If you’re a Treeing Walker Coonhound owner, you’re probably curious about how big your pup will get. These affectionate and energetic hunting dogs keep growing well into adulthood. Read on to find out more about their growth timeline and what to expect as your Treeing Walker Coonhound matures.
Treeing Walker Coonhounds are medium-sized dogs that typically reach their full adult size between 12-24 months, though some may continue filling out up to 36 months.
Puppy Growth Spurts
Birth to 3 Months
In the first few months of life, Treeing Walker Coonhound puppies grow very fast. Their weight typically doubles in the first week and triples in the first month after birth. Most experts agree that by 3 months of age, a Treeing Walker puppy achieves around 50-60% of its adult weight, gaining on average around 2-3 pounds per week.
4 to 6 Months
The 4-6 month period is often considered the most rapid growth phase for Treeing Walker Coonhound puppies. Their bones, muscles and organs are all developing quickly. Pups will need specially formulated large breed puppy food with nutrients like calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D to support this speedy growth.
An average weekly weight gain of 1-2 pounds is common during this adolescent stage.
7 to 12 Months
While the growth rate starts to taper off a bit after 6 months, Treeing Walker Coonhounds continue maturing both physically and mentally in their second 6 months. Adult height is typically reached around 9-10 months. An average Treeing Walker will end up 18-20 inches tall at the shoulder.
Fill out also continues, with pups achieving 80-90% of mature weight by 12 months old. Socialization remains critical as they transition into juvenile/young adult behavioral patterns.
For more details on Treeing Walker growth patterns, check out sites like AKC’s guide or Dr. Sara Redding Ochoa’s puppy timeline. With good nutrition and care, Treeing Walker pups grow into athletic, energetic coonhound companions ready for adventure!
When Do They Stop Growing?
Height
Treeing Walker Coonhounds typically reach their full adult height between 12-15 months old. According to the American Kennel Club, the average height for a male Treeing Walker Coonhound is 22-27 inches at the shoulder, while females stand 21-26 inches.
So you can expect your Treeing Walker Coonhound to stop growing upwards once they hit that range.
However, some lines can be slightly taller or shorter. Your pup’s genetics, nutrition, and exercise can also impact how tall they end up. But most Coonhounds finish their vertical development as young teenagers.
Once your pooch hits that 1-year mark, they likely won’t get much taller even as they continue filling out.
Weight
A Treeing Walker Coonhound’s weight can fluctuate more than their height. They typically reach their full adult weight between 2-3 years old. The average weight for a male Coonie is 50-70 pounds, while females weigh 40-55 pounds according to AKC standards.
During the first year, you’ll see your puppy gain weight rapidly as they mature. The most growth tends to occur between 4-7 months. Their expansion may slow after one year old but will pick back up again during the second year. At age 2-3 years, they should stabilize at their ideal healthy weight.
However, factors like diet, activity level, and genetics can cause some natural variation. Make sure to watch your adult Coonhound’s conditioning and adjust their meals and exercise as needed to keep them fit and healthy well into their senior years.
Factors That Influence Growth
Genetics
The genetics of a Treeing Walker Coonhound play a major role in determining their full grown size. These dogs were bred specifically for hunting raccoons by scent, not size, but genetics still impact how big they get.
Purebred Treeing Walker Coonhounds typically reach between 45-80 pounds when fully grown. Their narrow bodies enable them to fit into tight spaces during the hunt. Genetics makes some dogs fall at the lower or higher end of the typical weight range.
Nutrition
Proper nutrition is crucial for Treeing Walker Coonhounds to reach their maximum growth potential. These high-energy hunting dogs require high-quality dog food with adequate amounts of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), puppies should be fed three times per day up until 6-12 months old[1]. Adults do well on two meals per day. Feeding the proper nutrition encourages steady, healthy development.
Spaying/Neutering
Spaying or neutering too early can potentially hinder a Treeing Walker Coonhound’s growth. According to veterinarians, it’s best to wait until a large-breed puppy reaches full maturity around 12-18 months old before spaying/neutering.
The hormones help promote bone growth and development up until that time. Delaying the procedure allows them to reach their maximum genetically predisposed size and weight[2].
