- Dog breeds
- Large breed
- Herding group
- Origin: Germany
German Shepherds are large, athletic working dogs. The American Kennel Club puts adult males at 65–90 lb and 24–26 in tall, and females at 50–70 lb and 22–24 in. Most reach adult weight at around 15–18 months, though males in particular may keep filling out into their second year. This page covers a German Shepherd growth chart by age, a size calculator preset for the breed, and sourced information on lifespan, health testing, exercise and feeding.
How big do German Shepherds get?
According to the American Kennel Club, adult male German Shepherds weigh 65–90 lb (29.5–40.8 kg) and stand 24–26 in (61–66 cm) at the shoulder. Females are a little smaller at 50–70 lb (22.7–31.8 kg) and 22–24 in (56–61 cm). That makes the German Shepherd Dog a Large breed on our size scale.| German Shepherd Dog | Weight | Height |
|---|
Many healthy pets fall outside the show standard, especially from working or pet lines. Use body condition, not the scale alone, to judge a healthy weight.
German Shepherd Dog growth chart: weight by age
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 15 lb6.7 kg | 11 lb5.2 kg |
| 3 months | 26 lb11.6 kg | 20 lb9 kg |
| 4 months | 35 lb15.7 kg | 27 lb12.2 kg |
| 6 months | 48 lb21.8 kg | 37 lb16.9 kg |
| 9 months | 62 lb28 kg | 48 lb21.7 kg |
| 12 months | 70 lb31.8 kg | 54 lb24.6 kg |
| Adult (15–18 months) | 78 lb35.2 kg | 60 lb27.2 kg |
When is a German Shepherd Dog full grown?
Large breeds like the German Shepherd Dog reach their adult weight at about 15–18 months. Most of the growth happens early: by 6 months a typical male is around 48 lb and a female around 37 lb, after which weight gain slows down as the dog fills out.How we calculate this: each figure is the midpoint of the breed’s adult weight range multiplied by the share of adult weight a large-size puppy typically reaches at that age (WALTHAM growth standards, Salt et al., 2017). It is the same model used by our Dog Size Calculator.
German Shepherd Dog puppy size calculator
Enter your puppy’s current age and weight to estimate how big your German Shepherd Dog will be as an adult. The calculator is preset for the breed.Dog Size Calculator
Predict how big your puppy will get — estimated adult weight from its current age and weight.
Best from ~8 weeks on; very young pups are less predictable.
Weigh on a flat scale, ideally before a meal.
Not sure? Use the size of the parents, or the larger parent for a mixed breed.
Males often finish a little heavier than females.
| Age milestone | Projected weight |
|---|
Dog breed weight chart (lb & kg) by size
| Size | Adult weight | Full-grown | Example breeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toy | 2–12 lb / 1–5.5 kg | ~8–10 mo | Chihuahua, Maltese, Toy Poodle, Pomeranian, Yorkie |
| Small | 12–25 lb / 5.5–11 kg | ~10–12 mo | Shih Tzu, French Bulldog, Mini Schnauzer, Mini Aussiedoodle |
| Medium | 25–50 lb / 11–23 kg | ~12–14 mo | Beagle, Border Collie, Cocker Spaniel, Std. Aussiedoodle* |
| Large | 50–100 lb / 23–45 kg | ~15–18 mo | Labrador, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Boxer |
| Giant | 100 lb+ / 45 kg+ | ~18–24 mo | Great Dane, Mastiff, St Bernard, Newfoundland |
*Standard Aussiedoodles span medium–large (≈40–70 lb / 18–32 kg); Mini Aussiedoodles are small (≈15–35 lb / 7–16 kg).
How it works: puppies of a given size reach a predictable share of their adult weight at each age. The tool divides your puppy's current weight by that share to estimate the adult figure, shown as a range.
Disclaimer: estimates for planning only — not veterinary advice. Growth varies with genetics, sex, nutrition and neuter status, especially for mixed and giant breeds. Keep records and consult your vet.
Sources: Salt et al., PLOS ONE 2017 (WALTHAM growth standards) · AKC — when puppies finish growing
German Shepherd Dog temperament and personality
German Shepherds are confident, courageous and highly intelligent, with a strong drive to work alongside their handler. They are devoted to their family and naturally watchful, often reserved with strangers until introduced. That intelligence cuts both ways: without daily exercise, training and mental challenges, a Shepherd can become anxious, destructive or overprotective. Early socialization and consistent, reward-based training are essential, and they are happiest with an active owner who includes them in daily life.-
Energy level5/5
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Trainability5/5
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Good with children4/5
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Shedding5/5
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Barking3/5
Ratings are BarnCalc’s own 1–5 scale, based on the breed standard and the sources cited below. Individual dogs vary.
History and origin
The German Shepherd Dog was created in Germany at the end of the 1800s. Cavalry officer Max von Stephanitz wanted a single, versatile working dog, and in 1899 he bought a dog named Horand von Grafrath, who became the first registered German Shepherd. That same year he founded the breed society, the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde. The breed’s intelligence and trainability soon made it a favorite for police and military work. The American Kennel Club recognized it in 1908, and in Britain it was known for decades as the ‘Alsatian’.German Shepherd Dog lifespan and health
Most German Shepherds live 7–10 years. Want to know how old that is in human terms? Try our dog years calculator, or estimate an individual dog’s outlook with the dog life expectancy calculator.Health conditions documented in the breed
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)
Health tests to ask a breeder for
The breed’s parent club recommends these screenings for breeding dogs (ask to see the results for both parents):- Hip evaluation
- Elbow evaluation
- GSDCA temperament test (required for a CHIC number)
This is general information, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own dog.
Exercise and grooming
| Exercise | 1–2 hours a day plus training |
| Grooming | Brush several times a week; daily during heavy sheds |
| Coat | Dense double coat with a harsh outer layer |
| Low shedding | No – heavy shedder |
| Apartment living | Not ideal |
How much should a German Shepherd Dog eat?
A healthy, neutered adult German Shepherd Dog weighing 50–90 lb needs roughly 1,160–1,810 kcal a day. With a typical dry food of about 375 kcal per cup, that is about 3.1–4.8 cups a day, split into two meals. Active or intact dogs need more, while older or less active dogs need less. Always check the feeding guide on your food’s label.Breeding and pregnancy
Like all dogs, a pregnant German Shepherd Dog carries her puppies for about 63 days from ovulation. Most females come into heat about every 6 months.Is a German Shepherd Dog right for you?
A great fit for
Experienced, active owners who enjoy training, outdoor activity or dog sports and want a loyal, protective companion.Think twice if
Apartment life, owners who are away most of the day, or anyone unable to commit to ongoing training and socialization.German Shepherd Dog FAQ
When is a German Shepherd Dog full grown?
How big will my German Shepherd Dog puppy get?
How much should a 6-month-old German Shepherd Dog weigh?
How long do German Shepherds live?
Do German Shepherds shed a lot?
At what age do German Shepherd ears stand up?
Similar breeds
More dog calculators
- Dog size calculatorHow big will my puppy get?
- Dog years calculatorDog age in human years
- Life expectancyLifespan by breed and size
- Gestation calculatorDue date and whelping window
- Heat cycle calculatorNext heat and fertile days
- Raw dog food calculatorDaily portions by weight
Sources
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- AKC official breed standard
- FCI breed standard
- German Shepherd Dog Club of America
- Salt C. et al. (2017), growth standard charts for monitoring bodyweight in dogs of different sizes, PLOS ONE
Main photo: Hans Kemperman, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Reviewed by grupo barncalc.com on November 6, 2026. Estimates are for planning only and are not veterinary advice.