Big feet does not always indicate the size the dog will grow to, your pup looks like a Lab/Collie cross, but that`s only a guess, unless you know the parentage its going to be a waiting game.

Regarding the vaccinations, only you can decide what risk you wish to take, given pups history since you have had him, you need to ask yourself if his immune system is strong enough for fight of any thing he may pick up, many people take their pups out before their second /third jab, its swings and roundabouts to be honest , get them covered by vaccine or get them out to socialise you need to look to your area, are most dogs vaccinated where you live, is there any outbreaks of a.b.c.. what risk are you putting your dog under and so on.

Your puppy has had a bad start to his life, since you have had him he has had one thing after an other, do you want to risk any more by being impatient to get him out.

Only you can decide .

Hi, everyone. Thanks for all the comments. Most animals here are vaccinated. Brownie got parvo when he was a puppy (over 15 years ago), but Jade went unvaccinated 5 years after he got home (I didn't know about vaccinations then because I was like 12) and went all over and got nothing at all.

The vet said it should cover him, and he should be fine. But I'm always thinking he'll get sick. There are a few dogs that come through my yard, and Jade is also around as well... so while not going out would limit his exposure, I'm thinking it's already rather high. *sigh* I want to get him out and about... but I really want to make sure he doesn't get sick.

I think you're right, but I'm so worried he'll get sick. According to what I've read.. he should be perfectly fine. He's not tiny and he seems totally ready to go about. I'll think about it. I'm getting conflicting answers, which honestly isn't helping any! But it's great that people are trying to help.

There is a difference about going out & about & going to safe places. My vet reccomends not going to the park or round the streets till all vaccs are done but he is happy for the dog to meet & socialise with dogs who are known to be up to date with their injections a week after their first vacc,

I wanted to change his food and exercise level according to how big he would get. They say huge dog puppies need less exercise and you need to be more careful with the exercise they do get.

Also, enormous breed food is different because you're not supposed to let enormous breeds grow super fast. But if I have no earthly idea how big he'll get... then I can't really do anything differently. Oh well!

But, I assure you that it's not ONLY because I really want to know.

I too would not worry at his weight, I don't think 11 kg at 16 weeks means he is going to be a giant breed, he may be larger than x 2 of this, but if say we do use this rule that would be 22 kg, so not 50 or so kg ( nothing much you can do now though lol). My collie cross Jasper was about 9 kg at 16 weeks, he is now 9 months old and weighs 16kg. he will gain muscle etc and he is at the moment broadaning out. He too has large paws for his size...I think he got these from his spaniel mothers side.
I just feed adult food fish4dogs at the moment. and he is on approx 240g a day. plus a few extra on walks. And he is very healthy. Excercise wise just take it easy on hard surfaces, plenty of play, training etc tires them out anyway.
He looks lovely and not overly big for his age.
Enjoy him.
And if you do decide to take him out soon, take him to areas where lots of dogs don't go.

I've always taken my pups out a week after their 1st jab. I do check first with my vet to see if there are any cases of parvo around.

Hi I only got te blue stripe,but I do realise socialistion is important,but also health,not sure from the OP if she has had any vaccinations,but keeping up training also is importanteven if it is done in the yard. When I have socialised the pup as I only have working dogs in my vicinty I try to take her to Morrisonsit has an entrance,where you can sit and people are passing by and usually stop and chat.but you can only work within the paramaters that is dealt to you.crystalgirl

This is the link I was looking for. An interesting read.


http://www.apdt.com/petowners/articl...rsonLetter.pdf

Remus was properly walked from a week after his first jabs. The fosterer and rescue organisation decided that, as he had been living on a gypsie site and then left in an abandoned caravan, that he had probably be exposed to a lot already and he needed to do some catching up on the socialization.

He has already had bordatella, parvo, leptospirosis (sp?) and distemper. He was treated for Giardia, which he brought home as well as a puppy cold, which he also brought home. He's clear on both now. His rabies is due on the 26th along with all the boosters but there is no chance of him getting rabies.

I AM training him at home of course. He's already great at coming when called. He can also sit, lie down, stay, and beg pretty well too! He's only a cross breed, and is only a pet.. he won't be used as a working dog. There are a lot of pit bulls around here and I don't know anybody with a well tempered dog that he could meet and that I'd 100% trust. Well I know one woman with a 90 lb GSD, calm, quiet, and just an excellent dog... but her dog is huge and it might intimidate Nigredo for his first official nose-to-nose.

At our local park, people bring their well behaved pets sometimes (usually smaller breeds) and there are lots of people and children as well, which is why I want to take him there.