Different size dog breeds tend to grow at different rates, so if your puppy is a toy breed, such as a Toy Poodle, you may find that they are not too far from their adult size at six months old.
In contrast, if you have a giant dog breed such as a Great Dane, they will carry on growing for much longer, potentially up until the age of two years. Medium dog breeds and large breeds will fall somewhere between these two timelines and reach their adult height somewhere between nine and 18 months although may still fill out a little more. When dogs stop growing is a question asked by many, and there are no one-size-fits-all answers, but this article will walk you through what to expect with your pup!
Your dog’s skeletal growth is what determines how tall it will become as an adult. The long bones in a puppy’s leg grow from distinct places, which are called growth plates.
The growth plates are somewhat flexible and soft during puppyhood when new tissue is being formed. As the puppy grows, the new tissue hardens into bone. When the growth plates have stopped producing new tissue, they are said to have ‘closed’, which means that they have stopped growing and the bone has reached its final size.
When do dogs stop growing?
Your dog should stop growing when they reach maturity, which occurs between six and 24 months of age, depending on breed size.
Small and medium dog breeds
Small dog breeds typically start to grow rapidly, in fact, toy-breed puppies finish growing at around half the age of larger puppy breeds. Small breed puppies tend to stop growing between six and 12 months.
Medium-breed puppies might take just a bit longer to grow, reaching their adult size at around 12 months.
Large to giant breed pups usually stop growing between 12 and 24 months but can still fill out a little more after this time.
What to consider when your dog is growing?
There are a few things to consider apart from when dogs stop growing, especially if you have a fast-growing small breed. The important thing to remember is that they are an adolescent for less time, which means teaching all the life skills they will need as an adult needs to be done early.
Also, make sure your four-legged friend is socialised well with other dogs new people and unexpected or novel experiences so they are happy and confident going out and about with you.
Remember to make sure that your puppy's vaccinations are all completed before getting out and about with them (unless you can carry them – which is great for letting them see, hear and experience the great outdoors in those early weeks before you can put them on the ground.
If you have a breed that is a slow-growing breed, this means that they will be a bit more hands-on for a little longer. If you are wanting to get a larger breed, you need to be prepared and patient, as it might take up to 24 months for them to be mature. Many people will be surprised how a giant dog can still be and behave like a puppy, despite being a considerable size!
How to exercise a growing puppy safely
Puppies are little balls of energy, regardless of what size breed they are. They all need to be exercised and stay healthy, but too much exercise isn’t good for your puppies.
Excessive or prolonged activity can be detrimental to bones and joint development. This is why we don’t recommend jumping, running on roads or jogging with a dog less than 14 to 18 months of age. This is especially crucial in large and giant breeds until the growth plates have fully fused.
Instead, walk in shorter bursts ideally on softer surfaces like grass or sand until your dog has finished growing to ensure they don’t encounter any issues during their growth period. If you are going for longer walks, make sure your puppy has lots of opportunities to stop, sniff, and rest, rather than walking for a long time at a constant forced pace.
With large or giant breeds, be particularly careful about them jumping down from furniture, out of the car etc and help them/take some of their weight until they are fully grown and mature.
Always make sure you follow the guidelines on the puppy food when feeding your furry friend so that your furry friend doesn’t become overweight, which can load unnecessary weight onto their growing bones.
Obesity in puppies can lead to a future of orthopaedic issues later in life, such as hip dysplasia and arthritis. Ways to ensure that your pup is neither under nor overweight is to regularly check their body to make sure of the following:
- Ribs are not visible but can still be felt
- There is an abdominal tuck
- A waist is defined and visible
Having a new dog can be both a stressful and exciting time for owners and pup. Whether they grow fast or slow, all pups need to be kept healthy and exercised in a safe way. Several factors can influence the length of time during which your pup will continue to grow.
If you want to read up more about the growth stages of a puppy, then read our article, when do puppies open their eyes, next.
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