Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Average Litter Size of German Shepherd Dog
- Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies German Shepherd Dog Will Have
- How Much Does the German Shepherd Dog Puppy Weigh at Birth?
- How Big Will a German Shepherd Dog Puppy Get?
- How Much is a German Shepherd Dog Puppy
- How Long is a German Shepherd Dog Pregnant?
- How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in German Shepherd Dog
- Conclusion on German Shepherd Dog Litter Size
Average Litter Size of German Shepherd Dog
Researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science did a study where they counted the numbers of puppies in 465 different German Shepherd Dog birth litters.
From this study, the researchers found that the average number of puppies that German Shepherd Dogs can have is 6 puppies. Also, the German Shepherd Dog can have as few as 1 puppies per litter and as many as 14 puppies per litter.
See how the litter size of the German Shepherd Dog compares to that of other dog breeds below:
Read this article to learn about how many puppies dogs have.
Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies German Shepherd Dog Will Have
German Shepherd Dog Litter Size Predictor
According to the result of the research carried out by researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the number of puppies a German Shepherd Dog will have depends on the following main factors:
- The size of the breed (most important factor): Giant dog breeds tend to have a bigger litter size, while smaller breeds give birth to a smaller number of puppies
- The method of mating: Natural mating results in a larger litter size than artificial insemination.
- The age of the female dog: Check out the chart below to see how many puppies a female German Shepherd Dog is likely to have at different ages.
According to research, the following factors do not affect litter size:
- The time of the year of the litter was born (season of birth): Although, from the study, litters born in the Spring seem to be larger than litters from other seasons, however, the difference was not of significance.
- The number of times a female dog has given birth in the past (known as parity): The age of the female dog is more important to the extent that it makes parity insignificant.
Based on the important factors that affect litter size, the researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science developed formulas for predicting the litter size of dogs.
We have developed the German Shepherd Dog litter size calculator above based on their formulas. Use the calculator to predict how many puppies a German Shepherd Dog will have based on the age, and method of pregnancy for a German Shepherd Dog
The calculator tells you how many puppies your German Shepherd Dog will have if your German Shepherd Dog gets pregnant today. The calculator assumes that the length of pregnancy will be two months.
Note that we are NOT in any way encouraging you to breed your German Shepherd Dog. Dog breeding requires expertise. If you want to be breeding dogs, get the necessary training. Also, work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a dog.
The table below shows the average litter size to expect from a German Shepherd Dog at different ages. This table applies to a German Shepherd Dog that conceives through natural mating.
| Age (Years) | Average Litter Size | Litter Size Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 8 puppies | 6 to 9 puppies |
| 3 | 7 puppies | 6 to 9 puppies |
| 4 | 7 puppies | 5 to 9 puppies |
| 5 | 7 puppies | 5 to 9 puppies |
| 6 | 7 puppies | 4 to 10 puppies |
| 7 | 7 puppies | 4 to 10 puppies |
| 8 | 6 puppies | 3 to 10 puppies |
| 9 | 6 puppies | 2 to 9 puppies |
How Much Does the German Shepherd Dog Puppy Weigh at Birth?
Veterinarian researchers did a study to find out how much German Shepherd Dog puppies weigh at birth. These researchers weighed 232 German Shepherd Dog puppies at birth.
Based on the study of the weight of 232 German Shepherd Dog puppies, the average weight of the German Shepherd Dog at birth is 503 grams (17.7 ounces). The birth weight of the German Shepherd Dog puppy typically ranges from 435 grams (15.3 ounces) to 600 grams (21.2 ounces).
16 ounces equal one pound.
The factors that affect the weight of a German Shepherd Dog puppy at birth include the size, weight, and age of the mother.
Importantly, research has also shown that female dogs that give birth at ages between 2 and 8 years give birth to puppies that are heavier than puppies birthed by younger or older female dogs.
How Big Will a German Shepherd Dog Puppy Get?
A German Shepherd Dog puppy will grow up to weigh around 75 to 95 pounds. Furthermore, a German Shepherd Dog puppy will grow up to be 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall .
Learn more about German Shepherd Dog weight and how big German Shepherd Dogs grow here
How Much is a German Shepherd Dog Puppy
The average price of a German Shepherd Dog puppy is $1280. The price of a German Shepherd Dog puppy ranges from $800 to $1500.
Since the German Shepherd Dog has an average litter size of 6, therefore a German Shepherd Dog litter birth is worth $7680.
To learn more about the price of German Shepherd Dog puppy, check our review on how much German Shepherd Dog puppy cost, and German Shepherd Dog buying advice.
How Long is a German Shepherd Dog Pregnant?
German Shepherd Dogs are pregnant for 63 days on average (2 months) after conception. However, this is an average value. The length of pregnancy in German Shepherd Dogs can range from 58-68 days.
However, note that it is difficult to know the exact day that your German Shepherd Dog conceives because conception may not happen at the same time that mating happens.
Sperm can live inside a female German Shepherd Dog for several days after mating before conception occurs.
How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in German Shepherd Dog
To ensure that your German Shepherd Dog successfully gets pregnant and deliver its puppies, here at the things you can do:
- Feed your German Shepherd Dog well: A good diet will ensure that your German Shepherd Dog has the nutrients and the energy it needs to get pregnant and maintain the pregnancy.
- Make sure your German Shepherd Dog is in good health: Ensure you take your German Shepherd Dog to the Vet care regularly for checkups, make sure your German Shepherd Dog gets regular exercise. Also, make sure that your is not overweight or underweight.
To learn how to check if your German Shepherd Dog is overweight or underweight, check out this resource.
Conclusion on German Shepherd Dog Litter Size
German Shepherd Dogs can have 6 puppies per litter birth on average. The number of puppies that a German Shepherd Dog will have depends on factors such as the age of the German Shepherd Dog and the method of pregnancy (natural or artificial insemination).
Breeding German Shepherd Dogs the right way requires expertise and should be done after sufficient training.
Also, you should work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a German Shepherd Dog. There are a lot of nuances involved in breeding a dog, which we do not have the time or the space to discuss here.
However, working with a veterinarian will ensure that your German Shepherd Dog gets the right treatment necessary to make healthy puppies.
The litter size research study that we used for this article was conducted on German Shepherd Dogs in Norway. However, the authors of the research believe that the results can be generalized to other countries that have similar dog management systems as Norway.