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Puppy Growth Chart by Month & Breed Size with FAQ - All You Need to Know

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Puppy Growth Chart by Month & Breed Size with FAQ - All You Need to Know

Getting a new pup can be exciting! But it’s essential to adopt a puppy that will fit your home, lifestyle, and size of the family. It’s a good idea that you consult a puppy weight chart first so you can get a good idea what to expect as your cute, little furball grows up.

We get plenty of questions asking, “How fast do puppies grow per week?” or “Can you tell how big a puppy will get?”

As you read along, you’ll find stages of puppy growth covered week by week and

month by month, followed by a convenient age to weight chart depending on toy, small, medium, large, and giant breed categories.

Puppy Growth Stages Week By Week

Puppy Growth Stages Week By Week

Before Birth

The average puppy spends about 9 weeks developing inside of the mother’s dog womb. The mother contains a womb or uterus, that includes two long tubes, and the puppies develop in a row beside each tube slightly similar to a pod.

As the puppy ages, there are certain puppy development key milestones that he will reach on his way to adulthood. We are going to cover the puppy growth starting by week up to 3 months, and then by month up to 9 months and beyond.

The puppies are attached to their mother by a placenta and that gives all the nutrients they need for a couple of weeks while in the development stage.

In the beginning, the puppies have a large amount of room to move but they grow quick and as the time for delivery draws closer, they are packed in quite close together.

Puppy Growth Timeline

1-week old puppy

The puppy is born wholly furred yet the eyes and ears remain closed therefore he will not be able to see or hear during the first week after birth. The front feet of the puppy is strong and durable enough so he can drag himself towards his mother before he can walk.

If he is feeling uncomfortable and suddenly cries, his mother will react by touching him towards her and licking her puppy for reassurance.

The puppy cannot manage his body temperature and he will need his mother's heat or an artificial heat source to properly maintain his body temperature.

If the puppy will be docked, this strategy should take place within a couple of days for the docking procedure to be successful. In the first seven to ten days of the puppy’s life.

The development stages transition very quickly and the end of the first week will double his birth weight.

In the case that your newborn puppy won't nurse from the mother, is exceptionally small, abandoned, orphaned, or rejected - you will have to nurse the puppy yourself to ensure he gets all of the nutrients he needs during these critical stages. This can be done by Hand Feeding Pets with a Silicone Tipped Soft Syringe.

2-week old puppy

Throughout this week, the puppy's eyes will begin to open. However, he probably still won’t be able to see completely. His forelegs will have grown stronger and he will sustainably continue to grow faster, adding as much as up to 5-10% more of his body weight.

The puppy's mother is continuously attentive during these stages of puppy development, only departing from her babies to eat or for toiletry reasons. For the pups, the mother will lick the puppy’s bottom to clean up any bowel or bladder accident. There is no need to clean up after the puppy by this time.

The breeder, or owner, will start to carry the puppies more to get them accustomed to human contact.

3-week old puppy

Throughout this initial week, a lot will occur as the puppies begin to exhibit their personalities for the first time. Your puppy will also be able to stand and sit for the first time towards the end of the third week. The ears will be opened completely, and it is during this week that puppies interact with each other - growling, socialization, and wagging tails are often developed at this age.

The puppy can now regulate his body temperature more efficiently and will begin to prepare his teeth for weaning. The front, canines, and incisors are cut first and he should be able to have his first taste of puppy food (in tiny, introductory amounts!)

4-week old puppy

This is the week that puppies begin to become extremely active on their legs and play vigorously with one another. They also begin to roam away from the initial sleeping area when nature calls to empty their bladder and bowels. They may also attempt to climb out of the whelping box and want to frequently explore their surroundings.

The puppies’ mother will start to take more time relaxing away from the puppies. She will slowly stop cleaning after the pups, and you will now have the joyful responsibility to take up after her.

Your puppy will begin to naturally cut his back teeth and will get most of his nourishment from puppy food, as he begins to wean. It is also completely normal and a natural process if the mother regurgitates her dinner for her puppies.

