Pitbulls are known for their fierce athletic build, short, smooth coat, and sturdy body structure.
If you own or adopt a Pitbull, you will likely need a Pitbull size chart to help monitor their growth from the early days through to adulthood.
Pitbulls are descendants of Bulldogs and Terriers.
Despite their ancestry being renowned for having aggressive traits and often being used for public entertainment, the modern-day Pitbull is tame and makes fantastic household companions.
Monitoring the Pitbull growth chart is one of the most important things their guardian should do, as it allows you to monitor their overall health and spot any issues early.
In this article, we will provide all the essential information you need to know about the Pitbull size chart.
We will take you through from birth to adulthood, so you can be clear on the size ranges and potential issues to look out for.
When Do Pitbulls Stop Growing?
Pitbulls are medium-sized dogs so tend to stop growing after one year. Some larger Pitbull varieties may pad out until 18 months of age, particularly around the chest area.
While their physical growth is complete between one year and 18 months, a Pitbull’s mental and emotional maturity won’t fully mature until two to three years of age.
There are a variety of factors that will impact your Pitbull’s growth trajectory including genetics, exercise, diet, and health issues.
Pitbull Size Chart
The Pitbull growth chart presents an estimate of the weights of your Pitbull broke down by month.
The chart also breaks down the weights by gender to give you fairly precise estimates for the growth trajectory of your Pitbull.
If you are ever concerned that your Pitbull is falling behind the weight boundaries, consult with your vet before taking any action.
Sometimes slipping slightly below or above the weight boundary is not a big issue. However, if weight loss or weight gain has come suddenly, a vet check-up is needed.
Female Pitbulls will typically weigh between 10 and 20 pounds by three months of age. This increases to 15 to 30 pounds at 6 months and then 25 to 45 pounds by one year.
Male Pitbulls meanwhile also weigh 10 to 20 pounds at 3 months but grow heavier to weigh 20 to 35 pounds at 6 months of age. By the time male Pitbulls reach one year, they will weigh between 30 and 55 pounds.
Pitbull Weight Chart
| Age | Female Weight Lbs | Male Weight Lbs | Female Weight Kgs | Male Weight Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 10 - 20 lbs | 10 - 20 lbs | 4.5 - 9 kg | 4.5 - 9 kg |
| 4 months | 10 - 20 lbs | 15 - 25 lbs | 4.5 - 9 kg | 6.5 - 11 kg |
| 5 months | 15 - 25 lbs | 15 - 30 lbs | 6.5 - 11 kg | 6.5 -13.5 kg |
| 6 months | 15 - 30 lbs | 20 - 35 lbs | 6.5 - 13.5 kg | 9 - 16 kg |
| 7 months | 15 - 35 lbs | 20 - 40 lbs | 6.5 - 16 kg | 9 - 18 kg |
| 8 months | 20 - 35 lbs | 25 - 45 lbs | 9 -16 kg | 11 - 20.5 kg |
| 9 months | 20 - 40 lbs | 25 - 50 lbs | 9 - 18 kg | 11 - 22.5 kg |
| 10 months | 25 - 40 lbs | 25 - 50 lbs | 11 - 18 kg | 11 - 18 kg |
| 11 months | 25 - 45 lbs | 30 - 55 lbs | 11 - 20.5 kg | 13.5 - 25 kg |
| 12 months | 25 - 45 lbs | 30 - 55 lbs | 11 - 20.5 kg | 13.5 - 25 kg |
| 24 months | 30 - 50 lbs | 35 - 60 lbs | 13.5 - 22.5 kg | 16 - 27 kg |
Pitbull Puppy Development Stages
Birth – 2 Weeks
During the first few weeks of life, a Pitbull puppy is completely dependent on its mother for warmth and sustenance.
Their mother’s breast milk provides essential nutrients and vitamins to kick-start their early growth.
As puppies cannot generate warmth, the mother is also needed to wrap puppies in their body heat.
You can expect a Pitbull puppy to be sleeping most of the time during these two weeks. Their eyes will slowly start to open and by two weeks they should be double their birth weight.
3 Weeks – 12 Weeks
By three weeks of age, Pitbull puppies start opening their ears and start to hear sounds. The milk teeth will also start appearing.
