To what age do medium breed dogs grow?

Monitoring dog development

If the pet is purchased from a breeder, there is no need to monitor height and weight. To determine when a dog will be considered an adult, it is enough to meet its parents. For professional breeders, this procedure is mandatory even before handing over the puppy. But when the dog is a mongrel from a shelter or from the street, then you need to ask yourself what parameters to expect. It's almost impossible to predict; mongrel crosses are unpredictable.

Post different breeds

To understand to what age puppies grow, regular weighing and measurement of dimensions are required. Up to 2 months this is done on average once every 5 days, from 2 to 6 months - every 10 days, and then once a month is enough.

What to measure:

• standing height at withers;
• paw circumference;
• chest girth;
• height to the elbow.

How to feed a puppy?

A small pet needs a balanced diet during the growth period. If possible, feed your baby super premium puppy food. If not, then buy quality products. This is what their list looks like:

• Beef or turkey meat. It is fillet, not trimmings and offal. Only in boiled form.
• Kefir up to 2.5% fat content. Cottage cheese up to 1.7%. You can give natural yogurt without sugar. No more than once a week. Puppies are not given milk.
• Boiled vegetables. For a very small puppy, they are crushed to a puree.
• Cereals, in particular buckwheat and rice. Oatmeal can be given no more than three times a week. Cereals are boiled in water without adding salt or spices.
• Low-fat meat broth without additives or spices.
• By-products are introduced into the diet of puppies from the age of six months.
• Chicken eggs are given twice a week. Hard-boiled only.
• Apples. They start with a slice, and by the age of six months, increase the consumption of these fruits to 1 piece per day.
• Wheat crackers. Homemade, without salt and spices. From the age of four months it is introduced into the pet’s diet. Give a little, two to three times a week.

Basic patterns of rocks

Small breed food for puppies as well as large and medium breeds

Each species has a different period of full maturity. Below is a look at when dogs stop growing in the most common breeds:

• the German shepherd, like the husky, actively develops up to one year, and until two years of age it develops until it reaches full maturity;
• in a Rottweiler, growth ends by the age of one year, the muscles are finally formed at 2.5 years;
• the Yorkshire Terrier becomes fully mature at eight months;
• the dachshund develops up to 8 months and then grows only in width;
• Pugs grow from 5 to 9 months;
• in the Pekingese, maturation depends on gender: the male develops up to a year, the female develops faster, up to 8 months;
• The toy terrier is the fastest developing dog; full maturity is completed by 5 months.

For your information! In nature, there is such a variety of dogs as mestizo, which is neither a purebred nor a mongrel. No one can predict the growth of these individuals.

What does a mestizo look like?

Height of different dog breeds

The answer to the question of how old dogs grow lies in the breed of the animal.

For example, small breeds grow with a lag, but their process also stops earlier. And large dogs can grow after a year, but not at such a fast pace.

Let's give examples by breed to make it clearer:

• the Caucasian Shepherd grows up to a year, then only gains muscle power;
• The German Shepherd takes up to two years to develop;
• Rottweiler grows up to a year;
• the pug actively gains weight up to 9 months;
• the dachshund stops growing at the age of 8 months, after which it only increases in width;
• Chihuahua grows up to 7 months, and then only gets stronger;
• The toy terrier will grow up in 8 months.

These data are for informational purposes only; they cannot be accurate, because the growth process of a dog is influenced not only by the characteristics of the breed, but also by the balance of the diet, living conditions, training methods, mobility of the individual, genetic probabilities and general health.

Many owners feel that their puppy is not growing well or has stopped growing early. This especially happens with puppies of decorative breeds, such as the toy terrier. Don't panic; if you have reasonable suspicions, you should contact your veterinarian.

The growth of a puppy depends on the growth of bones, each of which develops according to its own scenario. Tubular bones are responsible for the proportions of the body. They are formed during the first six months of life. In the period of 6-12 months, intensive growth continues due to the increase in skeletal bones. The sternum is noticeably enlarged. The final exterior is formed by 2-3 years. It is up to this age that the dog is considered young.

Most often, growth stops completely after the first mating, so experienced breeders advise not to rush into offspring.

