As a Pitbull owner and pawrent, we’re often worried about the development of our Pitties.

Are they growing at a steady rate? How much should they be eating? Are they reaching their developmental milestones?

If these are the questions that plague you, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to cover everything you need to know about your Pitbull puppy’s growth and development below!

Overview: A few fun facts about the Pitbull

Pitbull is a term used in the United States for Pit Bull-type dogs, while in the UK, it’s used as an abbreviation of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed or Pittie.

The many types of Pitbulls include the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the American Bully.

You might sometimes hear the terms Red Nose Pitbull or Blue Nose Pitbull. These dogs are simply American Pit Bull Terriers with a dilute gene.

The many different breeds mean that there are notable size disparities. Therefore, we’ll be focusing solely on the size of American Pit Bull Terriers (Pitties) below.

What is the average size of an American Pit Bull Terrier?

American Pit Bull Terriers are born at 7 – 10 oz. That’s pretty tiny, considering that they will grow up to be as heavy as 75 lbs.

Pitties fall into the medium-sized category. These dogs aren’t very tall for their weight, ranging from 15 to 20 inches at the shoulders.

Don’t miss out: Pocket Pitbull (AKA Miniature Pitbull)

How much should an average Pitbull weigh?

If you see a Pitbull reaching 100 lbs and above, they are likely to be Mastiff crosses instead of purebred Pit Bulls. You might want to take a look at the American Bulldog if you like heavy dogs. Those dogs can grow up to 125 lbs!

On average, female Pitties are only around 30-60 lbs and 17-20 inches. Males Pitties are larger at 35-65 lbs and 18-21 inches tall.

The Ultimate Pitbull Growth Chart by Weight

Pitbulls puppies have the potential to grow up to 65 lbs. If you’re wondering what your dog’s adult weight is going to be, we have a Pitbull puppy weight chart that can give you an approximate estimation of your dog’s adult size.

While the charts below should give you an idea of your Pittie pup’s weight gain and growth trajectory, it is meant to be an example and not as a hard-and-fast rule.

Pitbull Female Puppy Growth Chart (lb & kg)

Got a female Pittie? They generally start smaller than their male littermates and should grow along these lines:

Pitbull Female Age	Female Average Weight
1 month	7.2 lbs (3.3 kg)
2 months	16.6 lbs (7.5 kg)
3 months	26.7 lbs (12.1 kg)
4 months	36.2 lbs (16.4 kg)
5 months	44 lbs (20 kg)
6 months	50.1 lbs (22.7 kg)
7 months	54.4 lbs (24.7 kg)
8 months	57.5 lbs (26.1 kg)
9 months	59.7 lbs (27.1 kg)
10 months	61.5 lbs (27.9 kg)
11 months	63.1 lbs (28.6 kg)
12 months	64.2 lbs (29.1 kg)

Pitbull Male Puppy Growth Chart (lb & kg)

To give you a better idea of how your male Pittie’s growth will be like, take a look below:

Pitbull Male Age	Female Average Weight
1 month	9.2 lbs (4.2 kg)
2 months	19.9 lbs (9 kg)
3 months	31.3 lbs (14.2 kg)
4 months	41.8 lbs (19 kg)
5 months	50.6 lbs (22.9 kg)
6 months	57.4 lbs (26.1 kg)
7 months	62.6 lbs (28.4 kg)
8 months	66.4 lbs (30.1 kg)
9 months	69.4 lbs (31.5 kg)
10 months	72 lbs (32.7 kg)
11 months	74.3 lbs (33.7 kg)
12 months	76 lbs (34.5 kg)

Pitbull puppy growth and development stages (with Pictures)

It’s interesting to see tumbling Pitbull puppies turn into gangly young dogs before finally settling into their final form.

Follow Argos’ journey from a 20-week old Pitbull puppy to a one-year-old doggo:

Stage One: Birth to 3 Weeks Old Pitbull

From birth till the Pitbull puppy’s second week of life is considered the neonatal period. They will be entirely dependent on their mother for warmth, food, and defecation.

During this period, you’ll notice them sleeping or eating most of the time.