This growth stage sees a dramatic change from a newborn to a fully-fledged puppy. They develop physically and emotionally and will start learning good behaviors.
During this period, Pitbull puppies need to be vaccinated then you can consider socializing them to ensure they are familiar with humans and can be rehoused if that is the intention.
By seven weeks, solid foods can be introduced and you will notice the Pitbull being more vocal and engaged.
4 Months – 9 Months
Between four and nine months, the puppy Pitbull coat becomes coarser and denser, more resembling the adult coat.
Pitbull puppies will also start teething during this stage so can be safely provided with toys to chew.
Socializing your Pitbull puppy is very important during this growth stage. This process begins within the household, so you should expose your puppy to sounds, stimulating sights, hairdryers, vacuums, children, or other pets.
If you want external support, you can take your puppy to obedience classes to get the benefit of professional training. This training will also help build a bond between you and the dog.
Females will likely experience their first heat during this stage. When it does you should consider spaying them to avoid pregnancies.
10 Months – 18 Months
In this growth stage, your puppy will resemble a fully grown adult dog. While they will reach physical maturity during this stage, don’t be fooled into thinking they are adults, as they still need time to develop mental maturity.
Playing and stimulation are key in this growth stage. Pitbulls will have plenty of energy to burn so make sure to provide sufficient time to exercise. Stimulation through toys is also a great way to keep the pups busy.
Adult
As they reach adulthood, your Pitbull will reach their final height and weight.
Despite this, they will continue to pad out for up to two years as their muscles develop. During the first few years of adulthood, you will notice a transition in temperament and behavior as they transition from puppy life.
Adult Pitbulls can get involved in more intense exercises such as hiking and running over long distances.
You should continue with regular training to instill good behaviors and routines, ensuring that they become the loving, obedient dogs that many love.
How Big Do Pitbulls Get?
The final size of a Pitbull is determined by a few factors explored below.
One of the easiest ways to learn about potential growth trajectory is to ask the breeder for information on your puppy’s parents.
Most reputable breeders will have gone through a robust breeding program where lots of thought has gone into the selection of the parents.
Simply contact or visit the breeder and request they give you this information, it will give a clear indication of the final size.
A second, easy approach is to check the paws of your puppy. If the paws appear oversized to the legs and body, your puppy likely has more growth to go.
While this approach may not give specifics in terms of expected weight and height, it can be an easy monitoring tool for Pitbull owners to follow.
A DNA test can also provide genetic information on your Pitbull pup’s ancestry. It gives insights into the medical history and estimated size.
A final way to monitor the growth of a Pitbull is to use a Pitbull weight chart.
Using a growth chart is free and easy to follow. You can easily compare the measurements you generate with the expected weight boundaries.
Pitbull Growth Chart
Generally, a female Pitbull is slightly shorter and lighter than the male Pitbull. A male Pitbull weighs between 35 and 60 pounds while its female counterpart weighs around 30 to 50 pounds.
The height of a male Pitbull is around 18 to 21 inches while that of a female Pitbull is between 17 to 20 inches.
Understanding the height and weight of your Pitbull allows you to buy them the right kennel gate, and clothing, and also the numbers will be required if you want to enter them into a competition.
You can measure the height of your Pitbull at home easily as you only need a tape measure and a flat surface.
Ensure that your Pitbull is standing on a flat surface to get the height measurements right. Find their withers and use the measuring tape from the flat surface to the withers.
Will Neutering And Spaying My Pitbull Affect His Growth
Neutering and spaying are surgical procedures done to your dog to prevent them from breeding.
These procedures can affect the growth of your Pitbull if done at the wrong time because reproductive hormones are responsible for the growth plates.
The right time to spay or neuter your Pitbull is about the age of 6 months but you should speak to your vet to know exactly when to do the procedure.
Pitbull neutered or spayed early grow to become taller than average because the growth plates do not close hence your dog continues growing.
Additionally, the muscles of dogs that are spayed and neutered early are less and appear bulky compared to intact dogs.
Neutering is known to prevent testicular cancer, aggressive behavior, and breeding while spaying helps prevent ovarian cancer and your Pitbull from getting pregnant.