Give the young body the opportunity to grow and develop as much as possible.

Prenatal period

To what age do cats grow - regular and purebred?

The period of development inside the womb is divided into several parts. The first stage is completed by the 18th day, development occurs due to food reserves. Next, the liver and kidneys are formed and blood circulation starts.

In the second stage, signs of pregnancy appear in the mother dog. The embryo takes on the shape of a mammal. The nose, eyes, jaws, limbs are formed, the fetus is rapidly increasing. At the end of this period, almost all formation ends, but hair does not appear.

During the last third period, the main growth process takes place: the development of the brain, respiratory tract, bone skeleton, digestion and genital organs.

Breed Features

Previously, they were called exclusively “northern wits.” It was the sharp ears that clearly distinguished this dog from the dog tribe. Laika is a kind of prototype of the Spitz; as a separate species, it became of interest to dog handlers only in the 19th century. However, many difficulties arose in the classification, since the diversity of animals was amazing - so many nationalities, so many varieties. Nevertheless, the result was summed up: the breed was divided into two main groups. This division was literally correlated with geography. The main standards were announced only in 1952.

To what age do they grow?

The puppy begins to grow up very early, and by 18 months it turns into a full-fledged adult dog. This period is enough for adaptation, education and study, which is carried out in several stages “from simple to complex.” However, it is sometimes too early to talk about final maturity at 18 months. A large individual can grow up to 3-4 years, which depends on the species to which it belongs.

The husky matures gradually, overcoming several periods:

• neonatal - the period of infancy, when the puppy needs warmth and good nutrition, it lasts until the 12th day;
• transitional - a period of obvious physiological changes: the eyes open, the first teeth appear, the puppy stands on its paws and begins to move, lasts until the 20th day from the moment of birth;
• the period of understanding - when the puppy begins to feel like a part of the world, a very important period, at this moment the psyche is formed, separation from the mother at this time is unacceptable, lasts until the 28th day from the moment of birth;
• socialization - the period when the puppy becomes a dog, subject to the necessary discipline, it lasts until the 7th week from birth;
• “human” socialization - the period when a connection with a person is established, the most favorable for introduction to the future home, corresponds to 7 - 12 weeks from the moment of birth;
• the period of exposure to fear - the period when the baby is very timid, afraid of everything new, special attention is required here (for example, when visiting a veterinary clinic), lasts from the 8th to the 11th week from the moment of birth;
• “Age of Reduction” is a period of reduction in dependence, which coincides with a reduction in the number of teeth, at this time the puppy decides for itself the issue of leadership, the duration of the period is 13-16 weeks;
• instinct of “flight” - the period of teething, when the puppy tries to feel completely free, the period is characterized by unpredictable actions, disobedience, it lasts about 4 months, at the age of 4 to 8 months;
• the second period of exposure to fear is another moment of growing up, fear of uncertainty, during this period patience and wisdom are required from the owner, the period occurs between 6 and 14 months;
• By 18 months, the puppy is fully formed, but does not stop growing, as mentioned above.

Stages of development and growth

Any animal, before becoming an adult, goes through stages during which noticeable changes occur.

Embryo

How long does pregnancy last in small and large breed dogs?

During this period, the puppy is still in the womb, and there is no contact with the outside world. At this time, the main thing is to take care of the mother and her condition.

Note! The kind of food the dog is given determines what kind of baby the baby will be born and its future health.

suckling baby

After birth, it is very important that the puppy is breastfed. It lasts, depending on the breed, from a couple of weeks to 1.5 months.

Puppy

During this period, breeders give the dogs to their new owners; they are already weaned. This stage lasts from 1 to 6 months. The puppy is actively growing, his teeth are changing. At this time, you need to monitor his nutrition and health (it is important to get vaccinated and treat for possible parasites).

Young animals

From six months to one year, the dog enters adolescence. The puppy is very playful and stubborn at this time. Right now he needs to be educated or given to professionals for training.

Juvenile

By the age of 1 year, almost all dogs have gone through puberty. In appearance, they are no different from an adult, but if it is a large breed, then final maturation will occur by 2 years. It is for this reason that crossing is allowed no earlier than 2 years after birth.

