• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

When do dogs stop growing? How big will your dog get?

Posted May 14, 2022

Photo illustration of a collection of dogs of different sizes. Wondering how big your dog will get? Start by analyzing its paws. If its paws appear too big for its body at 16 weeks, it will grow bigger.
Wondering how big your dog will get? Start by analyzing its paws. If its paws appear too big for its body at 16 weeks, it will grow bigger.

Knowing your dog’s size, growth, and lifespan is essential to provide it with the lifestyle it needs. Whether it’s about providing the proper nutrition or sufficient room to live, you ought to know about the body’s needs and development.

So, here in this post, we’ll share information about how you can determine how big your dog can get and when it will stop growing.

How big will your dog get?

Contents

  • How big will your dog get?
  • When does a dog stop growing?
    • Small dog breeds
    • Medium-sized breeds
    • Large-sized breeds
    • Giant-sized dogs
    • Mixed breed dogs
  • Care for your dog
  • Final thoughts on how big dogs get
    • Related Posts

The size of your dog depends on its breed. It will most likely grow up to be as big as an average-sized adult dog in its breed. Or their size will depend on the parents.

You can estimate the size of your dog as an adult by analyzing its paws. If its paws appear too big for its body at 16 weeks, it will grow bigger. But if they appear perfect for its body, it’s grown fully. Your dog has developed the right proportions for its adult body.

There’s an accurate way of calculating the size of your dog’s body. Use these formulae:

  • Toy Breeds (12 Pounds or less): Weight at six Weeks x 4 = Adult Weight
  • Small Breeds (12-25 Pounds): Weight at 8-week puppy development x 4 = Adult Weight
  • Medium Breeds (25-50 Pounds): Weight at fourteen weeks + half of the weight at fourteen weeks = Adult Weight
  • Large Breeds (50-100 Pounds): Weight at six months x 2 = Adult Weight
  • Giant Breeds (100+ Pounds): Weight at six months x 2 = Adult Weight

If your dog is a mixed breed, you might not be able to use this formula. 

In that case, we recommend prioritizing the parents’ size to predict your dog’s potential adult size.

When does a dog stop growing?

The second primary concern you likely have is when your dog will stop growing, i.e., what’s the age at which it turns into an adult?

There’s no definite rule for all dogs. Again, it depends on their breed.

Small dog breeds

Small dog breeds like Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles, and Miniature Pinchers stop growing after a year of birth. They reach their maximum size in 8-12 months and grow into an adult.

Medium-sized breeds

Medium-sized breeds like bulldogs and sheepdogs also reach their maximum adult size in eight-twelve months. But if their diet is not good enough, they might lag.

Large-sized breeds

Large-sized breeds grow fully by the time they are 16 months old. Some dogs may grow past 16 months, depending on their diet, lifestyle, and breed.

Giant-sized dogs

Similar to large-sized dogs, giant-sized dogs also grow to their full by the time they are 16-18 months old. Some dogs may take 20 months or so.

Mixed breed dogs

You can predict the time for mixed breed dogs by taking an average of their parents’ breeds’ average full-growth timespan. If your hybrid pup doesn’t come from pure breeds, consider the actual lifetime of the puppies’ parents or grandparents.

Care for your dog

Your dog’s size and full-growth timespan greatly depend on how you care for your fur pal. Here’s a checklist for ensuring the best care for your dog:

  • Regular pet hair removal
  • Periodic grooming and nail trimming
  • Daily exercise
  • Proper nutrition and diet
  • Regular visits to the vet
  • Communication and relationship development

With these in check, your dog will reach its full growth at the right time and without significant complications. If you fail to meet its needs, its growth may get stunted or slowed, leading to disabilities, disorders, and diseases. For example, if you’re negligent about grooming or pet hair removal, your dog may develop skin diseases, hindering growth.

Final thoughts on how big dogs get

By now, we hope you have the answers you’ve been looking for. Just make sure you care for your fur buddy properly. If you’ve recently adopted it, give yourself time to educate yourself about its needs.

Set up a dedicated space. Invest in the things you’ll need, such as a food tray, water bowl, comfy cushion, hairbrush, shampoo, soap, grooming glove, emergency aid, etc. Doing so will keep you prepared, and you won’t find yourself making any compromises on your dog’s growth and lifestyle.

Arslan Hassan is an electrical engineer passionate about writing, designing, and anything tech-related. His educational background in the technical field has given him the edge to write on many topics.

 

 

Related Posts

  • Group of Australian Shepherd puppies. Mid-size dog breeds like Australian shepherds are as energetic as small dogs and as loving as big dogs. They vary in activity level, temperament, and trainability.
    7 most popular mid-size dog breeds

    Mid-size dog breeds are as energetic as small dogs and…

  • Dog breed size illustration from smallest - Chihuahua to largest - Great Dane
    Small, medium or large: Which size dog is right for you?

    When it comes to choosing, dog breed size matters. You'll…

  • Collage of big dog breeds. Image for Dog Breed Category page.
    Survey says: Big dog breeds more popular than small pups

    Popular big dog breeds include Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, German…

  • Small dogs vs big dogs: Who yaps, bites and loves more?

    Every dog owner is sure to have an opinion on…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Breeds, Puppies Tagged With: Big dogs, Small dogs

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

Pit bullService dogsWorking dogsSheddingTicksPawPuppy-proofWaterTwo dogsPomeranianVacation dog careThanksgivingtraining tipsValentine's DayPuppy kindergartenPoodlePandemicSmall dogsRescue dogOld dogsPet parentsSeparation anxietyPetfinder.comRottweilerOutdoor activitiesSocializationPotty trainingVeterinarianPet sitterYorkshire terrier

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Dog bite accident: What compensation are you entitled to?
    Dogs can cause serious injuries. Protect yourself and your wallet by understanding dog bite compensation laws. […]
  • What is canine pyometra? Understand causes, symptoms, treatment
    Canine pyometra is a serious uterine infection that affects around one in four unspayed female dogs. Spaying provides the best protection. […]
  • Can dogs eat potatoes? Are starchy vegetables safe for dogs?
    Can dogs eat potatoes? Keep your dog healthy by occasionally adding potatoes to its diet. Before changing your dog's diet, consult your vet. […]
  • Does my dog have Addison’s Disease? Understand symptoms, treatment
    Early detection and treatment are essential for canine Addison's Disease. With quick action, most dogs will make a full recovery. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.