Those of you with husky puppies will know just how fast they seem to grow. Their height and weight seem to rapidly increase week by week, but when do huskies stop growing, and how big do huskies actually get?
We’ve outlined everything you need to know about the growth of a husky and included a handy growth chart to help you monitor their progress through the months.
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When Do Huskies Stop Growing?
Let’s get straight into it and answer the question we all want to know – when do Huskies stop growing?
Huskies stop growing in height around the time they reach adulthood. This happens around the 18-month mark, but we’ve found that significant changes in size usually stop once a husky reaches the 12-month milestone. After that, changes in height are mostly unnoticeable.
The reason we specifically mentioned height is that a husky’s weight can increase until they reach 3 years old. This is because huskies have an athletic build thanks to their working histories. As a result, they will continue to build muscle and get stronger as they mature into their prime years.
As well as continuing to put on weight beyond reaching 18 months old, you might notice that your husky’s facial features continue to change and develop. This is normal and is simply the result of them filling out and maturing into the adult stage of their life.
The ages that they reach physical maturity are pretty standard for most dog breeds, and there is little variation between individual huskies. You will see the biggest changes in their size during the first 12 months.
It is advised to monitor the changing size of your husky as they grow into adulthood. Delayed growth could be a sign they are not getting enough nutrients in their daily diets. Keep reading for our husky growth chart to help you track the progress of your husky’s size!
How Big Do Huskies Get?
So, now we know when huskies stop growing, you’re probably wondering how big they get.
Huskies are a recognised breed by the American Kennel Club which means they have a breed standard. A breed standard is essentially a rough guide on how a husky should look and it contains useful information on their expected size. Check out the complete AKC breed standard for Siberian huskies by clicking here.
According to the breed standard, Siberian huskies are classified as a medium-sized dog breed. This may come as a surprise, as huskies are often perceived as being large, strong dogs. This is most likely a result of being confused with other similar-looking, much larger dog breeds such as the Alaskan Malamute.
Also written in the breed standard are the expected sizes of a Siberian husky. The height of a dog is measured by its withers, which is the highest point of its shoulder blades as shown in the diagram below.
Fully grown male huskies are expected to have a height of 21-23.5 inches (53-60cms) and a weight of 45-60lbs (20-27kg).
Fully grown female huskies are expected to have a height of 20-22 inches (51-56cms) and a weight of 35-50lbs (16-23kgs).
If a husky grows beyond 23.5 inches (60cm) they would be disqualified from official competitions for not conforming to the breed standard. It is very rare for a purebred Siberian husky to exceed this height restriction as the breed is very well established.
We wanted to add here that the size a husky will grow to is defined by their genetics. Feeding them extra nutrients or vitamins will not cause them to grow any bigger than the size that is genetically predetermined for them. As long as they are not underfed, they will grow as their body naturally allows them to.
Husky Growth Charts: Male And Female
Now let’s take a look at the sizes you can expect from a husky at the different stages of their life.
As previously mentioned, huskies do the majority of their growth in the first year of their life. Any changes in their size after the 12-month mark are usually very slight and unnoticeable.
Check out our growth charts below for both male and female huskies up to the ages of 18 months.
Use them as a reference for your own husky but remember that not all huskies are the same. Some may experience growth spurts earlier or later in their developmental years than others.
If you are concerned that your husky is smaller than expected at any stage in their life, continue to monitor their weight at frequent intervals (every 3 days for example). If they are putting on weight, it could simply mean that your husky is a late bloomer.
If their size is not increasing, it might be a sign that something is wrong with their diet or health. If you are concerned about your husky’s health at any time, please consult a registered vet.
As seen in the tables, huskies do the majority of their growing between months 3 and 10. During these months it’s crucial to get their diets right to ensure they’re getting all the nutrients they need to grow strong bones and muscles.
Husky puppies need to consume more calories per pound of bodyweight than adult huskies to fuel their intense growing stage, so be sure to find high-quality puppy food for them.
It’s also very important to ensure you are not over-exercising your husky puppy during this growing period. Although huskies are a very active breed, their joints and ligaments do not fully develop until they reach adulthood.
We recommend exercising a husky puppy for no longer than 1 hour per day until they have reached adulthood. Break the hour up into smaller sessions with lots of time for rest in between.
FAQs
Below are quick answers to some of the internet’s most popular questions relating to huskies and growing.
At What Age Is A Husky Full-Grown?
Huskies are fully grown at the age of 18 months when they reach adulthood. Their weight can continue to increase until the age of 3 years as they become stronger and build muscle.
How Big Do Huskies Get Full-Grown?
Male huskies have a height of 21-23.5 inches and a weight of 45-60lbs. Female huskies will have a height of 20-22 inches and a weight of 35-50lbs.
How Can I Tell How Big My Husky Will Get?
Their size is predetermined by their genetics meaning there is no way to exactly tell how big your husky will be until they have finished growing.
That being said, huskies are a stabilised breed meaning the sizes they grow to are very well predicted by the breed standard (see sizes above). A more accurate guess can be obtained by looking at the size of both parents of the husky and the sizes of huskies from previous litters with the same parents.
What is Overweight For A Husky?
The weights provided in the AKC’s breed standard are the ideal weights for a fully-grown Siberian husky, but some huskies can be heavier whilst remaining healthy. This makes it hard to pinpoint the exact weight that defines obesity.
In a healthy husky, you should be able to lightly feel their ribs as you run your hands over their sides, and their waistline should be clearly defined. If this is not the case for your husky, they may need to lose some weight.
Why Is My Husky So Small?
There are a couple of potential reasons your husky may be small for their age. Firstly, they could simply be a slow grower. Monitor their weight and height regularly to ensure they are still growing a reasonable amount between measurements.
Secondly, it could be a sign they are not getting enough nutrients to grow properly. Huskies need high-quality puppy food that is calorie-dense to keep up with needs.
If you are concerned about the progress of your husky’s growth, please speak to a vet.