American Bully Vs Pitbull size
American Bullies tend be much stockier and sturdier compared to Pitbull’s.
The fully grown range of American Bullies is from 50 pounds to 120 pounds, while Pitbull’s range is smaller, from 30 pounds to 60 pounds on average.
Therefore, American Bullies are slightly larger on average than Pitbull’s.
The variation of weights and heights in both breeds is due to the variety and breeding program.
There are a number of quality breeding programs for these breeds, which have created pocket and large varieties.
The large, stocky head of the American Bully tends to stand out and make for a heavier overall size.
Factors That Affect Pitbull Growth
Genetics And Gender
Genetics can affect the growth of your Pitbull in many ways. If the parents of your puppy are naturally smaller than average, then your Pitbull will likely be on the smaller side and vice versa is also true.
Also, it is important to be aware of any genetic health conditions that may be passed down to your puppy by its parents.
Therefore, ensure that you get the medical history records from the breeder before taking the puppy home.
When it comes to gender, a male Pitbull is usually slightly bigger than a female Pitbull.
Nutrition
Nutrition plays a key role in the growth of your Pitbull. The type of food that you feed your dog can make them gain unnecessary weight or become sick.
Consult with your vet to get a recommendation on the best diet for their growth and development.
The best food to give your dog is one that is high in protein, contains healthy fats, and is low in carbs to ensure that they have lean muscle.
Check the ingredients before purchasing any dog food to make sure that they do not contain any fillers and preservatives.
Physical Activity And Health
Every dog needs exercise to stay fit and remain healthy throughout its life. Physical activity also helps your dog to maintain a healthy weight which is necessary for overall health as your puppy grows.
However, you should avoid overexercising your Pitbull as you may damage their joints especially when they are young.
You must take your puppy to the vet regularly for a check to ensure that any diseases are caught at an early stage before causing serious problems.
What Is Your Pitbull’s Neck Size?
The Pitbull’s neck size typically ranges from 14 to 18 inches in length.
You can measure the neck size easily by wrapping a tape measure around the neck and marking the size in inches.
This is a useful piece of information as it will allow you to purchase the right size of clothes and the correct fitting for the lead.
How Much To Feed A Growing Pitbull Puppy
To help your Pitbull grow well, you should feed them a diet that is high in calories and fat.
The food should contain about 22% to 32% protein for muscle and bone growth. In the first six weeks, Pitbull puppies need to be fed breastmilk or formula if the mother cannot produce enough milk.
There are factors to consider when feeding a Pitbull such as gender, size, and age. A Pitbull puppy needs to be fed four times per day, about two cups in total distributed equally until they are 12 weeks old.
When your puppy reaches 3 months, they should eat 3 cups of food per day and at 6 months you can feed them 2 cups distributed over two meals in a day.
How To Tell If Your Pitbull Is Underweight Or Overweight
There are different ways in which you can tell whether your Pitbull has excess weight or is under the recommended weight for its age.
They include looking at behavioral habits, weighing them, visiting the vet, and feeling their body.
To tell whether your dog is overweight, touch the ribs and if you can’t feel them then your dog has put on some extra weight. However, if you can easily feel the ribs then your puppy is underweight.
Underweight dogs have visible spines, but you cannot feel or see the spine of overweight dogs. You can also look at the shape of your dog. If they are round and oval-shaped, they are overweight.
If your Pitbull has difficulty breathing and is less active, it could be a sign that they have gained weight.
You can also take your dog to the vet and weigh them, and the vet can let you know if their weight is right for their age.
If you have concerns about your dog’s weight, speak to your vet for advice.
What Are the Most Common Conditions To Be Aware Of In Growing Pitbull Puppies
Pitbulls do not have a lot of genetic issues as they are normally healthy dogs. However, they are still affected by certain issues as they grow just like other dogs.
There are health conditions that they are more susceptible to as a breed and you must be aware of them.
Knowing the history of the genetic health conditions that your puppy’s parents may have will help you give your Pitbull the best care possible. Speak to your breeder to get this information.
The health conditions that Pitbull can get throughout their lives include hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart issues, allergies, and other skin issues.
