Puppy Bone and Joint Development

This is something everyone should see.

When you bring your 8-10 week old puppy home, please keep this image in mind. Their bones do not even touch yet. They plod around so cutely with big floppy paws and wobbly movement because their joints are entirely made up of muscle, tendons and ligaments with skin covering. Nothing is fitting tightly together or has a true socket yet.

Please do not allow your puppy to run excessively, especially on hard surfaces such as concrete or black-top, until they are at least 14 months of age. This can cause severe damage to the joints and possibly cause unrepairable damage.

Every big jumps or excited bounces cause impacts between the bones.  In reasonable amounts this is not problematic and is the normal wear and tear that every animal will engage in. When you're letting your puppy jump up and down off the couch/bed, take them for long walks/hikes or go jogging with them you are damaging the joints.

You only get the chance to grow them once into an adult. A well built body is something that comes from excellent breeding and a careful up-bringing. BOTH, not just one. Once grown, you will have the rest of their life to spend playing and engaging in higher impact exercise.

Please keep the excessive exercise to a minimum while they are still little baby puppies. Give the gift that can only be given once.