Question about size?

[crazyfordancing]

I have a 4 month old rotty mix that I rescued from the shelter when she was 6 weeks old. I know that was too young but nobody wanted her 1) because she was a rotty mix and 2) she was young. The people at the shelter kept telling me that she was going to be HUGE and that I needed to be sure that I can handle a big dog ( I am only 5 foot tall but I already have a 100lb lab but they still stressed that she was going to be at least 100-110lbs) They also said that she must be mixed with something because nobody would drop off a purebred puppy at a shelter but they could not tell which mix it might be because she looks just like a rotty. When I took her to the vet I got the same lecture about how big she's going to be etc. I asked the vet about the mix and the vet said that if she was mixed that is was 98% rott and 2% something else. We will not know until she gets older. Well I took her to the vet on Friday to get her 3rd set of shots and she gained 10 pounds in a month but she only weighs 20.5lbs. She is getting long but is awful narrow for a rotty. Her paws are big but she has a small head. I asked about if I need to feed her more but the vet said she was at a perfect weight, she has the hour glass figure and her coat is super shiney. Kept doing what I am doing. My question is... Is this a normal weight for a 4 month old or is she going to be a lot smaller than everyone is suggesting? Thanks in advance

[sophie's-mom]

They also said that she must be mixed with something because nobody would drop off a purebred puppy at a shelter

This is hogwash. It happens ALL the time for one reason or another. She could very well be pure! Regardless, as long as she is TRAINED you shouldn't have any problems with her!

Sophie is a SLENDER Rottweiler. She weighed 84 pounds before she got sick. She has an hour glass figure.

You'll never REALLY know how big she will or won't be since you don't have any ideas on the parent's sizes. Anyone that tells you that you can tell by the size of the feet, head, chest (take your pick) doesn't know what they are talking about. Some dogs NEVER grow into their feet, head, chest (or otherwise) and that's just the truth of the matter!

She'll be fine, just keep up with her. And honestly, would it REALLY matter what size she WILL be or if she is PURE BRED or mixed??? You'd love her anyway, right?

[crazyfordancing]

I would love her if she was 10 different breeds in one! :) The only requirements I have for loving a dog is that it has to have fur... not the 2-legged human type. :)

I was just curious to see what the growth rate was for this breed. This is my first rotty. Every dog that I have ever had was a rescue. I don't look for a certain breed. It could be as little as a teacup to as large as a great dane. I don't care, I love every dog!

With Emma, I saw a dozen people look at the card but not even glance in her cage just because of the breed. I wondered why no one was interested in this puppy so I looked inside the cage and saw this young adorable little pup that "wore her heart on her sleeve". I picked her up and felt how alone she was by just looking in her eyes. I could not stand how she was being rejected by not 1 or 2 people but by at least a DOZEN. When she nuzzled against me I was a goner. I didn't even put her back in the cage. Took her and her card to the front desk. The workers told me to put her back in the cage so I could pay and they would brush and clean her up. I told them I will take her "as is" you don't have to make her pretty for me. And can you believe the shelter asked me if I was certain that I wanted her because she was a rotty. I felt like they were trying to talk me out of it. They even tried to show me another dogs that had other people wanting to adopt them. I don't get it! But you know what I don't care! I am so happy that Emma came into my life, my other dogs are so happy to have a new friend and if she stays 20lbs or grows to be 150lbs I am going to love the dog that I see when I look into her eyes. And when its time to rescue another one I will go through the same process again!! Thanks for your reply.

[sophie's-mom]

Originally Posted by crazyfordancing

I could not stand how she was being rejected by not 1 or 2 people but by at least a DOZEN.

That's because she was waiting for YOU!!!

[ielgdpt]

I was told by my breeder that they grow rapidly in the first year. Then slow down (but continue until 2 yrs).

[Canadianrotti]

All I can offer is what my pups growth has been. We got her when she was 6 weeks (i know, i know), and she was about 10#. She gained about 6-8 # a month, fairly consistently untill she was about 7 months old.

She is now 16 M/O and is 25" or so at the withers (their front legs to the shoulder), and she is a whopping 75.6#!!!

She is very lean and VERY active, just the way I like it. I am planning on doing agility with her soon, so I wanted to keep her thin and active.

Your dogs weight is just a number, the real measure of proper weight is how they look and feel. You should be able to feel their ribs, but not see them, and a rotti should have a nice tuck from chest to belly.

Good luck with your girl, and good on ya' for rescuing!!

P.S. take tonnes of pics now before she growes up to much!!!

[livertw]

My Daisy was tiny. She grew very slowly, maxing out at about 3 years. We thought she was a teacup Rottie or a mini version for the first year. She is very tall, long and slender (BYB). She is 90 lbs and about 27" tall at 4 1/2 years. She has a deeeeeep chest and tiny waistline. She can rest her chin on the kitchen table. And the woman I got her from said she'd be a petite little girl. Go figure. She's a big goofball. Thank you for rescuing.