German Shepherd Puppy Weight Chart
Track Your German Shepherd Puppy’s Growth by Age
Use these male and female German Shepherd puppy weight charts to track your puppy’s growth and estimate how much they may weigh as an adult.
German Shepherd Puppy Weight by Age
German Shepherd puppies grow quickly, particularly during their first six months. Their growth rate can vary depending on sex, genetics, breeding lines, nutrition and activity levels.
The chart provides a quick overview of the typical growth pattern, while the detailed male and female German Shepherd puppy weight charts below let you track your puppy’s progress by age.
German Shepherd Growth Quick Facts
German Shepherd puppies typically:
➡️ Experience rapid growth between 2 and 5 months
➡️ Reach around 53 lbs (male) or 46 lbs (female) by 6 months
➡️ Continue growing and filling out until around 2–3 years
Adult German Shepherd weight range according to the AKC breed standard:
Male: 65–90 lbs
Female: 50–70 lbs
Factors Influencing German Shepherd Puppy Weight
German Shepherd puppies can vary considerably in size, so don’t be concerned if your puppy doesn’t match the chart exactly. Gender, genetics, breeding lines, nutrition and activity levels can all influence their weight and growth rate.
Breeding can make a noticeable difference. For example, a German working-line Shepherd may develop differently from an American show-line dog, so knowing your puppy’s breeding line can help put their growth and weight into context.
When using a German Shepherd puppy weight chart, consider your puppy’s sex, lineage and pedigree rather than focusing on a single number.
Our charts show the average expected weight ranges for male and female German Shepherds at different ages. They’re designed to help you monitor your puppy’s growth over time rather than define exactly what your puppy should weigh.
German Shepherd Puppy Weight Chart
German Shepherd puppies grow quickly, with some of their biggest growth spurts occurring between two and five months.
By six months, a male German Shepherd weighs around 53 pounds on average, while a female weighs around 46 pounds.
| Age | Male Weight | Female Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 2 months | 16–20 lbs | 11–17 lbs |
| 3 months | 22–30 lbs | 17–26 lbs |
| 4 months | 35–40 lbs | 31–35 lbs |
| 6 months | 49–57 lbs | 44–49 lbs |
| 9 months | 64–71 lbs | 55–60 lbs |
| 12 months | 71–75 lbs | 60–64 lbs |
| 18 months | 71–79 lbs | 60–66 lbs |
| 24 months | 71–84 lbs | 62–66 lbs |
These are typical ranges from our German Shepherd growth charts, not target weights. Use the detailed charts below to follow your puppy's individual growth trajectory.
Estimate Your Puppy’s Future Weight From Their Current Weight
Our charts are a little different from many standard puppy weight charts. Instead of showing only average weights and ranges, they can help you estimate your puppy’s future weight based on what they actually weigh now.
Most people bring their new puppy home at around 8 weeks old. For example, the typical weight range for a female German Shepherd puppy at this age is between 11–17 lbs.
If your female puppy weighs 14 lbs at 8 weeks, find that weight on the chart and follow the same column down. The chart estimates that she may weigh around 46 lbs at 6 months and approximately 68 lbs when fully grown.
Of course, these are estimates. Every puppy grows at a different rate, and your puppy may move between weight ranges as they develop.
Your puppy’s projected adult weight can also change as they grow. For example, if that same puppy weighs 49 lbs at 6 months instead of the predicted 46 lbs, you can move to the new weight column on the chart.
Following that column down would suggest an adult weight closer to 70 lbs. This is why it’s useful to update your estimate using your puppy’s current weight rather than relying only on their starting weight.
How to Use the German Shepherd Weight Charts
Find your puppy’s current age and weight on the chart, then follow the corresponding weight column down to see his estimated weight at future age milestones.
For example, if your German Shepherd puppy weighs 18 lbs at 8 weeks old, the nearest weight on the chart is 18.3 lbs. Following that column down estimates that he may weigh around 53.6 lbs at 6 months and just over 73 lbs at one year old.
Remember, the chart is a guide rather than a target. Never adjust your puppy’s diet or exercise simply to make his weight match the chart.
German Shepherd Weight Chart for Male Puppies
Male German Shepherds are usually slightly larger and heavier than females, with heavier bones, more muscle and deeper chests.
Use the chart below to track your male German Shepherd puppy’s weight as he grows and estimate his weight at future age milestones.
German Shepherd Weight Chart for Female Puppies
Female German Shepherds are generally smaller and lighter than males, with a narrower head and more refined build.
Use the chart below to track your female German Shepherd puppy’s weight as she grows and estimate her weight at future age milestones.
