If you are looking for the answer to the question of when your energetic buddy will stop growing, you have jumped into the right article!
As a dog owner, many questions arise in one’s mind related to their pup, and one such question is about their growth period. Undoubtedly, all of us are very cautious about their growth.
In this article, we have answered such questions as what factors affect the growth of the GSPs and, most important, “when do German Shorthaired Pointers stop growing?” So, read this article till the end to get the answers to such questions. Let’s start!
Growth Phase of GSP Puppies
Usually, German Shorthaired Pointers complete most of their growing process till the end of the first nine months. So, these initial months are very crucial for your puppy’s development.
You have to make sure that your pup is growing properly and reaching developmental breakthroughs of their age.
After reaching this age, your pup will weigh between 22 to 28 kg for males and 18 to 24 kg for females. It will be a better idea to give a healthy physical and mental provocation to your GSP on a certain level.
Ensure that you have a good balance with your dog that works well for them and you. As they grow, so do their mental stimulation and exercise. If you don’t spend time with them and complete their growth requirements during this time, there is a chance that your puppy will get bored and start doing things on their own.
This will result in things like your slippers getting chewed! Your German Shorthaired Pointers could also experience slower growth due to certain factors, which we will discuss later in this article.
When Are They Fully Grown?
German Shorthaired Pointer puppies are a very energetic and playful kind of dog breed, and above all, they are known for incredible hunting skills, endurance, and agility.
These dogs have an aristocratic look and are magnificently loyal to their owners. They are one of those breeds that do not require to be taken care of. But it is important to monitor their growth to make sure that they are developing flawlessly.
By doing so, you can ensure that they are not getting caught up by any health problems, and if there is any issue, you can cure it before it gets out of hand.
They are regarded as fully grown by the age of 1 ⅕ or 2 years. Generally, their physical growth gets completed around the age of 1 ½ years, and cognitive growth is considered to end at the age of 2 years.
Growth Difference Between Male and Female GSPs
| Male German Shorthaired Pointers | Female German Shorthaired Pointers |
| Tend to be slightly larger in size and weightHeight- 23 to 25 inches (58 to 63 cm)Weight- 24 to 31 kg (55 to 70 pounds) | Tend to be slightly smaller in size and weightHeight- 21 to 23 inches (53 to 58 cm) Weight- 20 to 27 kg (45 to 60 pounds) |
| May have a more muscular build | May have a slimmer build |
| Typically have higher levels of testosterone, leading to a more dominant and assertive personality | Typically have lower levels of testosterone, leading to a more submissive and affectionate personality |
| May be more energetic and high-spirited | May be more calm and gentle |
Factors Affecting Their Growth
Like any other process, several factors affect the growth of German Shorthaired Pointers. It is very important to know about these and keep them in mind if you have a GSP puppy, as these factors can be harmful to your dog and can negatively affect its growth.
Also, these factors can come up with some suffering with particular conditions in the future for your dog. Let us have a look in detail at these factors so that you can prevent such issues from rising in your dog’s life.
Physical Activeness
German Shorthaired Pointers are incredible hunters. They have an enormous amount of energy, and this is true with the puppies, also.
This fact points to one thing – GSPs require plenty of exercise. If their exercise requirements are not fully fulfilled, they will naturally tend to get bored, and this boredom will lead them to become mischievous.
Exercise is an essential part of healthy mental growth and stimulation. It also helps to develop good bone density. It will keep the boredom at bay and save them from giving in to destructive behavior.
In simple words, it will help your dog to be mentally and physically fit by keeping them away from bad behavior, making their bones strong and much more. Exercise establishes that your German Shorthaired Pointer gets that signature muscular personality that other healthy dogs of this breed have.
Nourishment
Taking care of your puppy’s nutrition is essential for its ability to grow properly. If they do not get the right diet, this will affect their proper growth rate.
This will make your dog smaller as compared to other dogs of their age, which is surely not a good thing. Making sure that your GSP gets the right amount of food will not be enough. It is also important to ensure that your dog gets the right quality food too.
Make sure that your pup is eating food having all the essential minerals and right vitamins that are needed by a growing puppy. If your puppy does not get quality food with the proper amount of vitamins and essential minerals, it will negatively affect its growth.
Apart from the negative effect on growth, this will also lead to several health problems in the dog’s life, like Osteoporosis (Brittle Bone Disease).
Genes
Their genetics plays a crucial role in deciding how fast the dog will grow and what their size will be after completing the growing process. The genes the German Shorthaired Pointers get from their parents are one of the most important factors in deciding the mental and physical growth of the puppy.
So, if you want to get a nearly accurate estimation of the size of your puppy and to know its mental capabilities, you have to take a look at its parents.
If you wish to know whether the dog will be the size you wanted or not, it will be better to meet their breeder and inquire about the dog’s parents before buying one. This will not be possible if you have adopted one already.
Another benefit of meeting the dog’s parents is that you can check if they have any defects in their bodies that might pass onto the puppy, like bad joints, etc.
To Put It All Together
German Shorthaired Pointers grow at a very fast rate, and if their growth is not monitored and cared for, it can have a negative effect on their development and can even lead to problems like hip dysplasia, slow cognitive development, etc.
It is very important to know how your puppy will grow. This will help you point out any problem they have and cure them as soon as possible. Otherwise, your dog may need to live with a certain problem for the rest of its life.
Thanks for reading!
