Getting a mixed breed puppy can be fun, but how to tell how big a mixed puppy will get can by tricky.
Whether or not you are a dog person, you cannot deny how cute the little puppies are. And they are a delight to watch! To see them nap, play, take its first steps, climb a stair, bark, run around, and eat is probably the most relaxing thing you could do.
To the dog owners, these puppies are not any less than their babies. However, you must know that there are two types of dogs – purebreds and mixed breeds.
Therefore, two years back, I decided to buy a dog. My mixed breed pup was as small as my palm back then but now does not even fit on my lap.
Due to the small size of the puppy back then, I thought it would fit well into my little house, but I was wrong. I had to move to a new place that is more spacious to provide my pooch with ample space to play in.
Therefore, I have experienced myself, researched, talked to the expert, and then have written this piece regarding how to tell how big a mixed puppy will get.
If you have recently adopted or bought a mixed breed pup and are wondering how large it will grow in size, this article is going to help you.
To make things easy for you, I have divided this article in different parts to answer all of your questions and queries.
What Is a Mixed or Hybrid Breed Puppy?
A mixed breed puppy or a mongrel is a result of two different kinds of dogs while a purebred is a dog whose parents belong to the same breed.
So, a mixed breed will have the characteristic of both of its parents and is less likely to suffer from genetic or inherited congenital diseases. Mixed breeds are also sold for a lesser price and are comparatively very affordable.
However, how to tell how big a mixed puppy will get is almost impossible. Your mixed breed pup could turn from a tiny puppy to a large-sized dog or remain the same size throughout.
You can avoid such uncertainty by investing in a purebred pup. But buying dogs is very expensive, and you will never be sure about the diseases and behavioral changes a purebred puppy can come with due to mating.
How to Tell How Big a Mixed Puppy Will Get
It is essential to know about dogs in general to understand a mixed breed’s growth. Adult dogs that weigh under 20 lbs are small breeds, those between 20 and 60 lbs are medium breeds, and large dogs weigh between 64 and 120 lbs. Dogs that weigh above 120 lbs are giant breeds.
A dog is considered a pup until one year of its birth? Additionally, a small breed pup will reach its full size at six months while a large breed will take almost 14 months to two years to reach its full size.
You should pay attention to the following when trying to tell how big a mixed puppy will get.
If you have bought the mixed breed pup, you must be knowing about its parentage. In case you have adopted the puppy, you might have to work out a bit to know who could be its parents. Yes, it is almost impossible to know precisely about the weight and height of your mixed breed pup, but a little bit calculation can help you predict its final size.
Usually, a puppy’s mother’s weight and height are a reliable indicator of its size. A female pup will grow up to be as big as her mother, whereas a male puppy can be slightly larger than his mother.
If its parentage is of smaller breeds, the pup will be short and vice versa. So, if your puppy is a mixed breed of Beagle and Labrador, it cannot be heavier than a Labrador and lighter than a Beagle.
It is difficult to determine the parentage of a mixed breed pup just by looking at it. The pup’s fur does not develop entirely until a few months, which otherwise hints a lot about its parentage.
You can go to a veterinarian to learn more about the details of its parents. A vet has years of experience looking at different breeds of dogs and knows intricately about how their offspring look like.
The vet will also tell you about its estimate weight and height in adulthood.
The general rule of thumb is that your mixed breed pup can be four times its weight and height at four months of age. You can look for charts available online that predict the adult weight and height of your pup.
But the key is to accurately know how much your pup weighs or how tall it is at a certain age. This way, you can quickly see whether you will need a dog crate or a dog bed. Although the following are not the full-proof methods, they will give you an idea about their future weight.
There are three methods to use math to determine your baby’s adult weight.
Method 1:
- The first method is to calculate how much the puppy gains weight each week and then multiply it by 52, which is the total number of weeks in a year. This formula works on the idea that most of the dogs reach their full size in a year.
- Growth = Current weight in lbs/age in weeks.
- Adult weight = Growth x 52.
- So, if you have a Cocker Spaniel pup that is 12 lbs at 16 weeks, it will weight as an adult: (12/16) x 52, or 0.75 x 52 or 39 lbs.
Method 2:
- Adult weight of a toy-small breed: 4 x weight at 6 weeks.
- Adult weight of a medium-large breed: 2.5 x weight at 14 weeks.
- Adult weight of a large-giant breed: 2 x weight at 16 weeks.
Method 3:
- Take the weight of your small breed pup at six weeks, medium at 14, and large at 24 weeks.
- If you have a small breed pup, double its weight at six weeks, and then again double the resultant mass. So, if the pup weight 4 lbs at six weeks, it might grow up to 16 pounds.
- If your pup belongs to the medium-sized breed, weight it at 14 weeks. Now, double the weight. Add half of the original weight to get the final weight. In simpler terms, if your pup weighs 20 lbs at 12 weeks, it will weigh 20 x 2 plus 10 (half of the original weight i.e., 20). So, it’s adult weight would be 50 lbs.
The adult weight of a large-sized dog would be double its weight at six months.
Generally speaking, a pup with a massive paw will grow up to be a large dog while a pup with a small paw will remain small. This is because paws are those parts on which the entire body of a dog will rely on. So, it is unlikely for a large dog to have small paws.
However, this is not a full-proof method either. Some pups with large paws grow up to be medium-sized dogs.
A small paw measures up to 2 inches, a medium ranges from 2-3 inches, and a massive paw is larger than 3 inches.