These charts are estimates rather than target weights.
Individual German Shepherd puppies may grow at different rates depending on their sex, genetics, breeding lines and individual development.
Stages of German Shepherd Puppy Development
German Shepherd puppies go through several distinct stages of growth and development. During the first three months, their bodies grow particularly quickly.
This rapid growth continues through the first five to six months. During this stage, you’ll probably notice your puppy becoming taller and larger very quickly — often with that slightly gangly, oversized-paws look that’s typical of growing German Shepherds.
After around six months, their rate of growth begins to slow. However, that doesn’t mean they’re finished growing. German Shepherds continue developing, filling out and gaining muscle as they mature.
Most German Shepherds reach their full adult size at around two to three years old.
German Shepherd Puppy Height Chart
German Shepherds can vary considerably in height, with males generally growing taller than females.
Adult male German Shepherds typically stand between 24–26 inches tall, while females generally reach 22–24 inches, measured from the ground to the top of the shoulder.
The height charts below can help you estimate how tall your German Shepherd puppy may be at different age milestones based on their current height. They also show the average percentage of adult height reached at each stage.
Male German Shepherd Puppy Height Chart
Female German Shepherd Puppy Height Chart
What If Your German Shepherd Puppy Is Outside the Weight Chart?
Remember, these weight charts are guidelines. German Shepherd puppies can vary considerably in size depending on genetics, breeding lines, sex and other factors, so being slightly above or below the ranges doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem.
I’ve seen this with my own German Shepherds. Kali was a smaller female and followed the sort of growth I’d expected, while Ava was unusually tall and slim for a female. She was often as tall as a male German Shepherd, but she didn’t have the heavier build or weight you’d expect from a male.
It was a good reminder that the number on the scales is only part of the picture.
If you’re trying to estimate your puppy’s adult size, your breeder can be a useful source of information. A reputable breeder will know the size and genetics of your puppy’s parents and previous litters and may be able to give you a better idea of how big your puppy is likely to become.
You can also speak with your veterinarian about your puppy’s overall growth and development, particularly if you’re concerned about their weight.
Try not to focus too heavily on a single number on the chart. What’s more useful is following your puppy’s individual growth over time and considering their overall body condition, rather than judging healthy growth by weight alone. If you’re concerned about either, your veterinarian can assess your puppy as an individual.
Estimate Your German Shepherd's Adult Size
You can use your puppy’s current weight and age to estimate adult size using our:
or compare their growth against nearby ranges in the chart above.
For a broader look at how puppies of different sizes grow, see our dog weight chart by breed size.
German Shepherd Puppy Weight Chart FAQs
How much should an 8 week old German Shepherd puppy weigh?
German Shepherd puppies can vary considerably at 8 weeks old. Your puppy’s sex, genetics and breeding lines can all affect their size, so use the weight chart as a guide rather than expecting your puppy to match a particular number exactly.
How much should a 3 month old German Shepherd puppy weigh?
A 3-month-old female German Shepherd typically weighs around 17–26 lbs, with an average of about 21.5 lbs. Males are usually around 22–30 lbs, averaging about 26 lbs. At this age, German Shepherd puppies are going through a major growth spurt.
When will my German Shepherd puppy stop growing?
German Shepherds do most of their rapid growing during their first several months, but they continue developing and filling out afterward. They typically reach their full adult size at around 2–3 years old.
How much should a 6 month old German Shepherd weigh?
At 6 months old, a male German Shepherd weighs around 53 lbs on average, while a female averages around 46 lbs. Individual puppies may be larger or smaller depending on genetics, breeding lines and other factors.
How big will my German Shepherd puppy get?
Adult size varies, but according to the AKC breed standard, female German Shepherds generally weigh 50–70 lbs, while males weigh 65–90 lbs. Your puppy’s genetics, sex and breeding lines can all influence their eventual size.
How can I estimate my German Shepherd puppy's adult weight?
Use your puppy’s current age and weight on the German Shepherd puppy weight chart and follow the corresponding column down to the adult ages. As your puppy grows, you can recalculate using their latest weight for a more up-to-date estimate. Remember that the figures are estimates and individual growth rates vary.
References
The AKC breed standard is referenced for official adult German Shepherd size and weight ranges. The Hawthorne study provides background on general canine growth patterns and differences in growth between breeds and sizes; it is not the source of the German Shepherd-specific monthly weight estimates in our charts.
• American Kennel Club — Official Standard of the German Shepherd Dog
• Hawthorne AJ et al. (2004). Body-Weight Changes during Growth in Puppies of Different Breeds. Journal of Nutrition.
https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/134/8/2027S/4688851