At two weeks old, Pitties should have doubled their birth weight and opened their eyes. Surprisingly, a puppy’s hearing only develops at 3 weeks old, which is also when their teeth start coming in.

Stage Two: 3 to 7 Weeks Old Pitbull

Pitbull puppies at this stage grow rapidly, both physically and emotionally. They will learn acceptable behavior from their littermates and mother.

Socialization can begin at this point but be careful not to alarm your puppy because phobias develop easily at this age.

Gentle handling is appropriate at this age. By 7 weeks old, your Pittie should be eating solids, running, vocalizing, and learning how to wag his tail.

Stage Three: 7 to 12 Weeks Pitbull

The American Pit Bull Terrier puppies generally go to their new homes at 8 weeks old, but given a chance, allow your puppy to stay with his littermates till he is 10 weeks old for better social development.

You should never bring your Pittie home earlier than 8 weeks. It could be detrimental to their behavioral development as they wouldn’t have the appropriate experiences to prepare them for adulthood.

Weight-wise, Pitbulls should be around 6 – 10 lbs. During this time, your puppy is ready for some early socialization and basic obedience. You can begin to teach him to wait before meals or sit before going out.

Stage Four: 12 to 16 Weeks Old Pitbull (3-4 Months)

You’ll notice that a harsher and denser adult coat is slowly replacing your Pittie’s soft coat. At this age, they will start to teeth, and appropriate teething toys should be introduced to ward them off shoes and furniture.

Socialization starts at home, and you should expose them to everyday sights and sounds such as the hairdryer, vacuum cleaner, children, and other pets.

After receiving all their immunizations, it’s a good idea to enroll in a doggie obedience class so you may receive some professional training tips.

You can also start bringing them out to the dog park so they may learn some doggie manners from other dogs.

You might notice that your Pittie will begin to exhibit some stubbornness or challenge you. Stay consistent in what is allowed in order to build positive habits.

Some dogs may begin to experience sexual maturity and develop new characteristics such as being more protective or timid.

Stage Five: 16 to 40 Weeks Old Pitbull (4-10 Months)

As your puppy’s cognitive thinking matures, Pitbull will test your authority more and more. Tug of war and other games that encourage dominance should be avoided.

Staying consistent is crucial but try to use positive reinforcement rather than punishment to foster a healthy relationship with your puppy.

At 4 months old, your Pittie should be 25 – 50 lbs, and males may begin to lift their leg to mark, and females may enter their first heat.

Getting your dog sterilized is an option to prevent any unwanted litter or behavior from forming.

Stage Six: 10 Months to 1-Year Old Pitbull

Don’t let your Pitbull’s appearance fool you because though he may look like an adult dog; he’s still mentally a puppy.

You should spend lots of time stimulating him with playtime. Locking them up and preventing them from releasing this energy will result in a destructive dog.

Stage Seven: Over 1-Year Old Pitbull

At this stage, you will notice that your American Pit Bull Terrier will start filling out their chest a little more.

Pitbulls don’t finish developing their muscles till they are about 2 – 3 years old, but you can make the transition from puppy to adult dog food at one, as they will have reached their adult size.

When they’ve stopped growing taller, you can begin more strenuous exercises such as hiking or running over longer distances.

Training is for life, and you should take every opportunity to reinforce what they already know and teach them something new.

Things you should know about your Pitbull’s growth

Pitbulls are bred for their muscular build and will generally be heavier than other dogs their size. And if you have concerns about your Pittie’s development, size or weight, talk to your vet so they can address your concerns.

Do Pitbull types have different growth rates?

Dog breeds grow at different rates, which means that you shouldn’t expect your Pitbull pup to grow at the same speed as your Chihuahua.

Large breeds like Retrievers or Shepherds will most likely match your Pitbull’s development. That means that different Pitbull breeds will have similar growth rates, though you shouldn’t expect them to be identical.

How can you tell how big a Pitbull will get?

Your Pitbull puppy’s paws are a good indicator of how large they should be. They should look proportionate.

To get an idea of whether your Pittie is gaining as much as he should, you can check our size chart above or use a puppy weight calculator.

Is your American Pit Bull Terrier at a healthy weight?