Another way of predicting your pup’s size is to scrutinize its legs. If it has strong and heavy legs with giant paws, it is more likely to become a large adult dog. However, if it has small paws, fine bones, and short limbs, its body frame would be rather small.
Breeds like Greyhound are tall dogs who have skinny legs and fine bone structure. So, how to tell how big a mixed puppy will get remains a mystery.
If you want to be sure and not just guess how huge will your pup be, visit a veterinarian. The doctor has studied for years and knows better about the dog breeds, and will exactly tell how big a mixed puppy will get. Additionally, they have been looking and treating dogs of numerous kinds.
Vets also look into the finer details that reveal the mixed breed’s ancestors, which help them analyze their actual adult size. And this is why, they will quickly know what blend of kinds your pup belongs to, and will offer you tips to take care of them.
Does Breed Affect Puppy Growth?
A puppy will take six months to 2 years to become an adult. While all dogs pass through all of the puppy growth stages, small dog breeds reach maturity earlier than large dog breeds. So yes, the dog breed does affect puppy growth.
To know how large it will grow, you must keep track of its height and weight from birth. There are five puppy growth stages:
This stage is from 0-2 weeks, instantly after the puppy born. In this stage, a pup needs to stay close to its mother and eat every two hours. It does not hear or see but only taste and touch.
This is the next stage where your pup will be able to stand, hear, see, bark, walk, and wag their tail. It usually extends from 2 weeks to 4 weeks.
As the name suggests, this period between 1 month to three months will make your pooch increasingly playful. So, it is the most critical time for your furry baby to socialize with other people and dogs, although it will still require to spend a lot of time with its mother.
This period lasts until six months, and during this stage, your pup will start chewing and teething and learn about submission and dominance.
This stage lasts until they become adults. During this period, your dog will enter puberty and learn their place in the pack.
How Diet Affects Puppy Growth?
Feeding affects how your puppy will grow. Overfeeding does speed up the pups’ growth, but it is not advisable since such pups’ bones are affected adversely. Similarly, an underfed puppy will not grow at fast as it should.
A healthy pup grows aptly as per the stage, and usually fits the following criteria.
No visible ribs: You should not be able to see the ribs of a pups under six months of age.
Ribs can be felt: The ribs should be covered with a thin layer of fats yet should be felt when you gently press the sides of your furry buddy.
A waist: When you look at your pup from above, you should be able to locate its waist just before its hips.
A tuck: You pup’s tummy should gently slope up, meaning its highest should be just before its legs.
Does Loose Skin Affect Puppy Growth?
If your puppy has loose skin, it means it will grow big to fill in the skin and iron those wrinkles. Yes, some breeds like pugs have loose skin even in adulthood, but loose skin is usually an indicator of a big dog breed.
How to Take Care Of a Mixed Breed Puppy?
Here are the three important ways to take care of a mixed breed puppy to ensure proper growth.
No matter if it is a purebred or a mixed breed pup, its training should start from the day it enters your house. If it is your first time taking care of a pet, consider hiring a professional trainer to provide your pup with house training, potty training, obedience training, and behavior training. These will ensure that your puppy grows into a well-mannered dog.
Yes, initially the pup would be challenging to handle since their energy levels are always high and they are exploring the world for the first time. So, everything seems amusing to little pooches, and they are still excited. But with time, they get used to the environment and will learn to behave.
After all, if you haven’t had shoes chewed or ripped clothes, you have not had a dog.
The idea is not to overfeed or underfeed your pup. Just like you feed a baby with nutritious food in its initial years, the first few months of a puppy also demand nutrition for healthy growth. You must consult a veterinarian to know how to when to feed your puppy, what to feed it with, and how much should you feed.
If you see that your puppy is fat, consider cutting calories, and indulge in physical activities with it. While if it seems to be underweight, you must feed it with calorie-loaded food until it becomes routine.
Grooming is imperative to keep your pup healthy. It is not just about taking care of its coat but also about its overall well-being. Your puppy must be clean and healthy.
- You must keep its nails trimmed and clean.
- Brush your pup’s teeth as well.
- You should also use a clean brush and towels to dry them.
- Always use good quality shampoos and conditions to maintain the sheen and softness of its coat.
If you are scared of handling the small pooch, you can leave your pup at a groomer and learn a few tips and tricks from them. Several dog grooming stores are selling a variety of grooming products for dogs and puppies.
Tips On Picking a Healthy Pup
When you go to buy or adopt a puppy, the seller is not going to tell you about its health issues. Consider the following things before bringing your furry buddy home:
- Always visit a responsible breeder.
- Consider its parents’ attitude since it will inherit their attitude.
- It should have a soft and shiny coat.
- It should have a clear nose and eyes.
- Its waistline is swelled up although it was fed long back, it can mean that the pup has worms.
- The pup should show an alert and bright attitude.
- The pup’s ear should now show waxy discharges.
- You can even look at the pup’s poop, as usually formed stools indicate a healthy puppy.
Take out the Guess Work from How to Tell How Big a Mixed Puppy
Whenever you decide to buy a puppy, always research to find out which breed will fit into your home and lifestyle. You may choose to buy a mixed breed puppy because of its low-cost and lesser health issues. Some kinds are incompatible, so if you buy their offspring, it might need special care.
While how to tell how big a mixed puppy will get is impossible, the methods mentioned above and tips can help you look for the right-sized puppy with desirable weight.
Always remember that a small breed puppy will reach its adult size at six months, while a large breed puppy will take two years to mature completely. A puppy’s paw size and bone formation can be good indicators of its adult size, although you should always consult a veterinarian if you want to be sure about its size.
