Puppy Face

[davnjen]

My Rottie is 10 months old and he still has a puppy face. His body seems to be growing but not his head. He weighs 90 pounds. When will his head catch up to his body?

[RottiMomCT]

Ben is 5 1/2 years old and still has a very puppyish face...people ask me how old he is and are amazed he's that 'old'...Baron, on the other hand, is 18 months old, and looks alot older, at least in the face...he's got a typical lanky body...

Do his parents or litter mates look younger than they are?

[Judi W]

It will grow as much as the genetics allow, but it might take a couple of years before it is finished.

[JJsRiley]

I had an almost 4yr male and he always looked like a 1-2yr old..I nick named him my "lil buddy"
I don't know 'bout you..But I kinda liked it.
although his dad looked big and bold.
it might take him a bit to grow into his skin.
My female didn't fill out til she was close to 2 yrs

[keller27]

I have a question for you guys and about the puppy like faces, etc. Are they spayed or neutered and at what age did you do it? I have so many books at home, but in one of my books it mentioned that if you spay or neuter them early, they will be more puppy like looking. A students Rottweiler in one of my classes has the same thing with hers. She neutered really early, so now he has this little head and big body.

I would rather wait for the dogs to be mentally and physically mature before having them spayed and neutered. I have always waited.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Julius still had his "puppy-face" at 10 months of age as well. Right around then he was going through his really awkward phase. He is now two years old & his head really seems to be filling out now. I've noticed it in the past couple of months.

Give it time & enjoy that "puppy-face" for as long as it lasts!


Brooke

[SonnyRott]

At almost 2 years old, my dog can still look at me a certain way and it makes me smile because he looks like he did as a puppy.

Then at other times he looks like a big ol' lughead.

[Judi W]

If the question is regarding the size of the headpiece, the head will often continue to grown until 3 years of age or even a bit more. Bitches tend to finish growth earlier. Expression is a different matter and individual.

Early desexing affects the proportions of the dog, not the expression. If you intend to show your dog in conformation, desexing is not optional.

[davnjen]

I would just like to thank everyone that responded. It was very helpful.