German Shepherd Weight and Growth Chart: Male, Female and Puppy Growing Patterns

The German Shepherd is a medium to large dog at maturity. According to the American Kennel Club, they grow to 22 to 26 inches in height and 50 to 90 pounds in weight. The healthy range varies depending on the dog’s age and gender.

Is your German Shepherd puppy growing correctly?

It is essential to track the growth of your puppy. A discrepancy in growing patterns is a potential cause for concern. You should consult with your veterinarian if your German Shepherd puppy appears to be developing too slow or fast or if you have worries about your German Shepherd’s weight and height.

Puppy German Shepherd Growing Patterns

The best way to evaluate growth in a puppy is by tracking height and weight every month. Healthy puppies usually fall within statistical averages. Growing a month ahead or behind is not cause for concern. You should worry if your dog’s growth gaps by two months or more. If that is the case with your GSD pup, speak with your veterinarian about what average German Shepherd weight your individual puppy should aim for.

Nutritional deficits in German Shepherds should be one of the first factors to consider.

Is your German Shepherd puppy getting enough calories each day? Without the proper dietary intake, German Shepherds will quickly become underweight. This breed is moderately muscular and also needs a fair amount of protein each day. See if a diet change can help if your German Shepherd is falling behind.

A monthly wellness exam is optimal during the first year of your dog’s life. Your vet can detect and react to growth issues before things get worse. At a minimum, aim to bring your puppy for a check-up at 6 and 12 months. Because German Shepherds are large breed dogs, monitoring German Shepherd growth is necessary.

New puppy parents must learn the potential health issues their GSD is prone to. Equally important is ensuring you can pay for veterinary care should your fur baby become seriously ill or injured. That’s why more pup parents are turning to pet insurance to help them pay for care.

Male Growth Chart from Puppy to Adult 

Average 12-month-old German Shepherds will be 22 to 24 inches tall and weigh 71 to 79 pounds. By maturity, males dogs will reach 24 to 26 inches tall and weigh 79 to 88 pounds, a healthy weight. Average fully grown female German Shepherds are approximately 10 percent shorter and up to 25 percent lighter than their male counterpart.

This weight chart shows what a healthy growing pattern looks like for a male German Shepherd:

Age (Months)	Height	Weight
1	4 to 6 inches	5.5 to 9 pounds / 2.5 to 4.1 kilograms
2	7 to 9 inches	16 to 20 pounds / 7.3 to 9.1 kilograms
3	9 to 11 inches	22 to 30 pounds / 10 to 13.6 kilograms
4	11 to 14 inches	35 to 40 pounds, 15.9 to 18.1 kilograms
5	14 to 16 inches	40 to 49 pounds, 18.1 to 22.2 kilograms
6	16 to 18 inches	49 to 57 pounds, 22.2 to 25.9 kilograms
7	19 to 20 inches	57 to 62 pounds, 25.9 to 28.1 kilograms
8	20 to 22 inches	62 to 66 pounds, 28.1 to 29.9 kilograms
9	21 to 23 inches	64 to 71 pounds, 29 to 32.2 kilograms
10	22 to 24 inches	66 to 73 pounds, 29.9 to 33.1 kilograms
11	22 to 24 inches	71 to 75 pounds, 32.2 to 34 kilograms
12	22 to 24 inches	71 to 79 pounds, 32.2 to 35.8 kilograms
18	23 to 25 inches	71 to 79 pounds, 32.2 to 35.8 kilograms
24	23 to 23 inches	71 to 84 pounds, 32.2 to 38.1 kilograms
36	24 to 26 inches	79 to 88 pounds, 35.8 to 39.9 kilograms

Female Growth Chart to Puppy to Adult

A female German Shepherd will be 20 to 22 inches tall and 60 to 64 pounds after 12 months. By maturity, a female full grown German Shepherd will reach 22 to 24 inches tall and weigh 66 to 70 pounds.

What if your German Shepherd breed gets pregnant?

A dog that gets pregnant can add 15 to 20 percent to its body weight within two months. A female puppy can get pregnant at six months of age. Breeding this young comes with many health risks and is something you should avoid during the female’s juvenile period.

