We love our puppies, but it is inevitable that they will grow soon. When do dogs stop growing? Let us find out!

When do dogs stop growing? The truth is, this question has more than one answer. Just like humans, dogs have a certain period in where their growth full halts. However, unlike humans who have a particular age range for their growth, a dog’s growth period varies from breed to another.

We have to debunk your conception that a dog will stop growing when it reaches one year old. This idea is might be correct at a certain point, but it can never apply to all varieties of dogs. As we have said, a dog's growth is dependent on its size and breed.

Perhaps, the reason why people believes in this myth is that of the kibble distributors and manufacturers. If you buy a pack of kibble, you will notice that there is a recommendation on it. It usually says that you will stop feeding your puppy with kibble when it reaches one year of age. But believe us, a puppy will not stop growing once it hits its first birthday.

Many owners want to know when their dogs will stop growing. Some of us would just want our dogs to be puppies forever. But since their growth is something that we cannot prevent, all we can do is to be with them all the way.

As we keep on mentioning, the dog's growth is dependent on its variety. But how about those mix breed dogs? Is their case unusual? Is it possible that a mix breed puppy will stay small? Well, we cannot say no, but we cannot say yes also. Depending on the characteristics of the breeds you mixed, a dog may grow old but will have minimal changes on its size.

The growth of the dog is also dependent on its weight.

Dog's growth based on breed

Small dogs

Small dog breeds like a Yorkshire Terrier and a Chihuahua usually reach their adulthood in their first year. The change in the body size of a small dog is not that noticeable compared to medium and large breeds dogs.

But there are some breeds of small dogs that can be exempted on this growth pattern. Stockier breeds of dogs like the Shih Tzu and Chinese Pug may extend their growth for a couple of months or more before they can achieve the full frame of their bodies.

Medium dogs

For medium-sized breeds, it will take them to 12 to 15 months before they can reach their adult structure. Those stockier breeds of medium dogs will take up to 18 months before reaching their maximum size. This is because their weight has to catch up to their frame size.

You can compare a Clumber Spaniel to a Whippet. These two breeds of dogs falls are all classified medium-sized. However, the Whippet is relatively smaller to a Clumber Spaniel. Hence, we can conclude that the growth of a Whippet ends sooner than a Clumber Spaniel.

Large dogs

With all of these presented, we can safely say that large breeds of dogs take the most time before they can reach their full frame. Large breeds of dogs such a Saint Bernard or the Great Dane will continue to grow until they reach the age of 18 to 24 months. On the other hand, they can attain their maximum body weight when they are 24 to 36 months old.

Large dogs have classifications, too. For example, the Irish Wolfhound has a massive structure, but its body is noticeably lean. On the other hand, a Mastiff also has a large frame, but its body as somehow muscular and dense. Same as with a Saint Bernard. With this analogy, you can assess that large breed of dogs with a leaner body will reach maturity faster than those that have a bulky constitution.

What are the signs that your puppy is maturing?

Aside from the answering question "when do dogs stop growing", we should also meddle with the signs of their growth.

Most of us, especially pet owners, have already witnessed several progression of dogs. But if you happen to own one already, isn't their growth something we don't notice. We just wake up one day, and there! Our puppies are already mature adult dogs!

As long as we keep an eye on them, their growth can be subtle. However, we can determine that they are starting to grow when they exhibit these following behaviors:

    ● When the puppy starts to run at you with full excitement every time you arrive at                      home. This effervescent behavior is a sign that your puppy is starting to recognize you as        its owner (or buddy). This cognitive activity is always about the physical growth of a dog.

    ● The puppy will start to chew everything that its sees. This curiosity to eat anything is a            determinant that their appetites are growing. However, when your puppy turns into a            full adult, chewing incidents will be rare and occasional.

    ● The puppy is starting to seek your constant attention. Puppies are not possessive                    but expect that they will demand you always to tend them as they are growing.

All of these behaviors will subside when they reach full maturity. They will grow to become more polite and calm. However, the playful attitude of a dog will certainly not diminish. This nature is especially true for dogs that are regularly exposed to an active surrounding

Sometimes, the variety of the dog breed will also determine its activeness. You can expect that a Labrador Retriever and Siberian Husky will be more physically active than a Saint Bernard.

Conclusion

There is no absolute answer to the question "when do dogs stop growing." Each of these breeds follows different growth timeline. Aside from that, the size and weight are also factors to consider when determining the growth of a dog.

The only thing you can do now is for you to take care of your dogs. If they are still puppies, it is best to hang out with them as much as you can. Show them your affection, too! In this way, your pups will develop a sense of attachment to you, which they will keep as they grow old.

But if you have techniques (only legitimate and humane ways) on how to minimize the size of a dog, share it with us!

Do you have any comments, questions, and suggestions? Ask us too! We love to hear from you!