To what age do dogs of different breeds grow?

When a new little resident appears in the house - a puppy, all attention becomes riveted to him. We try to do everything that he was healthy, that he was comfortable. Of course, special attention is paid to the growth and development of the puppy.

In this article, we will look at the age at which different breeds of dogs grow, and also find out what factors influence the proper development of an individual.

To track the growth of a dog, you need to know how it develops depending on age. There are 5 main stages.

• Embryonic. This is the time that the puppy spends in the womb. He laid the organ systems, formed the individual itself. A puppy gains weight from 6 to 500-600 grams (depending on the breed).
• Prickly puppy. This is the period from the birth of the dog to 1.5–2 months - the time when the puppy is completely dependent on the mother: she feeds him and spends most of the time with him. Teeth begin to erupt, the puppy learns the world around, grows about twice.
• Puppy. From 2 months to 6. At this time, the baby usually has new owners, it is very important to properly adapt it to new, unfamiliar food.
• Youngsters At this stage (from six months to a year) the character of the dog is laid. It is very important to begin training your pet during this period. Also at this time puberty occurs.
• Adult dog. This is the last stage of development - from one to three years. The dog practically does not grow, basically the muscular mass increases. By the end of this period, the bone skeleton is completely formed in the dog.

Some dog owners may worry about whether a pet is growing normally. Most often, they simply do not notice the development of a puppy, because after six months he begins to grow evenly and slowly. Still, some factors can influence the development of a dog.

1. The size of the pet and the speed of its development depend primarily on the breed of dog: small ones develop faster than large species.
2. It is important to remember that males are larger in size and weight than females.
3. An important role in the development of puppy nutrition. If you provide the right diet for your baby, then perhaps he will be even a little larger than other members of his breed.
4. Health is the key to high-quality growth of the pet, because the sick puppy will do all its strength to recover and maintain the body, rather than the process of growing up.
5. In order for the puppy to be in a normal tone, in order for his muscles and skeleton to form correctly, it is necessary to give him constant physical exertion. This concept includes: playing with a pet, walking in the fresh air, and training.
6. The presence of genetic diseases.

Throughout his life, the dog must eat right to maintain health. But, as mentioned earlier, it is for the puppy that it is important that there are only nutrients in its diet, since during this period the skeleton and the body are formed.

When feeding the pet owner must adhere to a number of rules.

• To feed a pet up to three months old you need 5-6 times. From 3 months to six months, the frequency of feeding is reduced to three. After six months, the dog must be given food twice: in the morning and in the evening. These are average indicators, but they can also vary depending on the breed.Remember that overfeeding as well as underfeeding is detrimental to your pet's body.
• The first complementary foods need to be introduced somewhere in 2-3 months, but the puppy should be taught to use new food gradually. You can start with dairy products, cereals, boiled vegetables, meat (boiled). In no case do not give the baby offal: small bones, skin, offal, etc., as his body is not yet able to digest such heavy food.
• Food can be given to a puppy from 3 months, while you need to buy super-premium or holistic types: such ready-made food contains all the necessary substances.

If you want your pet to eat natural foods, then you need to know what kind of food you can give, and what kind - not. The fish in the puppy’s menu should only be boiled, the meat should also be thermally treated, as it can be infected with worms. It is necessary to exclude tubular bones, excessive fat, spicy and salty foods, as well as sweets, potatoes and pastries. You can give dairy products, cereals, vegetables, dried fruits. Also for the dog will be useful big pig or beef bones.

Water should always be available for the pet, and whey and broth can also be given.

In order for a puppy to develop and grow properly and quickly, it is necessary to carry out disease prevention on time.

De-worming is done every 3 months and only when the puppy is 60 days old. Also during this period, the baby can be vaccinated against a number of diseases, and carried out treatment against parasites: fleas, ticks. It is necessary to carry out scheduled visits to the veterinarian.

Different dog breeds increase in size in different ways. The rapid growth of a puppy continues up to 6 months, and after - it slows down. In some breeds, growth is noted up to 3 years.

