Puppy Too Small?? Help!!!!

[Jepato]

I got Tyson when he was 7 weeks old but I didn't get to pick him.
I work at a Vet Clinic an a lady just brought him in to me and I took him.
I always thought he was small for a Rottweiler, but I was never real sure. He is now 12 weeks old and weights about 19.03 lbs, his sister which I saw when she was 10 weeks old weight 20 lbs and I was told that all his brothers at 10 weeeks old were between 20-25 lbs.
Does anyone think he's going to be too small? or not what the Rottweiler standard is?
I also always wanted a stocky Rottweiler but his legs are so long and his muzzle is so long that I don't know what he's going to look like.
Thanks,
Jepato.

[moondog]

Too small for what? Is he healthy? He's certainly not too small to love, is he?

His size is going to be determined by his genetics, and there is nothing you can do to change that.

[Mojave's Mom]

Originally Posted by Jepato

I also always wanted a stocky Rottweiler but his legs are so long and his muzzle is so long that I don't know what he's going to look like.

No offense, but then why did you take a dog from unknown lineage if you knew what you wanted?

What he looks like is determined by genes. If the person who bred him did so with no regard for the breed standard, you will end up with a dog that doesn't look the way a Rottweiler should. But as moondog said, he's not any less loveable.

[JuneyB]

Both my dogs were rescues....one as a pup...one as an adult. The pup...well...hes got long legs and a long muzzle...definitely not a proper representative of the physical standard. But he is the most intelligent, most trainable, most loyal and loving dog I have ever owned. One day I will purchase a purebred rott from a breeder of my choice...which will more likely result in a dog that is way closer to the breed standard in both temperment and physical appearance. Would I trade in either of my dogs for a "perfect" one....nope. Would I breed rotts that were not close to standard and had proven their worth thru gaining titles? nope....

but assuming that this dog is wired right temperment wise...you probably will have an incredible companion for many years.

[gnwhite]

sampson was 12 pounds at 8 weeks. he is almost 7 months old and 75 pounds. He was smallish for awhile and I thought he might be a runt as he was the last of the litter. I would not of minded if he was smaller than
average as he came from a byb. Its our first buy a dog experience and i have since learned alot. my point is the dog could very well be a slow grower and end up close to breed standard. You dont nessesarily want a super fast growing pup. It can be hard on the joints, heart, etc.
as my dad used to say "hide and watch" a small dog sometimes has the biggest heart. love him and enjoy his company. look in those eyes and tell me you are dissapointed.

[Sharon Marples]

If you know you wanted a particular size or "look" to your dog, you should have done your research, seen the sire and dam and looked for someone else other than someone who brought the puppy in and dropped it off to you. That in itself raises red flags with me in terms of them being a back yard breeder. If his legs and head look too long to you, it is probably the result of just throwing two dogs together with no research done into the background of their pedigrees, etc. to look towards producing a dog which conforms to our breed standards.

That being said, sometimes the runts of the litter turn out to be the biggest when fully mature. Genetics are genetics and you will get what you get. The smallest puppy from our last litter is now the largest so go figure!

Love him for what he is and don't worry about how much he weighs. His heart is the biggest thing about him anyway. I am sure he is a wonderful boy and will grow up to be a very nice dog for you.

[damp]

Originally Posted by Jepato

I always thought he was small for a Rottweiler, but I was never real sure. He is now 12 weeks old and weights about 19.03 lbs, his sister which I saw when she was 10 weeks old weight 20 lbs and I was told that all his brothers at 10 weeeks old were between 20-25 lbs.
Does anyone think he's going to be too small? or not what the Rottweiler standard is?
I also always wanted a stocky Rottweiler but his legs are so long and his muzzle is so long that I don't know what he's going to look like.
Thanks,
Jepato.

If you want a Rottweiler coming up to the standard, your odds are much better going to an ethical breeder, than just take over “the left over from poor breeding”
Who the heck just hands over a Rottweiler pup, if the owner did the research for that specific pup, from that specific litter, from that ethical breeder??? If that was a mistake (that happens) … the pup would be back at the breeder and not handed over to the first and best stranger!

Your pup is small, but as long as that is the only “problem”… live with the pup you took into your home and your care, go on with socializing and teaching manners… later teach him obedience and let him have a chance to be a good rep. of the breed regarding behavior and temperament (if so) even he is an undersized or a mix!

Good luck with the pup

[BostonRott]

Most "stocky" well-bred Rottweiler pups are closer to 25-30lbs by 12 weeks. Are you even sure that he is not a mix?

[keller27]

Originally Posted by BostonRott

Most "stocky" well-bred Rottweiler pups are closer to 25-30lbs by 12 weeks. Are you even sure that he is not a mix?

Khori was 15 lbs. at 10 weeks. At 21 months he is 120 lbs. He is 10 lbs. bigger than the sire. He is still filling out.

[BostonRott]

Is he fat? Can you see the ribs when he's sniffing something? I have a male who is similiar in weight (114lbs at 20mos) but he was not even close to 15lbs at 10 weeks, much heavier. A thick, heavy boned puppy is not going to be 15lbs at 10 weeks. Therefore, one who was that small, is most likely lighter-boned and at 120lbs, is probably overweight.

[spoiledbabies3]

Remember the old adage "dynamite comes in small packages". Samson (now 10) was the runt of his litter and he was always behind in size as compared to the others. But when they stopped...he kept going and in the end he was very similar in stature to his siblings. He is now 107 and beautiful. So never judge according to the beginning...remember the ugly duckling who turned out to be the beautiful swan. Just enjoy each and every special moment.

[rottcrazed]

He will never be too small to love!

I am just repeating what has already been stated, but if you were looking for a certain 'look' in a Rottweiler, you need to know the lineage, parents, etc... you get what you get when you take the last pup out of a litter you really don't know much about!

Kristi

[Jepato]

I didn't get to pick him he was just given to me, and I was wondering if he was too small for the standard rottweiler.

[Sharon Marples]

Originally Posted by Jepato

I didn't get to pick him he was just given to me, and I was wondering if he was too small for the standard rottweiler.

He very well may be. You accepted him from someone who just "gave him to you." You accepted him without looking at the pedigree, the sire and dam and the other siblings. You need to accept him for what he is and love him for what he is.

Forget about how big he is or isn't and just enjoy him!

[reno2040]

it was good hearing everyone's reply,exept 1 not bashing just being real.Simiular thing happened to me.......and also do the best you can,pure and mutts!!!!!!!!!!!I love mutts.........