Note! Little puppies that are often sad and lonely develop less well than their happy counterparts.
The first months are considered the most stressful for the animal, so it is necessary to devote maximum time and be patient.

Puppy growth stages

The rate of development of a dog at the initial stage of its life is subject to certain patterns that are not related to the breed. Moreover, the beginning of growth is usually considered to be the period when the puppy is still an embryo, being in the mother’s womb. At this time, the formation of the animal’s body occurs, which is why it should only be taken from a responsible breeder who monitors the health of pregnant females.

The second stage is the life span from the birth of the puppy to 1.5 months. This period is called suckling and is the same for all breeds. This period is the same and lasts up to six months. During this time, the dog develops molars, its height at the withers approximately doubles, and its weight triples. Up to 6 months, puppies’ ears also grow, and by the end of the period they acquire the same shape as those of an adult dog.

Adult pet weight

An adult dog weighs about 3 kg.

Sometimes there are mini toys weighing 0.9-1 kg. This weight is considered normal for a boy.

But if you are going to breed puppies, the Toya girl must weigh more than 1.8 kg for gestation and birth without complications.

More often 1-3 puppies are born . Their weight is 70-170 grams, which is a lot for such a small dog.

How old do dogs of different breeds grow?

The main difference between the maturation of different breeds is that a small breed matures faster, and a large breed takes longer. But you need to at least approximately know how many months dogs grow and the characteristics of each breed in order to track the development of the pet.

Important! In addition to differences in development between breeds, dogs of the same breed but with different sex characteristics also develop differently.

Small breeds

How small dog breeds develop:

• The toy terrier stops growing at the age of 4 months and becomes the size it will be throughout its life;
• the Yorkshire terrier, or Yorkie, grows up to 5 months, then only gains muscle mass;
• Pugs grow from 5 to 9 months;
• Dachshunds grow in length up to 8 months and then only in width.

Small breeds develop faster

Medium dogs

Medium-sized dogs develop and mature at the same rate - from 10 months to 1 year. Some then only gain muscle mass.

Large individuals

The fastest growing large dog breed is the German Shepherd, which grows within a year. But the Irish Wolfhound grows up to 2 years, but after that it still gains muscle mass.

Growth characteristics of different breeds

The growth of a dog is an increase in its size, body weight, and the process of internal changes. As a result, the volume of organs and tissues in the body increases. At the same time, in animals, the growth of different parts of the body may occur unevenly.

Large and giant dogs grow over a longer period than others. The approximate age at which the final formation of the bone apparatus occurs is from 12 to 18 months.

The growing period for small breed dogs usually ends earlier - at the age of 8-12 months.

What determines the process and rate of growth of a pet:

• The number of puppies in the litter (usually the growth period for pets from a large litter may take a longer period).
• Hereditary factors (data from the parent couple, breed characteristics).
• Sex (males are larger than females).
• Conditions of keeping, feeding, growing.

Peculiarities of puppies growing up

Each puppy, regardless of breed, grows up according to several similar principles. There are two main periods, which are accompanied by their own developmental characteristics - before six months and after.

Puppies up to six months

Newborn puppies grow the most actively, since by six months they need to increase in weight three times (compared to their parameters at birth), and also double in height. Up to six months, puppies grow exclusively in height (if they are not overfed).

It is important for puppies up to six months to have foods in their diet that help strengthen bones.

The main danger that awaits the puppy at this stage is incorrectly formed tubular bones. This type of bone continues to grow for several months after the puppy is born, so it is important for the owner to ensure that they develop properly. You can help your animal’s body with a balanced diet that contains the following microelements:

• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• magnesium.

One of the main sources of calcium for a puppy is fermented milk products.

In some cases, veterinarians may prescribe vitamin supplements containing the above elements. However, it is not recommended to give your puppy any supplements without appropriate indications.

Puppies older than six months

Six months after birth, the puppies' chest bone begins to enlarge due to the active growth of flat bones, as a result of which the pet becomes visually wider. Such changes occur at a rapid pace until the age of one, and then slow down significantly.

