New puppy, too small?

[Shane Woodard]

Hi,

I just picked up an english cream american goldendoodle yesterday, she's 8 weeks old, but only weights 5.8 lbs. The breeder told me she should be 50 lbs full grown but she also said it was the first time she had bred those two together, so I'm not sure I can trust that answer. I was thinking she seemed about the size of a cockapoo my ex girlfriend had, and I found the old paperwork for him and his weight was identical to what hers is, but hes at 20 lbs full grown. I really really do not want another small dog, I want a bigger dog at least 50 pounds, so that I dont have to worry about them getting hurt if a bigger dog is trying to play with them. Both her parents were the size I was looking for, but from doing some reading today, I see that that doesnt really matter. I also seen that most puppies seem to be at least 8 lbs and the ones closer to 6 lbs tend to be the miniature ones. I called the breeder today asking about her size again and she still insists she will be 50 lbs. I really like the puppy I have and feel bad for how I feel, but I'm not sure if I should ask to get one of her bigger ones from a different litter, that she's bred before, so she really would have a better idea of its adult size. I know she has several litters within a two week frame and that I also can get a full refund if I want, so I'm not sure if I should ask for a puppy that has a better change of being bigger. Can I get some opinions?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

50 pounds at full adult weight would be on the small side for a standard goldendoodle, especially an F1. Is the father a standard poodle? Have you seen either of the parents?

[Shane Woodard]

Ya, I seen the parents, and even one of the grandparents. All looked to be standard size, and the one I have was one of the smaller ones in the litter, which is what I thought I wanted because she pointed out of one the poodles she had and said that would be the size she should get to, which was the perfect size. The breeder said the girl I have wasnt the runt of the litter, just smaller, and from the vet paperwork I have, it lists two of her sisters as well, one is 7lbs and the other 6.2lbs. But after doing some research today after realizing her weight was the same as the cockapoo, I see that she's pretty small to reach the size I want. She has bred with miniature poodle's before but told me that this one is definitely standard. And if she had used those parents together before I would be much more likely to take her advice on the puppy getting to 50lbs

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There is weight, and there is height, and they look very different in a standard poodle, a retriever, and a doodle. A 50 lb standard poodle can be a very tall dog, because most of them are small boned. A 50 lb. retriever would be much shorter, more compact, and take up much less overall space. Doodles can have either type of build, but are usually larger boned than poodles. So even if your puppy ends up at 50 lbs in weight, chances are she will be shorter and appear "smaller" than the 50 lb poodle who was pointed out to you. I'm sensing that you are more concerned about height and overall size than the pounds on a scale.

Personally, if you are already having doubts and feeling "bad about how you feel" towards your puppy, I would bring her back. She deserves to be with someone who is head over heels about her no matter what size she is. And you need to feel that way, too, or the rough times that come with raising any puppy are going to be even harder for both of you.

[Shane Woodard]

Thank you. I just talked to the breeder, and she wants me to bring her back friday because her other litter will be vet checked thursday, and while a week younger, are already bigger than the puppy I have now. It's sad because I really do like the puppy I have now, but she's just too little. :(

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I think you are doing the right thing. She and you will both be happier...I am sure she will find someone who would like a smaller doodle, there are a lot out there.

[Jennifer and Jack]

ditto

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Well, I do think this pup is not very big. If you are already suspect perhaps you should take her back and wait for one that is clearly going to be bigger. The longer you wait the more likely she will have a hard time being adopted again.

When I picked up our Daisy she was 8.5 lbs at 9 weeks...she is now 70 lbs. You just don't know what you are going to end up with. Her parents were :Mom 55 lbs, Dad 70 lbs.

If I understand you correctly you are NOT expecting one that is large and 50lbs would be the perfect size to you?

[Shane Woodard]

I would like at least 50 lbs, bigger would still be fine, but i'm also not looking for the 90 lb one either. 50-70 would be totally fine, I just really liked the size of one of the poodles she had out there, which to me, was the ideal size. But i just really can't have another small dog, every dog I've ever owned always turned out to be smaller than I was told, but figured this one wouldn't be the case because it's a larger breed, and really expected 50 to be a minimum since that's already slightly smaller then standards anyways.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

The problem is you can't completely predict size. We thought our Vern would be around 60 pounds and he is 96 pounds. There are no guarantees.  If size is that big of a deal, maybe you should consider getting a full grown dog.  I agree with Karen. If you are already having doubts about your puppy, sooner is better than later to return her. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

What happens if the puppy exceeds 70 pounds full grown? It can happen.

[Shane Woodard]

EDIT: The last post was done by mistake, so I deleted it.

Ya, from what I read today I see that size is pretty unpredictable. But I've also have been trying to find what other goldendoodle's the size of mine have grown to be, and I don't think I think the heaviest I could find was 43 lbs, most being lighter, some even in the 20's but those were also bred with a miniature poodle.

[Shane Woodard]

I realize that, but I would still rather have bigger, I've had smaller dogs before because I thought they were easier to take places and do things with, but I've learned better since then. I can't take them to dog parks, to the beach, etc, without worrying about bigger dogs. They tend to pounce around trying to play, and the way I see it, just one mistep from a 70+lb dog could break my smaller dogs back.