is my rottweiler small ??

hi my rottweiler is smaller than usual.

when he was 3 months old he got ill very bad, i think this is the reason.



Hi
A severe illness can cause a delay in growth and development, Parvo in puppies is a prime example of this.

However, once a puppy is over the acute phase of the illness he will generally get better quite quickly and should make up any weight loss within a couple of months or so... but it can take longer.

Of course, all puppies are different and some dogs are just smaller or lighter than others when mature, and this is usually mostly determined by their genetics. Diet and overall health play their own roles but genes are the biggest factor in determining how tall or heavy a dog of any breed will get - including Rottweilers.

Never be tempted to overfeed your pup in order to make him grow 'bigger' - that will only make him grow fatter and can cause all sorts of health problems including bone, joint, even heart, issues.

Rottweilers aren't meant to be giant dogs, they're a large breed, but not a Mastiff, Great Dane or anything like that. Check out my Rottweiler Breed Standard page to learn more about the 'ideal' size of a Rottie. My Rottweiler Puppy Growth Chart will also give you some 'averages' to look at.

But remember ALL dogs are different, and as your pup has been seriously ill in the past, he may take a bit longer to grow and mature fully. There is no such thing as an 'average' dog, most will be over or under the average figure. As long as your pup is now healthy and eating a nutritious diet he will grow up to be strong and fit. A Rottweiler is much more than just a big dog, so enjoy his unique personality and don't worry too much about his size.

Hope this helps, best of luck with your pup.