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by gautam1972 on 16 November 2012 - 06:11
When does a GSD dog attain its full height of 26 inches and when does the skeletal growth stops?
by Sunsilver on 16 November 2012 - 13:11
It varies a lot from one dog to the next, and one breed to the next. Here is a chart that gives the averages and range. The bones stop growing when the epiphysis (growth plate) fuses with the rest of the bone..
http://www.provet.co.uk/health/diagnostics/growthplatedogs.htm
The last plates to close are those of the biggest bones of the fore and hind limbs. On the average, this happens around 11 months, but can take as long as 17 or 18 months
In the hind limb, it's the femoral head and the greater trochanter of the femur that fuse last. However, these can only be seen on a hip x-ray.
In the forelimb, it's the distal epiphysis of the radius, the larger of the two bones that form the lower limb. This epiphysis can easily be felt and seen on the front of the limb. If there is a noticeable lump just above the 'wrist' (top of the pastern) the growth plate is still open and the dog is still growing.
The growth plates are easily visible in this photo of my female taken at 8 months.
http://www.provet.co.uk/health/diagnostics/growthplatedogs.htm
The last plates to close are those of the biggest bones of the fore and hind limbs. On the average, this happens around 11 months, but can take as long as 17 or 18 months
In the hind limb, it's the femoral head and the greater trochanter of the femur that fuse last. However, these can only be seen on a hip x-ray.
In the forelimb, it's the distal epiphysis of the radius, the larger of the two bones that form the lower limb. This epiphysis can easily be felt and seen on the front of the limb. If there is a noticeable lump just above the 'wrist' (top of the pastern) the growth plate is still open and the dog is still growing.
The growth plates are easily visible in this photo of my female taken at 8 months.
by Sunsilver on 16 November 2012 - 13:11
Forgot to add: even though the dog will not get any taller once the growth plates fuse, it still has a lot of maturing to do. It will fill out a lot over the next year or two. Some GSDs are fully mature at 2, others (especially DDR lines, I've been told) don't reach full maturity until 3.
by vonissk on 17 November 2012 - 02:11
Some of the dogs in our lines with DDR often don't mature until 4 or 5. Then there are other lines besides DDR that are slow maturing and can take the same length of time. IMO I don't think a GSD is mature until at least 3. It may reach its full growth by 2 but usually they fill out a little more and mentally mature more.
by blackfurbabe on 17 November 2012 - 22:11
Sunsilver
In the uk hipscores can be done at 12 months old,would you say,is it better to wait until 2 or 3 years old to hipscore?
In the uk hipscores can be done at 12 months old,would you say,is it better to wait until 2 or 3 years old to hipscore?
by CMills on 18 November 2012 - 01:11
I think dogs reach their full height by 1 yr, and then continue to fill out/mature till 2-3 yrs.
by Sunsilver on 18 November 2012 - 16:11
BFB, I think 2 years would be better. I personally know of a case where the OFA prelims showed dysplasia, then at 2 years, I think the dog was OFA fair. FOr some reason, they had the dog x-rayed again at 5 years, and it was upgradged to OFA good! 
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