How Big Will My Mixed Breed Puppy Get? How Can You Tell?
From the dawn of civilization, dogs have and still are man’s best friend. These sophisticated animals not only keep us company, but they perform other tasks like guarding, shepherding, and hunting. The introduction of dog breeding was to conserve or upgrade individual dog characteristics and the 19th century saw a rise in dogs of mixed breeds.
If you just acquired a mixed breed puppy, either by way of adoption or rescue, you might be curious about how large the dog will get. By knowing the dog’s full size, you can shop for appropriate shelter and other supplies that the animal needs. Here are a few ways to determine the future size of your dog if you do not have information about the sire or the dam:
The Age and Weight of the Puppy?
There is a significant correlation between the age of a puppy and its size. By around six months to a year or more, a puppy graduates to a fully grown dog. You can tell that the puppy will be smaller if it is less than 20lbs by the time they hit six months to a year.
Dogs that weigh 20-65lbs are medium-sized dogs, while anything over 65lbs is a large dog. Breeds such as the Mastiff, the Scottish Deerhound, and the American Bulldog are bound to be large dogs.
Sire and Dam Details
When you adopt a puppy from the shelter, in most cases, there is no information on the parents; however, they might provide information like the breed of the dog and its possible age. With this information, you can go online to estimate the puppy’s size when it grows.
Alternatively, you can get your puppy from a breeder; this way, you can get the exact details and eliminate the guesswork. Some breeders allow you to see the puppy’s parents; hence you have a good idea of the dog’s future size.
It is essential to keep in mind that male dogs are usually a little larger than their female counterparts; if you only get to see the dam, you will easily estimate the puppy’s size if it is male.
Ask the Doc
For someone who is not very familiar with dogs, asking the vet is a great idea. You can bring up the subject with the doctor as you take the puppy for a checkup. Vets come across many breeds of dogs in their daily work; hence they have a keen eye. They can point out the dog’s prominent features to identify the breed and possibly give you pointers on keeping the dog healthy.
Look At the Paws
The same way human footprints found at a crime scene are used as evidence in a case, in the same way, you can use the puppy’s paw size to determine its breed. This method is not the most accurate, but in some cases, it helps narrow down the possible breed. Tiny dogs tend to have paws measuring 2 ½ inches maximum, while big dogs can go up to 4 inches plus.
There are paw charts online that are freely accessible, so making comparisons as the dog grows should be easy. If you love dressing up your dog, you can keep track of their paw measurements to buy cute boots or paw protectors.
Check Its Coat
A dog’s coat is part of a dog’s identity; poodles can be spotted easily by their curly coats while Shih Tzus are famous for their long silky coats. If your puppy has unique fur, you can go online and compare it with other dogs spotting the same coat. Once you narrow down on a specific breed, you can start comparing the details like shedding patterns and getting tips on maintaining a healthy coat.
Height and Weight Calculator
When it proves impossible to tell which breed the puppy is, it is time to rely on science. There are several dog weight and height calculators online.
These calculators are convenient for tracking growth frequently because they are detailed. You get to see their weight by weeks; hence if you compare it with your puppy’s age, you should figure out the general size the puppy will reach in the future. These charts are also useful when you are seeking to purchase crates, beds, and toys.
Bone Structure
While analyzing your dog’s paws for clues, you might as well look at their leg structures. An elephant cannot beget an ant; puppies from large dogs will possess extensive features that eventually mimic their parents’ features. If your puppy has delicate features with a cute little bark, it is improbable that it will grow to be a sizeable ferocious dog.
Look at the bone structure of the face as the head shape may help determine the breed’s temperament even though you cannot trace its parentage. Long-faced dogs (Dolichocephalic) like the Afghan Hound and the Bull Terrier are considered cautious of strangers and don’t startle easily. Short-faced dogs (Brachycephalic) such as the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Bulldog are more defensive but engage in direct-play better.
Result to Mathematics
In case you do not have a weight and height calculator nearby, a mathematical formula can help. At six months, measure your puppy’s height; multiply the figure by 100, then divide the total answer by 75. This simple method should give you a clue of the dog’s adult size.
Alternatively, you can use this method to determine the size of a medium-sized dog; W=52(w/a)
- Measure your puppy’s weight ‘W’ in pounds
- The ‘a’ represents the puppy’s age, where ‘a’ is < 16 weeks
- The small ‘w’ represents the puppy’s age with the W=W function.
If mixed breed dogs were as easy to figure out as their purebred counterparts, life would be more comfortable; unfortunately, that is not the case, and it is okay. The important thing is that they thrive and live a good life. With these few pointers, we hope you can at the least find out some new things about your lovely dog, all the best!
