Malakai The Great
Founding Member
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2025
- Messages
- 37
This is a question I hear all the time from new shepherd owners. When will my dog finally stop getting bigger?
The truth is, German Shepherd growth isn’t just about height. They grow in stages, and filling out can take much longer than people expect. Here’s a quick breakdown from what I’ve seen over the years:
0–6 months → Fastest growth phase. You’ll see them shoot up like weeds. Paws and ears usually look way too big for their body.
6–12 months → They’ll keep gaining height and length, but you may notice them looking lanky or awkward. This is the “teenager” stage. They have lots of energy and not much coordination.
12–18 months → Most shepherds hit close to their adult height by this point, though they still have plenty of filling out to do. Muscles, chest, and overall bulk start to catch up.
18–24 months → They’ll really begin to look more mature. Some lines, especially working lines, will finish earlier, while larger show lines may still be maturing.
2–3 years → By now they’re usually at full size, but some shepherds continue to bulk up until age 3. You’ll notice the head, shoulders, and chest filling in, giving that strong, mature look.
The bottom line: Most shepherds reach their full height around 12–18 months, but they don’t truly finish growing until 2–3 years old.
If you’ve raised a shepherd pup, how long did it take yours to fully mature? And did they go through that awkward lanky stage where the ears looked like satellite dishes?
The truth is, German Shepherd growth isn’t just about height. They grow in stages, and filling out can take much longer than people expect. Here’s a quick breakdown from what I’ve seen over the years:
0–6 months → Fastest growth phase. You’ll see them shoot up like weeds. Paws and ears usually look way too big for their body.
6–12 months → They’ll keep gaining height and length, but you may notice them looking lanky or awkward. This is the “teenager” stage. They have lots of energy and not much coordination.
12–18 months → Most shepherds hit close to their adult height by this point, though they still have plenty of filling out to do. Muscles, chest, and overall bulk start to catch up.
18–24 months → They’ll really begin to look more mature. Some lines, especially working lines, will finish earlier, while larger show lines may still be maturing.
2–3 years → By now they’re usually at full size, but some shepherds continue to bulk up until age 3. You’ll notice the head, shoulders, and chest filling in, giving that strong, mature look.
The bottom line: Most shepherds reach their full height around 12–18 months, but they don’t truly finish growing until 2–3 years old.
If you’ve raised a shepherd pup, how long did it take yours to fully mature? And did they go through that awkward lanky stage where the ears looked like satellite dishes?