5-week old puppy

By this time your puppy can now really enjoy running and playing. He will most likely be very noisy, developing his bark playing with other puppies and learning how to bite. The mother will usually teach him not to bite too hard. 

6-week old puppy

By the end of the 6th week, the puppy entirely weans and should be eating 5-6 small meals of puppy food each day. The puppy may still try to suckle milk from his mother but it isn't necessary at this age and the mother may be reluctant to continue feeding at this age.

7-weeks old

7-week old puppy

At about 7 weeks old the puppy may begin to exhibit signs of fearfulness such as jumping or becoming startled of unfamiliar sounds and sights.

This is about a good time to begin considering protecting your puppy naturally from fleas. We recommend natural flea products because most flea products on the market contain harsh chemicals that may harm your pet, especially at a young age! Check out this blog on Why You Need to Protect your Puppy from Fleas Naturally.

8-week old puppy

If your puppy will be rehomed, this is about the most ideal time to do so. He is now at the peak of his puppy life and ready to explore his new home and life. If your puppy will be staying with you, get ready for a super fun new member of the family as you watch your puppy pass through puppyhood and into doghood!

We’ll now cover the growth development of a puppy month by month, starting from three months up to eight months.

3-month old puppy (12 Weeks Old)

This month is the development period where puppies will learn to become fearful and will need to be thoroughly socialized. This is also the ideal time to begin house training, potty training, puppy training, bite training, and puppy socialization.

A puppy learns best at this age and is also at the peak of it’s learning. Pet owners should also begin preparing your puppy to get his first vaccinations during this month. An average puppy also typically can drop down to 3 meals a day at about the end of the third month.

Starting from the 3rd month up until the 6th month, a puppy also begins to learn to rank regarding dominance and submission, much like in elementary school for a human child who learns the difference between the principal, teacher, student, and playmate.

4-month old puppy

At about four months old, a puppy begins to lose the typical puppy look and begins to resemble a similar, mini version of their adult selves. This age is another excellent time to continue reinforcing the training you may have begun to teach when at the 3-month mark and is still an ideal time to continue teaching him new things.

5-month old puppy

Puppies at this age can go on short walks now, but even some everyday old puppy playtime such as fetch or socializing with other pups is sufficient enough. During this time, it’s also a good idea to keep your pup close to you when outdoors and during a walk, as puppies begin to become less dependent upon their pet parents.

It’s a great idea to begin practicing recall at this age and to heavily reinforce good behavior each time he comes to you when called. It will take some time to practice this, but it will be worth it as he begins to enter the “teenage” stage of puppy growth development. You can read more about How to Train your Dog here.

Your pup may still be chewing a biting a lot during this month, too, due to his baby teeth. You can give him some dog toys or a frozen Kong toy to keep him preoccupied.

6-month old puppy

At this age, toy and small dogs will have almost completed their growth. Other larger breeds such as a German Shepherd, Retriever, or Spaniel will have reached about ⅔ of his adult weight by this age. Great Danes and other larger breeds should ideally have reached about half of their adult weight.

Female dogs may experience their first heat during this month - be sure to observe a female pup closely during this time, as it is possible for a female pup to become sexually mature, however, can cause complications as she is still not considered a fully grown dog at this age.

Don’t forget to continue practicing recall at this age and to enforce positive behavior and rewards each time he comes when called.

7-month old puppy

By the 7th month, your puppy should have all 42 of his adult teeth and look very much like a miniature adult. He should also be able to maintain two full meals per day.

8-month old

8-month old puppy

By this time, a puppy will have a bountiful of sex hormones in his system, unless you have had your puppy neutered.

Remember to keep practicing recall behavior to keep his obedience skills spot on. Frequent walks also lessen the urge of curiosity in your dog for each walk taken.

9-month old puppy and above

By this age, your pup is well on his way to adult doghood. Females should usually be neutered once their first season is complete. Pups aged at one year and above can now begin taking part in much more strenuous activity and sports.

