View Full Version : When does an Akita puppy become a dog?
When does an Akita puppy become a dog?
When does an Akita puppy become an adult?
Sariss
Dec 30, 2009, 05:50 PM
For what reasons?
It's sort of disputed. Some people say 6 months, some people say a year.
shazamataz
Dec 30, 2009, 06:02 PM
I say 2 years for larger dogs but like Sariss said it varies person to person.
I say 2 years because it's generally the age where larger breed dogs body out and completely take on an adult appearance.
For smaller breeds they mature a lot faster so I would say they are 'adult' at a younger age.
Sariss
Dec 30, 2009, 06:03 PM
Unless it's something huge - geeze they've been telling us to start considering 5 year old giant breeds geriatric!
Sariss
Dec 30, 2009, 06:04 PM
Though I guess technically they mature slower because they are even bigger, but they don't have much of an adulthood, hehe
shazamataz
Dec 30, 2009, 06:06 PM
Yeah sad but true.
Mom breeds/shows Great Danes... the longest we have had one live to is 10 years.
It's a shame... they don't win much in the show ring until they are 2 years old and they are pulled from the ring by the time they are 5 or 6.
Sariss
Dec 30, 2009, 06:14 PM
I sort of want a Great Dane or even more a Wolfhound, but I don't know if I could deal with how short they live. :(
Granted it will be a while, even though it's a mutt, we have a few very geriatric Shi-Poos that are in, or getting close to their 20s..
shazamataz
Dec 30, 2009, 06:32 PM
Yeah they are generally very healthy breeds, especially poodles.
The only major problems in the breed is PRA and slipping Patellas.. lately epilepsy has reared it's head in a few lines but it's nothing truly life threatening.
We lost 2 Danes to Cardiomyopathy (sp?)... very nasty and sad.
Wolfhounds are lovely, they are just so gentle for their size.
Catsmine
Dec 31, 2009, 06:10 AM
They're all puppies. Just ask them.