[doglover2012]

Hello.. I have an alaskan husky and wolf mixed puppy. I am worried that he might not be the size he is supposed to be.. he isn't exactly what I would call skinny but he is also not the same size of his other siblings.. I have had him checked out for worms and he seems in good health.. should I be worried? He is eating, drinking, and playing like a normal puppy. I don't know much of these type of breeds as most of my dogs are lab/chows.

[paleophlatus]

You don't say how old he is. Animals, and people develop at different rates and can't accurately be compared to each other to see which is over or under developing. Dogs of this size usually reach their full maturity size and configuration at about 12-15 months of age. Also, expect some mixture of the two breeds, as well as the variety caused by the effect of the different genes on each other... some puppies may show a lot of similarity to the sire, or the dam, but most will be a mixture, and some even not look like any relation at all.

There is no 'normal', or standard for size or looks. That's part of the definition of a mixed breed animal. But, I would expect all these pups to be muscular and of good weight... trim, not flabby or fat. Both breeds are active, not prone to just lay around.

[doglover2012]

He is approx. 4 to 5 months old... but the unfortunate part is that when I got him he was very underweight and he had a lot of worms (his gums were very white). He has the looks and build more of a wolf than a husky.

[paleophlatus]

Sounds like he had hookworms. Have you followed up with another worming? Is this being done under the supervision of a vet, I hope? Over the counter meds are frequently not as effective, otherwise. We like to go on a monthly schedule for at least one repeat, often two times if severely infected. This is to catch the later infecting worms before you wormed him first time. Then, a repeat worm test is a good idea about 1-2 months after last worming.

Surprisingly, an animals adult weight and size is pretty well set by it's genetics. It may just take time to get there. If he was that pale, he was pretty severely affected by the worms, but I'd expect him to bounce back. Remember, he is both growing AND trying to catch up. Keep him on a good, QUALITY puppy food. Let him grow normally, don't try to force weight onto him with 'extra' treats... his body will do it's best, at it's own rate when free of parasites. Animals aren't all that different than kids, except that they mature faster.

[doglover2012]

Yes ma'am he was seen by a vet and treated for worms.. his gums are nice and pink now and he is on a monthly worming routine that was recommended by my vet... from what you say it sounds like I'm being a little paranoid but I just really wanted to make sure... I will keep him on the puppy food and hopefully he will catch up... I was reading other people's responses to this same question I was just getting kind of worried.. his ribs are barely showing and his coat and gums still look good.. but like I said Im not used to these breeds and know nothing about them.. thank you so much for your response

[paleophlatus]

Ribs not showing is not a real good yardstick. There is not much but skin, and a thin layer of muscles between ribs and the outside world. As the muscles between each rib (that function more directly in breathing) begins to disappear with hunger or starvation, the skin can sink in and make the ribs stand out. This is a fairly severe case of malnutrition.

As to your concerns... as someone once asked "Am I really paranoid if there is someone following me?" We all have to occasionally look back... And thank you for the updated information and keeping us updated. Our answers are only as good as the information you give us.

[Alty]

I don't know much of these type of breeds as most of my dogs are lab/chows.

I just have to correct this. Most dogs (if bred by a legit breeder) aren't mixes, they're purebred. I've personally never seen a lab/chow mix, and any puppy sold as such is not from a real breeder. Real breeders only breed purebreds.

You have a half domesticated half wild breed. Wolves are not domesticated pets. The size is undetermined. There's no way for anyone to tell you how big your pup will get.

If he's eating, and the vet has proclaimed him healthy, and free of worms, he's fine. We can't guess on weight, there's no way to do that. This isn't an actual "breed" where breed standard comes to play.

[doglover2012]

I understand what you are saying about lab/chow mixed... I didn't pay for the lab/chow mix dog he was a gift for my son... all my dogs are mixed but this husky/wolf breed is very new to me... like I said the vet said he is worm free and he is very active I just don't know anything about the size the wolf part is normal.. Iknow that the husky is a larger breed but he is not showing any of those characteristics...

[Alty]

I understand what you are saying about lab/chow mixed...I didn't pay for the lab/chow mix dog he was a gift for my son...all my dogs are mixed but this husky/wolf breed is very new to me...like I said the vet said he is worm free and he is very active I just don't know anything about the size the wolf part is normal..Iknow that the husky is a larger breed but he is not showing any of those characteristics...

That's just it. Without knowing his heritage, you can't determine what size he should be.

Were the husky parents bred to standard size? Were they purebreds bred by a legit breeder? Was the wolf standard size, or a runt, or smaller then average? Without knowing these things, you can't determine the size your dog will be.

It's genetics. If you breed two labs that are breed standard, you're likely to get a lab that's breed standard.

If you breed a runt, or a lab that's below average, with a breed standard lab, the pups will likely be smaller.

Without knowing the parentage of this pup (which you can't know because of his mix), you can't, and we certainly can't, guess what size he'll be, or should be for his particular mix.

If your vet says he's healthy, then that's good enough. He'll be whatever he ends up being. He's his own unique being. There's no way to determine breed size because he isn't a breed.

I hope that makes sense.

[shazamataz]

In addition to Alty post you also have to look at multiple generations.

Some lines are known to skip generations.
For example the great grandfather of your dog could be undersized.
He could be bred to a larger b*tch and produce standard height dogs. So the grandfather is a standard height.
Then he could be bred and produce another undersized dog, throw back from the great grandfather. So that makes the father undersized.
The undersized father is bred to produce your pup, making it standard sized, thrown back from the grandfather.

Or... it could be the other way around.

There is really no way to know, even experienced purebred breeders take a bit of a gamble with height.

My parents used to breed Great Danes. They bred an average sized b*tch to just an average sized male.
Those 2 dogs produced a runt (which sadly did not survive) and Johnny... Johnny was MASSIVE. He was a complete surprise given his parents were such average sized dogs.

In regards to weight it would be very helpful if you could post some photos of your pup to help us determine the weight.
Photos directly from the side and looking down over the dog will give the best examples.