Exercise
Regular exercise helps strengthen muscles and bones in Treeing Walker Coonhound puppies and adults, supporting healthy development. As high-energy hunting dogs bred to chase prey for miles at a time, they require substantial daily activity.
Providing ample opportunity to run and play encourages muscle tone and cardiovascular health. Additionally, exercise stimulates their appetite so they eat properly. Guidelines recommend a minimum of 30-60 minutes exercise per day for these athletic dogs[3].
Maintaining an active lifestyle helps them grow properly.
Monitoring Your Dog’s Growth
Weigh Regularly
Keeping track of your Treeing Walker Coonhound’s weight is an important way to ensure they are growing properly. As a medium-sized breed, the average adult male weighs between 50-70 lbs while females weigh 40-55 lbs [1].
During the rapid growth phase as a puppy from 2-8 months old, it’s recommended to weigh them every 2 weeks. This allows you to monitor weight gain and make diet adjustments if needed. Once fully grown after 12 months, continue weighing monthly to catch any abnormal changes.
Investing in a basic yet accurate dog scale allows convenient weigh-ins at home. Stand on the scale yourself first to set it to zero, then hold your coonhound in your arms. Subtract your weight to determine their weight.
Track their growth rate on a chart along with their age so you can identify normal Development vs abnormal changes. If your adult dog unexpectedly loses or gains significant weight, consult your veterinarian to check for potential health issues.
Track Height
In addition to weight, tracking your Treeing Walker Coonhound’s height gives further insight into their growth. Measure from the top of the shoulder blades down to the floor while they are standing normally. Use a measuring tape and mark the height alongside their age on the tracking chart.
An average adult male coonhound stands between 20-27 inches tall at the shoulder, while females range from 18-25 inches [1].
It’s interesting to compare their height increments month-over-month to see growth spurts. If their rate unexpectedly slows or stunts, have your veterinarian examine for potential issues. Generally though, monitor the tracking chart over time to ensure they reach an expected adult height based on their gender and genetic background.
Vet Checkups
Routine wellness exams allow your veterinarian to assess your Treeing Walker Coonhound’s overall growth and development. The first puppy checkup is recommended after bringing them home for vaccinations and establishing care.
Additional appointments during rapid growth from 2-8 months enables the vet to monitor key indicators like weight gain, height, body condition score and more. They can advise if supplementary diet adjustments may help reach optimal size based on breed standards.
Annual checkups continue into adulthood to monitor their health. Discuss any major fluctuations noticed at home in weight or energy levels for example. Routine lab work and physical exams allow early detection of abnormalities to best manage health conditions.
Ultimately, your vet partners in tracking growth milestones and addressing concerns should they arise.
When to Worry About Growth Issues
Underweight or Overweight
Monitoring your Treeing Walker Coonhound’s weight is important, as significant over or underweight can indicate potential health problems. Puppies should gain a steady amount of weight as they grow. Adult dogs should maintain a stable healthy weight.
Sudden weight loss or gain can signify illness, intestinal parasites, or an improper diet. Consult your veterinarian if you notice significant changes in your dog’s body condition.
Growth Plate Problems
Treeing Walker Coonhound puppies grow rapidly, and their growth plates (soft areas of cartilage where bones grow) are susceptible to injury. Activities like running on hard surfaces, jumping, or rough play before the growth plates close around 12-18 months can cause inflammation, bone deformities, and other issues.
Limit these high-impact activities while puppies are growing to prevent growth plate problems.
Other Health Concerns
hereditary health conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, eye diseases, hypothyroidism, and bloat are potential concerns for the breed. Catching these conditions early improves outcomes, so have your vet examine your dog routinely. Discuss any family history of genetic issues too.
With attentive care and early intervention, many Treeing Walkers live active, healthy lives into their early teens.
Conclusion
Knowing what to expect as your Treeing Walker Coonhound grows can help you provide the best care. Monitor your puppy’s development, nutrition, and health. With proper feeding, exercise, vet care, and love, your Treeing Walker Coonhound will grow into a wonderful companion.
Treeing Walker Coonhounds reach their full adult size between 12-24 months typically. Track your dog’s growth and development, and consult your vet if you have any concerns.
