When Does A Puppy Mature?

[flycow]

Good morning all,

I did a search and couldn't find this topic, if it's been discuss before, please direct me to the thread, much appreciated.

So here goes. I know some dogs never go past puppy stage :p . But what defines adulthood? Is it when a puppy stops chewing furniture and can be totally trustworthy when left alone in the house? Or when they are sexually matured to be mommies and daddies? Or when they stop digging the garden?

I have a maltese that matured at around 1.5 y.o when he can take a simple NO to request for play. I also had a Japanese spitz that matured around 2 y.o when he can settled beside me whole day long without asking for anything. He is simply contented to be by my side. Now I am adviced that my Labrador will mature at 3yrs :p , it got me thinking what maturity actually means. if she is only going to sit still for five minutes by 3 years, then I'm a dead woman.

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What I wish to know is,

1) How do you define mature for your dog?

2) What breed is it?

3) At what age did your dog start adulthood?

4) Any other info you can share.

Thanks!

[ellz]

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What I wish to know is,

1) How do you define mature for your dog?

2) What breed is it?

3) At what age did your dog start adulthood?

4) Any other info you can share.

Thanks!

1) Largely the same as you've defined already. There is a difference in the playfulness between puppyness and an adult being cheeky. With my breed there also tends to be a change in coat texture and pattern. They definitely fill out more and become more adult to the eye. Their attention span seems to increase...only slightly in some dogs...but increases nonetheless. Crate and toilet training seems to finally fall into place.

2) American Cocker Spaniels

3) Varies greatly according to bloodlines and upbringing. Anywhere from around 15 months to 3 years.

4) Yank boys are normally pretty randy little buggers so sexual maturity doesn't really come into it. I've had boys that would have been "ready" for the job at 8 months of age when they're still sporting a puppy coat and puppyfat.

[SparkyTansy]

1) I defined maturity for spartan as when he could be trusted to be left alone in the house with minimal damage...

2) English Setter

3) Spartan's brain matured fairly early (weird for the breed!) at about 2 years, however his body started maturing at about 3.5 years.

4) it varies so much for different breeds and i think also depends on the personality of the puppy. I also don't really think sexual maturity comes into defining the maturity of the dog.

[Akitaowner]

1. Around now with my boy (2.5yrs) he has started to calm down and be more relaxed, better general behaviour. Physically he is still maturing but i have notice a big difference in the last 9 months with body build and his attitude!

2. Akita

3. Around 2.5yrs but i expect him to keep getting more 'boofy' and quieter for another yr or so.

4. I would expect it to depend massively on the breed and breeding - i know akitas that have stopped growing at 18 months and others than stil act like idiots at 5+. i know my boys blood lines are slow maturing, mentally and physically (thats why i chose this breeder) as the bigger breeds can have lots of problems if they grow too fast while they are young. Akitas arent realy immature for long mentally, i could leave my boy in the house unattended at about 8 months with no problems. They are very intelligent and think for themselves at a very early age!

[flycow]

Thanks guys, keep them coming, it's interesting to read about the progress of all your fur babies. I learn so much in DOL.

Edited August 21, 2006 by flycow

[meganjane]

I can't add a lot to the convo that's productive flycow, other than I have a lab x and I feel your pain

18 month of lab x and he's still an over grown puppy. He's more puppy NOW than he was at 6 months old. And he's bigger so he can reach more.

1) For my bitch, to me she was matured when she came into her full adult coat, and filled out into her Big Girl's Body. Personality wise, she hasn't changed a lot, she was always a pretty well behaved little muppet. For my pup... I'm still waiting!

2) Bitch is a rough collie, pup is a lab x pony.

3) Kels was probably about... 2 years. Olly will never be an adult. I swear.

4) Don't ever get another lab

[Dogs4Fun]

My 11 year old cairn was "mature" the day he was born - was always an easy care, no fuss dog.

And so you think, hey I can cope with a second one ....

Still waiting for my 9y old cairn terrier to mature

[ellz]

Yep, I've got a Staffordshire Bull Terrier like that....he was juvenile until he was old enough to go senile!

[goldielover]

1) How do you define mature for your dog? I guess i'd define maturity as understanding & following the household rules and not running around chaotically!!

2) What breed is it? Golden Retriever

3) At what age did your dog start adulthood? My first golden was very mature and non-destructive at 12 months, my 2nd really didn't mature until 3 years of age, and the 3rd (currently 14 months) is certainly a lot more mature than her mum at that age but she can't stay still for a second. I can leave her inside without any damage, but if i go out for more than a few hours i'll come home to at least several holes LOL

4) Any other info you can share. I believe than different dogs, even within the same breed mature at different times. Just gotta keep with the positive reinforcement and praise. Every day that i come home and my young goldens paws/legs aren't covered in mud i praise her. She probably wonders what the heck i'm talking about, but still.... LOL