kiya might be a runt (height question)

Comments

• KFontaine04

  February 2009 edited November -1

  At 7 months she still has some growing to do. She will be going through growth spurts. My Sake shot up 2 inches rather quicky and now she is getting bigger around the mid section rather than taller. They grow in silly ways I guess.
  
  Depending on their breeding and their parents they could be smaller or shorter than standard.
  Sake is from a BYB and has CRAZY long legs and will be taller than my male.
• Calia

  February 2009 edited November -1

  I felt the same way with my Tetsu, and I know that I'm not much help since I've only had him for a couple of months. For the longest time I thought he would get much bigger, once he hit six months his weight and height were consistent. Then at 7.5 months he gained 3 lbs and an inch in height.
  
  Also, since you live with her and see her everyday, Kiya won't look any different to you. You most likely won't notice a change until someone who hasn't seen her in a while comments at how big she has gotten.
  
  Though it would always be nice to have a basic growth chart to compare with, To see on average what height and weight a shiba is at what month would be very helpful.
• BradA1878

  February 2009 edited February 2009

  Our Shiba are way off standard, so I can't really speak to what the "norm" is...
  
  I just wanted to tell you:
  
  You can't ask too many questions! Never worry about that, we are all here to help and learn from one another. )
  
  ----
• kojichan

  February 2009 edited February 2009

  If you go by the breed standard, the low end for a female is 13 1/2 inches at the withers. I wouldn't expect a lot of height gain at this point, but she should hit the standard by the time she's done. If she was 12 1/4 at five months, she most certainly is taller than that now. So hardly a runt, but definitely on the low end of the standard range.
  
  And comparing to some of our dogs can be misleading. My male shiba for example is well above breed standard -- about 18 inches at the withers. He's long-legged guy. Reminds us of a deer sometime. So comparisons can be misleading if you're trying to gauge "normality".
• CrimsonO2

  February 2009 edited February 2009

  Reading these is very comforting regarding the variance.
  
  Hey Justin,
  To give you an idea, Ichi's at 6 months old and he's very leggy (much like Sake). He stands at 14" at the whithers and I'm praying to the gods that be that he never gets any bigger because it's harder for me to pick the little booger up (19lbs 3 weeks ago at the vet). Most breeds won't consider a dog full grown until at 3 years of age (and the general consensus for Shibas is 2 I believe), so I think Kiya still has some growing left to do.
  
  I long for Ichi's smaller size. Ahhh....those were the good, rambunctions times.
  
  Jesse
• sunyata

  February 2009 edited November -1

  Nola is a bit on the short side also. The last time I measured her (which was a couple of month's ago) she was just over 13". And she looks much smaller than that. At least to me. I will measure her again tonight and let you know. Plus, I will try and take a picture to show the difference between her and Bella (who is larger than standard).
• StaticNfuzz

  February 2009 edited November -1

  Well from what I have seen in breed rescue, they are all over the map in terms of height and weight. If you know the parents, on average your pup will usually be in the same range.
  
  Some genetic lines mature faster or later than others so your Shiba could sprout up some more. Also age of spay and neuter can contribute to growth since not all the energy in not put into reproduction and hormones are not really kicking in to hurry it all up. Another factor, depending on the type and quantity of food it will also determine how fast growth occurs.
  
  My one female was not 18 lbs and standard size until 13 or 14 months. So don't worry unless you find mobility problems, which can be worked out usually through nutrition changes upon discussion with your vet.
  
  Snf
• Taaars

  February 2009 edited November -1

  Dont go by pictures..shibas look a lot bigger in pics without a known point of referance. My friends who see pics of Sol Luna and Noche think they are German Shepard size until they see the pics with me next to them.
• StaticNfuzz

  February 2009 edited November -1

  Taars has an excellent point. Pictures are deceiving and Shibas usually look bigger in pictures from what they really are.
  
  Snf
• ljowen123

  February 2009 edited November -1

  Everyone who see pics of Jazz thinks she's much bigger. Invariably when they meet her, they say, "I thought she'd be bigger."