My German shepherd is either 8 or 9 months, she's 36 weeks, she looks tiny I've measured her to be 22-23 inchs standing, from leg to back. Then sitting 28 inchs from paw to the top of her head. I've seen a lot of German shepherds in the park every time I walk her and there huge! She's the smallest one I've seen. Will she grow more? She's also very skinny but I've been feeding her 2 large amounts a day.

If you are worried she isn't growing call the vet. They may be able to see something you are not. Otherwise congrats on your puppy!

First you need to know how to accurately measure a dog.

With the dog standing, you measure:
1. from the withers (where the shoulders come together at the base of the neck) to the ground.
2. from the withers to the dock (base) of the tail.


This is the American Kennel Club standard for German Shepherd Dogs: German Shepherd Dog Page (http://www.akc.org/breeds/german_shepherd_dog/index.cfm) . The standard is the Ideal that breeders are looking trying for. Some animals will end up being smaller or larger.

You will see that there are different measurements for males and females. Remember that your dog is still growing. She won't reach her full size for several more months. Be careful about over feeding her. You want her frame (bones) to develop before she starts putting on adult muscle mass.

I suggest seeing if there is a GSD club in your area. Breed specific clubs can be a great source of information and resources.

The only thing I would add to excellent advice above is to make sure that she is up to date on vaccines and has been properly dewormed and checked for intestinal parasites at the vets.

Some dogs are not breed standard, which is why they should be spayed/neutered.

You may have a small GSD.. that doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with her. She is just small for the breed.

My German shepherd is either 8 or 9 months, she's 36 weeks, she looks tiny iv measured her to be 22-23 inchs standing, from leg to back. Then sitting 28 inchs from paw to the top of her head. Iv seen a lot of German shepherds in the park every time I walk her and there huge! She's the smallest one iv seen. Will she grow more? She's also very skinny but iv been feeding her 2 large amounts a day.


I've owned small German Shepherds and large German Shepherds. What is the size of the parents?

Is she pure GSD? You don't seem to know her age - ?

I've had German Shepherds that were heavy and I've some that were thin. I had one that absolutely could not put weight on. He was always very slender but very healthy. Lived to be 12.

He was a rescue, but I located one of his siblings and he was every bit as slender as my dog. I'm assuming it was "in the genes."