Overview
Puppies grow fast, but when do dogs stop growing exactly? It depends on their breed, size, and a few other factors like nutrition and neutering. Most reach their full height in the first year, but some, particularly larger breeds, carry on developing well into their second.
Growth timelines by breed size
How big will my puppy get?
How genetics shape growth
Nutrition makes a big difference
Impact of neutering on growth
Exercise and health matter too
Tracking your puppy’s progress
Weight vs. maturity: why size isn’t the full story
What science says about puppy growth
Alves, I. (2020) ‘A model of puppy growth during the first three weeks’, Veterinary Medicine and Science, 6(6), pp. 946–957. doi:10.1002/vms3.349.
Salt, C., Morris, P.J., German, A.J., Wilson, D., Lund, E.M., Cole, T.J. and Butterwick, R.F. (2017) ‘Growth standard charts for monitoring bodyweight in dogs of different sizes’, PLOS ONE, 12(9), p. e0182064. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0182064.
Butterwick, R.F., German, A.J., Salt, C., et al. (2023) ‘Growth patterns in dogs: variation among breeds and implications for feeding guidelines’, The Journal of Nutrition. doi:10.1016/j.jn.2023.03.007.
American Kennel Club (AKC), 2022. When Does My Puppy Finish Growing? Available at: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/puppy-information/when-do-puppies-stop-growing/
American Kennel Club (AKC), 2023. Growth Plates in Puppies: What You Need to Know. Available at: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/growth-plates-in-puppies/
Elanco Animal Health, 2023. Your Pet and You – Puppy Development Timeline. Available at: https://www.yourpetandyou.elanco.com/uk/puppy/puppy-development-timeline
Freeman, L., 2022. Growth Guide: Keeping Your Puppy on Track. Petfoodology, Tufts University. Available at: https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2022/03/puppy-growth-guide/
German, A.J., Holden, S.L., et al., 2021. A New Growth Standard for Puppies. PLOS ONE, 16(2), pp.1–17. Available at: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0249224
WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute, 2023. Growth Standards for Puppies. Available at: https://www.waltham.com/resources/puppy-growth-charts/
Hart, B.L., Hart, L.A., et al., 2020. Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, pp.1–11. Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.00388/full
Moxon, R., German, A.J. and et al., 2023. Prepubertal Spay/Neuter and Growth in Guide Dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 37(3), pp.1080–1090. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16753
Colorado State University, 2018. Spaying and Neutering: Timing and Long-Term Effects. Phys.org. Available at: https://phys.org/news/2018-01-spaying-neutering-dogs-affects-growth.html
UC Davis Veterinary Medicine, 2021. Early Neutering and Orthopedic Disease. Available at: https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/early-neutering-and-dog-health
Merck Veterinary Manual, 2023. Puppy Growth and Development. Available at: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/management-of-the-puppy-and-kitten/growth-and-development-in-puppies
WSAVA, 2022. Body Condition Score (BCS) Guidelines. World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Available at: https://wsava.org/global-guidelines/global-nutrition-guidelines/body-condition-score/
Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine, 2022. The Puppy Timeline: Milestones in Growth. Available at: https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/the-puppy-timeline/
PennVet, University of Pennsylvania, 2021. Feeding the Growing Puppy. Available at: https://www.vet.upenn.edu/docs/default-source/ryan/documents/puppy-nutrition-guide.pdf
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Published on 15/05/2025 • Reviewed on 15/05/2025