Puppy Growth Chart by Breed Size

Every fur parent wants to assure that their little pup is growing and weighing just right. Now, not all puppies are the same, especially if you compare a Chihuahua to a St. Bernard! This 2004 study shows Body-Weight Changes during Growth in Puppies of Different Breeds. Here’s a handy dog weight chart for the toy, small, medium, large, and giant breeds so you can quickly check if your puppy is on the right track concerning ideal weight.

Toy

Examples of the Toy Breed include:

toy dog breed sizesPuppy Growth Chart by Month & Breed Size with FAQ - All You Need to Know | Innovet Pet
Chihuahua, Italian Greyhound,
English Toy Spaniel, Toy Poodle, 
Karst Shepherd, Beaglier, 
Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka 

Small

Examples of the Small Breed include:

Puppy Growth Chart by Month & Breed Size with FAQ - All You Need to Know | Innovet Pet

Affenpinscher, Bichon Frise, Bolognese, Boston Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chinese Crested, Coton De Tulear, Dachshund, Havanese, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Lowchen, Maltese, Maltese Shih Tzu, Maltipoo, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, Papillon, Peekapoo, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Poodle, Pug, Rat Terrier, Shiba Inu, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, Toy Fox Terrier, Yorkipoo, Yorkshire Terrier

Medium

Example of the Medium Breed include:

Puppy Growth Chart by Month & Breed Size with FAQ - All You Need to Know | Innovet PetAfghan Hound, Airedale Terrier, American Coonhound, Ameerican Eskimo Dog, American Foxhoud, American Water Spaniel, Australian Cattle, Autralian Shepherd, Azawakh, Basenji, Basset Hound, Beagle, Bearded Collie, Belgian Malinois, Border Collie, Boxer, Britanny, Canaan Dog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Chow Chow, Cirneco dell’ Etna, Cocker Spaniel American. Collie, English Bulldog, English Pointer, Entlebucher Mountain Dog, Field Spaniel, Finnish Lapphund, Finnish Spitz, German Pinscher, Glen of Imaal Terrier, Goldendoodle, Harrier, Ibizan Hound, Icelandic Sheepdog, Irish Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, Keeshond, Kerry Blue Terrier, Labradoodle, Miniature Bull Terrier, Norwegian Buhund, Norwegian Eikhound, Nova Scotla Duck Tolling, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Pharaoh Hound, Plott Hound, POlish Lowland, Portuguese Water Dog, Puli, Pumi, Pyrenean Shepherd, Redbone Coonhound, Saluki, Samoyed, Sealyham Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog, Siberian Husky, Skye Terrier, Sloughi, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Spriner Spaniel English, Stafford Bull Terrier, Standard Schnauzer, Sussex Spaniel, Swedish Bullhund, Tibetan Terrier, Treeing Walker Coonhound, Vizsla, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Whippet, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Wirehaired Vizsla

Large

Examples of the Large Breed include:

Puppy Growth Chart by Month & Breed Size with FAQ - All You Need to Know | Innovet PetGerman Shepherd, Goldern Retriever, Rottweiler, German Shorthaired Pointer, Doberman Pinscher, Bernese Mountain Dog, Cane Corso, Collie, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Akita, Bloodhound, Bullmastiff, Alaskan Malamute, Dalmataian, Dogue de Bordeaux, Old English Sheepdog, Irish Setter, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Bouvier des Fiandres, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Afghan Hound, English Setter, Flat Coated Retriever, Borzoi, Gordon Stter, Spinone Italiano, Black Russian Terrier, Belgian Sheepdog, Saluki, Boerboel,

