Skip to content
Home
About
Contact

German Shepherd Size & Weight Chart

Dr Dilber Hussain
Reviewed by:
Dr. Dilber Hussain
Veterinarian

German Shepherd dogs were bred as herding dogs to protect sheep and, to this day, are one of the most popular working dog breeds. They are intelligent, task-focused and can grow to be a decent size.

German Shepherd photo 8
German Shepherd photo 7
German Shepherd photo 6
German Shepherd photo 5
German Shepherd photo 4
German Shepherd photo 3
German Shepherd photo 1
German Shepherd photo 2

How Big Is a German Shepherd Dog?

German Shepherd growth continues for around 3 years and shows a slight variation in height and weight. The average height at the withers is 60-65cm for males and 55-60cm for females.

The breed can grow to be large dogs who will require plenty of space to express themselves. They aren’t suited to living in an apartment once they’re fully grown, and you may find you’ll both be restricting each other’s movement – especially if you have more than one person in your home.

Average German Shepherd Size By Age

Here’s the average German Shepherd Size for female shepherds by age:

  • 1 month: 2 – 3.5 kg
  • 2 months: 5 – 7.5 kg
  • 3 months: 8 – 12 kg
  • 4 months: 14 – 16 kg
  • 5 months: 16 – 20 kg
  • 6 months: 20 – 22 kg
  • 7 months: 22 – 24 kg
  • 8 months: 24 – 26 kg
  • 9 months: 25 – 27 kg
  • 10 months: 26 – 28 kg
  • 11 months: 27 – 29 kg
  • 1 year: 27 – 29 kg
  • 1 ½ years: 27 – 30 kg
  • 2 years: 28 – 30 kg
  • 3 years: 28 – 32 kg

Average German Shepherd Size for Male shepherds by age:

  • 1 month: 2.5 – 4 kg
  • 2 months: 6 – 9 kg
  • 3 months: 10 – 14 kg
  • 4 months: 16 – 18 kg
  • 5 months: 18 – 22 kg
  • 6 months: 22 – 26 kg
  • 7 months: 26 – 28 kg
  • 8 months: 28 – 30 kg
  • 9 months: 29 – 32 kg
  • 10 months: 30 – 33 kg
  • 11 months: 30 – 34 kg
  • 1 year: 32 – 34 kg
  • 1 ½ years: 32 – 36 kg
  • 2 years: 32 – 38 kg
  • 3 years: 36 – 40 kg

At What Age Does a German Shepherd Reach Its Full Size?

Most of the German Shepherd height growth is done in their first two years, but they may gain a few extra kilos and centimetres in their third year. Male German Shepherds can take longer as their ribs need extra time to grow.
 

What Is the Ideal Weight For a German Shepherd?

The ideal weight for a German shepherd will vary depending on its length and height. Generally, 40 kgs is a healthy adult weight for a male, while female German Shepherds weigh around 32 kgs.

How to make sure your German Shepherd isn’t overweight

The German Shepherd breed is descended from a long line of working dogs and requires plenty of exercise and stimulation to maintain a healthy weight.

Diet is also key with large breed dogs. Weight gain can snowball into several health problems, such as increasing the risk of hip dysplasia to which the German Shepherd is already predisposed.
 

Ensuring Your German Shepherd Grows Properly

From day one, ensuring your German Shepherd puppy is being fed age-appropriate, high-quality dog food is essential. As they develop, you’ll need to change their diet according to your dog’s weight and age.
 

FAQs

How can I predict how big my German Shepherd will get?

German Shepherd puppies will rarely grow bigger than their parents, so the best way to get an indication of the final weight and height of your adult German Shepherd is to check with your breeder, who will be able to give you a good idea of the final size of a German Shepherd puppy based on its parents.

Do German Shepherds require a lot of exercise?

German Shepherds are naturally active, large-breed dogs that require plenty of daily exercise.

Adult German Shepherds require 60-90 minutes of thorough exercise a day that ideally provides a good amount of mental stimulation.

Are German Shepherds suitable for an apartment?

This dog breed is not suited to a small living environment, and though GSD puppies, like any puppy, are easy to live alongside, once they start to grow, you’ll find that you require a bigger space to share comfortably.

Ideally, a German Shepherd owner will live in a decent-sized house with a backyard for their dog to let off some steam.
 

Final Thoughts on German Shepherd Size & Weight

German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds; their canny intelligence and protective natures make them ideal family pets that get on well with other dogs.

While they can grow to be big dogs, they sit at the lower end of the large dog scale and are given plenty of exercise, so keeping them in good shape is straightforward.

Learn more about: German Shepherd Dog Breed Information

Other helpful information

  • Dog Breed Guides
  • Cat Breed Guides

Other related German Shepherd guides

German Shepherd photo 5

Do German Shepherds Shed?

German Shepherd photo 5

German Shepherd Prices In Australia

German Shepherd photo 5

German Shepherd Training Guide – Crate, Toilet & More Tips!

German Shepherd photo 5

German Shepherd Temperament & Personality Traits

German Shepherd photo 5

Common German Shepherd Health Issues

German Shepherd photo 5

German Shepherd Grooming Tips & Styles

German Shepherd photo 5

What to Feed a German Shepherd? Diet & Feeding Chart

German Shepherd photo 5

German Shepherd Colours

Welcome to Pets Online, a team of pet parents, animal lovers and veterinarians devoted to providing you with everything you need to know about pets.

Facebook Instagram Linkedin
Dog Breed Guides
  • Foundation Stock Service
  • Gundogs
  • Herding
  • Hounds
  • Miscellaneous Class
  • Non-sporting
  • Sporting
  • Terriers
  • Toy
  • Unrecognized
  • Utility
  • Working
Cat Breed Guides
  • Exotic
  • Hairless
  • Hybrid
  • Long Haired
  • Natural
  • Oriental
  • Rex
  • Semi-long Haired
  • Short Haired
Adopt A Pet
Dog Adoption
  • ACT
  • NSW
  • NT
  • QLD
  • SA
  • TAS
  • VIC
  • WA
Cat Adoption
  • ACT
  • NSW
  • NT
  • QLD
  • SA
  • TAS
  • VIC
  • WA

© PetsOnline. All Rights Reserved 2025.

Privacy Policy

Terms & Conditions