When is a Puppy Full Grown

Size or Maturity?

When discussing how long it takes puppies to mature, it's important to make a distinction between the time that puppies reach their full adult size versus the time it takes them to mature.

Size

Most canines reach their full size by the time they are 12 to eighteen months old, although it does take longer for some of the largest breeds to finish growing. Some breeds even reach their full framework within the first six months of life, although it takes longer for the rest of their body to catch up.

Before you get a puppy, be sure to find out how large he or she is likely to become when fully grown. Depending on how quickly your new pet grows, you may be in for quite a shock. Many people think about how much fun it will be to have a cute and cuddly puppy, but don't really stop and think about what it's going to be like to live with a fully grown, adult dog.

Maturity

From a maturity perspective, it's important to keep in mind that different breeds tend to mature at different rates. Many people believe that they'll only have to put up with rambunctious puppy behavior for a year.

While some dogs do reach maturity near the end of their first year of life, others take significantly longer to mature. For example, Border Collies and other herding dogs don't begin behaving like grown-ups until they are approximately two years old. Catahoulas don't fully mature until they are closer to three years of age.

If you're bringing home a dog breed that takes a bit longer to mature than most, it's important that you are mentally prepared to live with an adult size dog who continues to behave like a puppy for an extended period of time.

So, When Is a Puppy Full Grown?

If you have been living with a puppy for a while and waiting for him or her to settle down a bit, you've probably found yourself wondering if maturity is ever going to occur. Your frustration may lead you to wonder, over and over, "when is a puppy full grown?

Puppies are full of energy. They are very rambunctious, and demand a lot of attention from their owners. When canines start to mature, they begin conducting themselves in a more dignified manner. While most dogs remain playful throughout their lives, there is a big difference between the lively activity of a mature canine and the boundless exuberance and dicey judgement exhibited by most puppies.

If your pup has always seemed to take great joy in shredding newspaper, chewing your furniture or digging holes in your yard, watch for signs that these behaviors are starting to subside. This can be a signal that maturity isn't too far over the horizon. When you notice that your dog starts to exercise a little more restraint, it's a safe bet that he or she is starting to mature.

Is There Any Relief?

Adult dogs tend to be a good bit less destructive than puppies, so don't lose sight of the fact that there is light at the end of the tunnel. If you want to encourage your dog to start conducting him or herself with more restraint sooner rather than later, it's a good idea to enroll in dog obedience training.