German shepherds have become some of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Their cute yet ferocious looks have made them one of the most sought-after dog breeds every dog lover wants. Their dark brown fur with a layer of black on their backs and faces have made them a dog of royal status.
However, every dog breed has its own growth phase. They are all different because every breed grows differently. Some grow very fast, while others grow slowly over the years.
If you are planning to pet a German Shepherd but want to know more about its growth stages, then start reading this article right now.
German Shepherd Characteristics
One look at a German shepherd, and you can figure out its characteristic traits. Most of the dogs are well-built and athletic, excelling in both working and playing. They are pretty fast and agile, having light feet made for running and chasing.
Most of the dogs have a height of around 22” to 26”, with their weight being around 70 to 90 pounds.
German Shepherds are typically preferred as military dogs and guard dogs because of their aggressive and loyal nature. They are very loyal to their master and their family, also being very protective of them. Their loyalty is one reason why they are chosen as military and guard dogs.
German Shepherd Size And Weight Growth Stages
The various growth stages in the life of a German Shepherd are:
Neonatal Stage
Age: Birth to one month
In this stage, the puppy should be with their mother at all times. It is super important for them to stay with their mother because they need their mother’s milk. This is because their mother’s milk contains essential nutrients that are important for them to grow and develop their immunity.
In this stage, the puppy will learn to crawl in a week, along with opening up its eyes and ears. At the two-week mark, the pups also start developing their first set of teeth and start walking around. They also fully open their eyes and ears by the second week.
Socialization Stage
Age: One month to three months
During this period, the puppy becomes a bit more active and starts exploring the space around them. Vets recommend that they stay with their mothers now since they learn a lot of dog skills and manners. This helps them to socialize with other dogs and neven learn to behave around us humans.
Around the one-month mark, they start playing with their siblings in the litter and have grown most of their teeth. They also have their ears upright by the end of the second month and also start behaving like an adult. This includes sniffing the tails of other dogs and our legs to identify us by scent.
Juvenile Stage
Age: Four months to six months
During this stage, the dog starts getting destructive and learns how to break things around the house. They learn to use their teeth, for which they start biting and ripping household items like pillows, shoes, and wires. They will start getting stronger and faster, and move away from their mother.
Here, they will have developed almost all of their puppy teeth at the mark of three months. Then they will start growing their stronger and sharper adult teeth. This is the best time for you to start their training session.
Sexual Maturity Stage
Age: Six months to one and a half years
In this stage, they will already start looking more like an adult german shepherd. However, they will hit puberty and start becoming more sexually active. They will grow at the beginning and stop growing at the end of this phase.
They will have grown all their adult teeth by the end of the tenth month. Both males and females reach their sexual peaks by the end of the first year when their reproductive and sexual organs fully develop. This is the best time to neuter or spay them if you want.
Transition To Adult Stage
Age: eighteen months to three years
During this stage, they will start to grow a bit more until they reach their final height and weight by the end of this stage. During this period, you only have to feed them well and take care of their needs.
Conclusion
German shepherds are cute furry anime that are known for their loyalty to their masters. They are also known to be highly ferocious towards outsiders, especially people whom they don’t like. Therefore, it is essential for you to know their growth stages to better understand their needs and also get to know them better.
Remember to train them during their juvenile stage if you want your pup to be a good and obedient dog when they are older.
Author Bio:
Hanna Flores is a passionate blogger. She loves to share her thoughts, ideas, and experiences with the world through blogging. Hanna Flores is associated with News Profy , World Health Life, Plus Life Styles, True Health Tips, Simply Law Zone, Exclusive Rights, Istana Green World, Circle Box Blog, Lower My Legal Fees, The Legal Guides.
