Puppies that belong to giant canine breeds may look big enough to engage in strenuous physical activities when they’re only a few months old, but these breeds are slow-growers and won’t reach skeletal maturity until they’re between 18 months to 2 years old. Thus, jumping, running, and jogging, especially on hard surfaces can pave the way for orthopedic problems. Pet owners of giant-breed dogs should not let their pets jump on and off furniture or exert unnecessary pressure on their joints by letting them run on hard surfaces.

Letting your giant-breed puppy go up and down the stairs can also increase his risks of developing orthopedic problems. This is particularly important with leggy breeds such as Irish wolfhounds and Scottish deerhounds whose bones can easily break when they are allowed to use the stairs as puppies and fall. So it is a good idea to carry your puppy up and down stairs. You can also install a ramp or limit where your puppy can have access to in the house.

Limping or any signs of mobility problems should be brought to the attention of your Pikeville, KY veterinarian. To know more, click here.