Briard, Black and Tan Coonhound, Bluetick Coonhound, Beauceron, Tibetan Mastiff, Irish Red and White Setter, Komondor, Ibiza Hound, curly-Coated Retriever, Chinook, Bergamasco, Otterhound, American Foxhound, Sloughi, Grand Bleu de Gascogne, Kangal Dog, Spanish Greyhound, Akbash Dog, Alano Espanol, Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog, American Mastiff, American Staghound, Argentine Dogo, Ariege Pointer, Azawakh, Blue Picardy Spaniel, Bracco Italiano, Bukovina Sheepdog, Bulgarian Shepherd Dog, Canadian Eskimo Dog, Caravan Hound, Carpathian Sheepdog, Caucasian Ovcharka, Central Asian Ovtcharka, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Dutch Shepherd Dog, East Siberian Laika, East-European Shepherd, Francais Bianc et Noir, German Longhaired Pointer, Greenland Dog, Large Munsterlander, Northern Inuit Dog, Perro de Presa Canario, Picardy Spaniel, Pudelpointer, Rajapalayam Dog, Saarloos Wolfdog, South Russian Ovcharka, Tamaskan Dog, Tornjak, Tosa ken, West Siberian Laika, Alaskan Husky, American Bulldog, Bull Arab, Majestic Tree Hound, Maremma Sheepdog, Slovensky Cuvac, Moscow Watchdog, Mountain Cur, Polish Tatra Sheepdog

Giant

Example of the Giant Breed include:

Puppy Growth Chart by Month & Breed Size with FAQ - All You Need to Know | Innovet Pet

Great Dane, Mastiff, Newfoundland, St. Bernard, Great Pyrenees, Irish Wolfhound, Giant Schnauzer, Leonberger, Neapolitan Mastiff, Greyhound, Kuvasz, Scottish Deerhound, Chart Polski, Landseer, Pakistani Mastiff, Shiloh Shepherd Dog, Spanish Mastiff, King Shepherd

Puppy Maturity

Physical maturity

Physical maturity is when a puppy reaches their adult height, depending on their breed. Smaller breeds generally are considered fully grown at about 12 months of age. Larger breeds can take up to a year or two to finish growing.

Puppy Maturity

Mental and emotional maturity

Mental maturity is when our puppies officially become...well, dogs! This type of maturity takes time to develop. Mental maturity won’t happen overnight, but it’s a process that you will gradually begin to notice as he begins to pass through what we could consider the equivalent of the “teenage” phase in humans.

You might find your pup stepping out of boundaries and taking risks, and often getting into trouble. But there will be a fine line where he will become an adult and settle down.

There is no specific age period as to when a puppy will officially become an adult, but some signs indicating mental and emotional maturity are:

  • Settles and calms down much easier
  • Responds to social cues from other pets and humans
  • Listens and responds appropriately to training

Sexual maturity

Our cute little puppies and fluffs of furball eventually have to grow up sometimes, and this brings us to sexual maturity. Unlike humans, dogs don’t get acne (lucky them!), but they do experience hormonal changes that will affect their behavior.

Sexual maturity is different for males and females and it’s important to take note of these changes. Sexual maturity is dependent upon size and breed. Typically, sexually maturity begins in puppies at six to nine months of age.

Females

When females are sexually mature, they will go into heat twice a year. During proestrus or the start of a female’s heat, the vulva will swell and develop some vaginal discharge for about 7 to 10 days.

Female pups can experience sexual maturity even before they become adults during their first heat, so if your female has not yet been spayed, be sure to keep a close eye on her as complications can develop for a sexually matured puppy.

Males

Unlike females, males can become sexually active once they have fully physically developed - around the age of 12 - 15 months. The first signs of a sexually matured male marking their territory, mounting, or aggressive behavior such as the urge to roam.

Overweight and Underweight Dogs

Some pet parents often wonder if their dog is underweight, overweight, or at their ideal weight. Having an ideal weight for your pet is not only healthy, but it also allows him to live a healthy and active lifestyle.

Some factors that determine your pet’s weight, and that includes:

  • Daily food intake
  • Intensity of exercise
  • Frequency of exercise

But how can you tell if your pup is at a healthy weight without frequent trips to the vet and having different numbers scaled at you?

