When Do Pitbulls Stop Growing?

blue pitbull puppy

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Any fur parent will wonder if their furry friend’s weight and height (among other things) are normal. When it comes to Pitbulls, however, determining whether their growth is normal can be a bit tricky, especially if you don’t know exactly what type of Pitbull you have at home.

Pitbulls are a medium-sized breed that grows up to around 76 lb (34.47 kg). On average, Pitbulls stop growing when they reach 12 to 18 months. However, some will not reach their final weight and height until a few years, as larger breeds may grow until they are two to three years old. 

To see whether your Pitbull is growing as it should, one of the most obvious places to look are their size and weight in relation to their age. But other than these, other factors, such as gender and genetics, affect how they grow and how large (or small) they are meant to be in their growth process toward adulthood. Let’s learn more about this in the rest of this article.

Measuring a Pitbull’s Growth

There are several ways to measure a Pitbull’s growth, and they don’t usually happen linearly. People often assume that increases in height and weight should be proportional. However, several factors, such as gender and history, can influence a Pitbull’s growth.

For instance, a male Pitbull may bulk up on muscles much earlier than a female, significantly increasing in weight at a much younger age. Diet can also affect growth rate and teeth development.

In this section, you’ll learn more about a Pitbull’s growth in terms of height and weight. I’ll also share about their teeth development as they grow.

In Height

A mature Pitbull is typically 17 to 21 inches (43.2 to 53.3 cm) tall. Most will reach their final height at around 12 to 18 months, but larger breeds (such as a Mastiff cross) may grow taller until they are three years old. 

If you don’t know your pup’s history or their parents’ breeds and still want to know whether they are yet to grow any bigger, you can use the size of their paws as a reference. Dogs with paws that are too big for their legs have not yet reached their adult size.

Weight

blue pitbull growing up

By the time they reach one year old, Pitbulls will typically have reached their final weight. Male Pitbulls weigh about 76 pounds (34.5 kg) while female ones weigh about 64 pounds (29 kg). The growth spurt happens at three to six months, during which you will see a very noticeable change in their size and height.

Some Pitbulls continue to grow even after they have passed the one-year mark, but by this stage, the difference will be mostly seen in the bulking up of the muscles. Others may continue to beef up until they are three years old, although the difference in height and weight by this time will not be as big as in their first year.

Standard Pitbulls do not reach more than 80 pounds (36.3 kg). So if you have one that does (accompanied by a height that is more than that of a standard adult Pitbull’s), you can be sure that they have been bred with a much larger breed, such as a Mastiff. 

Monitoring your Pitbull’s weight is important in making sure that they do not become obese. Obesity puts Pitbulls at a greater risk of disease. And remember, just as in humans, it can be very challenging for dogs to lose weight once they become overweight.

How To Predict A Pitbull’s Adult Weight

Suppose you want to know how big your puppy will be in adulthood. In that case, you can calculate their adult weight yourself by dividing your puppy’s current weight in pounds by their age in weeks and then multiplying the result by 52 weeks (Puppy Weight ÷ Puppy Age × 52 = Estimated Adult Weight).

But if that’s too much of a hassle, you can simply use an online Pitbull weight calculator or forecaster, where you only need to input your puppy’s age and weight to find out their estimated adult weight.  

Teeth

Pitbulls get all of their permanent teeth by the time they are seven to eight months old. They begin to lose their deciduous or milk teeth at 12 weeks, during which time their permanent teeth also begin to erupt one by one in a process called teething. 

Dogs have a total of 42 permanent teeth by their eighth month up to adulthood. These teeth are composed of incisors, canine teeth, premolars, and molars.

But the teething process through which dogs acquire their permanent teeth is often painful at worst and uncomfortable at best. To alleviate their discomfort, pups usually chew and bite on whatever they see. 

This is because chewing and biting on stuff not only makes the pain in their gums tolerable but also because they are ways for them to explore their surroundings. 

Be careful when your pup nips at your hand while teething because those baby teeth are sharp, which is why they are also called “needle teeth.”

Pitbull Growth Chart

Pitbulls are stocky, big-boned, and often short-legged dogs, but their size varies depending on several factors, including gender. Male Pitbulls are typically larger and heavier than female ones. 

Note, though, that smaller Pitbull types, such as Pocket Pitbulls, will be shorter and weigh less than the standard Pitbull. And XL types (Like the Hulk, which is a cross between a Pitbull and an English bulldog) can go way beyond average height and weight, depending on their genetics.

Look at this growth chart to give you an idea of how your PItbull puppy should grow. Monitoring their growth will help you determine whether they are developing normally or when something is off in their growth process.

AgeFemale WeightMale Weight
1 month7 lb (3.17 kg)9 lb (4.08 kg)
2 months16 lb (7.25 kg)20 lb (9.07 kg)
3 months26 lb (11.79 kg)31 lb (14.06 kg)
4 months36 lb (16.32 kg)42 lb (19.05 kg)
5 months44 lb (19.95 kg)51 lb (23.13 kg)
6 months50 lb (22.67 kg)57 lb (25.85 kg)
7 months54 lb (24.49 kg)63 lb (28.57 kg)
8 months57 lb (25.85 kg)66 lb (29.93 kg)
9 months59 lb (26.76 kg)70 lb (31.75 kg)
10 months61 lb (27.66 kg)72 lb (32.65 kg)
11 months63 lb (28.57 kg)74 lb (33.56 kg)
1 year64 lb (29.02 kg)76 lb (34.47 kg)

Sources: K9Web and Pet Insurance Review

Factors That Affect Pitbull Growth

Age is one of the main things that affect a Pitbull’s size. But it’s not the only one that makes a difference; neither is it the most important factor to consider.

Other things that affect a Pitbull’s development are the following: 

  • Gender: Male Pitbulls are heavier and taller than female ones.
  • Overall health: A sickly Pitbull may experience stunted growth and weigh much less than average.
  • Diet and nutrition: Pitbulls need food rich in protein, good fats, and vitamins and minerals.
  • Genetics: Your pitbull’s history and parent breeds will affect their growth and size. Look at their parents to have an idea of how big they can grow to be.
  • Exercise: Pitbulls that do not get enough exercise can easily become overweight. 

Final Thoughts

To give your Pitbull the best care possible, monitor their growth and consider other factors like genetics, diet, and health condition. A healthy and happy Pitbull is lean, has a shiny coat, and is up for lots of play and exercise. 

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