Size & growth
How big will my puppy get?
Most small dogs finish growing within their first year, while big breeds can keep filling out until they're about two. How big a dog ends up depends mostly on its genes, with food and health playing a part. These guides explain how dogs grow, how to estimate a puppy's adult size, and what DNA can add.
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All guides
Can a DNA Test Predict How Big Your Dog Will Get?
Body size is one of the most genetic traits in dogs: variants near a handful of genes explain about half the size differences between breeds. Here's what DNA can tell you about adult size, and what it can't.
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How Big Will My Mixed-Breed Puppy Get? How to Estimate
There's no single formula for a mixed-breed puppy's adult size, but three clues get you close: the parents, your puppy's growth line on your vet's chart, and its genetics. Here's how to use each one.
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When Do Dogs Stop Growing? Ages by Size and Breed
Small dogs usually finish growing within their first year, while big breeds can keep going until about two. Here's what growth research shows, how to tell your puppy is nearly done, and when to check with your vet.
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Can You DNA Test a Puppy? What Age Works and What You Learn
A puppy's inherited DNA doesn't change as it grows, so you don't need to wait for an adult dog. Here's when to swab, what a puppy owner learns, and what a DNA test can't tell you yet.
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Is My Dog Overweight? How to Check at Home
A warm, practical guide to checking your dog's weight at home using body condition, feeling the ribs, spotting a waist, and helping your dog reach a comfortable, healthy weight safely.
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Why Do Big Dogs Have Shorter Lifespans?
A clear look at why larger dogs tend to have shorter average lifespans than small ones, the leading scientific hypotheses, and the limits of what population patterns can tell you about one dog.
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Want to see what your dog's DNA suggests?
A PuppyGenes report covers six sections for your dog: breed ancestry, coat colour, physical appearance, temperament and size predictions, genetic diversity and oral microbiome. The report does not include genetic disease or health screening.
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