Litter size and adult dog size

JayneA · 02-06-2012, 06:51 AM

A friend and I were having an interesting discussion recently about litter size and whether it affects the final adult dog weight.

To my mind a smaller litter may mean that the pups are slightly larger at birth (less competition for nutrients in mum and then okay for feeding) but surely the final weight/size is controlled by genetics and not the fact that it was a smaller litter. A larger litter may be smaller at birth, grow slightly slower but surely they will also reach normal size (for whatever is normal for them based on genetics).

**lhczth** · 02-06-2012, 01:38 PM

Some of my biggest dogs at maturity came from my largest litters. Baring environmental factors like malnutrition, disease, or other health issue size is determined by genetics.

cindy_s · 02-06-2012, 09:00 PM

I would also say that adult size is based on genetics. Cues was part of a 2 puppy litter. The breeder also had a litter 2 weeks older. Cues was the same size as the puppies that were 2 weeks older. She was robust, and she could "handle" the older boys. She matured "physically" early, and she is now a medium sized female at 68 lbs.

Josie/Zeus · 02-09-2012, 11:38 AM

I think Koda came from a litter of 10, I can't remember exactly. Koda is about 90 lbs at 10 months and is a big boy. I agree with the above posts, genetics, nutrition and health issues definitely plays a big role.

VonKromeHaus · 02-13-2012, 12:03 AM

I definetely think size is genetic. My boy is from a litter of 6 and he is big...not over standard but definetely on the high side of it! In the litter that he sired, there is one puppy who is really big and has been since she was born.

GSD4LIFE21 · 02-13-2012, 12:33 PM

size is genetic.

spidermilk · 02-13-2012, 02:01 PM

Dax is from a litter of 11. He weighs 70 lbs (2 years old, ribs are not visible, he just has a small frame and is lean). I do not think that his litter size is the reason that he is smaller- both of his parents are also fairly small. I know the owners of the largest puppy in his litter- and he still is probably the biggest of the litter at around 80 lbs.

02-06-2012, 06:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
JayneA Master Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: uk Posts: 610	Litter size and adult dog size A friend and I were having an interesting discussion recently about litter size and whether it affects the final adult dog weight. To my mind a smaller litter may mean that the pups are slightly larger at birth (less competition for nutrients in mum and then okay for feeding) but surely the final weight/size is controlled by genetics and not the fact that it was a smaller litter. A larger litter may be smaller at birth, grow slightly slower but surely they will also reach normal size (for whatever is normal for them based on genetics).

02-06-2012, 01:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
lhczth Administrator & LOTR Addict Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 11,695	Some of my biggest dogs at maturity came from my largest litters. Baring environmental factors like malnutrition, disease, or other health issue size is determined by genetics. __________________ Lisa Clark Zu Treuen Händen Working German Shepherd Dogs *South Michigan SchH and Police Club*

02-06-2012, 09:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
cindy_s Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: DE Posts: 462	I would also say that adult size is based on genetics. Cues was part of a 2 puppy litter. The breeder also had a litter 2 weeks older. Cues was the same size as the puppies that were 2 weeks older. She was robust, and she could "handle" the older boys. She matured "physically" early, and she is now a medium sized female at 68 lbs. __________________ Cinzar's Dark Shadow Too (Ruger) CGC, RN 1/8/05 Quinn Z Old Farm (Cues) IPO 1, AD 6/7/09

02-09-2012, 11:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
Josie/Zeus Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: DFW TX Posts: 1,846	I think Koda came from a litter of 10, I can't remember exactly. Koda is about 90 lbs at 10 months and is a big boy. I agree with the above posts, genetics, nutrition and health issues definitely plays a big role. __________________ Alta Tollhaus "Koda" 3/18/11 currently training in PSA Rest in Peace my boys Zeus 2000-2009 Odin 2010-2011

02-13-2012, 12:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
VonKromeHaus Master Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: kennewick,WA Posts: 566	I definetely think size is genetic. My boy is from a litter of 6 and he is big...not over standard but definetely on the high side of it! In the litter that he sired, there is one puppy who is really big and has been since she was born. __________________ Tululajhs Red Chrome Kahpone~AST/APBT~CGC TT BH~RIP Osyrius SilverChrome GTOVonMarionHaus~GSD~CGC DDJ RN WBBs BleauChromeLady of TheCopa~APBT~STARR CGC

02-13-2012, 12:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
GSD4LIFE21 Master Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: California Posts: 660	size is genetic. __________________ Marie Catja Z Elbu (PPD) BH CGC (DOB 1/26/06) GSD Kaiyah Vom Draufganger BH TR1 CGC (DOB 5/6/08) GSD Quest Vom Spartanville (DOB 1/31/09) SCH2 BH TR1 CGC GSD Ara od Bartika (DOB Apr 2, 2011)

02-13-2012, 02:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
spidermilk Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 317	Dax is from a litter of 11. He weighs 70 lbs (2 years old, ribs are not visible, he just has a small frame and is lean). I do not think that his litter size is the reason that he is smaller- both of his parents are also fairly small. I know the owners of the largest puppy in his litter- and he still is probably the biggest of the litter at around 80 lbs.

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