Knowing when your puppy is going to finish growing is helpful so that you can plan ahead. Buying them all the dog supplies they are going to need in the coming months in the right sizes will prepare your dog for adulthood. Think about getting them the proper-sized collars, crate, and anything else you might need specific to your lifestyle or environment.
A Quick Answer
Though many variables contribute to when a dog stops growing, here is a basic answer. If your dog is a small breed, it may stop growing at around 6 to 8 months old. Dogs of a medium-size stop growing around 1 year old and large-breed canines stop around 12-18 months.
Variables That Influence the Outcome
In general, dogs stop growing between months 6 and 18, but there are a few factors that can influence the length of time.
The Size of the Dog
Smaller dogs stop growing before larger dogs do. Perhaps this is simply because larger dogs have a lot more growing to do, in proportion to smaller dogs.
Genetics
No one can deny the pure strength of genetics in the situation. A dog’s genetic makeup helps determine how long he will grow, what his build will look like, and how big he will get.
Though some traits such as size are passed down from the parent, a puppy might also randomly be of a different size.
Nutrition
The food you are giving your pup also has a big influence. When a puppy is fed an inadequate diet, he could become malnourished. Growing dogs must get all of the protein, vitamins and minerals that they need to flourish.
Puppy foods that have a high protein content are ideal. Large breed puppies should have food that is specifically recommended by your vet for them. Any steps that can be taken now to stop potential orthopedic problems down the road should be followed.
Does Spaying or Neutering Affect a Dog’s Growth?
There are many myths surrounding spaying and neutering. The question of whether it will stop a dog from growing as large is one of these.
Whether you choose to spay and neuter your dog is a decision you should weigh carefully. However, know that research data has shown that spaying and neutering have not shown to have any effect on how large a dog grows.
How Can I Tell How Big My Puppy Will Get?
The first way for you to get an idea is to look at adult-age pictures of your dog’s breed. If your dog is a mixed breed, it may be a bit more difficult to estimate this way.
One familiar way to tell how big your puppy might get is to look at the size of his paws. If they seem a bit large in relationship to the rest of his body, you can bet that his body is going to catch up to them one day.
If you are really curious, a dog DNA test may be just what you need.
