Is it possible to predict how big the puppy will be?

3179 Views 16 Replies 10 Participants Last post by PeeWeesMama, Apr 24, 2007

RockysBigBro

Discussion Starter · Apr 21, 2007

My 8 week old Rocky weighs 14 lbs. I am constantly hearing things from people like:

"Look at the size of his feet, he is going to be so huge dude!!!"

"If you triple the weight at 8 weeks, thats his adult weight"

"If you double the weight at 4 months and add 10 lbs, thats the adult weight"

I know the best way to determine a puppy's adult size and weight is by looking at its parents. However, is there any other way of predicting adult size? Do the statements above have an ounce of truth to them, or are they complete baloney? What are your thoughts?

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

DaKari

· #2 · Apr 21, 2007

I think those statements are complete baloney. And you can't always tell how big a pup will turn out by looking at the parents but it is probably the closest thing while guessing.

Acooper

· #3 · Apr 21, 2007

I have heard of the double the weight at 4 months + 10 lbs............but honestly I don't think it means all that much.
If someone over feeds their dog, and the dog gets no exercise it can be triple the weight at 4 months + 20, LOL
The best indication, as you have said, is to look at the parents..........but even this is not 100%. They will be as big as they as they will be

I do know the general rule for dobe pups growing is about 10 lbs for every month old they are (give or take a few) up until about 6-7 months...........then it slows way down.

Acooper

· #4 · Apr 21, 2007

Hahaha Dakari, we were posting together

Mama&PapaTeak

· #5 · Apr 21, 2007

Lets see here.....triple the weight at eight weeks. He weighs 14lb. x 3 = 42lb
I doubt that works unless your pup was whelped by Nichole Richie!:emo:

Chaz

· #6 · Apr 21, 2007

Mensa would be 90 lbs now if she grew into the "double the weight at 4 months and add 10 lbs" formula. Good thing she didn't.

She is pretty close to the "triple the weight at 8 weeks" number, however. A few pounds over, but close.

I don't believe there is any real way to tell with any certainty.

RockysBigBro

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 21, 2007

Mama&PapaTeak said:
Lets see here.....triple the weight at eight weeks. He weighs 14lb. x 3 = 42lb
I doubt that works unless your pup was whelped by Nichole Richie!:emo:

Lol, Nicole Richie. Yea, that is my mailmans theory:biggrin55

It may have worked for his Dachshund, but I doubt it will work for my Weim pup. But hey, anythings possible....:11doh: That just goes to show you how much the average public knows about dogs.

Sooz

· #8 · Apr 21, 2007

<Is it possible to predict how big the puppy will be?>

Yes. Wait until they're grown, then weigh them.

brumwolf

· #9 · Apr 21, 2007

Simple answer really--------- NO!

Luvbirds

· #10 · Apr 21, 2007

I've been asking the same question. Petey has huge feet and ears, that look ridiculous, kind of cartoon character like, so I'm hoping he will grow into them a bit. Petey is pushing 70 pounds and he is a week away from 6 months old. He was around 40 pounds at 4 months old, so that formula works out for him to be 90# and I think that is what he will grow into, maybe a little more. His Mom is 80# and his Dad 100+#.

Enjoy the days while he is little, it went so quickly, I wish that I could go through those few weeks again.

Carol ox

hbwright

· #11 · Apr 21, 2007

Great, now y'all have me worried about Jordan. He is a shrimp. He's 33.5 lbs at supposed to be 18 weeks old. I wonder if he is possibly not as old as they said he was? He does have a big head and feet.

DaKari

· #12 · Apr 21, 2007

Jordon will be what he is going to be, so no need to worry, in your eyes he will be perfect no matter what. Just love him and you will know when he is full grown

Acooper

· #13 · Apr 21, 2007

hbwright said:
Great, now y'all have me worried about Jordan. He is a shrimp. He's 33.5 lbs at supposed to be 18 weeks old. I wonder if he is possibly not as old as they said he was? He does have a big head and feet.

HB, Orson was only 10 lbs at 11 weeks because of the horrid care he was receiving!! He should have been closer to the 30 lb mark obviously........one month of living with us, getting regular Vet visits & care, and he was up to 30 lbs (now supposed to be closer to 40)

The point is now he is one year @ 73 lbs and still has to finish filling out. He caught up & got healthy............just take good care of them and they will be who they are going to be

hbwright

· #14 · Apr 21, 2007

Mansen was a puney little fellow when we got him. I probably also feed conservatively because of the risks of overfeeding, obesity, and rapid growth so I can't say I'm surprised. Mansen grew into such a handsome man despite his start in life and I know that Jordan will too. I'm sure the coccidia has something to do with it and once it is cleared and actually stays cleared he'll start putting on more regular weight. I wouldn't feel like a good dobermom if I didn't worry at least three times a day though.

Acooper

· #15 · Apr 24, 2007

I wouldn't feel like a good dobermom if I didn't worry at least three times a day though.

Ugh!! Tell me about it!! LOL

RockysBigBro

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 24, 2007

Well, I am tracking my Rocky's weight two times a week now. I am also recording his height weekly. When we got him on April 10 at 7 weeks he was 11 lbs. At 7.5 he was 13 lbs. At 8 weeks he is about 14.5. I will continue tracking his growth until he gets fully grown. When he grows up I will post all the numbers up for you guys.

In this way, we can find out if any of the weight prediction myths are true. I can also help a future Weim owner see how their pup measures up and help them predict how big their puppy will be.

PeeWeesMama

· #17 · Apr 24, 2007

Dobes are a medium sized dog, so he'll be medium

In all honesty... I wouldn't worry about it.

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