When is a dog not a puppy anymore?

Getting to the bottom of the question ‘when is a dog not a puppy anymore?’ can be a bit tricky. If age is just a number, our four-legged friends stop being puppies anywhere from 6 to 24 months old. Don’t let their size fool you though; pups can be fully grown long before they’re ready to take on the world alone!

And just like humans, dogs need different care and treatment at every milestone they reach. Puppies need the right food for their little tummies and around-the-clock supervision and training. Not to mention of course, all the cuddles, belly rubs and games that are really just a given! Hey - it’s hard work being a pupper, but how do we know when our pooch is ready to look after itself? And when is a puppy an adult? Continue reading to find out!

When is a dog fully grown?  

Generally speaking, the smaller the dog, the quicker it becomes fully grown. Small breeds like Chihuahuas usually reach full size around the ten-month mark, whereas giant pups like the Great Dane can take more than double that time to become physically mature. If you want to know when your puppy will stop growing (at least in terms of size) you can follow this useful guide:

• Small dogs (up to 20lbs): 6 to 9 months
• Medium dogs (21-50lbs): 10 to 12 months
• Large dogs (51-100lbs): 13 to 18 months
• Giant dogs (over 100lbs): 18 to 24 months

When will my puppy start acting like an adult?

Size is a good indicator of when a dog is no longer a puppy. But before your pooch starts getting too big for its boots, being adult-sized doesn’t mean they are ready for adult responsibilities. Usually, dogs reach emotional maturity by their second birthday, but the best way to judge if your pooch is all grown up is to take a look at its behaviour. 

Young dogs are known for their boundless energy and endearing sense of adventure, but they normally calm down when they get a bit older. Your clumsy pup should develop a sense of spatial awareness and gain control of their limbs, but that won’t necessarily stop them from clambering onto your lap! 

Rather than hurtling towards you at full speed, a more mature four-legged friend will find other ways to show their excitement to see you - expect an enthusiastic wag of the tail or an affectionate nuzzle of the head. All that running around and growing is tiring stuff for pups so they need lots of sleep, 18 to 20 hours a day to be exact! You’ll notice your pup sleeping less and less the older it gets, and adult dogs only need about 14 hours of kip - oh, to be a doggy of leisure!

Along with a calmer temperament, our pooch pals generally become more obedient the older they get. Pups are distracted by anything and everything; their brains are going 100 miles an hour trying to take in all the newness! Improved listening skills and a better awareness of other furry friends and their surroundings are signs your dog is no longer a puppy.

These bundles of joy do come with a couple of undesirable habits, which thankfully disappear as they reach adulthood. Pups learn to avoid embarrassing accidents at home by controlling their bladders from a young age. They also stop chewing on everything once they get over the uncomfortable stage of teething. Training your puppy from an early age can help it to overcome habits like these and ensure your pooch becomes fully mature in good time. 

Finally, a grown-up dog should be pretty independent and used to being left alone at home, although unfortunately many dogs suffer from separation anxiety. If you’re thinking of jetting off, consider getting a pet sitter to keep your pooch company while you’re away. 

What are the stages of puppy growth?

While their puppyhood might seem to fly by, growing from a pup into an adult takes time, and is different for each dog. Knowing what to expect at each of the stages of puppy growth is key to providing your dog with the care it needs.  

Like most little ones, your pup is looked after by its mama for the first couple of months. They go from sleeping most of the day to having a wobbly walk around and starting to explore. By the third month, most pups have gone to live with their pet parents, and they are ready to start training and socialising. Introducing them to furry friends, people, and exciting experiences will help to give your pup a well-rounded view of the world. 

Your fur baby will begin to show its true colours between three and six months, and it’s important to continue training and socialising your dog at this stage. Many dogs have their first season when they’re around six months old, so puppies can even have their own puppies! Once they reach sexual maturity, you can think about spaying or neutering your dog if you don’t want to have any furry surprises. 

Some of our pooch pals have a rebellious teenage period around this age, in which testing their boundaries and acting out might get them into trouble. They generally grow out of this phase as they become more emotionally mature at around 12 months old, but it can take up to two years for your dog to become a proper adult.

How should I take care of my puppy? 

Being new to the world, puppies need food that is easy to digest and gentle on their tummies. They should be fed little and often with nutrient-dense puppy food. High-quality kibble is filled with the calcium and protein they need to grow into healthy adult dogs and is also great for building up your puppy’s immune system.

Once your pup grows up, it should eat a nutritious meal twice a day. It’s a good idea to introduce your pooch to adult dog food little by little so their tummy has a chance to get used to it. Treats can be used alongside training to show your dog he’s being a good boy. 

It’s also important to think about how much exercise your pup needs. Although you might think your energetic fluff ball is desperate to let off some steam, puppies should only be taken on short walks while their bodies are still growing. Adult dogs enjoy at least 30 minutes of exercise each day, but most breeds need more. 

So when is a dog not a puppy anymore? It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact moment a puppy becomes an adult, but signs such as changes in behaviour and size help to determine whether your pup is all grown up!