Key Takeaways:
- Growth phases: Dogs grow at different rates depending on their size and breed. Small breeds are often fully grown after 6-8 months, while large breeds can take up to 24 months.
- Nutrition: Proper feeding is crucial. Ensure a balanced diet and avoid both over- and under-feeding to prevent health problems.
- Growth monitoring: Regularly check your dog's weight and size to make sure they are growing healthily.
- Developmental phases: Each growth phase has specific requirements for training, socialisation, and physical activities that should be taken into account.
The Difference Between Size and Growth
There are four size or weight classes of dogs to distinguish:
- Small
- Medium
- Large
- Very large
There is a connection between the size of the breed and its growth pattern. Small dog breeds are born significantly heavier relative to their final weight than large breeds. While small dogs increase their weight by about twenty-five times during the growth phase, large dogs can increase theirs by up to one hundred times.
The growth period also varies with size. For small dogs, it is about ten months; for very large dogs, it can be two years. A dog's final size is genetically determined. This means you cannot influence your dog's final size by overfeeding. You can speed up the growth rate, but not the end result. Moreover, it is not healthy for your dog. As a dog owner, you should make sure your dog grows at a healthy pace. Healthy growth is relatively slow growth.
How Long Does a Dog Grow?
The growth phase of a dog is fascinating and an important aspect of its development. The duration of growth can vary depending on the breed, size, and health of the dog.
- Small breeds: Dogs of small breeds such as Chihuahuas or Yorkshire Terriers generally grow faster and are often fully grown by 6-8 months.
- Medium breeds: Dogs of medium breeds such as Beagles or Cocker Spaniels typically need up to 12 months to be fully grown.
- Large breeds: Large breeds such as Labrador Retrievers or German Shepherds can take up to 18 months or longer to reach their full size.
- Giant breeds: Giant breeds such as Great Danes or Saint Bernards can take up to 24 months or longer to finish growing.
A dog is considered a puppy from birth until it reaches sexual maturity, which can vary depending on the breed and size of the dog. This life phase is particularly important for your dog's development and learning. Although most dogs reach their maximum size at 1-2 years of age, their body proportions and muscle mass can continue to change up to the age of 3 years. For large breeds, this process can take even longer.
How Does Body Weight Develop?
Since dogs generally have a growth period of about one year, special attention must be paid to rearing and feeding.
The fastest weight gain occurs between the third and sixth month of life. During this time, your dog's body is under the most strain. Careful nutrition and care are particularly important during this period. The development of body weight can be roughly measured as follows: For small breeds, about 70% of the final weight or size is reached after six months; for very large breeds, slightly less. This is usually a good way to tell whether your pet's growth is progressing well.
The Growth Phases
The growth phases are the same for all dog breeds. Every puppy goes through the following seven developmental phases after birth:
Weeks 1 to 2: The Neonatal Phase
While the sense of smell is already well developed, the eyes and external ear canals are still closed during the first two weeks after birth. Despite this, the puppies can find the teats without any problems.
The warmth of the mother and their sense of smell help them do so. The puppy sleeps almost all day long and drinks mother's milk. It cannot yet regulate its own body temperature and must therefore always be kept warm.
Week 3: The Transitional Phase
The eyes and ears are no longer closed, so your puppy can see and hear. It begins to move around and become aware of its surroundings. It also becomes aware of its siblings. It starts teething.
Weeks 4 to 7: The Imprinting Phase
Your puppy becomes increasingly curious. It takes more and more interest in its surroundings. During this phase, you can already recognise its later temperament. You should not leave your puppy alone, as contact with people and littermates is very important.
Weeks 8 to 12: The Socialisation Phase
This phase shapes your dog's later social behaviour. It is important that your puppy gets to know its environment well without being overwhelmed. Dealing with the unfamiliar is an important part of its development. Your puppy's self-confidence is an important foundation for the later harmony between you and your pet.
Months 3 to 6: The Ranking and Pack Order Phase
Your four-legged friend now needs to fit into your "pack." You need to show them boundaries. Only through clear and understandable rules can your dog recognise the hierarchy and find their place. You should be loving and consistent with your new family member.
Months 7 to 12: The Puberty Phase
Dogs also go through a "rebellious phase." During this phase, a female dog will come into heat for the first time and a male dog will feel the urge to mate.
Your dog will try to test their limits. You will feel as though they have forgotten what they've learned. During this phase, your patience is key. It is important that you are caring but consistent with your pet.
Months 12 to 30: The Maturation Phase
The final phase is the transition from puppy to adult dog. Growth is now complete, but remember that your dog never stops learning.
This phase is particularly important for building a close bond to strengthen the trust between you. Make sure to engage and challenge your dog sufficiently, both physically and mentally.
Nutrition Is Everything
Your pet's medical care comes first. This begins with the first vaccinations and is your responsibility. Your trusted vet can advise you best.
Nutrition is the key to an optimal growth phase. For your puppy to develop well, you need to consider specific nutritional needs. Naturally, the mother's instinct ensures that the puppies receive the right amount of food. The composition is also optimised by the mother. Unfortunately, due to the early weaning of puppies, the responsibility falls first on the breeder and then on you.
