Rottweiler Growth Chart: When Are Rottweilers Fully Grown?

The Rottweiler is a large working breed of dog that originated in Germany. These intelligent, loyal dogs were used to herd livestock and pull carts. As the breed standardized in the 19th century, Rottweilers began being used by police and military groups.

Today, Rottweilers make wonderful family pets and guard dogs. However, their large size means it’s crucial to monitor a Rottweiler puppy’s growth and development. Using a Rottweiler growth chart can help owners track their dog’s progress and catch any potential issues early.

Understanding the key factors that affect Rottweiler growth is also important:

• Genetics – The eventual size is primarily determined by the parents.
• Gender – Male Rottweilers tend to be larger than females.
• Diet & Exercise – Proper nutrition and activity levels support healthy development.

Monitoring your Rottweiler with a growth chart allows you to ensure they are growing at an appropriate rate. It can also help you estimate their adult size and determine if they are under or overweight.

For giant dog breeds like the Rottweiler, a growth chart is an indispensable tool for keeping your pup happy and healthy.

Age	Weight – Male	Weight – Female	Height – Male	Height – Female
3 months	40-45 lbs	30-35 lbs	18 in	18 in
6 months	66-77 lbs	59-64 lbs	23-24 in	22-23 in
1 year	95-125 lbs	80-95 lbs	25-27 in	24-25 in

Factors Affecting Growth

Let’s dive into the key things that influence how your Rottweiler will grow. I’ll break it down into a few main categories:

Genetics

This one might seem obvious, but the eventual size and growth rate of your Rottweiler is primarily determined by their parents.

• Like people, puppies inherit genes from both their dam (mom) and sire (dad) that affect their growth trajectory.
• As a rule of thumb, a Rottweiler puppy will rarely surpass the size of their parents.
• So if you want to predict your pup’s adult size, start by looking at the height and weight of their mom and dad – chances are good they’ll fall within a similar range.

Gender

• Male Rottweilers generally end up larger than females when fully grown.
• The growth charts reflect this, with different weight/height ranges based on sex.
• On average, males will outweigh females by 20-30 lbs as adults.

Diet & Nutrition

Food and proper nutrition are the fuels that power your Rottweiler’s growth.

• A nutritious, species-appropriate diet supports healthy development.
• Overfeeding or excessive treats/table scraps can lead to obesity.
• Certain large breed puppy foods are formulated to control growth rate and prevent issues like hip dysplasia. Discuss options with your vet.

Exercise & Activity Levels

Physical activity keeps your Rottie’s growing joints and muscles strong.

• Puppies need enough exercise to stay fit and burn energy, but shouldn’t overdo it while the growth plates are still open.
• The average Rottweiler needs 45-60 minutes of activity per day. Adjust up or down based on age and energy level.
• Swimming and joint-friendly activities are great low-impact exercise.

Health Issues

Some health conditions can impact growth if not properly managed.

• Hip dysplasia – common in large breeds, can cause abnormal growth. Regular vet checks help catch it early.
• Hypothyroidism – low thyroid levels may stunt growth. Blood tests can diagnose.
• Nutrition issues – malabsorption conditions, food allergies, etc. may hamper proper development.

Monitoring these factors with the help of your vet and a Rottweiler growth chart allows you to course-correct and get your puppy back on track if any issues arise. While genetics determine the potential, good nutrition and care help maximize your Rottie’s health as they grow.

Rottweiler Growth Chart

Now let’s get into the good stuff – actual growth charts and weight/height ranges! I’ll cover:

• Detailed growth charts for weight and height
• A graph showing the growth curve
• Tips for how to use these as a tool

Grab your pup and let’s dive in!

Weight and Height Charts

First up are the nitty gritty numbers. I’ve included growth charts for both male and female Rottweilers showing weight ranges in pounds and height ranges in inches from 8 weeks to full maturity.

Male Rottweiler Growth Chart

Age	Weight Range	Height Range
8 weeks	15 – 20 lbs	14 – 16 in
12 weeks	25 – 35 lbs	17 – 19 in
16 weeks	35 – 50 lbs	18 – 20 in
6 months	65 – 80 lbs	24 – 26 in
9 months	80 – 100 lbs	25 – 27 in
1 year	90 – 120 lbs	25 – 27 in
1.5 years	100 – 130 lbs	25 – 27 in
2 years	110 – 140 lbs	25 – 27 in

As you can see, male Rottweilers go through a major growth spurt between 3-9 months, nearly quadrupling their weight in that time. Their height peaks around 1 year old.

Female Rottweiler Growth Chart

Age	Weight Range	Height Range
8 weeks	10 – 15 lbs	14 – 16 in
12 weeks	20 – 30 lbs	17 – 19 in
16 weeks	30 – 40 lbs	18 – 20 in
6 months	50 – 70 lbs	22 – 24 in
9 months	60 – 80 lbs	23 – 25 in
1 year	70 – 90 lbs	23 – 25 in
1.5 years	75 – 95 lbs	23 – 25 in
2 years	75 – 100 lbs	23 – 25 in

Female Rotties follow a similar curve, just at slightly lower weights/heights at each age milestone. Their peak height also tends to top out around 1 year old.

