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Puppies seem to grow up so fast. One day, they鈥檙e little balls of furry cuteness and, in what seems like the blink of an eye, they鈥檙e fully grown into loving canine companions. But not all dogs grow at the same rate, with smaller breed dogs growing up much faster than their larger counterparts. That鈥檚 because those bigger bones and joints need a bit more time to grow and develop.

Puppies, especially those of a larger breed, have special dietary and exercise requirements to consider while they are still growing. And, once pups are fully grown, you鈥檒l know just how big or small they will be so you can buy them all the听听they鈥檒l need in the correct sizes, like crates, collars, beds, and protective jackets. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 so important to know just when your听puppy finishes growing.

Puppy Growth Chart By Percentage

All numbers are approximate. Consult your veterinarian if in doubt.

How Long Do Puppies Grow?

Although all puppies are officially considered adult dogs once they reach one year old,听puppies continue to grow in height and size听while their bones are still developing, which takes anywhere from 6 to 24 months. Their skeletal growth is what determines how tall they will become as adults.

鈥淭he long bones in a puppy鈥檚 legs grow from two distinct places called growth plates, according to Dr. Jerry Klein, DVM and Chief Veterinary Officer at AKC. 鈥淭he growth plates are somewhat flexible and soft during puppyhood when new tissue is being formed.鈥�

As your pooch grows, the new tissue developed hardens into bone. 鈥淲hen the growth plates have stopped producing new tissue and become completely calcified, they are said to have 鈥榗losed,鈥� which means that they鈥檝e stopped growing and the bone has reached its final size,鈥� says Dr. Klein.

Keep in mind, even after the bones are fully developed, your puppy will continue to develop fat and muscle, just as human adults do.

When Do Smaller Puppy Breeds Finish Growing?

Small and medium puppy breeds grow up pretty quickly. In fact, those petite puppies finish growing at around half the age of their larger counterparts, according to Dr. Klein. 鈥淥n average,听small breeds听typically stop growing by the time they reach 6 to 8 months of age.鈥�

Medium breed puppies might take just a bit longer to grow, reaching their adult size at around 12 months of age.

When Do Larger Puppy Breeds Finish Growing?

A larger dog takes a bit more time than a smaller one to reach full adult size because those bigger bones need more time to grow. 鈥�Giant breed puppies听grow until they are 12 to 18 months old,鈥� says Dr. Klein.

Large to giant breed pups usually weigh 70 or more pounds as adults. In some cases,听very large pups like mastiffs听may even reach their fully grown size at 24 months of age.

When Do Purebred Puppies Finish Growing?

If you鈥檝e recently acquired a听, then the breeder can let you know听how large your pup will get听and the approximate growth rate based on their experience with other members of the pup鈥檚 family tree.

鈥淧urebred dogs are known first and foremost for their predictability: predictability of size, coat, temperament, etc.,鈥� says Dr. Klein. 鈥淕ranted, there will be variances within members of each breed (and each litter), but generally speaking, the breed can certainly help determine final size at adulthood.鈥�

When Do Mixed-Breed Dogs Finish Growing?

For听pups who aren鈥檛 purebred, determining their growth rate is a little tricky. 鈥淯nfortunately, when dealing with a dog of unknown heritage, it becomes a bit of a guessing game as to determining the final size,鈥� says Dr. Klein. This is especially true for younger puppies between 6 and 10 weeks of age.

鈥淎 helpful hint is that if you run your hands down a dog鈥檚 rib cage and you can still feel the 鈥榢nobs鈥� of the ribs, that dog will probably continue to grow in height,鈥� recommends Dr. Klein. That鈥檚 because these 鈥渒nobs鈥� are the growth plates of the ribs that are still developing.

How Do I Feed a Growing Puppy?

Foods that meet the nutritional guidelines set up by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and are specifically designed for all life stages will provide your developing pup all the nutrition they need. These foods also don鈥檛 require a听transition onto an adult-specific food听when pups are fully grown.

鈥淭hose foods designated for 鈥榓ll life stages鈥� mean that they meet needs of both growing and adult animals,鈥� according to Dr. Klein. You鈥檒l also find puppy-specific foods that ensure your pooch gets all the nutrients she needs, but you鈥檒l only want to feed those until adulthood 鈥� around 11 to 14 months of age.

Most importantly, always follow the guidelines on the food when feeding your puppy so the pooch doesn鈥檛 become overweight. 鈥淚t is known that obesity in puppies can lead to a predisposition of future orthopedic issues later in life, such as听hip dysplasia, so a fit, leaner puppy is considered preferable to a chubby older puppy,鈥� warns Dr. Klein.

How do I Feed Large and Giant Breed Puppies?

Too much calcium in your听听isn鈥檛 good for their development, warns Dr. Klein. 鈥淭his is because large and giant breeds are more sensitive than smaller ones to an excess or shortage of calcium while their bones are growing,鈥� says Dr. Klein.

When听shopping for puppy food听for your large-breed pooch, look for pet food labels that read 鈥淸Pet Food Name] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth or all life stages听including听growth of large-size dogs (70 lbs or more as an adult),鈥� recommends Dr. Klein.

How Do I Exercise Growing Puppies Safely?

Puppies are little balls of energy who need exercise to stay healthy, but听. 鈥淚t is imperative to know that excessive, prolonged activity, like jogging, can be extremely detrimental on the bones and joints of growing puppies,鈥� warns Dr. Klein.

鈥淭his is why it is never recommended to do road work or jogging on a dog less than 14 to 18 months of age, especially听large and giant breeds, until the growth plates have fully fused,鈥� says Dr. Klein. Instead, walk moderately short distances of a quarter-mile or less on softer surfaces like grass or sand until your dog has finished growing.