Oh yes, that sweet little Lab puppy is going to grow…and grow and grow! On the larger end, Labs can weigh between 70 and 80 pounds. These smart, friendly dogs love to eat and are prone to obesity, especially if they don’t get regular exercise. By regular exercise, we mean a daily run, hike or very long and brisk walk to help them burn some of that famous Labrador energy. Not only will these dogs get much bigger than expected, they require active, energetic owners who will be able to keep up!

Akita

People go crazy for these gorgeous dogs that originated in Japan. What a lot of adopters don’t know is that these poofy little puppies are going to be massive! Male Akitas can grow to 130 pounds and will need a decent bit of daily exercise and play time.

Great Pyrenees 

Great Pyrenees dogs have beautiful, fluffy white coats and a smile to die for, but believe us when we say it’s common for people to underestimate how big they can get. That little Pyr puppy is going to be at least 100 pounds if it’s a male! That means a whole lot of fur flying around come shedding season. But, if you like to keep a regular routine and keep things simple, a Great Pyrenees will fit right into your life.

Bernese Mountain Dogs 

These adorable, fluffy puppies are going to grow into gigantic floofs! Males can top out at 115 pounds, so be sure to consider that when eyeing that cute baby Bernese. Additionally Bernese Mountain Dogs are especially susceptible to developing cancer and musculoskeletal diseases, so be prepared for serious veterinary bills when these dogs reach their senior years.

German Shepherd Dog

These dogs are often sought after for their intelligence and trainability. They can be protective of their owners and make great family companions. What many people don’t expect is just how big they can get! While some German Shepherd Dogs might be smaller, around 60 pounds, many can grow up to 95 pounds or even larger! It’s difficult to predict just how large a GSD puppy will end up once they reach full maturity, so be prepared to have a mountain of a dog in a year or two!

All of these dogs will eat A LOT, so keep in mind their food costs will be a lot higher. If the grooming, feeding, activity and space requirements of these breeds won’t fit with your lifestyle, we encourage you to research other dog breeds. Even better, adopt an adult dog so you know what you’re getting! Breed specific rescues will have detailed information about each available dog or puppy’s temperament, training and individual needs so you can be as informed as possible prior to adoption.

The SPCA of Texas also gets purebred dogs and cats on a regular basis, so we encourage you to set up a Pet Alert so you’ll be notified as soon as your desired breed becomes available. As always, we hope you will make adoption your first option!