These charts give a general idea of the range your puppy should fall within at different ages. Don’t panic if they are a little above or below – each dog develops at their own pace!

Growth Rate Graph

To visualize the growth curve, here is a graph showing the increasing weight of male vs female Rottweilers from 8 weeks to 1 year:

As you can see, the period of fastest growth is around 4-8 months for both sexes. The growth rate slows down significantly after 9 months or so.

Using the Charts

Here are some tips for putting these Rottweiler growth charts to work for your pup:

• Weigh and measure your puppy every 2-4 weeks to track their progress.
• Compare to the chart ranges for their age and sex.
• Discuss any major deviations with your veterinarian.
• Use the adult targets to budget for food, supplies, etc.
• Adjust feeding amount regularly as they grow.
• Monitor body condition – adjust diet if over or underweight.
• Take lots of pictures! It’s fun to look back on the amazing progress.

So there you have it – a full set of Rottweiler growth charts and tools to help keep your growing puppy on track. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Growth Stages and Milestones

As your Rottweiler grows, they’ll pass through various life stages, each with their own physical and behavioral changes. Monitoring these milestones is crucial for ensuring proper development.

In this section, I’ll break down what to expect as your puppy progresses from tiny fluffball to full grown dog!

Puppyhood (8 weeks – 1 year)

The first year of a Rottweiler’s life is all about rapid growth and learning.

Physical Changes

During the puppy phase, you can expect:

• Quadrupling in weight and height
• Switching from puppy to adult teeth around 5-6 months
• Muscles and joints growing and developing
• Coat changes – potentially lighter fur that darkens with maturity

Behavioral Changes

Puppies undergo massive brain development and need extensive socialization. Be sure to:

• Expose your puppy to new people, animals, places, sounds, etc.
• Attend puppy training classes for basic skills and socialization.
• Discourage nipping behaviors and reinforce manners.
• Build a strong bond through play, training, and quality time.

Milestones

Common Rottweiler puppy milestones include:

• 8-12 weeks – learning housetraining and bite inhibition
• 4 months – completing vaccine schedule
• 6 months – able to focus for 5+ minutes, ready for obedience training
• 8-10 months – adolescence starts, prep for behaviors like jumping, mounting, testing boundaries
• 1 year – transition to adult food, continued training is important

Adolescence (1-2 years)

The Rottweiler adolescent phase brings new training challenges:

Physical Changes

• Filling out muscle mass and body size
• Reaching full adult height – growth plates close between 12-18 months
• Weight gain slows around 18 months, full adult weight around 2 years

Behavioral Changes

• Testing boundaries
• Less focused – can be distractible and stubborn
• Will push to see what they can get away with

Milestones

• Complete training program
• Spay/neuter (if desired) after plates close, around 1.5 years
• Maintain strong leadership and reinforcement of commands
• Use distraction techniques to keep focus
• Practice public access skills for therapy/service training

Adulthood (2+ years)

Once Rottweilers reach maturity, focus shifts to maintaining health and training:

Physical Changes

• Fill out broad chest and body mass
• Coat condition may improve

Behavioral Changes

• Settles into adult temperament – loyal, calm, devoted
• High energy, especially when young
• Training is lifelong – practice daily, learn new skills

Milestones

• Consistent exercise routine
• Refresh and reinforce obedience skills
• Potential to pursue therapy dog certification, dog sports, other advanced training
• Transition to adult food around 2 years if not done earlier
• Senior, lifelong care and health maintenance

There you have it – a complete guide to the physical and behavioral changes you can expect as your Rottweiler grows from puppy to adult! Let me know if you need any help navigating the stages.

When Rottweilers Stop Growing

Now that we’ve gone through the growth charts by age, let’s discuss when Rottweilers actually stop growing and reach their full size.

Reaching Full Height

• Most Rottweilers will reach their full adult height somewhere between 12-18 months old.
• Their growth plates (soft areas of cartilage where bones grow) will fully harden and close during this period.
• Once the plates close, the long bones in the legs will not get any longer.
• For a Rottweiler at the taller end of the range, full height around 12 months is common. More petite Rotties may take closer to 18 months.
• You can track when your puppy hits this milestone by consistently measuring their height and watching for the numbers to plateau.

Reaching Full Weight

• Although Rottweilers stop growing UP around 1-1.5 years, they will continue to fill out and gain muscle mass and weight for an extended period.
• Most Rottweilers will reach their full adult weight somewhere between 2-3 years old.
• The extra weight comes from increased chest width, head size, and muscle growth.
• Make sure any weight gain after 12-18 months is lean muscle, not fat! Adjust diet and exercise as needed to keep your adult Rottie fit.

