But the Breeder told me it was going to be smaller!
Ok everyone there seems to be some controversy over puppy size and adult size. I have been hearing more and more often and people are complaining that the pups they get are ending up way bigger than what they are being told by the breeders. So the question is why?
Firstly let me explain that they toy and teacups do originally come from the standard mini size ( over 12" in height and over 12 lbs) Due to genetics this size will come out to varying degrees. Which is why we can breed a 6 lb to a 7 lb and get 8-12 lb puppies. The same goes why we can breed the same pair and get 3 lbs. It depends on the lineage and size that is in the background.
Secondly I have noticed that more and more breeders are using the Yorkie/Chihuahua growth cart! This is probably the number one reason why you are getting bigger pups from what you are told!! Schnauzers DO NOT grow at the same rate as yorkies and chihuahuas!!!
Yorkies and Chihuahuas come from a very very long line of small and they do have an accurate growth chart, much different than the schnauzers as stated why above. Puppy birth weight means absolutely NOTHING!! Ok maybe to momma who had to push them out. Bless their little hearts. :-) Puppies size up until at least 6 weeks old means not a whole lot either. Let me give you an example. I have been breeding now for almost 5 years. I have seen before as I have just witnessed again in this litter of two. Birth weight one was an once or so bigger. The slightly bigger girl had bigger bone structure and had a bigger head. Surely one would think she is going to be bigger as an adult. Guess what?! At six weeks old she is by far smaller than her smaller birth weight sister! Both by weight and bone structure. I have seen over and over tiny turn big and big turn tiny and sometimes they even go back ( ie..small, big, to small again), only proving the yorkie growth chart doesn't apply for schnauzers.
This is how I judge my size. Parent size, past puppy size, lineage size, and as they get older bone structure and weight.
At six weeks you can times it by 4 and maybe add a lb or two.
At 9 weeks I triple it and add a lb or two.
12 weeks I double it and add a lb or two.
14-16 weeks you can double it.
Oh by the way the ones that state that puppies stop growing at 6 months of age, I have to ask why? Do your children stop growing at the age of 16 years of age? Not likely, though if luck is on their side they might. Truth is puppies do most of their growing by 6 months but more often than not they will continue to grow for the next six months but at a much smaller rate. Usually at 6 months they can gain anywhere from 1 lb to 4 lbs and still grow anther 1/2 to 1 and 1/2 inches.
This applies to the toys and teacups not the minis. Still, the way I judge size isn't completely accurate, but I try my best. No ones scale is completely accurate because there are too many variables. Because of these variables I can not guarantee final size.
For the breeders - I am not calling anyone a liar! I feel most are making an honest mistake.