If you’ve found yourself reading this article, you are probably thinking about being or are already the proud owner of a new Rottweiler puppy. Congratulations! Rottweilers, or Rotties, are beautiful, confident, intelligent, and athletic dogs. Although you will already know that Rotties are large breed dogs, you probably wonder how quickly you should expect your Rottie to grow and what is typical for their development.
Growth Chart Timeline
When we think about growth in puppies, we don’t just consider their height or weight. Just as important are other milestones in their mental development. When reading information on the average sizes or weights at different ages for your pup (as we have provided below), it’s vital to remember that an average does not mean every dog will be this size. Some dogs will be larger, and some will be smaller than average. The important thing to remember is your Rottweiler puppy will grow on their own timeline.
If you are ever worried about your puppy’s development, then please speak to your veterinarian, who will be able to check everything is on track for you.
0-2 Weeks
At this stage, your little puppy is wholly dependent on their mom. Dogs are born blind and deaf and get all of their nutrition from their mom’s milk. Around 10-14 days, your puppy will begin to open their eyes and hear sounds for the very first time.
1 Month
Your puppy is already active and beginning to socialize and play with their litter mates by this time. He may start to try puppy food for the first time but still gets all their nutrition from a mom’s milk. You will notice he is spending a lot of his time playing. This is vital for developing normal socialization skills.
2 Months
Once your pup reaches eight weeks of age, he is ready to leave their mom. He will be fully weaned and should be fed on a complete puppy diet designed to meet his complex nutritional needs. His stomach is only little at this age, so his daily food requirement should be split over 3-4 meals spaced evenly throughout the day.
While they may seem only to be a baby at this age, it is never too early to start training and socialization. Your new Rottie pup is ready to learn. All puppies have a critical developmental window, termed the “socialization window.” This is when they are most receptive to learning how to behave and act around other living things or new experiences.
This window is thought to close after about 16 weeks of age. After this time, it can be harder for your pup to adapt to a new or challenging situation, leading to anxiety, fear, or aggressive behaviors developing. Therefore, your new puppy must have as many new, positive experiences in these early weeks as possible. This should be balanced with the risk of disease exposure until your pup has had all their shots.
You should start crate and potty training right away with your pup. Remember, they only have a tiny bladder and will need the chance to pee often. Also, accidents will happen. Patience and a regular schedule are the keys to success here.
3 Months
You may notice your pup starting to chew or bite more around this time. This is when they start teething – losing their baby teeth to allow space for their adult teeth to grow in. Using teething under supervision can help displace unwanted biting or chewing behaviors.
It is vital to continue to socialize with your pup at this time. Meeting as many new people and animals, and experiencing new things like trips to the vet or groomer will help your new Rottie grow into a well-rounded and relaxed adult. Rottie’s can be territorial dogs, so socialization is critical to prevent unwanted behaviors in later life. If your puppy has a negative or frightening experience, then take things slowly to show them that things are okay to try and desensitize them to whatever has upset them.
Training can be overwhelming, especially if you are new to owning a dog, so consider taking your pup to some puppy classes. They are fun and great to give you some structure and support in your dog training journey.
4-6 months
Like with young children, your Rottie may try to push the boundaries and see what he can get away with around this age. Be consistent with your training structure to ensure he learns appropriate boundaries. Continue to expose your puppy to as many new experiences as possible.
7-12 months
Your Rottie should have all of her adult teeth in place by around seven months old. If any baby teeth have stubbornly stayed in place, have them checked by your veterinarian, as they may need to be removed to prevent severe dental disease from developing.
Remember, Rottie’s are a slow-growing breed. Attempts to bulk your pup up or accelerate their growth rate can lead to joint and bone disease. Let your puppy grow on their own time, and if you are worried about their growth rate, speak to your veterinarian for reassurance.
Female Rotties can reach puberty as early as six months, but more commonly, they will not experience their first heat cycle (season) until 12-18 months of age.
Beyond 12 months.
