German Shepherd Growth Stages – Monthly Size & Weight With Pictures

The German Shepherd dog’s journey to adulthood is filled with lots of cuddles, love, chewing, biting, scratching and licking. Though they typically only average nine to thirteen years, those years can be very memorable and special to dog and owner. Along the way, there are several German Shepherd growth stages that they will encounter including several fun and exciting breakthroughs. They will go through many different levels of development stacking up in inches and packing on the pounds.

German Shepherd Growth Stages:

This article will cover in detail, all of the month-to-month growth stages including their size from 1 month old to 3-year-old. It will also include important milestones along the way.

Month 1: (Puppy Growth Stage)

At 1 month old, a GSD is just getting its bearings. This is the puppy portion of the German Shepherd growth stages and these cute little fur balls are beginning their journey into the new world. They are independent, spry and ready to explore! They are starting to grow but stand no taller than half a foot.

Cuteness Factor: Through the roof!

Height:

Male: 4 – 6 in (11 – 16 cm)

Female: 3 – 6 in (8 – 14 cm)

Weight:

Male: 5.5 – 9 lbs (2.5 – 4 kg)

Female: 4.5 – 8 lbs (2 – 3.5 kg)

Milestones: Ears and eyes open. They stand up for the first time. They start exploring independently and playing. Bowel movements are partially controlled. Light barking and growling begin. Puppy teeth should be filling in.

Food: From newborn to 1 month old, a GSD will be relying on its mother’s milk for nutrients. This is a good time to introduce them to some kibble. They may or may not be interested.

Month 2: (Socialization Growth Stage)

Once the fuzz balls reach month 2, they start socializing more with other animals and people. This is also the time that their little chompers should be complete. They have grown up a little but still remain under a foot tall.

Cuteness Factor: Just look at my ears!

Height:

Male: 7 – 9 in (17 – 22 cm)

Female: 6 – 9 in (14 – 22 cm)

Weight:

Male: 16 – 20 lbs (6 – 9 kg)

Female: 11 – 17 lbs (5 – 7.5 kg)

Milestones: Teeth should be grown in and ready for the next teething stage. They start to bond with animals and people. Their mental development starts to speed up. Fear reaction begins. They are typically ready to find their forever home.

Food: Weaning should be wrapping up at this age. They should transition to a diet of puppy kibble. One and a half cups total three times a day is recommended but stick to a solid schedule.

Vaccines: Puppy should have distemper and parvovirus by this time.

Month 3: (Juvenile Growth Stage)

This is the juvenile section of the German Shepherd growth stages. Teething will be in full force at month 3 and their adult canines and incisors will start to push through. Those cute little fluffy ears may start to go up and down. They will start to lose their puppy coat and you may notice a racing stripe on the spine where the adult hair is starting to grow in. At this point they have almost made it to the height of a standard ruler.

Cuteness Factor: Equal to 1000 fluffy pillows!

Height:

Male: 9 – 11 in (23 – 27 cm)

Female: 8 – 10 in (20 – 25 cm)

Weight:

Male: 22 – 30 lbs (10 – 14 kg)

Female: 17 – 26 lbs (8 – 12 kg)

Milestones: Ears begin to stand up. Teething stage begins and continues for several months. Lots of biting and chewing ensures. Potty training and socialization should be consistent. Puppy fuzz begins to be replaced with adult double coat of fur.

Food: Two cups of puppy kibble total three times a day is recommended.

Vaccines: DHPP which includes distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus are recommended.

Month 4:

At this point GSDs will be very playful and getting into some trouble. They have left puppy hood and become adolescents. Multiple skills will be developing as they learn, socialize and train. By now they should have reached the one-foot mark and should be 50% of their adult weight.

Cuteness Factor: Let’s just say they can get whatever they want!

Height:

Male: 11 – 14 in (29 – 35 cm)

Female: 10 – 12 in (26 – 31 cm)

Weight:

Male: 35 – 40 lbs (16 – 18 kg)

Female: 31 – 35 lbs (14 – 16 kg)

Milestones: Ears continue to perk up. Teething continues as adult teeth come in. They continue to play and explore everything around them. Training continues as they constantly learn.

Food: Puppy should continue to eat two cups of kibble total three times per day.

Vaccines: DHPP and rabies are recommended.

Month 5:

At 5 months of age, they are still growing fast and should have gained close to 10 pounds. They are still in the juvenile stage and have plenty of energy to go around. They are looking much more like an adult but still have that puppy spirit. Ears may have perked up at this point.

