We've got two Dobermanns, one is an 18 month b*tch and the other is a ten month old dog. The b*tch is about average size, most of the other b*tches i've seen are about the same, maybe a little bit bigger. The dog on the other hand seems very small to me. He's quite chunky but just doesn't seem to be anywhere near the same height as the other dogs i've seen. I know he's still quite young but i've seen other Dobermann dogs that are younger than him and they tower over him. Does anyone know any reasons why this could be??!! Any sensible help would be appreciated, thanks.
2007-12-09 03:48:26 · 11 answers · asked by Haza 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
At ten months old, he still has a bit more growing to do. Our pointer seemed to be quite small, but seemed to have another growth spurt when he was about 18 months old....he turned out to be quite tall, and chunky too. Just give him time....I'm sure you'll find he grows quite a bit more over the next six months or so.
2007-12-09 04:05:36 · answer #1 · answered by murphywingedspur 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be any number of things. At 10 months old he has quite a bit of growing left to do. Also keep in mind that a lot of Dobermans you see are well over the height and weight they are suppose to be. A full grown Doberman is only suppose to be 27" at the shoulder, so some of the other dogs you have seen may just be from poor quality lines that breed to big, unfortunately a way to common practice. He could also have a some sort of medical problem that is inhibiting his growth. I would reccomend taking him to the vet and having a blood panel done just to rule out any medical problems.
2007-12-09 04:36:28 · answer #2 · answered by . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is size varation in any breed - The most likely senerio is that he inherited the genes to be a Dobe equvlent of a 5' 2" guy rather than a 6' 4". There can also be late maturing (and growing) families.
How big are his parents?
The only other senerio is malnutirition - you say he's chunky so not so likely
2007-12-09 03:59:26 · answer #3 · answered by ragapple 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is the sort of thing you should be checking with the breeder of your dog.
Were his parents standard height?
Does he come from a line of late maturers? Many dogs shoot up to their final height by 6 months, others continue to grow up to 18 months. If you feed raw food not a commercial diet he will grow more slowly but eventually reach the height he was going to be.
Did he come from a reputable breeder?
Were his parents the correct height?
Have you had him checked by a vet?
2007-12-09 05:41:29 · answer #4 · answered by anwen55 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the dog has normal bloodwork and no parasites, my guess is that it is a natural variation in size. We have two female Italian Mastiffs. One is 80 pounds and the other is 120.
2007-12-09 03:59:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to the American Kennel Club, you are describing the perfect specimen. The reason looks to be you own a top quality dog.
2007-12-09 05:46:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably the runt. I know someone who once had a doberman runt who was only about 18 inches at the shoulder.
2007-12-09 03:55:17 · answer #7 · answered by Jo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He could have been the runt of the litter.... Some dogs just don't make the breed standard i.e. they are too short, too tall, wrong color etc.
2007-12-09 03:53:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
maybe he is slightly mixed somewhere along the way, or it could just be a fluke.
2007-12-09 03:53:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be a minpin in the breeding somewhere and he got the gene.
2007-12-09 04:02:03 · answer #10 · answered by Colt 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