Owners of small breeds often begin to worry that puppies stop growing after six months. But this is normal, because small individuals develop much faster. Some dogs reach puberty at 7–8 months.

• Yorkshire Terrier - This is one of the most popular small breeds. They are abbreviated as Yorkies. Development continues up to 8–9 months. Their puppy appearance does not change until old age, these dogs are perfect for keeping in an apartment.
• Pug - this is a friendly, but very lazy dog. Her weight can reach 6-8 kg, and the growth to be up to 32 cm. This dog develops mainly up to 9 months, actively gaining weight.
• Pekingese - This is a Chinese breed. This dog is good-natured, but stubborn and capricious. She has a very long coat, so it requires careful maintenance. Height at withers - up to 23 cm, and weight - up to 5 kg. Development - up to 8 months, sometimes up to a year.
• Pomeranian spitz has a toy appearance. These mini-dogs can have a height of 18 cm, in some cases reach 30 cm, weighs up to 3 kg. It grows only up to half a year, and then bones and muscles become stronger.
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier. His height - from 30 to 40 cm, and weight - up to 15 kg. Staffs are very intelligent, loyal and dedicated dogs. They should always be in the company of man. An adult becomes 10–12 months old.
• Dachshunds - famous hunters. They grow up to 8 months in height and in length, and after - in breadth.
• Toy Terrier - smooth-haired, sweet and playful dog. She is known for her furry ears. Height - only 25 cm. Grows up to six months.
• Chihuahua - the smallest breed of dog in the world. Her height does not exceed 23 cm, and weight - 3 kg. She is a very faithful, energetic and graceful dog. Grows up to 8 months.

• Cocker Spaniel - very beautiful, graceful and kind dog, as well as the famous hunting breed. The height of such a dog is about 40 cm, and the weight is 15 kg. The exterior is fully formed by the year.
• Like - freedom-loving, but loyal dog, an excellent hunter.She is very inquisitive and active, often touchy. The height limit is 63 cm at the withers. Growth continues up to 10 months.
• Husky - friendly and friendly dogs, but at the same time quite stubborn and capricious. This breed of sled dogs, so they are strong and hardy. The height at the withers is 50–60 cm. The height rises to 1 year, and after 2 more years it continues to build up muscle mass.
• Chow chow possesses a dedicated, calm and independent character. This excellent watch dog has a height of up to 56 cm. It reaches maturity at 11 months.
• The beagle We are accustomed to seeing dogs of this breed in many American films, which is why she gained such popularity. The beagle is friendly, smart and balanced, so it is perfect for children. His height - about 40 cm, full maturity comes in a year and a half.

To get a large breed dog, training is required, because these types require investments and careful care. In addition, large dogs require space and constant physical activity.

• English Mastiff. The average height is 70–90 cm, and the weight can reach 110 kg. Powerful, courageous, peace-loving and balanced dog. Active growth - up to a year, and the exterior is formed up to 3 years.
• Next on the list of large dogs - St. Bernard. He is very calm and friendly. Previously, these dogs were used as rescuers. Height ranges from 70 to 90 cm, weight - more than 100 kg. Actively grows up to a year, and finally takes the form of an adult dog by 3 years.
• German dog - the tallest dog. The average height is 80 cm, and the weight reaches 90 kg. The highest representative of the breed is the dog Zeus, his height is 112 cm. At the withers, these dogs grow up to one and a half years old, continue to increase their weight up to three years.

In order not to miss any deviations in the development of your pet, it is important to note the growth of the puppy at least once a week. You can measure the parameters with the help of well-known devices that everyone in the house probably has.

• Weight. A puppy can be weighed with household scales or with food - it depends on the size of the breed.
• Growth at the withers can be measured with a tape measure.
• Girth of the sternum can be measured by centimeter.
• The height and width of the front and rear legs can also be measured with a tape measure.
• Length dogs measure from the withers to the tail - with a tape measure or centimeter.

The time of growth and development of dogs depends on the breed, genetics, nutrition and health. The most important thing is to take care of the pet, pay enough attention and, of course, love.

See how the dog grows in the video below.