Cuteness Factor: Cute as pumpkin pie!

Height:

Male: 14 – 16 in (35 – 40 cm)

Female: 12 – 14 in (31 – 36 cm)

Weight:

Male: 40 – 49 lbs (18 – 22 kg)

Female: 35 – 44 lbs (16 – 20 kg)

Milestones: Ears may be standing up. Adult features are filling out. They are at least half of their adult size. They are still teething. Sexual maturity begins to emerge.

Food: Juvenile should still be eating around two cups total three times a day.

Month 6: (Adolescent Growth Stage)

At 6 months old, they are making their way into the adolescent part of the German Shepherd growth stages. Now they are on par with a teenager and may do a little “talking back” if you know what I mean. They will be starting to get into their sexual maturity stage which will last until they are around two years old. Hormones will kick in and males will begin to mark their territory and look for females to mate with. Females may go into heat for the first time. Their adult coat should be completely grown in but it could take a bit longer.

Cuteness Factor: Equivalent to a teddy bear!

Height:

Male: 16 – 18 in (41 – 46 cm)

Female: 15 – 17 in (37 – 42 cm)

Weight:

Male: 49 – 57 lbs (22 – 26 kg)

Female: 44 – 49 lbs (20 – 22 kg)

Milestones: Ears should be standing up. Adult features are more filled out. They are sexually active and will begin marking their territory and roaming for mates. Teething should be close to finished and all 42 of their adult teeth should be almost grown. Full adult double coat of fur should be present.

Food: Adolescent should be eating around two to three cups total two times a day.

Month 7:

At 7 months old, a German Shepherd should be well developed cognitively. Their sexual maturity continues, and your leg may just become their next mate. Some aggression may be present as their hormones go up and down. Their weight gain begins to slow down for the first time only adding around 5 pounds from the previous month.

Cuteness Factor: Don’t look into their eyes!

Height:

Male: 19 – 20 in (47 – 52 cm)

Female: 17 – 19 in (43 – 48 cm)

Weight:

Male: 57 – 62 lbs (26 – 28 kg)

Female: 49 – 53 lbs (22 – 24 kg)

Milestones: Ears should be standing up if they weren’t at six months. They are looking much more like an adult dog. Aggression and sexual maturity continue. Teething should be close to finished.

Food: Adolescent should be eating two to three cups total two times a day.

Month 8:

At 8 months old, GSDs aren’t cute little fluffy puppies anymore, but their heart is still huge. They are still maturing and could still be aggressive and bark or lunge at other dogs, kids or people. This behavior must be reined in with the proper training. Teaching them new tricks is a great way to curb their aggression.

Cuteness Factor: Still able to melt your heart!

Height:

Male: 20 – 22 in (51 – 56 cm)

Female: 18 – 20 in (45 – 50 cm)

Weight:

Male: 62 – 66 lbs (28 – 30 kg)

Female: 53 – 57 lbs (24 – 26 kg)

Milestones: Ears should be well formed and perky. They continue to transition into adulthood. They are still maturing, and aggressive behavior may be present. Teething should be finished, and all of their adult teeth should be grown.

Food: Adolescent should be eating two to three cups total two times a day.

Month 9:

At 9 months old, German Shepherds have reached most of their milestones. They should be sporting a full set of 42 adult chompers and some nice big perky ears. They are still maturing sexually and could be exhibiting aggressive behaviors, but training should be in full force. They are almost full grown at 90% of their total adult weight.

Cuteness Factor: Not puppy cute but still irresistible!

Height:

Male: 21 – 23 in (54 – 59 cm)

Female: 19 – 21 in (48 – 53 cm)

Weight:

Male: 64 – 71 lbs (29 – 32 kg)

Female: 55 – 60 lbs (25 – 27 kg)

Milestones: They are still growing but only gaining a few pounds a month now.

Food: Adolescent should be eating two to three cups total two times a day.

Month 10:

By 10 months of age, GSDs are still trucking along in the adolescent stage. They will still be acting like teenagers and may be getting into some trouble. Although clever and smart they will sometimes act clumsy and goofy. They are still learning and should be in training. They are at 92% of their total weight.

Cuteness Factor: Cute and nutty like peanut butter!

Height:

Male: 22 – 24 in (55 – 60 cm)

Female: 19 – 21 in (48 – 53 cm)

Weight:

Male: 66 – 73 lbs (30 – 33 kg)

Female: 57 – 62 lbs (26 – 28 kg)

Milestones: They are still growing but slowly.

