Dog Community

Large, mixed breed size?

Posted : 1/31/2007 7:18:24 AM

I thought that Teddy was roughly done growing. He's a little over a year old. He's very tall and skinny. He's always been like that though.

My roommates went away for a couple of weeks and came back and were amazed that he didn't look so tall anymore because he's started "filling out." Apparently he's gained 6 or 7 pounds of muscle.

My roommates think that he's going to be a very bulky dog and probably will end up being the size of one of their dogs (a Great Dane/Hound mix that is ~90pounds).

He's currently about 60 pounds.

Anyway, I guess my question is, even though I know there's bound to be variation, especially with mixed breeds, is there any vague idea of how long it takes for large breed dogs to "fill out" and/or slow down growing?

lisa baker

Posted : 1/31/2007 7:51:23 AM

Giant breeds will grow up to their 2nd year and fill out more after that...

tina robinson

Posted : 1/31/2007 8:18:00 AM

I think the average for breeds to fill out is 2-3 years, some longer some not so long. It may depend on his breeds I think some rotty lines take up to 5 years before they are done willing out, but I may be wrong about that.

Tankstar

Posted : 1/31/2007 10:41:18 AM

It takes about 2 years for every dog breed to grow (Some longer then 2 years, others shorter then 2 years) that is why people dontbreed until that age. He will keep filling out and growing. You may not notice as you see him day in and day out. People kept saying Blaze was growing, I didnt see it either. Untill we went to the vet and she said it and he weighted in at 70 lbs lol

Susan Robertson

Posted : 1/31/2007 5:27:46 PM

any vague idea of how long it takes for large breed dogs to "fill out" and/or slow down growing?

I think Kato grew until around 3-ish but didn't fill out completely until between 4-5 yrs. Meaning, his neck, chest and head wrinkled more and he bulked up a bit.

rwbeagles

Posted : 1/31/2007 5:39:46 PM

With Akitas the filling out begins after 2 and continues until 4-5 years old. Putting on 30lbs in one year or even two is a bit much...I doubt he gets much beyond 70lbs personally. If he is mix you'd need to look to the breeds comprising it for an idea of growth rate.