From whose parents does a puppy inherit its size? In addition to parents, there are also "third party" genetic effects.

Jul 26,2025
3Min

Which parent does a puppy inherit its size from?

Half a puppy inherits its size from both parents

The probability that a puppy inherits its size from both parents is equally high. From a biological point of view, genes exist On the chromosomes, germ cells are formed by the combination of sperm and egg cells, and then divide to form early embryos; therefore, the size of the puppy is half that of the parents.

Puppy body size is inherited not only by genes

A recent study found that even when parental genes are not passed on to offspring, they can also affect offspring; in addition, on plants, insects, and rodents, Studies with other organisms have shown that many factors such as environment, temperature, and parasites will affect the characteristics of offspring. Heredity is not only affected by genes, but also by environment, diet, social contact and the genotype of both parents. This is called "indirect genetic effect"; there is also "maternal effect", which can represent epigenetic, Changes in egg cell structure, uterine environment and other non-genetic ways affect offspring. This also explains why some puppies born in the same litter are twice the size of their parents, and some are even larger than their parents.

How big is the size of a puppy?

The size of a puppy will be finalized around one year old. There are individual differences between different breeds and acquired diet and other factors; however, don’t let the puppy be in a hurry. Dogs grow better, and feeding a large amount of food to supplement nutrients may cause hidden dangers to the dog's health, leading to overnutrition.

What do puppies eat that is good for their body development?

1. Meat, chicken, beef, pork, etc., are all helpful for the growth and development of dogs. They contain animal protein, especially Chicken breast is the best, does not contain excess fat, and is suitable for dogs with fragile stomachs.
2. Calcium and phosphorus. A lack of calcium in dogs will affect the normal growth and development of bones, while a lack of phosphorus will cause dogs to eat pica, which likes to eat dirt, grass, etc., affecting gastrointestinal health and nutrient intake and absorption. ; You can give your dog an appropriate amount of cooked egg yolk, kelp, bone broth, or calcium-containing dog food, pet calcium tablets, etc.
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