One of the most exciting parts of bringing home a German Shepherd puppy is watching them grow from a tiny bundle of fur into a strong, intelligent, and confident adult dog. German Shepherds grow quickly during their first year, but every puppy develops at their own pace.

Some puppies experience rapid growth spurts, while others mature more gradually. Genetics, nutrition, exercise, overall health, and gender all influence how quickly a puppy grows.

At Vom Dreifke German Shepherds, we often hear questions like:

Is my puppy the right weight?
When will their ears stand up?
When do they stop teething?
How big will they get?
When will they calm down?

This guide walks you through what you can generally expect during your German Shepherd puppy’s first year.

German Shepherd Puppy Growth Timeline

While every puppy is different, most German Shepherds follow a similar pattern of development.

Birth to 2 Weeks

Your puppy is completely dependent on their mother.

During this stage they:

Cannot see well
Cannot hear well
Sleep almost constantly
Nurse every few hours
Begin gaining weight rapidly

Healthy puppies should steadily gain weight every day.

3 Weeks

Your puppy begins exploring.

Development includes:

Eyes fully open
Hearing improves
Walking becomes steadier
First interactions with littermates
Baby teeth begin appearing

This is the beginning of early social development.

4 Weeks

German Shepherd puppies become much more active.

They begin:

Playing
Running
Wrestling
Exploring new objects
Eating softened puppy food
Learning bite inhibition from littermates

5 Weeks

Confidence continues growing.

Puppies begin:

Learning social skills
Becoming curious
Playing more vigorously
Developing unique personalities

Breeders begin observing temperament differences.

6 Weeks

This is an important learning period.

Puppies continue:

Socialization
Handling
Early confidence building
Exposure to household sounds
Learning from littermates

Most puppies weigh approximately 10–15 pounds, although size varies.

7 Weeks

Many breeders perform temperament evaluations around this age.

Puppies become:

More confident
Curious
Playful
Interested in people
Better problem solvers

8 Weeks

This is the age many puppies go home.

Average weight:

Male: 15–20 pounds
Female: 12–18 pounds

Your puppy should begin learning:

House training
Crate training
Name recognition
Basic commands
Socialization

9–10 Weeks

Your puppy gains confidence daily.

Expect:

More energy
More chewing
Increased curiosity
Rapid learning
Short attention span

Many puppies experience their first “zoomies.”

11–12 Weeks

Average weight:

Male: 22–30 pounds
Female: 20–28 pounds

Many puppies begin:

Loose leash walking
Better recall
Improved sleep schedule
Longer play sessions

Some ears may begin standing.

Others remain floppy.

Both are normal.

4 Months

One of the biggest developmental stages.

Average weight:

Male: 35–40 pounds
Female: 30–35 pounds

You may notice:

Heavy teething
More chewing
Faster growth
Longer legs
Increased confidence

Many ears begin standing permanently during this stage.

5 Months

Your puppy may appear tall and awkward.

Growth often occurs faster than muscle development.

Expect:

Growth spurts
Loose coordination
Increased appetite
More confidence

Training should continue daily.

6 Months

Halfway through the first year.

Average weight:

Male: 50–60 pounds
Female: 40–50 pounds

Your puppy now resembles a small adult.

Teething usually finishes around this age.

Adult teeth should be present.

7 Months

Energy remains high.

Many owners notice:

Testing boundaries
Increased independence
Improved focus during training
Better bladder control

Continue rewarding good behavior consistently.

8 Months

Muscle development becomes more noticeable.

The puppy still has significant growing left to do.

Many German Shepherds enter adolescence during this period.

9 Months

Average weight:

Male: 65–75 pounds
Female: 55–65 pounds

Some dogs begin calming slightly.

Others remain extremely energetic.

Both are normal.

10 Months

Your puppy should now understand:

Sit
Down
Stay
Come
Place
Loose leash walking

Consistency remains important.

11 Months

Growth slows considerably.

Your puppy begins filling out instead of simply getting taller.

12 Months

Your German Shepherd reaches approximately:

Male

65–90 pounds
24–26 inches tall

Female

50–70 pounds
22–24 inches tall

Many dogs continue filling out until they are 18–24 months old.

German Shepherd Puppy Weight Chart

Age	Male	Female
8 Weeks	15–20 lbs	12–18 lbs
12 Weeks	22–30 lbs	20–28 lbs
4 Months	35–40 lbs	30–35 lbs
6 Months	50–60 lbs	40–50 lbs
9 Months	65–75 lbs	55–65 lbs
12 Months	65–90 lbs	50–70 lbs

Remember these are averages.

Healthy puppies vary considerably.

When Do German Shepherd Ears Stand Up?

Most ears stand between:

8 weeks
5 months

Some puppies take longer.

Ears may:

Stand one day
Flop the next
Stand unevenly
Alternate for several weeks

This is usually normal.

Avoid taping ears unless recommended by an experienced breeder or veterinarian.

Teething Timeline

German Shepherd puppies generally:

Begin teething around 3–4 months
Lose baby teeth
Develop adult teeth
Finish teething around 6–7 months

Chewing increases dramatically during this period.

Provide safe chew toys.

Growth Spurts

Growth is rarely steady.

Your puppy may suddenly:

Gain several pounds
Grow taller overnight
Become clumsy
Eat more
Sleep more

Growth spurts are normal.

Mental Development

Physical growth is only one part of development.

Your puppy also learns:

Confidence
Social skills
Obedience
Bite inhibition
House manners
Self-control

Training should continue throughout adolescence.

Nutrition During Growth

Choose a high-quality large-breed puppy food.

Avoid:

Overfeeding
Excess calcium supplements
Rapid weight gain

Keeping your puppy lean supports healthy joint development.

Exercise During Growth

Growing puppies need balanced activity.

Avoid:

Long-distance running
Excessive jumping
Repetitive fetch
Running beside bicycles

Instead focus on:

Short walks
Training
Play
Mental stimulation
Controlled exploration

When Do German Shepherds Calm Down?

Many owners ask this question.

Generally:

8 weeks–6 months: Puppy stage
6–18 months: Adolescent stage
18–24 months: Increased maturity
2–3 years: Most dogs settle significantly

Training and routine influence behavior as much as age.

Signs Your Puppy Is Growing Normally

Healthy puppies usually:

Eat well
Gain weight steadily
Remain playful
Learn quickly
Develop muscle
Have bright eyes
Maintain a shiny coat

When Should You Contact Your Veterinarian?

Contact your veterinarian if your puppy:

Stops gaining weight
Suddenly loses weight
Limping develops
Refuses food
Seems weak
Has persistent diarrhea
Vomits repeatedly
Appears painful
Stops growing unexpectedly
Shows unusual swelling

Early evaluation helps identify potential problems.

Every Puppy Develops at Their Own Pace

Growth charts are helpful guides—not strict rules.

Some German Shepherd puppies mature faster.

Others remain lean and lanky before suddenly filling out months later.

Genetics play a significant role in your puppy’s final size and appearance.

Focus on raising a healthy, confident, well-socialized puppy rather than comparing them to others.

At Vom Dreifke German Shepherds, we carefully breed for health, temperament, intelligence, and correct German Shepherd structure. We are always happy to answer questions and support our puppy families throughout every stage of development.

To learn more about our available puppies, upcoming litters, or adoption process, contact Vom Dreifke German Shepherds.

Call or Text: (804) 896-1066
Website: vomdreifkeshepherds.com