Determining if your American Pit Bull Terrier has a healthy weight is easy. During the first 6 months, your Pittie’s ribs should not be visible. However, you should be able to feel their ribs easily.

If your dog’s ribs are visible during this stage, it might mean they’re too skinny. And if you’re unable to feel them then it could be possible that your pup is too plump.

In both instances, you should consult your vet so they can advise you on what needs to be done.

A dog that’s not at a healthy weight can also be an indicator of an underlying health issue. Worms and an intestinal block can contribute to weight loss, whereas obesity may be caused by hypothyroidism.

Factors that can impact how big your Pitbull will be and how fast they will grow

Diet plays a significant role in determining your Pitbull’s growth. Giving your pup the best nutrition and healthcare can help them meet their full potential.

Genetics will impact the overall size and weight of your Pitbull

Your dog’s weight and size are all coded in their genetics. Take a look at the average weight in your puppy’s bloodlines. You may expect your Pitbull dog to be consistent in size.

If a record of your puppy’s ancestors is not available, looking at your dog’s parents can also give you an idea of how big your pup will grow up to be.

Pitbull’s Nutrition

The best dog food for Pitbulls will have high protein and fat levels to sustain their muscle growth. When feeding a Pitbull pup, you want to check the calcium to phosphorus ratio in his puppy food.

Ideal levels for large breed dogs are between 1.1 or 1.3:1 to prevent accelerated growth and increase the risks of hip dysplasia.

Will neutering or spaying your Pitbull affect their growth?

Spaying or neutering a puppy early in life can affect your Pitbull’s growth. Without the hormones released during sexual maturity, the solidification of your puppy’s growth plates will be delayed.

Aside from being taller, they are usually leaner and less bulky than dogs that were fixed at a later age.

Health issues that can influence a Pitbull puppy’s growth

Parasites are the most common factor in a Pitbull puppy’s stunted growth. Therefore, it’s important to deworm your pup on a regular basis.

Experts say that Pitbull dog owners should delay strenuous dog training until your dog is fully grown. Too much stress may cause your dog’s growth plates to deform, which can be a debilitating disorder.

Does exercising your Pitbull affect his growth?

Pitbulls can be beefed up through exercises such as weight pulling supplemented with a high-protein diet as well as muscle-building supplements.

However, never exercise your Pittie while they are still puppies. Building muscle can hamper puppy development if started too early.

You can do short sessions of play and exercise throughout the day while they are still puppies. Or talk to your vet to learn how much exercise is appropriate for you Pittie.

Dangers of stunted or accelerated growth

Pitbull puppies stunted due to malnutrition can catch up quickly when put on a proper diet with no ill effects. However, accelerated growth can lead to a lifetime of pain in the form of hip dysplasia.

When do Pitbulls stop growing?

Pitbulls usually stop growing around 12 to 18 months of age, and they shouldn’t get any taller after this age. As for their mature weight, that can take up to 3 years to reach.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What should you do if your Pitbull is not in the right weight?

It is our responsibility to keep our Pitbulls healthy, and monitoring their weight can offer some insight into their health.

If you noticed that your dog isn’t gaining as much as he should, you might want to assess his diet or offer him more food.

Pitties on a substantial and quality diet that fail to gain weight may have an underlying medical condition, and you shouldn’t put off going to the vet.

What should you do if your Pitbull is growing too fast?

If your Pitbull seems to be growing too fast for your comfort, you shouldn’t hesitate to raise this concern with your vet. You can try to decrease the amount of food you serve during meals.

An indicator of overfeeding is consistently soft stools. In young puppies, overfeeding is more harmful than underfeeding.

Do Pitbull mixes vary in size?

Crossbreeds come in all shapes and sizes, depending on their non-Pitbull parent. To get an idea of how big a certain mix maybe, check out our article on Pitbull Mixes!

Make sure your Pitbull remains at an ideal weight for optimal health 

Just like humans, there is a direct correlation between Pitbull weight and their lifespan. Therefore, it is crucial to keep your dogs at optimal weight levels so that they may enjoy the best quality of life.

With all this information at your fingertips, we’re sure you’ll be able to watch your puppy grow into a healthy dog!

Further reading: Watch these other breeds grow!

• German Shepherd Growth Chart