These problems can lead to stunted growth in your dog if not treated early. That is why taking your dog to the vet regularly will ensure that they live a healthy and long life.
How Big Is A Pitbull When He Is Born?
A newborn Pitbull puppy is very small, weighing in the region of 7 to 10 ounces. Individuals in the litter may vary in size, but the range is fairly small and not too noticeable to the eye.
Following a few weeks of breast milk and support from the mother, the newborns will quickly grow and weigh between 2 and 5 pounds after one month.
How Big Should A 6-Month-Old Pitbull Be?
At 6 months of age, a female Pitbull can weigh between 15 to 30 pounds.
Males are larger and will weigh between 20 and 35 pounds at the 6-month mark.
By 6 months the range of weights is fairly large, as larger Pitbull starts to break away from smaller Pitbull varieties. By this point, the effects of adolescence will have kicked in to bolster growth.
Do Pitbull Experience Growing Pain
Most dogs experience growing pains including the Pitbull.
Growing pains are also referred to as Panosteitis which causes lameness and pain in puppies.
Causes of this condition could be down to diet and nutrition, infection, or genetic issues. Thankfully, growing pains are temporary and your Pitbull grows out of them.
If you notice any signs of lethargy, mood swings, poor appetite, or fever during early growth stages, it may be due to growing pains. Consult your vet to get expert treatment advice.
Is Pitbull A Medium Or Large Dog?
Pitbulls can range from medium to large size, depending on the variety. While they are more commonly seen as medium size dogs, their final weight can range from 30 to 90 pounds.
The size fluctuation is due to the variety of breeding programs, which has seen the Pitbull mixed with a variety of Terriers and Bulldogs.
Ask the breeder for insights into the expected size.
How To Help Your Pitbull Lose Weight If He Is Overweight
If you find that your Pitbull is overweight compared to the estimates in the growth chart, there are various measures you can take to help your pup lose weight.
Lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise are key areas of focus when wanting to lose weight.
Added 15 to 30 minutes of extra exercise, or increase the intensity of the exercise performed. This will help burn more calories.
You can also remove foods that are causing weight gain and give your dog a different diet.
Consult with a vet before making too many dietary changes as sometimes dogs will have adverse reactions. Also provide healthy foods such as carrots as snacks, rather than high-calorie, processed foods.
How To Properly Weigh My Pitbull
Weighing your Pitbull is very easy, follow the steps below.
- Purchase a scale a digital scale.
- Set up a platform where the dog can stand.
- Place the scale on the floor beneath the platform and ensure the scale is flat. Encourage your dog to stand and then sit down on the scale. The weight will then flash up on the scale.
- Move the dog off the platform and subtract the weight of the dog from the weight of the platform to generate an accurate Pitbull measurement.
Pitbull Genetics And Common Health Problems
Although Pitbull is considered a healthy dog breed, they are susceptible to certain health issues explored below.
- Hip Dysplasia – causes joint pain and prevents your Pitbull from moving freely. Your Pitbull will have a shallow hip socket and the femur ball won’t properly fit. The rubbing of hip cartilage causes intense pain, potentially leading to arthritis.
- Kneecap Dislocation – also known as luxating patella causes the kneecap to not sit in its regular position. Your Pitbull won’t be able to extend its legs properly. Sometimes it naturally moves back, but surgery may also be required.
- Degenerative Myelopathy – Pitbulls are often diagnosed with this condition due to an inherited mutation of the SOD1 gene. It only appears in older Pitbull’s, causing lameness and lack of coordination.
- Congenital Heart Defects – refers to heart disease which Pitbull’s are vulnerable to. The condition is caused by excessive pressure on the left ventricle and this leads to struggles with breath and chest pains.
Final Words
You should now be clear on the Pitbull size chart and how tracking the weight of your Pitbull against it can be a useful activity to monitor their overall health and well-being.
As owners and adopters you have to be vigilant and pay attention to any signs, such as weight loss or weight gain, and follow the correct steps to improve your Pitbull’s health outcomes.
Pitbulls also suffer from various health issues which you should also be aware of.
The best thing you can do is ensure you provide a healthy balanced diet, regular exercise, and a loving home environment to your Pitbull, and they will no doubt live a fulfilling life.