Underweight

If you can see the ribs of your puppy, or dog, the chances are he is underweight. Sometimes a pup with a thick coat can be awkward to determine if he’s underweight at a glance.

You can also place both of your thumbs on your pup’s spine and have the opening of your hands on the rib cage. If you can distinctly feel the rib bones and very little fat, chances are he may need an extra meal added to his diet.

Overweight

If you follow the same procedure as above and find that you cannot see your dog’s ribs, or can’t feel them, chances are he is overweight and exercise should be implemented or lessen his meal proportions to help him get back onto the right track to an ideal weight. This is also noticeable if his waist is slightly larger than where his ribs meet.

Ideal Weight

A dog is generally at an ideal weight if:

  • You cannot immediately see his ribs over his coat but can generally feel it when you placed your thumbs on his spine. Not seeing his ribs at first glance means that he has adequate fat.
  • At an overview from above, you can see that he has a waist.
  • They have a slight slope just up from beneath his stomach if you look at him from a side view.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions: Puppy Growth and Development

When do puppies open their eyes?

After the birth of a newly born puppy, it can take about two weeks before they start to open their eyes. The first week after a puppy is born, they are entirely blind.

The eyes of a puppy are entirely open around the second week. During this time, it is essential that you carefully observe your puppy and make sure that he stays safe from any dangerous objects or hazards that could harm him.

When do puppies start walking?

The average puppy begins his first steps to walking at around the third week. You may notice that he begins to explore and crawl by the end of the second-third week after a puppy is born.

The strength in their legs begins to build at around the third and fourth week, where your puppy should be able to walk freely.

When should I start socializing my puppy?

A lot of fur parents often wonder, “When should I start to socialize my puppy?” There are many different expert views on this, but we know that a puppy is at the peak of the learning process when they are at about their 3 months initial period.

It is during this time that it is best to ease in socialization for your pup towards humans and other pets. When a puppy is isolated, they often grow into anxious habits, especially when meeting new people, other pets, or even children.

You will want to gradually teach your puppy to be comfortable around social situations to avoid aggressive behaviors, social anxiety, and other obstacles that might affect his social growth as he ages.

Does neutering affect the growth of a dog?

Dog neutering is the process of surgically preventing dogs from reproducing. Neutering your pet reduces the stress often developed over time when exposed to intact (unneutered or unspayed) pets, reduces the risk of certain cancers, and significantly reduces aggressive behavior when a puppy becomes an adult.

While neutering can slightly affect a dog’s physical growth, there are no noticeable disadvantages to the affected growth aspect.

What factors affect the growth of a dog?

There are a few factors that influence the growth of a dog, including:

  • Diet
  • The General health condition of the puppy
  • Breed
  • Neutering

How many hours a day does a puppy sleep?

A newborn puppy can sleep up to 20-22 hours a day, while a 12-week old puppy can sleep anywhere from 18-20 hours a day. As a puppy matures, he will sleep less, but even a 3-month old puppy can still sleep up to 15 hours a day!

What can I expect from my puppy’s first vet exam?

The vet will your puppy’s vitals and check for evidence of intestinal parasites, as well as external parasites. Typically, depending on the age of your puppy and his health history, a vaccine will typically be administered as well as flea and tick preventatives.

When can I take my puppy to the dog park?

During the first 3 months of your puppy’s life, you should begin to socialize him with as many people, places, and different experiences as possible - however, it is much advised to avoid bringing him in contact with other outside dogs until he is fully vaccinated.

Parvo is a severe and life-threatening disease if your pup is exposed to it without the proper vaccinations.

Sources:

Long-Term Compassionate Use of Oclacitinib in Dogs
Cannabidiol Inhibits Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathic Pain
The Antitumor Activity of Plant-Derived Non-Psychoactive
Effects of Selenium and Vitamin E on the Immune Responses of Domestic Animals
A Cross-Sectional Study of Cannabidiol Users

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    1 comment
    • jared g. howry

      yes, i like your website and I am learning new things about dogs that I never even knew!!!!!!!!!!!

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