Question?

[KAHLUA]

We got Kahlua from a very reputable breeder.  Several of my friends have also gotten doodles from her.  We were told that both parents were 65 lbs.  I anticipated a grown dog between 60 and 70 lbs.  Fair assumption, as the groomer herself, said that would be about right.

Well took Miss Kahula to her 4 year old check up and weighed in at a whopping 110 lbs.  I asked the vet if she was over weight.  He thought that MAYBE she could lose a couple of pounds, but after telling him how much she eats and what she does for exercise, he said maybe 10 lbs.  Since she doesn't eat much, or about what she should be eating, he recommended more exercise.

My question is, could this be just a fluke?  Wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them.  Frankly, I don't think she's overweight and moves quite well when she's at the dog park or running.  But we are going to do more exercise, as per the vet.

 

 

 

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

Funny enough, this seems to be the norm.  My puppy turned 6 months yesterday.  He is the product of a 65 pound mom and an 80 pound dad and he is already 53½ pounds.  Sounds like you have a very healthy and very happy lady-dood. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Genetics are like that. If you think about it, I'll bet you know someone who is much taller and bigger boned than either of his or her parents, or maybe someone who is much smaller than either parent. My dad was 5'10", my mom was 5'5''. My one sister and I are both the same height my mom was, and my youngest sister is 4' 10".

It's impossible for any breeder to accurately predict the size of any mixed breed dog, especially the earlier generations. I know several doodles who are over 100 lbs. Enjoy your big girl.

[Pam & Trixie]

All I have to say is How Neat (to have a Big Dood)

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Kahlua looks like one big beautiful girl!  I love the big doods, but at this time in my life figured I better settle for a medium sized one!  I am the one that keeps shrinking!! LOL

[Rachel and Ollie]

Ollie's parents are 23 and 27...he is 52... :)

[Adina P]

It is quite common for first generation doodles to be significantly larger than either parent.

[Rachel and Ollie]

what about F1B's? lol Oh Ollie, breakin' the mold. 

[Adina P]

Maybe I should have said "early generation" doodles =)  And it is even more understandable in an F1b because his retriever grandparent had to have been closer to 52 lbs...hard to lose those genes in only a few generations.

[Rachel and Ollie]

I love it. He is like his grandma or grandpa. :) 

[KAHLUA]

Thank you all for your posts.  We absolutely love our "big girl"!  For her size she is very very mild manner.  We have 4 grandsons between the ages of 2 and 6.  They can be running everywhere and she lays right in the middle of it all, not wanting anything, just wanting to be a part of it.  Our youngest, will sit on her, roll around with her and basically treat her like a pillow and she it doesn't bother her at all.  I must also note that I have a sister in law who is deathly afraid of any dog.  Whenever she was over, we put Kahula in her cage so as not to startle our sister.  Well this summer, she has been bringing the grandkids, neices and nephews to swin at the our pool.  To my amazement, I just happened to be come home for lunch one afternoon and I look out the kitchen window and there is Kahlua walking with my sister in law and my sister in law isn't running for her life.  I called her and asked her if she wanted me to bring Kahula in and she said, "No she's fine, she the best dog I've ever been around."  As a momma, I am so proud!!!!!