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Picking The Right Size Breed: The Basics

A new puppy might be little, cute and cuddly, but that might not last long. What is true about a puppy’s size on day one will very likely not hold valid on day 365. While most people understand their puppies will grow, some don’t quite expect they will as much as they can and do.

The unfortunate truth is that a lot of unwanted pets result from the fact that people misjudged the eventual size of the breed they picked out. Whether this is from a misunderstanding of how big a purebred can get or the result of an unknown factor with a mixed breed, the result can be the same. A dog that becomes far bigger than its owner anticipated can run the risk of becoming unwanted.

With this in mind, it is very important for people to properly research breeds before they bring home a puppy. An eight-pound cutie today could very well grow up to be a 100-pound beauty down the road.

There are four basic sizes of dogs: toy, small, medium and large. Let’s examine some of the common breeds found in each category.

Toy
These are the smallest of breeds. Generally only growing to be a few pounds at full adulthood, these dogs are ideal for those who don’t want a dog that can become too large. Some of the more common breeds found in this class include the Chihuahua, toy poodle and the Yorkshire terrier.

Small
Small breed dogs are known for their light weights, but they can grow to more than 25 pounds or so. Some of the examples of these dogs include beagles, daschund and Llaso Apso. There are some variations on the sizes of dogs in this class, but the generalization is they are fairly compact.

Medium
Many people mistake the medium breed dogs for “large.” Dogs in this class can range from about 30 or so pounds up to about 120 pounds. This class includes retrievers, greyhounds, huskies, shelties and even Weimaraners. Some of the most common working dogs fall into this category.

Large
When the true large breeds are looked at the differences between them and the medium breeds becomes evident. True large breed dogs can grow well beyond the 100 pound mark. They include such dogs as the Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Irish wolfhound and even English sheepdogs.

While most purebreds tend to follow the growth distinction of their breeds, it is possible for there to be some variation in the mix. When looking at mixed breeds, however, it can be very difficult to tell what their eventual size might be. Consider the dominant traits to help get a rough estimate. Veterinarians can sometimes help determine breed possibilities and even potential growth outcome.

It is very important for people to consider eventual size in picking out a puppy. To ensure the “little” puppy of today will grow into a size that’s manageable, research background and potential maximum adult size before taking a new dog home. Doing otherwise could result in a choice that won’t make the owner happy down the road, with the dog paying the biggest price.

Article by Kelly Perry of Oh My Dog Supplies - The place to go for quality dog beds and feeders