Female German Shepherds can grow up to 24 inches in height at the shoulder, with some reaching as high as 26 inches.
Their weight can range from 75 to 95 pounds, with some females reaching the upper end of that scale.
These dogs are considered medium to large breed, and their size can vary depending on their lineage and overall health.
In general, a well-nourished and well-exercised female German Shepherd will reach her full height between 12 to 18 months of age.
Development and Growth
German Shepherds reach full adult size between 18 to 20 months old, and their growth rate is impressive during the adolescent stage from 6 to 18 months old.
During this period, female German Shepherds can grow up to 3 inches in height and 22 pounds in weight.
Their bones and muscles grow quickly during this stage, and regular exercise is crucial for their development.
Here's a breakdown of female German Shepherd growth rates:
At What Stage Do They Grow?
During the Adolescent stage, your German Shepherd will experience the fastest growth. This stage lasts from 6-24 months.
Their breed-specific characteristics will develop during this period, and physical growth will reach its maximum before slowing down.
Their bones and muscles will grow quickly, so regular vet visits and a proper diet are crucial for their development.
Keeping your German Shepherd active every day is essential for their growth and overall health. Regular exercise will help them become stronger and healthier.
You should aim to walk your German Shepherd daily, but I'll leave that for another post.
Growth Chart
As a German Shepherd owner, it's essential to understand the growth chart and development stages of your furry friend. German Shepherds grow at an impressive rate, with most males achieving their full adult size by 18 to 24 months old.
Male German Shepherds can grow up to 4 inches in height and 30 pounds in weight between 12 and 24 months of age. This rapid growth is particularly noticeable during the adolescent stage, from 6 to 24 months.
Female German Shepherds, on the other hand, reach full adult size even earlier, usually by 18 to 20 months old. They may not reach the same size as their male counterparts but have equally impressive growth rates during their adolescent stage.
Here's a breakdown of the growth rate of female German Shepherd puppies:
Size and Genetics
A female German Shepherd's size is largely determined by her genetics. Her parents' size and weight play a significant role in predicting her adult size.
You can estimate her adult height and weight by looking at the breed standards for adult German Shepherds. According to the breed standards, a female German Shepherd should be between 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) tall and weigh between 50-70 pounds (23-32 kg).
Genetics also affect a dog's growth, and researching a breeder's bloodline and knowing the parents' size and health history can help you understand your pup's appearance as they grow.
Additional reading: Size Trailer
When Do Females Stop Growing?
Female German Shepherds typically stop growing at around 20 to 30 months old.
This is slightly earlier than their male counterparts, who usually reach their full adult size between 24 and 36 months old.
Genetics and diet can influence the growth rate of your German Shepherd, so keep an eye on their development and adjust their food accordingly.
Some German Shepherds may continue to grow for a few months longer or shorter than this range, depending on their individual characteristics.
Genetics
Genetics plays a major role in determining the size and shape of a German Shepherd.
The size of a German Shepherd's parents is a good indicator of their puppy's future size. If both parents are larger than average, their puppy is likely to be large as well.
Researching a breeder's bloodline and knowing the parents' size and health history can help you understand your pup's appearance as they grow.
The breed standards for adult German Shepherds provide a good idea of what size they should be as adults. Here's a comparison of male and female German Shepherds:
Genetics will play a major role in the growth of each puppy, regardless of proper nutrition and exercise.
European vs American GSDs
European German shepherds are bred closer to show-dog standards, which means they are smaller and shorter than their American counterparts.
The main difference between American and European German shepherds lies in their physical characteristics. American GSDs have longer bodies, heavier bones, and weigh more than European German shepherds.
In contrast, European GSDs are bred to be smaller and more agile, making them well-suited for herding and other working roles. This is reflected in their breeding sizes, which are closer to the breed benchmark.
Here's a comparison of the two:
It's worth noting that American GSDs tend to become "oversized" in comparison to the breed benchmark, which can be a concern for some owners. European GSDs, on the other hand, are bred to meet the breed standard, resulting in a more consistent size and shape.
West, East, and Czech Working Lines
West, East, and Czech Working Lines have distinct characteristics that set them apart from one another. The West German Working Line German shepherds are closest to the original GSDs created by Captain Max von Stephanitz in 1899.
Male West German Working Line German shepherds reach 24-26 inches in height and weigh between 66-88 pounds. Their female counterparts weigh between 49-71 pounds and grow to heights of 22-24 inches.
East German DDR Working Line German shepherds are larger and more muscular than average GSDs, with males weighing anywhere from 49-88 pounds and reaching a maximum height of 26 inches.
Here's a comparison of the three Working Lines:
The Czech Working Line German shepherds are athletic and physical, but a bit lighter-boned than the DDR, with males weighing 60-80 pounds and females weighing 50-70 pounds.
Nutrition Matters
Your female German Shepherd's diet plays a crucial role in her growth and overall health. Good nutrition is essential for her bones, vital organs, and growth.
Providing the best dog food available is vital for your GSD's strength and health. You want her to reach her optimal height and weight.
Stunted growth and other common German Shepherd health issues can arise from poor, unbalanced diets. This is a risk you can easily mitigate with the right nutrition.
A balanced diet will support your GSD's growth and development, helping her become a strong and healthy companion.
Tracking Growth
Female German Shepherds reach full adult size even earlier than their male counterparts - usually 18 to 20 months old. Their growth rate during the adolescent stage, from 6 to 18 months, is particularly impressive, with some reaching up to 3 inches in height and 22 pounds in weight.
To predict your female German Shepherd's size, it's best to look at her mother's size, as this is a good indicator of her adult height. If you're unsure, you can consult a growth chart specifically designed for female German Shepherds.
Here's a breakdown of the growth stages for female German Shepherds:
- Neonatal stage (0-2 weeks)
- Transitional stage (3-4 weeks)
- Socialization period (5-12 weeks)
- Juvenile stage (3-6 months)
- Adolescent stage (6-18 months)
- Adult stage (18 months+)
A chart depicting the growth rate of female German Shepherd puppies shows the following:
Remember, every dog is different, and growth rates can vary. However, by tracking your female German Shepherd's growth and following a proper diet and exercise plan, you can help ensure she reaches her full potential.
The Development Stages
German Shepherds grow rapidly in the first year of life, but their growth rate decreases afterward. Their growth can be divided into six stages: newborn, transitional, socialization, juvenile, adolescent, and adult.
Genes play a vital role in determining a German Shepherd's physical structure and size. Purebred German Shepherds tend to grow faster than mixed breeds due to predictable growth patterns.
If you have a female German Shepherd, there's a good chance her size will be the same as her mother's. On the other hand, if you have a male German Shepherd, his size is likely to be the same as his father's.
Here are the different stages of German Shepherd growth:
- Neonatal stage (0-2 weeks)
- Transitional stage (3-4 weeks)
- Socialization period (5-12 weeks)
- Juvenile stage (3-6 months)
- Adolescent stage (6-24 months)
During the adolescent stage, you can expect the fastest growth of your German Shepherd. Their breed-specific characteristics will develop, and physical growth will reach its maximum before slowing down.
Female German Shepherds reach full adult size earlier than their male counterparts, usually between 18 to 20 months old.
Sources
- https://www.germanshepherddog.com/about/german-shepherd-dogs/breed-standards/
- https://germanshepherdshop.com/blogs/list/the-development-stages-and-growth-chart-of-german-shepherds
- https://post.bark.co/breeds/how-big-do-german-shepherds-get/
- https://www.geliebteshepherds.com/size-of-a-shepherd
- https://gsdcolony.com/blogs/news/when-does-german-shepherd-stop-growing
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