Puppies grow up so quickly – a little too quickly, some of us may say! One minute they’re an adorable ball of fluff and the next they’re a full-size canine. But when do dogs stop growing and what kind of growth milestones should you expect a puppy to reach in their journey to becoming a fully-grown adult pooch?
In this article, we’ll answer questions including when will my dog stop growing and how quickly, while also providing a puppy development stages chart that covers a timeline of the various stages of puppy development, such as teething, weight gain and puppy puberty. Of course, things vary from breed to breed, so we’ll also discuss how puppy growth can differ between smaller and larger dogs. A great dane has a lot more growing to do than a chihuahua, after all!
Have you ever looked at your furry friend and thought, “Wait, did my dog just get bigger overnight?” If so, you’re not imagining things! As a dog parent myself, I’ve watched my pup go through surprising growth phases that had me questioning everything I thought I knew about canine development. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of dog growth spurts – especially those later ones that catch many pet parents by surprise.
Do Dogs Actually Have Growth Spurts?
Yes, dogs absolutely experience growth spurts! Unlike humans who grow gradually, dogs often remain a similar size during their early puppy days, then suddenly shoot up during adolescence through several rapid growth spurts
These growth spurts aren’t just about height and weight. Your dog is actually experiencing several different types of growth simultaneously:
- Physical body growth – For smaller breeds, this might be subtle, but larger dogs can seem to grow before your eyes!
- Dental development – Their permanent teeth are coming in, which explains all that chewing
- Coat changes – That soft puppy fur is being replaced by their adult coat (hello, excessive shedding!)
Normal Growth Timeline for Dogs
Before we talk about late growth spurts. let’s understand the typical growth pattern for dogs
| Growth Stage | Age Range | What’s Happening |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn | Birth | Blind, deaf, no teeth, needs warmth |
| Neonatal | Birth-2 weeks | Develops smell and touch, birth weight doubles |
| Transitional | 2-4 weeks | Eyes open, more independent, puppy teeth develop |
| Socialization | 4-12 weeks | Bonds form, weaning begins, solid food introduced |
| Fear Period | 8-12 weeks | Nervousness around new things, needs careful socialization |
| Adolescence | 6-18 months | Hormonal changes, rapid growth spurts |
Most smaller breeds typically finish growing by 6-8 months of age, while larger breeds continue growing for much longer – sometimes up to 24 months (2 years) according to the American Kennel Club.
Can Dogs Experience Late Growth Spurts?
This is the million-dollar question, and the answer is: YES, dogs can absolutely have late growth spurts, especially larger breeds!
Many dog owners are surprised when their pup, who seemed to have plateaued in size, suddenly grows again. This is particularly common in large and giant breeds, which may continue to grow and fill out until they’re 2-3 years old.
Here’s what might be happening during these late growth spurts:
- Skeletal growth – Their bones may still be lengthening and developing
- Muscle development – Even after height growth stops, dogs often “fill out” with muscle
- Secondary sex characteristics – Males especially might develop broader chests and heads
Signs Your Dog Might Be Going Through a Growth Spurt
Wondering if your dog is experiencing a growth spurt? Here are some telltale signs:
- Increased chewing behavior – Growing causes discomfort, and chewing helps relieve it
- Excessive shedding – They’re losing their puppy coat to make way for adult fur
- Rapid visible growth – You might literally notice your dog getting bigger
- Increased appetite – Growing requires lots of energy!
- More sleep than usual – Growing is exhausting work
When Do Dogs Grow the Most?
The first six months of life is typically when dogs experience their most dramatic growth. However, there’s significant variation based on breed size:
- Small breeds (like Chihuahuas, Yorkies): Growth mostly complete by 6-8 months
- Medium breeds (like Beagles, Cocker Spaniels): Growth mostly complete by 12 months
- Large breeds (like Labs, German Shepherds): Continue growing until 12-18 months
- Giant breeds (like Great Danes, Mastiffs): May grow until 24 months or even longer
This is why it’s totally normal for a large breed dog to experience what seems like a growth spurt at almost 2 years of age!
Can You Predict Your Puppy’s Adult Size?
We’ve all heard the old saying about puppies with big paws growing into big dogs. There’s some truth to this, especially for purebred dogs whose growth patterns are more predictable.
For purebreds, paw size can give you a general idea of future size. However, with mixed breeds, it’s much less certain – you never know which parent’s genes will dominate the size department!
Other indicators include:
- Looking at the parents (if possible)
- Growth charts specific to your dog’s breed
- Your vet’s professional assessment
How to Support Your Dog During Growth Spurts
Growth spurts can be physically uncomfortable and emotionally confusing for your pup. Here’s how you can help:
Nutrition
Feed high-quality puppy food formulated for your dog’s specific size category (small, medium, large breed). Large breed puppies especially need carefully balanced nutrition to prevent growth-related issues.
