Estimating puppy's adult size

[Mai Tai]

Hi, my friend wrote today that her 6 week old shorkies are 1 lb 1 oz, 1 lb 6 oz, and 2 lbs 3 oz.  They just went to the vet.  I am supposed to get the 1 lb 6 oz one.  My friend is taking the biggest one as that is the one she picked to keep when it was born.  Now she is disappointed because it is the biggest.  She thought it would be the smallest.  I was wondering if anyone knew if the weight at this age indicated what size the pups would be when they are adults.  I think my friend wants to possibly switch pups with me based on this, and as they are hers and she is kind enough to give me one, I don't mind.  I have not met any of the puppies yet, so have not formed an attachment to any particular one.  I was thinking, as I have 5 daughters, it might be best if I take the biggest one.  What do you all think?  Any info will be appreciated.

Thanks,
karen

[Ann]

Hi,
 Yeh I'm not sure if you can tell by the weight they are know. I have known in the past usually the littlest turns out to be the biggest. Once they leave the litter but don't quote me on that.
Shorkies are a breed of dog that it is hard to tell what size they are going to be. I was told that Toby was going to be more like a Yorkie because his dad was a yorkie and they are tiny but his mum was a Shih-Tzu and I guess he took after both as he looks like his dad and he is as big as his mum. Toby is 7 kilo's which is approx. 15lbs.

[Mai Tai]

Thanks Ann.  I think 15 lbs is a nice weight for a dog.  Tiny tiny dogs make me nervous to have around the kids, though mine are gentle.    Also, I read they have more health issues.  My friend's Yorkie is 6 lbs and her Shih-Tzu is about 15, so I guess these puppies will be anywhere in between there.  My friend says that the bigger one is a little more mellow than the little ones, who seem rather fiesty.  I am just trusting that the good Lord will let us have the one that is right for our family.  My friend is a fantastic person, and she wants to make sure we have the healthiest puppy, so I know it will all work out.  I just want her to have what she wants to as she is the one doing all the work, etc.  Let you know how it all works out.

Take Care,
karen

[Ann]

I think you are makeing the right choice as I'm sure your friend would know her dogs quiet well.
Can't wait to see the photo's of your Mai Tai.

Take care
Ann

[Mai Tai]

Hi Ann,

I talked to my friend this weekend and she has decided to give me the bigger puppy.  It seems that the smaller one has not gained much weight at all, and is a really fussy eater.  Also, it is not as feisty as it used to be.  I am praying that it is in good health.  She has a vet appt. again this Friday.  She does not want me to take a dog with health issues.  She has the means to pay expensive vet bills, God Forbid, and I am on a much tighter budget with all of my children.  What a good friend she is.  It is weird though, as now we have to change the names of the pups as she wants to keep her name, Max,and I want to keep mine, Mai Tai.  I think they are too young to even notice the difference, but it gets confusing when we are discussing them with each other.  Now we just refer to them as the big one and the little one.  Let you know how it goes.  Take care.

[Ann]

It sounds like your friend is doing the right thing which is great. She is a good friend.

 I guess that is one thing with a dog, is that you never know when you may need a vet so if at all possible you need to have an emergancy fund. I'm alway budgeting for every thing as I do account, I guess it becomes second nature to me.

I do know how hard it can be when you have a family but I beleive that when you get a dog it is another member of the family.

Your pup will get used to what ever you decide to call him. I do understand the confusion when you are talking to your friend.lol

I'm sure that when you finally get him home you will all make a very happy family.

Take care.

[Mai Tai]

Hi Ann,

I agree about budgeting, but it is so hard, especially with all these children.  Somehow the Lord always comes through with us financially and we make it.  I am trying to save some money for vet bills.  I have enough for the everyday care, such as shots, check-ups etc., but worry if something life-threatening were to happen.  My sister ended up taking 3,000 dollars out of her daughter's college fund when her dog came down with an autoimmune disorder that required hospitalization and blood transfusions.  I am considering pet insurance that we have here in America, don't know if you have it there.  A lot of them are scam artists though, so it is hard to decide the wise thing to do.  My pets are members of the family, as you say, and I would pay what I had to in order to keep them healthy.  Recently, within the past year, both my cats became ill with different disorders, and fortunately we were able to save them, but it was expensive.  One cat had an infected uterus and almost died.  She needed immediate surgery. The other had consistent vomiting and weight loss, possibly from eating foreign objects, such as dental floss.  Luckily, he finally passed it and did not require surgery.  It is so important to keep that kind of thing away from our pets, but sometimes even with all the vigilance you have, accidents happen.  I was not aware that my big dumb boy, Gilly, would get a hold of a piece of dental floss and eat it.  Live and learn.  Anyway, I am babbling now, so let me go.  Thanks and take care.

[mmcgui]

Mattie was 1.7 lbs when I got her at 8 weeks.  She is now 9 months old and approx 7-8 pounds!  She is still very small, but very scrappy!  My boyfriend has a Jack Russell (about 15-20 lbs), and she takes him down, every time.  Even though she is pretty small, she has not broken any bones or hurt herself by jumping off the bed or the couch.  "Teacup" dogs are so cute, but I know someone who has one, and she broke all of her legs jumping off the couch!  It ended up costing $9,000 to get her toothpick-sized bones back ni place!    Poor baby.  I'm glad I did not get a very small dog now, because I think Mattie is perfect! 

[Ann]

Sorry for taking so long to reply I have been very busy my father was sick and I was afraid that he would die but he has pulled through. He is getting on in years and has lung problems, as he has smoked since he was 13. I'm also looking after my husbands Mum she is 88.She lives with her daughter but 3 months of the year she comes to stay with us. I love having her here she is lovely.

Anyway in answer to your question no we don't have pet insurance at least not what you have over there. It is hard I know, I think that the government should provide some sort of suport for vets so they don't have to charge so much.

Takecare

[Mai Tai]

Sorry to hear about your father.  I hope he is well now.  You have your hands full.  Taking care of older people can be difficult.  I wish you the best.

[Chewbaccas Mommy]

Mai Tai,

Do you have a petsmart where you live? Their vet inside you pay like 160 or something like that to start and 26 a month and it covers visits, shots, getting the dog fixed ... i think you just have to pay for the medication if they get sick. I am going to do it for Chewie. I need another job to get my other dogs on it. The one turned a year today and really needs to get fixed. Places want a lot of money to fix the pup.

[Mai Tai]

Does that petsmart deal cover the cost of neutering or surgeries?  If so, it is a great deal.  If not, it is actually probably more expensive per year than regular vet visits would be.  Of course, a puppy is a little more expensive as they have so many shots and boosters to get in the first year.  I am going to look into this at my petsmart.  Thanks for the info.

[pricelesspups]

HEY GUYS... AT 8 WEEKS DOUBLE THE WEIGHT AND AND AT 12 WEEKS DOUBLE IT AGAIN.. USUALLY THIS ENDS UP TO BE VERY CLOSE IN WEIGHT AS AN ADULT SIZE.. i HAVE KEPT 18 YEARS OF SHORKIE BREEDING RECORDS AND THIS HAS BEEN PRETTY ACCUTRATE. STEFFY

[Chewbaccas Mommy]

The plan I was talking about covers being fixed along with visits and shots during the year. They charge a lot to fix a dog because they give the dog a mask during the surgery and not just an injection like most vets they said. I think its a good plan especially puppies who get shots every few months

[Mai Tai]

It sounds like a good plan if it covers neutering.  I am going to petsmart tomorrow, so I will check it out.  Thanks a lot.