Food: Adolescent should be eating two to three cups total two times a day.

Month 11:

Moving into month 11, German Shepherds are becoming more and more adult but may be stubborn. They may start to challenge their owner with respect to leadership. They need to know that you are in charge and that they must respect your commands. Training and reinforcement is crucial during this time period. Their growth has slowed but they are 95% of their total adult weight.

Cuteness Factor: Cute enough to get out of trouble!

Height:

Male: 22 – 24 in (57 – 62 cm)

Female: 20 – 22 in (51 – 56 cm)

Weight:

Male: 66 – 75 lbs (30 – 34 kg)

Female: 60 – 64 lbs (27 – 29 kg)

Milestones: They are still growing slowly.

Food: Adolescent should be eating two to three cups total two times a day.

Month 12:

1 year old German Shepherds are moving out of the puppy phase of the German Shepherd growth stages and into adulthood. By now they have most likely formed a strong bond with their owner. They may still misbehave occasionally but proper training should be paying off. Don’t get mad or upset if they are a little destructive.

Cuteness Factor: Big “Fluffopotamus!”

Height:

Male: 22 – 24 in (57 – 62 cm)

Female: 20 – 22 in (51 – 56 cm)

Weight:

Male: 71 – 75 lbs (32 – 34 kg)

Female: 60 – 64 lbs (27 – 29 kg)

Milestones: They are still growing but slowly.

Food: Adolescent should transition to adult food and be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day.

Vaccines: DHPP, rabies are recommended.

Year 1.5:

By 1.5 years old, GSDs are halfway to adulthood and should have a much better attention span and able to receive more advanced obedience training. They are getting closer to sexual maturity. They are approaching their total adult weight with only 2% left to gain.

Cuteness Factor: Furry and plushness overload!

Height:

Male: 23 – 25 in (59 – 64 cm)

Female: 21 – 22 in (53 – 55 cm)

Weight:

Male: 71 – 79 lbs (32 – 36 kg)

Female: 60 – 66 lbs (27 – 30 kg)

Milestones: They are still growing but slowly.

Food: Adolescent should be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day.

Year 2:

At 2 years old, they should be well along in their journey to adulthood. With the proper training and socialization, they should be transforming into the alert, confident, courageous, loving and loyal German Shepherd companion that makes them so popular among dog owners. They are pretty much full grown at this point with only a few more pounds to pack onto their athletic frame.

Cuteness Factor: Perfectly precious!

Height: Male: 23 – 25 in (59 – 64 cm)

Female: 21 – 22 in (53 – 57 cm)

Weight:

Male: 71 – 84 lbs (32 – 38 kg)

Female: 62 – 66 lbs (28 – 30 kg)

Milestones: They are still growing but almost full grown.

Food: Adolescent should be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day.

Vaccines: DHPP is recommended.

Year 3: (Adult Growth Stage)

Your German Shepherd is finally an adult with all of the beautiful characteristics and traits that people admire. They have reached physical and sexual maturity and are ready to brave the new world. Consistent training should have payed off. They should be calm and well disciplined. Their height and weight are at 100%.

Cuteness Factor: Not puppy cute but still irresistible!

Height:

Male: 24 – 26 in (60 – 65 cm)

Female: 22 – 24 in (55 – 60 cm)

Weight:

Male: 79 – 88 lbs (36 – 40 kg)

Female: 66 – 70 lbs (28 – 32 kg)

Milestones: They are done growing. They have matured physically and sexually.

Food: Full grown adult should be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day.

Vaccines: Rabies is recommended and can be required by law depending on your state.

How Big Does A German Shepherd Get?

A full grown adult German Shepherd will stand approximately 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 70 and 88 pounds on average. However, some German Shepherds will get bigger even getting over a 100 pounds. Hopefully your GSD is in the correct range. Keep an eye out for any deficiencies during their growth. If their weight isn’t meeting the standards, contact your local veterinarian for an evaluation.

In Closing:

The GSD is an amazing dog with easy trainability and a keen sense of its surroundings. These German Shepherd growth stages should help you determine all of the proper measurements to make sure they are right on track in their development. Each stage in their maturation is important. Remember to give them a high-quality healthy diet, plenty of exercise and sufficient training and socialization. These will all help lead to a stable and well-adjusted German Shepherd.

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Do you have any experience with a growing German Shepherd? Let us know! We would love to hear about your personal story!