Ge man Shepherds Size

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I have always wanted a really big GS. Mine was 60 lbs when I got him at 6 months. Is that large for that ag! He's now almost 8 months old and doesn't seem to have grown much. Would I normally see a diff. within 2 months? I realize by me seeing him everyday it may also seem to me that he hasn't grown. Thanks,

ANSWER: I am afraid he won't be that much bigger.  I think dogs sort of grow in an upside down hockey stick pattern.  Shepherds perhaps more than Labs.  They shoot up to much of their adult height by 4-5 months and then level off.  I have noticed more growth later in our last 4 Labs since we have had a older dog in the house to compare them to.  I do think larger dogs tend to grow longer.  We had a big discussion of this on a dog forum, and no 2 of us seemed to have the same experience.  

He may have grown some between 6-8 months, but hardly enough to see, and should continue to grow, but what you are seeing is about what you will have a year from now.  One of the people in the discussion had ticks on the wall showing his Golden continuing to grow in its second year, but not that much.

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QUESTION: Many people say that he may get about 40 lbs bigger. I know usually dogs grow up to a year but I have a friend who's dog is 2 and was growing at age 2! I guess all situations are different. I was just wondering if by him being 65 lbs is that considered large for a GS.
Thanks again!

Answer
The height at the shoulder is a better measure of size than th eweight.  At least with German Shepherds most of them are fairly lean.  When I am out with my Lab, people are forever telling me about their 90-100 pound Labs.  I am really afraid thay should be 70-80 pounds.  Over eating is a big problem in Labs.  Shepherds are the opposite.  My S&S Guide to Dogs gives 77-85 pounds for German Shepherds and 24-26 inches at the shoulder.  You may find the same figures at www.akc.org  I would say yours is on the samll side.  My daughter had one that was a lean 88 pounds at a year old.  He was a big boy.  Dogs may still grow in their second year, but not very much.