Although your Rottie may reach full height by around one year old, he may continue to fill out even beyond the two-year mark. These dogs are slow-growing, and some larger males may not reach full size until closer to three years old. However, you must monitor their weight closely to prevent obesity and reduce the risk of them developing joint disease.
Rottweiler Growth Chart
Below we have provided information on approximate heights and weights for Rottie puppies as they grow. Your puppy may be larger or smaller, which can be perfectly normal. They may also, like children, have periods of rapid growth and then times when they have little or no growth. This, too, can be perfectly normal. Therefore, these numbers are simply a guide. If you are worried about your puppy’s development, please speak to your veterinarian.
MalesFemalesApproximate Weight (lbs)Approximate Height (inches)Approximate Weight (lbs)Approximate Height (inches)8 weeks1313161310 weeks2215261512 weeks331837184 months371950205 months502164226 months632375237months772475258 months802486259 months8324982610months8824106261 year9325110262 years992512026
Other Things To Consider
Genetics
Looking at your new pup’s parents and grandparents can indicate how large to expect them to grow. This, however, is not a reliable measure as it isn’t always the case that large parents will produce a giant puppy.
Nutrition
Good nutrition is a vital component of healthy growth for your Rottie puppy. Good nutrition isn’t just feeding as much as possible. In fact, this can be detrimental. Instead, it is about meeting your puppy’s daily requirements for macronutrients such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and their vitamin and mineral needs. The easiest way to ensure you meet all of your puppy’s complex requirements when it comes to these things is to feed a complete, balanced commercial puppy diet. Check out our picks for the best dog food for Rottweilers.
However, some pet parents prefer to prepare their pup’s food at home. Home-made diets can be extremely hard to get right, and mistakes can lead to long-term health problems for your new puppy. Therefore, if you feel strongly that a home-prepped diet is a way to go, we advise speaking to your veterinarian. They will be able to help or guide you to a veterinary nutritionist who can tailor a diet to meet your puppy’s individual needs. Raw feeding is not recommended due to the risks to both your puppy and your family from the potential bacteria and parasites in raw meat.
Medical Conditions
Rotties are sadly more at risk of a developmental joint condition called “osteochondrosis dissecans” (OCD), where there are problems with the cartilage in the joints. This leads to pain, lameness, and reluctance to play. In Rotties, the hock (ankle) joints are most at risk. Whilst the disease is multifactorial, and genetics play a role, poor nutrition (as stated, this does not just equate to the amount fed but also the quality of the diet) and hormonal issues can also play a part.
Spay & Neutering
If you are thinking about having your Rottie pup spayed or neutered, it is recommended to discuss this with your veterinarian when you go for your puppy vaccination appointment. They will be able to advise the risks and benefits of the procedure, including the best age to have this done (although there may be a legal requirement to have this done early in some cities, so it is important to check your city and state legislation.)
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age will my Rottweiler stop growing?
Rottweilers are slow to mature. Rottweilers will generally reach their adult height by around a year old, but they may continue to fill out until they are two years old or even sometimes beyond this. They are sensitive dogs and take a long time to reach full mental maturity. Ensure you are comfortable assessing your Rottie pup’s weight. These large breed dogs should not be allowed to become overweight due to the significant risk of joint disease.
How big is an adult Rottweiler meant to be?
An average adult male Rottie will stand between 24 and 27 inches tall and weigh between 95-135 pounds. An average female will stand between 22-25 inches and weigh between 80-100 pounds. These values are averages, meaning some dogs will be bigger or smaller than these numbers.
Final Thoughts
Rottweilers are lovely, affectionate, and intelligent dogs. With the proper training and socialization, they can make for great family pets. It is essential to remember your Rottie is a slow-growing breed, and trying to bulk up or accelerate her growth rates can cause damage to her joints in later life. Your Rottie will grow on her own timescale, but if you have concerns about her growth or development, speak to your local veterinarian for advice.
The post Rottweiler Growth Chart: Puppy Milestones & What To Expect appeared first on Love Your Dog.