Body condition
• Development

Keeping an eye on your dog’s development can help you plan training and socialisation milestones to match their growth stage. It’s also important for spotting weight issues early or excessive growth. If a dog grows too fast, they can experience serious health problems. This is especially common in large dog breeds.

Inversely, if your dog is not showing any signs of growth, it could be a sign of parasites, hormone deficiencies, illness or disease. Spotting the signs early will ensure you get your pup the veterinary attention they need as soon as possible.

Understanding your dog’s growth timeline is important to providing quality care. Remember to monitor your pup’s growth diligently and reach out to your veterinarian if you need help or advice. Finally, enjoy it while they’re little! The puppy phase can go fast, so spend lots of time socialising, training and loving your pup in preparation for their exciting adulthood.