![]() ![]() She also notes that most puppies are more high energy than adult dogs and may be more prone to minor injuries from rough play that can cause temporary discomfort. ![]() Some inflammatory conditions are accompanied by a fever, which can make your dog lethargic and dull her appetite, she adds. Sometimes there will be heat, swelling and/or pain around the affected areas. However, some orthopedic conditions like those described above can cause symptoms in young dogs, including: limping, an abnormal gait or stance, or reluctance to participate in normal activities. Puppies don’t seem to experience growing pains, O’Bell says. If you see your dog limping or notice that one leg appears to be slightly twisted or angled, contact your veterinarian or a surgical specialist. Bernards are among those prone to these conditions, according to the American Animal Hospital Association. Large breeds such as German Shepherds, Labradors and St. Surgery is sometimes needed to correct these conditions, O’Bell says. Some inherited and congenital conditions include hip dysplasia (when the ball and socket of the hip joint are not aligned correctly) and osteochondrosis (abnormal development of cartilage in the joints). The condition usually resolves on its own, she says. Large and giant breeds sometimes suffer from hypertrophic osteodystrophy, painful swelling of growth plates of the legs that is often accompanied by a fever. Painful but short-lived bone inflammation, known as panosteitis, can affect young dogs and usually requires medication, O’Bell says. Very small dogs can have hip or knee issues,” Rooney says, noting that most growing dogs will not be affected by these conditions. Problems in the elbows, shoulders, hips and other joints mainly occur in larger dogs (50 pounds or more). “The most common concerns are orthopedic. What are Some Common Conditions to be Aware of in Growing Dogs? Rooney agrees that, while a puppy can have ears or paws that seem too large or small for their frame at the time, they don’t indicate how big that puppy will become. “We often comment about how big a puppy’s paws or ears are, but these are not reliable indicators,” O’Bell says. Unfortunately, while pet parents are quick to comment on the size of a puppy’s paws and ears, they don’t tell us much about how big a dog will be. “For purebreds, there are some general ranges available, so your dog’s ultimate size shouldn’t be a huge surprise,” she adds. If you can check out a previous litter of the same sire and dam, you will get a glimpse of your dog’s future size. ![]() One of the best predictors of ultimate stature are your dog’s siblings, O’Bell says. If you know the breed of your dog or, better yet, the parents of your pup, you can estimate how large your dog will be from that, Rooney says. So, although your dog’s demeanor and behavior can still appear juvenile, and sometimes their features retain that “puppy” look (with a coat of soft hair, rounded facial features and ears and a narrower chest), your dog should no longer be growing after it turns two. “Many medium and large breed dogs retain a ‘juvenile’ appearance for their first one to two years of life, but technically they aren’t still growing,” O’Bell says. Smaller dogs reach full growth a bit sooner, between six and eight months, Rooney says. ![]() By that point you should have a good sense of your dog’s ultimate height and length, with giant breeds growing until they are a little over a year old, O’Bell says. Most dogs’ growth plates close at around 9 to 11 months of age, the doctors say. When Do Dogs Stop Growing and How Big Will My Puppy Get? and a board-certified specialist in surgery, have the answers. Matthew Rooney, owner of Aspen Meadow Veterinary Specialists in Longmont, Colo. Susan O’Bell, a primary care doctor at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, and Dr. When will she stop growing? What do those big paws really mean? Dr. If a young dog has joined your pack recently, you likely have questions about what the first year or so in her life will look like from a developmental perspective. ![]()
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