At What Age Do German Shepherds Stop Growing

German Shepherds are medium to large-sized dog breeds. These dogs are very intelligent, playful, and loyal to their owners. They have originated from Germany and are very popular because of their alertness and courageous nature. The average life of German Shepherds is 9 to 13 years.

German Shepherds are amongst the fast-growing dog breeds. They grow until the age of 18 months. It is said that between the ages of 2 to 3 years, their growth completely stops. Until 3 years they are not fully matured. Once they turn a year old, their growth slightly tends to slow down. After 3 years the owner needs to focus on the maintenance of the weight and health of their dog.

In this article, we will focus on the growth of a German Shepherd and the tips to maintain their good health.

German Shepherds at a glance

Talking about the height of German Shepherds, they can grow in the range of 60-65 cm in males and 55-60 cm in females. Similarly, males weigh 30-40 kgs whereas females weigh 22-32 kgs respectively. It is to be noted that the growth of the weight and height of a German Shepherd normally takes place up to 18 months only. They gradually stop growing after that and finally their growth is completely stopped after 3 years. After this, all the German Shepherds need is proper maintenance of their bodies.

German Shepherds are known as working dogs. They are highly trainable and bred to do a lot of missions in the armed forces. They are trained for missions, such as search and rescue, disability assistance, etc. German Shepherds are very active and energetic dogs. Once their growth is stopped, they need proper maintenance of their weight and body structure. For this, you have to take several measures to maintain the health of your dog and keep him healthy and happy.

The following are some of the measures that can be taken to help German Shepherds in growing properly and keeping them healthy.

Taking care of German Shepherd during its growth

It has been seen that dogs grow very steadily. Fast-growing dogs require a lot of care and attention. Feeding is very important at this age. You can feed him with various dog foods available in the market according to the age. You can also give multivitamins and calcium supplements to overcome any calcium and vitamin deficiency during the growth process.

As German Shepherds have a dense coat, they require proper grooming regularly. But if a German Shepherd parent is taking a few tips into consideration, it would be handy for both of them. One should take care of his fitness regularly. Although they are high maintenance dogs it can be fun growing together.

Proper diet and vaccinations

German Shepherds are a fast-growing breed hence need to be served a nutritious diet in the initial months. It is very important to give good quality dog food to your German Shepherd which is prescribed by the vet. The diet which you are giving them should be full of nutrition and vitamins. You can also serve your dog with a lot of vegetables and fruits that are a rich source of vitamins and proteins.

Along with diet, their vaccinations are also important so be sure that you are getting his vaccinations done on time. Take them to the veterinarian once in 6 months for an overall diagnosis, so even if any disease is developed, it can be cured immediately.

Providing supplements for growth

 As German Shepherds are a fast-growing breed it is very important to give them the right supplements which include the right amount of vitamins and protein. There are a lot of supplements present in the market but before giving any kind of supplement to your dog, you must consult the veterinarian or give them the one prescribed by him. As calcium and vitamins are also present in homemade food hence, include a lot of vegetables and fruits in their diet which are a rich source of nutrients for them.

Engaging German Shepherds in various exercises

German Shepherds are very active dogs. They are known for athletic nature. They require a lot of workouts to keep their muscles and bones healthy. If given proper routine walks and exercises German Shepherds can remain healthy for a longer period. As their growth generally stops by 18 months of the age they require a lot of physical exercises to keep themselves healthy and fit.

Taking out for a walk and making him run, jump, and engaging him in various activities can keep your German Shepherd healthier even after his growth stops.

Maintaining health after growth stops

After the growth of a German Shepherd fully stops, i.e. 3 years, it is highly required to maintain his growth. After 3 years, the body growth remains steady so there is a fear of overweighting or underweighting which is a cause of concern for the owner. Neither over nor underweighting of your dog is good. If the weight changes even after 3 years, your dog may suffer from problems, such as laziness, weakness, obesity, poor mobility, and bone deficiencies.

For maintaining the weight, you need to give a proper diet along with regular exercise to your German Shepherd to avoid health issues.

Wrap up

We have already mentioned above that German Shepherds stop growing at 18 months. They grow from the age of 0-18 months and then the growth gradually decreases and finally stops by the age of 3 years. After this age, they require proper care and maintenance of their health.

Although dogs love to groom themselves, as an owner you can help in maintaining their health properly. You can give a proper diet and regular exercise to avoid overweighting and underweighting of your dog. You can also give health supplements to overcome any kind of deficiencies in your dog and remain healthy.

You can follow the aforementioned steps to maintain your German Shepherd’s health and keep him healthy.