When it comes to Pitbulls, they can grow quite large, so it is understandable that you might want to know just when they will stop growing – after all, they can seem rather intimidating being muscular and tall!
Pitbulls tend to stop growing at a fast pace around the 1 year old mark, however they still continue to grow at a slower rate for another 1 to 2 years.
Even so, it actually all comes down to the gender of the Pitbull, as well as their overall health and age which depends on how big they will become.
So, with this in mind, let’s take a look at when a Pitbull might stop growing!
How Big Might A Pitbull Get?
If you have adopted a Pitbull puppy, then you might want to understand how big it might get.
This is especially important if you are worried about managing the dog, as well as if you have kids.
They are considered to be a medium dog, which means they are not either small or big.
Despite this, there are Pitbulls who have been bred to be small or big, so do keep that in mind when it comes to the breed, too.
Some of these are known as a ‘Pocket Pitbull’ and an ‘XL Pitbull’. So let;s take a look at them in more detail:
XL Pitbull
It all comes down to the size of the parents on how big they will actually grow, but these sized dogs are better to be owned by those who are experienced dog handlers.
They are also relatively new, having been bred back in 2013.
They are included within the American Bully breeds and are known as a ‘designer’.
Pocket Pitbull
Likely to have been bred due to the fashion of owning a small dog, the Pocket Pitbull can be as tiny as 12 inches, with a range of up to 16 inches.
They are also really lightweight too, and are good for first time Pitbull owners.
It was crossbred with a Patterdale Terrier and an American Pitbull to create its appearance and miniature size.
Can You Know When A Pitbull Stops Growing?
As we stated before, in the first year of a Pitbull’s life, he or she will grow at a rapid rate before slowing down, yet still growing.
It is common to also notice that every week your Pitbull is gaining and losing weight as it grows.
This should stop once it has reached its final height if it is a healthy Pitbull.
There are times when a Pitbull may reach its final height at 1 year, but it isn;t uncommon for the Pitbull to still be growing a year or 2 after.
It will become less noticeable of course, though you will notice that both their height and weight will stabilize.
After around 2 or 3 years, they should also be at their adult weight capacity too.
Are There Things That Affect A Pitbull’s Growth?
Like with any dog, there are factors which can affect the final growth of your Pitbull. So let’s take a look at them:
Diet
Feeding your Pitbull a well balanced and nutritious diet is paramount during the first 2 to 3 years of their life.
They need this food to help them grow, and without it they are likely to suffer from slow growth due to not having the right nutrition.
Because they grow so fast in the first 1 to 2 years they will need an adequate amount of minerals, calories, and vitamins to support their growth.
If they don’t have the required amount, it will stunt their growth and also leave them open to illness and injuries.
Health
Some Pitbulls, like other dogs, may suffer with a big health issue early on in their life. If it affects their hormones, then it can have a detrimental effect on their overall growth too.
There is a possibility that once the illness has passed that they have a random spurt of growth, though unfortunately this isn’t always the case, especially when an illness might be something which is lifelong.
Injuries
Pitbulls are known for being very energetic, and unlike other dogs, they may not avoid taking on physical activities.
Whilst they are none the wiser, as a dog owner, you will want to make sure that they don’t bite off more than they can chew (sorry for the pun).
If they become injured, this can cause them to stop growing.
The reason they are so susceptible to injury is because their bones are fragile in the first couple of years of their life. This doesn’t mix well with their energy.
For this reason, make sure your Pitbull gets enough exercise, but doesn’t overdo it. They need to have a good balance whilst their body is still growing.
Genetics
It isn’t surprising that the genetics of a Pitbull plays a huge role in how big they grow.
For example, if they are crossbred with the Patterdale Terrier and an American Pitbull, then you already know that they are not going to grow very tall.
However, not everybody knows the actual characteristics from their dog’s parents, despite the breed itself. If you are unsure, your local veterinarian can do a test for you to find out.
Neutering And Spaying
It has been proved that desexing your dog at an early age will cause them to have an acceleration in growth during a period of time.
This is because the ‘growth plates’ are open to growing for much longer, compared to usual.
Some owners think that it also increases the overall body mass of a Pitbull too, but there isn’t much research in this area to comment whether it is true or not.
Final Thoughts
There are a few things that play a role in how big your Pitbull will get, but in simple terms, they generally grow at a rapid rate for around a year or 2, and then continue to grow slowly for around 2 more years.
Hi everyone, I’m Emily Andrews and I can’t wait to explain why Bullypaw.org means so much to me.
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a veterinarian. I loved every dog, horse, bird, and squirrel. But from an early age, I noticed that bully dogs like Pitbulls and Staffordshire Terriers were given a different treatment than their friends.
Everyone said they were prone to aggression, but I didn’t believe it. They seemed just as friendly as my family Labrador. Turns out I was right. These dogs are loyal and were once considered the perfect nanny dogs.
My love for animals wasn’t just a childhood fantasy. In 2002 I graduated from my veterinary school in New Zealand with a BVSc. I wanted to travel the world and help rejected animals as I went, but to do that I needed to pass the American Exams. It didn’t take long for me to earn a DVM, and soon I was heading to Florida.
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