Three Points to Keep in Mind When Feeding
1. Weigh the Right Amount of Food!
Although recommended feeding amounts are listed on food packaging, the right amount can vary from dog to dog. You should weigh the food before feeding. This is the only way to avoid overfeeding. Keep in mind that it is better to feed a little less.
This helps avoid growth that is too rapid. If you want to give your puppy treats in addition to their regular food ration, you must factor these into the daily food allowance. If your puppy belongs to a large or very large breed, you can use the growth curve for that breed as a guide. This helps you better control the daily weight gain.
2. Avoid Over- and Under-Supplementation!
If you feed your puppy commercial food, you should buy special puppy food. This already has the right balance of nutrients. Additional supplements are not necessary. The calcium requirement is already present in the correct ratio.
If you prefer a raw food diet (BARF), you should consult a specialist about the ingredients. Also ask about the portion size per month. During the growth phase, it is important to avoid both over- and under-supplementation. Two mistakes in particular are commonly made during the growth phase:
- Overfeeding
- Excessive calcium intake
Growth that is too rapid between the third and sixth month of life leads to growth-related skeletal diseases. Since the circulatory system and muscles cannot keep pace with skeletal development, an imbalance occurs. In the following two to four months, the first secondary damage appears. This can include, for example, misalignment of the front legs, lameness, or joint restrictions.
3. Pay Attention to the Right Calcium Levels!
Excessive calcium intake leads to disturbances in bone and cartilage remodelling, meaning bones and cartilage become thickened. The under-supply of the thickened tissue leads to detachment of cartilage fragments, known as osteochondrosis.
The body regulates calcium absorption through vitamin D. However, this only happens after the fifth month of life. A high intake of calcium (e.g. Bone meal) before this time leads to unlimited absorption.
During the growth phase, both nutrition and exercise directly influence development. Through optimal movement and age-appropriate physical activity, joints and muscles are properly developed.
Make sure to choose the right activities for each developmental phase. Walks and games should be adapted to the respective phase. Your puppy usually cannot rest on its own because it overestimates its endurance. You need to ensure rest breaks. Your puppy should learn early enough to climb stairs under supervision. This is especially important if you live in a flat with multiple floors. For many puppies, climbing stairs is initially a challenge and comes with a lot of fear. Do not force your puppy. Encourage them with a treat or loving words.
Make sure they do not jump up or down several steps at once. You should also ensure that they do not have to climb too many stairs during their developmental phase. In addition, the stairs should be non-slip.
The Fully Grown Dog
The best way to monitor your dog's growth is to measure and weigh them weekly. Once their size no longer changes much, growth will gradually come to a stop. Depending on the breed size, you can expect this from around the tenth month.
Body weight remains important for the fully grown dog as well. Until the age of 18 months, your dog's weight should always be at the lower end of the range. Once fully grown, they must not become overweight either. You can best tell by the ribs. If you can feel them easily, there is no excess weight. Pay attention to a stable weight and continue to weigh your dog regularly into adulthood.
How Big Will My Dog Get?
When you bring a puppy home, one of the questions you will probably ask yourself most often is: "How big will my dog get?" Determining a dog's final size can be challenging, especially with mixed breeds, but there are some indicators that can give you an idea.
Breed as the Main Indicator
Breed is the clearest indicator of a dog's expected size. Purebred dogs generally have a fairly uniform size that is established by breeders and in breed standards.
- Small breeds like Chihuahuas or Dachshunds often weigh no more than 5-10 kg (11-22 lbs).
- Medium breeds like Beagles or Border Collies typically weigh between 10 and 25 kg (22-55 lbs).
- Large breeds like Labrador Retrievers or German Shepherds can reach 25-40 kg (55-88 lbs).
- Giant breeds like Saint Bernards or Mastiffs can weigh over 40 kg (88 lbs), sometimes even 70 kg (154 lbs) and more.
Looking at the Parents
For purebred puppies, the size of the parents gives a good indication of future size. For mixed breeds, it can be more difficult, but if you have information about both parents, that can provide a helpful clue.
Paws, Ears, and Growth
- Paws: Large paws often indicate that the puppy will reach a considerable size.
- Ears: If the ears appear large in proportion to the head, this can also be a sign of future growth.
- Growth patterns: Dogs grow fastest in the first six months of life. Most dogs reach their full height at around 12 months, but they can continue growing up to 18-24 months or longer, especially for larger breeds.
DNA Test
If you have a mixed-breed dog and are curious about its potential size, a DNA test can be insightful. Such a test can provide information about the breeds in your dog's ancestry and an estimate of expected size.
Nutrition and Health
Although genetics have the greatest influence on your dog's size, nutrition and health can still affect final size. A balanced, growth-appropriate diet and regular veterinary check-ups help ensure that your dog can reach its genetic size potential.
While it's fun to speculate and make predictions about your puppy's future size, the most important thing is that they grow up healthy and happy.
Give them plenty of love, good nutrition, and the care they need, and enjoy every moment on their journey to adulthood.
Our Conclusion
The responsibility for a healthy dog's life ultimately lies with you. The growth phase determines your pet's entire later life. Therefore, pay attention to proper nutrition, engagement, and training from an early stage. This is the only way to raise a physically and mentally fit dog.
