Small kennels of Boxer Dogs, based in West Yorkshire
From weaning to 15 months
During the first stage of intensive growth, the Maxi puppy builds its skeleton. It gains about 130grams per day on average and will reach 50 per cent of its adult weight in only five months.
During this time its digestive system is still fragile.
Building the skeleton
To ensure the development of its skeleton, the Maxi puppy needs twice as much energy as an adult dog. Meanwhile, its still-immature digestive system prevents it absorbing large quantities of food. Overloading the digestive system can lead to diarrhoea with adverse effects on health.
From 5 months to15 months
This second stage of growth is characterised by gradual consolidation. The growth rate in height and weight is slower, but the puppy continues to develop its muscle mass and consolidate its skeleton for about ten months.
Muscling up while controlling weight gain
From 5 months, the construction of the puppy's bone and joints is nearing completion, but its growth is far from finished: It is entering a stage of muscle building that still requires a higher energy intake than required by adult dogs. This energy intake must however be strictly controlled to prevent the puppy becoming overweight, a condition that can lead to skeletal deformation.
During this stage, the digestive system matures so the puppy is able to handle the larger meals needed to satisfy its appetite.