Exercise
Be careful with extreme activities during growth spurts. Growth plates are fragile and susceptible to injury! Moderate exercise is best.
Comfort
Provide plenty of appropriate chew toys to help with teething discomfort.
Sleep
Let them sleep! Dogs need extra rest during growth periods.
Training
Be patient with training during growth spurts. Hormonal changes can sometimes make dogs temporarily forgetful of commands they previously mastered.
Special Considerations for Large Breeds
If you have a large or giant breed dog, be aware that they:
- Take significantly longer to reach full size (up to 2-3 years)
- May experience more noticeable and prolonged growth spurts
- Need special large-breed puppy food to manage their growth rate
- Should avoid stairs, jumping, and hard surfaces during rapid growth phases
- May appear gangly or disproportionate during growth phases (don’t worry, they’ll even out!)
The Adolescent Phase
Adolescence in dogs (typically between 6-18 months) brings major changes beyond just physical growth. During this time, your dog might:
- Experience hormonal fluctuations
- Test boundaries more often
- Show increased interest in other dogs
- Develop some temporary behavioral challenges
This period coincides with many growth spurts and is basically the “teenage years” for your pup – complete with all the drama!
When to Be Concerned
While late growth spurts can be normal, especially in larger breeds, sometimes unusual growth patterns might indicate a health issue. Contact your vet if:
- Your small breed dog suddenly starts growing after 12 months
- Growth seems painful for your dog
- You notice joint swelling or limping
- Your dog’s appetite changes dramatically
- Growth seems extremely asymmetrical
Final Thoughts
So, can dogs have late growth spurts? Absolutely! It’s particularly common in larger breeds who may continue developing until they’re 2+ years old. Understanding your dog’s growth patterns helps you provide the best care during these critical developmental periods.
Remember that every dog is unique – even within the same breed, there can be significant variation in growth patterns. The best approach is to work closely with your vet, feed an appropriate diet, and enjoy watching your furry family member grow and develop!
Have you noticed any surprising growth spurts in your dog? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Signs of puppies growth
You can tell that your puppy is growing by having a look at their teeth, ears and paws, as these will all go through significant changes in their puppyhood.
The size of their paws
A puppy’s paws gradually increase in size as they grow and you’ll probably notice a big difference at around 4-6 months old. If your puppys feet look like they are too big for their body, then they likely have more growth spurts left in them.
Dog Growth Spurts And Stages
FAQ
Do dogs go through growth spurts?
Yes, dogs go through growth spurts. They remain close to the same size when they’re puppies. Once they reach adolescence, dogs will go through several growth spurts that occur rapidly. There are a few different growth spurts happening at the same time. Your dog’s body will be growing.
When does a dog stop growing?
At first, they might seem to have longer legs, bigger paws, and a larger body almost every time you look at them! But as they get older and larger, you might wonder when your dog will stop growing! For most dogs, growth slows between 6 months and 1 year of age, but growth doesn’t stop all at once.
Do dogs go through growth spurts at adolescence?
Once they reach adolescence, dogs will go through several growth spurts that occur rapidly. There are a few different growth spurts happening at the same time. Your dog’s body will be growing. For smaller breeds, the change may not be immediately noticeable.
Why is my dog not growing a full size?
Malnutrition or calorie restriction can slow growth and may keep a dog from reaching their full size. Sex hormones help close growth plates in long bones, Dr. Whittenburg explains. Spaying or neutering a puppy removes these hormones, which can allow growth plates to stay open slightly longer.
How do I know if my dog has stopped growing?
If you’d like to check whether your puppy has stopped growing, you can ask your vet for X-rays that show if the growth plates have fully closed. Growth plates are thin regions of cartilage at each end of the long bones in a dog’s legs. These plates are where new bone is added to lengthen the bones.
When do mixed breed dogs stop growing?
If you have a mixed-breed dog, they might fall into more than one size category, which can make it harder to predict when they’ll stop growing. As a general rule, most dogs stop growing in height around their first birthday, says Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, veterinarian director at Senior Tail Waggers.
Do some dogs have late growth spurts?
However, just like us humans, some puppies might hit their growth spurt a bit late. If your pup belongs to a medium breed, but is taking more than a year to reach their full size, don’t sweat it! Remember, every puppy grows at their own pace.
How do you know if your dog is going through a growth spurt?
What causes slow growth in dogs?
Juvenile-onset panhypopituitarism, also known as pituitary dwarfism or congenital hyposomatotropism, is an important cause of failure to grow in dogs.
Do dogs have growth spurts at 2 years old?
No, not typically a “growth spurt,” but larger and giant breed dogs may still be filling out in terms of height, muscle, and body mass around 2 years old. While most dogs reach their full skeletal size by 18 months to two years, it’s common for muscle and body weight to continue developing even after height growth stops. Smaller breeds usually stop growing much sooner, while larger breeds have a longer development period.