Nala Might Be A Runt

[Subverto]

We just got back from the vet for Nala's 3rd round of puppy vaccinations. She is currently 11 weeks 2 days old. She weighed in at 20.2 lbs and the vet used a growth chart to determine her full grown weight. He said it looks like she will be between 75lbs and 85lbs! Can this be? I didn't know Newfies could be any less than 100lbs. He said that she is completely healthy and seems to be getting appropriate nutrition, and it is quite possible that she could get a big growth spurt over the next couple weeks, but as of right now he doesn't think she will be much larger than 75lbs.

Does anyone have any expirience with this? Is it common for puppys to be smaller than normal but still fall within the breed standard when fully grown? We are just a little surprised because her sire is 190lbs and her dame is 150lbs, and the breedline is full of larger than average dogs.

Here is a picture of her playing in the snow on Tuesday.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't worry about anything or any projections a vet may make, just make sure she grows slow and steady.

 

[Angela]

Don't worry about it so long as she is healthy.

My Gracie was always small and 2" below the standard for females. She is now 13 years and 6 months old and still very healthy for her age. I did lots of activities with her, obedience trials, Rally, Draft tests, only thing I didn't do was Conformation.
Personally, I would rather have a smaller Newf who lives a long healthy life than a very large one.

 

[ajcooksey]

I wouldn't worry either. Ours were 18 lbs at 8 weeks and now at a year and a half Turner is 115 and Willow is 114. I too would rather keep them light and lean because it is so much easier on their joints.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

That is a good weight for her age. She should be fine. Your vet is also rushing the puppy shots too, as they should be given at 8, 12, and 16 weeks and rabies at 6 mo. You may want to shop for a new vet.

 

[wrknnwf]

I agree with Lynn. 20 lbs sounds about right for her age.

A reminder, though. You don't want her growing too fast, so don't let the vet's silly projection lure you into feeding the wrong food or too much food.

We often put too much emphasis on final size, when it should be on healthy growth. Who cares how much she weighs, if she is fit and free of orthopedic and other health problems? Newfs vary A LOT in size, but size has absolutely no bearing on what wonderful dogs they are.

 

[OodlesOfNoodles]

We've tracked Finn's weight every week since we got him; at 11 weeks, he weighed 22.4 lbs. He's currently 7 months 1 week and 75.2 lbs; he's averaged around 3 lbs a week and continues to gain (and will for a while still). I wouldn't be concerned at all about her being a runt at this point based on what you've said.

 

[Peter Maniate]

Vets tend to use "all-breed" charts and these usually do not take into account the fact that giant breed dogs mature later than smaller dogs.

In the typical all-breed growth chart the pup is shown as reaching 2/3 of his/her adult weight at six months. Newfs are at least eight months before reaching this level and may take even longer.

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

Snuffles always seemed on the light side, but he still gained weight till he was 5 or so. Never being considered overweight, he just weighed in today at 146, but that was right after breakfast. He had been like 143-145 range.

 

[blaue_augen]

I found a growth prediction chart online when Suki was a puppy, and it said that she would weigh about 75 pounds in the end. She's 2 today and weighs a svelte 108 lbs. So I agree the all breed charts aren't so accurate for our giants. But even if, in the end, she turns out to be a mini newf, I promise you will still adore her just as much as if she were a giant newf.

 

[Jeannie]

My Chase is small. She weighs around 95-97 lbs. She is about an inch below the average for a female newf. I started showing her when she was a puppy. She got some points, even a major. But I decided to stop showing her when her hips prelimbed less than fair. She also developed OCD in her shoulder. She doesn't know anything is wrong. She runs and plays without pain. She is 8.

I wouldn't count your newf as small. On average a newf should weigh 10 lbs for every month of age - a 4 month should weight around 40 lbs, 5 month 5 lbs and so on. When my Chase was almost 12 weeks she was only about 13 pounds. I bet your girl will grow normally.

 

[Subverto]

Thanks everyone. I think I have to agree with what a lot of you alluded to. It's much better that she be happy and healthy than worry about how big she is going to get. I know no matter what size she is fully grown we are going to lover her all the same .

 

[R Taft]

As all the others said. Annabelle is only about 95lbs and very fit

And size does not matter, you will still love her to bits

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

IA reminder, though. You don't want her growing too fast, so don't let the vet's silly projection lure you into feeding the wrong food or too much food.

We often put too much emphasis on final size, when it should be on healthy growth. Who cares how much she weighs, if she is fit and free of orthopedic and other health problems? Newfs vary A LOT in size, but size has absolutely no bearing on what wonderful dogs they are.

This, this, this, this, this. I often say that I sometimes think that people focus way too much on the scale with these guys. If they look fine, feel fine and act fine, then the are fine!

 

[Murphy]

My beautiful angel Murphy was a giant and suffered from multiple health issues.. I would have shaved 50 lbs off his weight and inches off his height to have been able to have him for 5 more minutes...

 

[Popcorn]

I'll take a newf runt anyday -- here is why: smaller is better. I've had four, and the healthiest in old age has been my old gal who is about 80-90 pounds. Short, small. NO JOINT ISSUES. No arthritis at age 12. believe me, you are lucky.

 

[mmbrod02]

When I took Scarlett to her vet visit at 10 weeks she was 18 lbs. She just turned 7 months and I had her at the vet because of her eye the other day and she is exactly 60 lbs. Some newfs are much bigger at 7 months so I was getting worried but she is healthy according to the vet and she gets plenty to eat. The breeder predicts she will be 100-110 lbs. I would not worry that your pup is only 20 lbs. right now. She has plenty of time to grow and seems to be about the size that Scarlett was at that age. Some people think of dogs in general and when they stop growing, not thinking about newfs growing for a longer period of time. Nala will probably gain around 8-10 lbs a month and I am sure will hit 100 lbs. by the time she is done growing.

 

[Anthony99]

My Avlon was the runt of the litter. Ha ha !! She is now 7 yrs old 30 inches from shoulder to ground and weighs 130 lbs. She is very lean for how tall she is, but to ME keeping Newfs lean is very, very important.

 

[IgotNewf'd]

I have no advice, but we have a beautiful full blooded Leonberger who weighs 77 pounds! She had two brothers in her litter and they are both huge. She is the smallest Leo anyone has seen. We are always asked if she is mixed. I sometimes forget she is a "giant" breed, but despite her size she is a Leo through and through. She doesn't realize she is small!