After six months, external changes in the appearance of puppies become less noticeable

However, despite all the invisibility of subsequent development, the animal will need at least three years for all its bones to be fully formed. As already mentioned, this is important to take into account for those owners who want their pets to take part in mating.

End of growth in different breeds

Each breed completes growth and development differently, it all depends on growth, characteristics, habitat, nutrition:

• a yard dog, or as it is jokingly called a yard terrier. Due to the mixing of breeds, it is difficult to determine when such a dog will finish growing and what size it will reach. How long it will grow can be determined by external signs: if a large breed predominates, then the pet will grow large. Another factor is the size of the baby’s paws: the more massive the baby’s paws are, the larger he will grow and vice versa. If the mongrel is large, then it will grow up to 12 months, small - up to 8 months;
• the German Shepherd stops growing at 1 year;
• the Yorkshire Terrier can grow in 6 months and then only gains muscle mass;
• Pomeranian Spitz grows up to 6 months, after which bones become stronger;
• Great Dane grows up to 1.5 years and then gains weight up to 3 years;
• The mini toy terrier grows faster than all other breeds; by 4 months it becomes fully mature;
• The Chihuahua grows up to 8 months, then the skeleton only gets stronger;
• in a Labrador, growth ends at 1.5 years; at 2.5 years, the bones and muscles are finally formed;
• the husky completes development by 10 months;
• a boxer will mature by 1 year;
• the spaniel grows until about 8 months, then we gain muscle mass until 1.5 years;
• Beagles stop growing at 8 months.

Dog age calculation table

Conversion from dog years to human years is arbitrary. This is not to be taken literally, it simply signals to guardians what age range their pet is in and simply shows that dogs age faster than humans. Up to two years of age, both small and large dogs are considered equal when moving to human years . Only after this period can you see the difference in their aging, depending on their body weight.

Table.
shows the conversion of dog years to human years, depending on the size of the dog. A method that multiplies a dog's age by 7 is also popular, but it is not foolproof as dogs age at different rates depending on their size and breed .

Lack of weight: what to do?

Being underweight is no less dangerous than being overweight. Check the puppy weight chart by month.

If the ribs and spine of the toy terrier are noticeable even without palpation, then the dog is unhealthy thin.

If the puppy has stopped gaining weight, it is recommended:

• Give the puppy anti-helminth medications. When parasites are inside an animal, they prevent nutrients from being absorbed and suck them out themselves.
• Try giving your puppy more exercise. Play with him more often, take him for a walk.
• Increase the portion. Or increase the number of meals.
• Read the composition of the food. Meat ingredients should come first, not cereals. Buy food from the premium segment, marked “for puppies”.
• Contact your veterinarian. Weight loss is a symptom of diseases, such as hepatitis, cancer or inflammatory processes in organs.

Factors that influence animal performance

Like any creature, development is influenced by care, feeding, attitude, and activity. In order for your pet to grow up cheerful and healthy, you need to devote the same amount of time to him as you would to a small child:

• nutrition. Your puppy should eat plenty of fiber and protein. Vitamins must be added to food. Empty cereals, cheap food and bones are not the best option;
• loads. Training should begin gradually with the simplest tasks, adding and teaching new, more complex ones in stages. For example, the Estonian hound begins to be trained at 1.5 months;
• activity. Dogs need long walks to become familiar with the world around them and other animals. At first, walks should be taken every time after eating food, but over time, 2 times a day will be enough;
• diseases. It is necessary to see a veterinarian because puppies are very susceptible to various diseases.

What influences a dog's development?

The nature and quality of a dog’s growth and development is influenced by a large number of factors, largely depending on the owner:

• Feeding conditions. The diet must fully meet the needs of the puppy at each stage of growth.
• Content. The conditions where the puppy lives must be safe. It is important to follow some breed-specific guidelines. For example, large dog puppies are carried down stairs in their arms until they are 7-8 months old. This measure is necessary to reduce the load on the fragile bone-ligamentous apparatus (this is also a way to prevent pathology such as hip dysplasia).
• Training: the sooner you start, the better the result will be.
• Communication with other animals.
• Planned preventive measures include deworming, treatment against ectoparasites, vaccination against viral infections and rabies.