[Feyconri]

“When comparing their size to growth charts for the breed, they are much smaller and so would appear to be growing slower than what is considered the norm by breeders.”

There are responsible breeders who constantly strive to meet the breed standard when they plan a litter, and they prove that their hounds meet the breed standard by being successful in the show ring. The breed standard includes the acceptable height and weight range for a male and female. The size of puppies bred from parents who meet the breed standard are reflected in the breed parent club’s puppy growth charts. They can be found at http://www.iwclubofamerica.org

Then there are commercial breeders who sell puppies on the internet and their concern is money. Their puppies are from parents who have not been proven to meet the breed standard in the show ring. Size is the first attribute in irish wolfhounds to slip away unless you are breeding hounds that consistantly meet the breed standard.

Your puppies are growing at the rate they are genetically programmed to grow. Some mature sooner and some later. Some have growth spurts. I would not compare them to the puppy growth charts as it could be a source of frustration. Revel in them for being their beautiful, sweet and unique selves.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by Feyconri.