Here is what a healthy growing pattern looks like for a female German Shepherd dog in this German Shepherd size chart…

 

Age (Months)	Height	Weight
1	3 to 6 inches	4.5 to 8 pounds / 2 to 3.6 kilograms
2	6 to 9 inches	11 to 17 pounds / 5 to 7.7 kilograms
3	8  to 10 inches	17 to 26 pounds / 7.7 to 11.8 kilograms
4	10 to 12 inches	31 to 35 pounds, 14.1 to 15.9 kilograms
5	12 to 14 inches	35 to 44 pounds, 15.9 to 20 kilograms
6	15 to 17 inches	44 to 49 pounds, 20 to 22.2 kilograms
7	17 to 19 inches	49 to 53 pounds, 22.2 to 24 kilograms
8	18 to 20 inches	53 to 57 pounds, 24 to 25.9 kilograms
9	19 to 21 inches	55 to 60 pounds, 24.9 to 27.2 kilograms
10	19 to 21 inches	57 to 62 pounds, 25.9 to 28.1 kilograms
11	20 to 22 inches	60 to 64 pounds, 27.2 to 29 kilograms
12	20 to 22 inches	60 to 64 pounds, 27.2 to 29 kilograms
18	21 to 22 inches	60 to 66 pounds, 27.2 to 29.9 kilograms
24	21 to 22 inches	60 to 66 pounds, 27.2 to 29.9 kilograms
36	22 to 24 inches	66 to 70 pounds, 29.9 to 31.8 kilograms

When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing? 

As the German Shepherd growth chart suggests, a German Shepherd dog reaches full size and adult weight after one year.

Most dog lovers consider their pet at “maturity” at 18 months. But, between 12 and 18 months, the German Shepherd’s growth might not change in size. A growth spurt can occur between 1.5 and 3 years of age. The result of this late growth is an up to 10 percent increase in height and weight. Although you can consider a German Shepherd fully grown by one year, there may be additional factors that influence the growth of German Shepherd dogs.

Is Your German Shepherd Healthy?

Improper development can occur for many reasons. It could be as simple as your dog responding poorly to their dog food. Your feeding schedule and portions might not be sufficient. Your dog could also have a basic nutritional deficiency that you need to correct.

Yet, being underweight or overweight can signify serious health problems.

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) 

A lack of digestive enzymes that results in digestive and metabolic issues. EPI interferes with your dog’s ability to process dietary fats. Weight loss can occur when the syndrome develops. Dogs typically show signs of EPI at between six months and six years of age.

Parasites

Dogs are highly susceptible to parasites. Deworming medication helps to reduce the risk. Yet, almost all puppies experience a parasitic infection at least once. It’s simple as your German Shepherd digging into the soil and ingesting a whipworm egg. Upon infection, your dog is at risk of serious weight loss and other troubling symptoms. Parasites will feed off of anything in your dog’s diet, and increasing food intake might not result in weight gain because of the nutrient-leaching worms.

Diabetes Mellitus 

Diabetes mellitus can affect any breed but has an above-average occurrence in German Shepherds. These dogs need insulin daily to accommodate for the inability to metabolize sugars. If your German has diabetes, severe weight loss can occur in a short period. Diabetes typically affects canines that are four years or older.

Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) 

HSA is a cancer of the vascular endothelium. It is the most common cancer in German Shepherds. Up to three percent will develop HSA. In most cases, this condition sets in at around nine to 12 years.

Dietary Deficiency

Do you have your German Shepherd on a raw food diet? Puppies often run underweight when receiving their nutritional requirements through raw meat. This diet is healthy and effective but needs monitoring, as not all dogs respond the same. Review the diet plan with a veterinarian and confirm there are no digestive or metabolic issues.

Also, do not forget the importance of exercise!

Clear Your Concerns with Coverage

You put your heart into loving your dog like a child, but some things are out of your control. Health struggles can affect canines as much as humans. Even purebreds from AKC-certified breeders are not safe from serious health struggles both early and late in life. You cannot “beat the system” because DNA controls the game.

All you can do is prepare yourself to overcome complications.

What if cancer happens? What else could happen?

Get yourself quality pet insurance to shut down the “what ifs.” Be ready for any medical issue or expense that comes your way. Peace of mind is great as a dog owner. You can relax knowing a vet bill will not make or break your pup’s future.

Is coverage the answer? Get pet insurance quotes and see for yourself.

Disclaimer

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.