More bone to come??

[BigNewbie]

My puppy is quite beautiful, but I wished that she was a bit more hefty in the bone department. Mom and Dad are quite substantial in this regard. The breeder seems to think this will come in time. (She's 11 weeks) What are your experiences with this one?

[Urika]

Originally Posted by BigNewbie

My puppy is quite beautiful, but I wished that she was a bit more hefty in the bone department. Mom and Dad are quite substantial in this regard. The breeder seems to think this will come in time. (She's 11 weeks) What are your experiences with this one?

What size are mom and dad?

I wouldn't worry too much about the pup. She grow and fill out just as she should.

[BigNewbie]

I can't honestly say I know exactly how big mom and dad are..

[Shaw_2112]

11 weeks is way too early to tell, you won't really get an idea of how big she will be until about 12 months or so. And then she won't gain full maturity until 3 years old.

[BostonRott]

You can easily tell the bone on a puppy and see who will have great bone and who won't. Typically, looking between the pastern joint and the front paw will give you a good indication. I've rarely seen dogs "gain" bone as they grow...........many go the other direction and outgrow it and have less than you thought they would.

There is nothing you can really do to affect this, it's genetically determined. Keep your pup at a healthy weight and enjoy her. The breeder knows the lines best and should be able to give you the best ideas. Who are the parents, perhaps somone on here is familiar with the bloodline and can offer you more.

[BigNewbie]

Mambo von Der Crossener Ranch and Donna vom Haus Zchammer

[Tank's Grandma]

I am by no means as knowledgeable as Gretchen (BostonRott) but I can tell you the the personal experience with our two boys supports what she's saying pretty well. The difference in their bone size was pretty evident from the time they were pups. The older boy (20 months right now) is very slender in build, and pretty much has been, the younger (9 months right now) is much heaveir boned, and has been since he came to us at between 3-4 months old. And for all appearances is going to be a larger dog as well.

[SonnyRott]

It is my understanding that unlike other breeds, Rottweilers don't change that much from babyhood to adult in terms of body structure and appearance. They gain weight obviously, but what you see as a pup will pretty much determine what you'll have as an adult. Now I'm sure there is a minority out there that this does not apply to.

Also, not all pups in a litter (even though mom & dad may be sizable) will have the same bone.

[Judi W]

I tend to agree with Gretchen that bone is apparent in youngsters. There is no reason to expect all pups in a litter to be equal in this department any more than any other attributes. There are always variations within the litter.

Unless you purchased her as a show/breeding prospect where substance is more important, I wouldn't worry about it one bit.

[Carina43]

Are you talking size, (as in weight) or just how burly she'll be?

As I understand it, "bone" is how burly a dog will be, but doesn't necessarily translate to BIG.
Cooper was noted to have very heavy bone as a pup, and he has grown into a hefty and solid dog, but not overly large. His parents were big - dam was about 90lbs, sire showing at 120 or better. Cooper is about 95lbs - hefty, compact, yet not overly large.
Many Rotties do kind of bulk up width-wise at 3-4 years old....both my dogs did when they hit about three.

[Urika]

Diesel is going to have chicken legs :)

[BostonRott]

Mambo is known for good bone, I'm not as familiar with the dam's lines and am not at home to pull her pedigree. Who are her parents?