Impacts of Spay/Neuter on Growth

• If you plan to sterilize your Rottweiler, it’s best to wait until after they finish growing to avoid potential issues.
• Neutering or spaying too early (before full maturity) can cause increased growth in terms of height or weight gain.
• For giant breeds like Rottweilers, it’s best to wait until at least 12-18 months to rule out negative impacts on joints/growth plates.
• Discuss timing with your vet – females may need earlier spay than males need neutering.

Dangers of Too Rapid Growth

For giant breed puppies like Rotties, growing too big or too fast can be problematic:

• The pressure on developing joints from rapid growth rates can lead to orthopedic issues, like hip or elbow dysplasia.
• Overfeeding to try to deliberately make a puppy grow faster is extremely dangerous and can lead to lifelong health issues.
• likewise, insufficient nutrition that stunts development can also cause issues.

The Rottweiler growth charts are useful guidelines, but your vet’s assessment of your puppy’s developmental progress is crucial for determining if they are growing at a healthy, sustainable pace.

As a committed Rottweiler owner, be patient – let your pup reach their full adult stature and weight naturally to give them the best chance at living a long, healthy, active life!

Expected Adult Size

Now that we’ve covered growth timelines, let’s discuss expectations for the full grown size of an adult Rottweiler.

Average Size

According to the American Kennel Club breed standards:

• Male Rottweilers typically range from 24-27 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 95-135 pounds at maturity.
• Females are normally 22-25 inches tall and weigh 80-100 pounds as adult dogs.

Of course, some individuals will fall slightly outside these ranges, especially if their parents were outliers in terms of size. The averages give a good general guideline.

Range of Normal

• While the above dimensions are the AKC breed standard, there can be normal variability in size:
  • Some male Rottweilers may weigh 110-145 lbs
  • Some females may be 70-110 lbs
• Differences within the normal range don’t necessarily indicate a problem.
• Genetics, diet, exercise, and health all impact final adult proportions.

Evaluating Weight

Regardless of specific weight, you want to ensure your Rottweiler maintains optimal body condition:

• You should be able to easily feel (but not see) the ribs without excess fat.
• Viewed from above, your dog’s waist should clearly taper in behind the ribs.
• Your vet can help assess if your dog is overweight or underweight.
• Regular weighing at home can also help monitor trends.

While the expected size ranges are useful guidelines, remember that health and happiness are ultimately what matter most!

Ensuring Healthy Growth

Caring for a rapidly growing Rottweiler puppy is a big responsibility. Here are some tips to keep your pup healthy:

Diet & Nutrition

• Feed a high-quality puppy food formulated for large breeds – these are optimized for controlled growth rate.
• Follow portion guidelines on the label and adjust as needed to maintain ideal body condition.
• Avoid overfeeding – excess weight puts more stress on developing joints.
• Use treats sparingly, count toward daily calories, and avoid table scraps.

Exercise & Activity

• Puppies need daily exercise to build muscle and burn energy, but shouldn’t overdo activities while growing.
• Plan for 45-60 minutes of activity split into 2-3 sessions for most young Rotties.
• Choose lower impact activities like swimming or hiking on soft surfaces.
• Limit jumping, rough play, and hard running on concrete.
• Adjust activity as needed based on energy level and vet advice.

Veterinary Care

• Make sure your puppy has regular vet visits for exams, vaccines, and to monitor growth.
• Discuss any major deviations from standard growth rates.
• Take advantage of wellness plans for affordable preventative care.
• Be vigilant for symptoms of issues like hip dysplasia or joint pain.
• Ask your vet about screening tests relevant for the breed.

Pet Health Insurance

• Consider investing in pet insurance, especially for giant breed dogs like Rottweilers.
• Plans can help reimburse treatment costs if issues like dysplasia develop.
• Accidents and illnesses happen – coverage provides peace of mind.
• Preventative care coverage options can offset routine vet costs.
• Compare plans to choose the best fit for your needs and budget.

Following these best practices and tracking your Rottweiler’s growth on a chart will set you both up for a happy, healthy journey together! Let me know if any other questions come up along the way.

FAQs

How big will my Rottweiler puppy get?

Use the breed weight ranges as a guide, but your puppy’s predicted size is largely based on the parents’ size. Most will fall within the typical height and weight for the breed.

Is my Rottweiler underweight or overweight?

Your veterinarian can best assess body condition, but you should be able to easily feel but not see your Rottweiler’s ribs. An overly thick waist or lack of waist definition can indicate excess weight.

What causes abnormal size?

Genetics ultimately determine size, but issues like malnutrition, illness, or trauma can impact growth. Some dogs are just naturally outside the average ranges.

When do Rottweilers stop growing?

Most Rottweilers reach their full adult height around 12-18 months old. They reach their full weight between 2-3 years old.

How can I estimate adult weight?

Take your puppy’s weight at 4 months and double it. Then add about 10 lbs for a male or subtrace 3-5 lbs for a female. This gives a rough estimate of adult weight, but genetics play a major role.

Let me know if you have any other questions!