hi there just joined so hello to everyone, would like to ask if any one knows what weight an 8 weeek old male dalmatian puppy should be.  Just bought ours home today and he is only just 3kg, is this about right as he seems quite small compared to when we had our other puppy at the same age. this puppy is from a litter of 12  where our first was from a litter of 5, does this usually make a difference.

thanks

Chrissy

At 8 weeks my male dalmatian weighed 14lb (6.3 kg) with his smaller brother weighing 12 lb (5.5 kg) - but of course there's always a variation between individuals depending on genes and health as well as rearing.

do you think his low weight is something to be worried about,he wasnt the smallest in the litter although not the biggest either, he seems happy enough and quite energetic?

He certainly seems very tiny. Have you taken him for his first vet-check yet? How many times has he been wormed (it should give details on your copy of the sales contract)?

he is wormed up to date, we need to worm him again on sunday, only picked him up today so goes to vet for check up and 1st jab at the end of the week. is there anything you can advise i can do to help him to put on weight quickly? He is being fed 4 times a day with a total amount of 120g of quantum dry food.

Also nothing to do with feeding but our older dalmatian has twice today whilst the puppy was having a wee  in the garden weed right on him, have you ever experienced this?

thanks
chrissy

Don't try to grow him too fast! You don't want a hefty body supported on small bones and ligaments. I've never heard of the food he's being fed on so can't comment on that - weigh him a minimum of weekly to make sure he's gaining steadily - two or three pounds a week is ample.

As for him being weed on - yes, a superior dog will often wee on a subordinate - usually accidentally because they want to mark over the top of the other's urine.

i know that dalmatians are meant to be slim, im just worried that he is too small, i will wait to see what the vet says at the end of the week...He is certainly keeping us on our toes and its only day one!!

many thanks for your advice

Chrissy