Is there any way to tell how big a puppy will become?

Question

My husband and I will be buying a puppy as soon as we move out of our apartment which doesn't allow pets. We're not sure which kind we want to get, but we're thinking about something about the size of a small beagle. I've heard before, that if you look at a puppies paws, their size can indicate whether the dog will be big or small for its breed. Is this true? And are there any other ways to tell?

Answer 1

well, it depends on the dog and breed.. if you are getting a pure bred dog from a reputable breeder, then generally, you can take a look at the puppies parents and get a pretty good idea based on the parents size... if you will be getting a mutt, then you should get one from a shelter and not pay very much for one.. in that case, there really isnt any way to tell for sure, how big a dog will get, as the shelters are usually never quite positive what breeds are mixed into the puppy.. however, mny vet told me, when i brought her my mutt puppy, that when they are 4 months old, you can take their weight and double it, and that will be a close idea as to how big it will be, give or take... but those are really the only 2 options you should go with, a reputable, well researched breeder, or a shelter dog... and a shelter dog you cant really be sure... good luck!

Answer 2

Look at its Paws. If they are big then the puppy will be a big dog.

Answer 3

yes the paw measurement is true. if it has big paws as a pup it will get to be a bigger dog. beagles are wonderful pets! i too have one! if you are looking for a good companion, you should look on petfinder.com. that's where i found my beagle mix! you can look at a shelter near you! and find the k9 that's right for you! i really hope this helped!!!

Answer 4

You could also make a pretty good estimate by how big their parents were.

Answer 5

False. The best way to tell is to look at what BREED the dog is, and ASK the person selling the puppy.

Answer 6

Paws aren't always an indication, especially in mixed breeds.

If you buy a purebred from a reputable breeder that breeds "To Standard", then the dog will be within the standard for it's breed when fully grown.  You can check out www.akc.org/breeds for information on breed standards.

Answer 7

I don't belive this is true, its probably some kind of a myth. I would do some research, or visit a local pet store or animal shelter to see what they suggest you get in this situation.