[Nikkole]

Hello all! I recently adopted a puppy from someone on the Internet. Now, they told me he is a purebred English Cream Golden born on March 23, but I'm having some serious concerns that one of those might not be true.

He's only 14 lbs (yes he did have parasites but they're gone now and he eats like crazy), he's about 14-15 inches tall and he hasn't lost any baby teeth yet. Everything I've read has indicated he should be much farther along both dentally and in size.

I'll post some pictures but I'm really hoping someone can help me determine whether he is what they said. Thank you for any help!

 

[gold4me]

Did you get papers

He is very cute. He looks younger than 3 months

 

[Nikkole]

gold4me - I did not, since he was a rescue from an owner after the breeder. He was not taken care of well

The only papers I have was his "vaccination history" which had his DOB and distemper/parvo shot date (although parvo was spelled wrong *eyeroll*)

I'm happy I adopted him no matter what and I love him, just trying to figure out the truth.

 

[ArchersMom]

Goodness, he's cute! When you say adopt, do you mean you paid for him or did you get him from a rescue? It looks like he may have some Great Pyrenees in him, or maybe even Samoyed with that curled tail. They're great dogs as well. If I had paid for a purebred dog id be mad at the seller, but he's a handsome little fella. My guess is Samoyed if he stays smaller than a golden. How long have you had him and what's his name?

 

[Nikkole]

Thank you! We adore him.

I adopted him from Craigslist for a small rehoming fee, it was nothing like what a breeder would ask but again I didn't get him directly from the breeder.

I've had him for 3 weeks now and his name is Stark (like Tony, Game of Thrones, or the color white, whichever suits your fancy haha).

And I'm totally ok with him being part Samoyed - from what I've read they're lovely dogs. We were hoping for a larger dog to play with our Aussie (and Samoyeds appear to be on the larger side), but we're happy either way

 

[Cpc1972]

Adorable. I agree with the others about GP or Samoyed. But he also very well could be full blooded golden retriever.

 

[Nikkole]

I guess then my last question is should I be worried he is so far behind in weight/height? Or might he go through a growth spurt now that the parasites are gone?

 

[ArchersMom]

Try not to judge him based on size charts. If you think he looks too skinny, increase his food. Might be easier to tell when he's wet since he's so fluffy. He's better off growing slowly but there's really no way of knowing how tall he should be. Maybe his parents were both small, maybe he has an even smaller breed mixed in there. Just make sure he's in good condition weight wise and don't stress too much.

 

[rooroch]

You say the parasites are gone, but you should continue to worm him every 3 weeks or so to get rid of any that may still be there. Check with your vet and get a good product from the vet not one from a pet store. Puppies should be wormed regularly until they are 6 months old and then at least twice a year. I do spring and autumn wormings with mine.
He is beautiful and I agree with maybe Samoyed. Great dogs.

 

[aesthetic]

I first thought GP, but now that it's been mentioned, I see some Samoyed too. Either way, he's the absolute cutest. I love his name too (I'm a huuuge Tony Stark fan)

 

[Nikkole]

Yeah he's still getting regular workings and I have him on my vet's recommended heartworm and flea&stick meds.

He's just so much more lively and playful than when we first got him- he was pretty lethargic and sickly. Now he's chewing everything I own :grinning:

 

[Kalhayd]

You say the parasites are gone, but you should continue to worm him every 3 weeks or so to get rid of any that may still be there. Check with your vet and get a good product from the vet not one from a pet store. Puppies should be wormed regularly until they are 6 months old and then at least twice a year. I do spring and autumn wormings with mine.
He is beautiful and I agree with maybe Samoyed. Great dogs.

Really? Our pup was precautionary dewormed at 9 weeks for the last time. She went again at 11 weeks and the vet didn't suggest or imply she should be redone. We've not dewormed our adult GR since she was 12 weeks old, again as a precaution. She goes again at 14 weeks- should I suggest she be dewormed as a precaution again? She looks thin to me- but she's lanky at nearly 13 weeks.


To the OP- I agree maybe not all golden, but he's super cute! In reference our golden girl(who had a very tough start) was born 3/27 and weighed 18 pounds even at 11 weeks. Although, she's on the taller side. I haven't noticed any missing baby teeth yet- and gosh knows she's buying a lot- so assume she hasn't hit that milestone.. Yet.

She's significantly taller looking than the pictures you've posted- so maybe he's just on the smaller side. Regardless, he's ridiculously cute & fluffy!

 

[ArchersMom]

Some heartworm preventatives treat worms, so you wouldn't have to worry about worming an older dog. Our dogs get interceptor and it treats roundworm, hookworm, even tapeworms now. Young pups just need special dewormer if they're too little to take other meds.

 

[Cpc1972]

Really? Our pup was precautionary dewormed at 9 weeks for the last time. She went again at 11 weeks and the vet didn't suggest or imply she should be redone. We've not dewormed our adult GR since she was 12 weeks old, again as a precaution. She goes again at 14 weeks- should I suggest she be dewormed as a precaution again? She looks thin to me- but she's lanky at nearly 13 weeks.


To the OP- I agree maybe not all golden, but he's super cute! In reference our golden girl(who had a very tough start) was born 3/27 and weighed 18 pounds even at 11 weeks. Although, she's on the taller side. I haven't noticed any missing baby teeth yet- and gosh knows she's buying a lot- so assume she hasn't hit that milestone.. Yet.

She's significantly taller looking than the pictures you've posted- so maybe he's just on the smaller side. Regardless, he's ridiculously cute & fluffy!

Chloe was dewormed three times by the breeder and our vet never suggested anymore either. She was clean at her first visit. Plus if they are on heart guard for heart worm it also protects them from round work and hook work. Jake had to be dewormed again after we brought him home. Either breeder didn't do it enough or he needed extra.

 

[PrincessDaisy]

All dogs need a good home. Thanks for adopting him. Even if not 100% GR, you and Stark are welcome here.(I must be old, I read "Stark" and thought of Tony.)

Max

 

[JillD]

Oh my word that is the cutest, fluffiest puppy!!! I agree it looks like there may be some Samoyed or GR in the mix, but what a handsome boy. Welcome to the forum and the "land shark" club. Heehee...

 

[Kalhayd]

Some heartworm preventatives treat worms, so you wouldn't have to worry about worming an older dog. Our dogs get interceptor and it treats roundworm, hookworm, even tapeworms now. Young pups just need special dewormer if they're too little to take other meds.

She's on trifexia(sp?) and Bay is on Bravetco & heart guard.

 

[CAROLINA MOM]

Congratulations, Stark is adorable.

 

[rooroch]

I now understand that you use heart worm preventives. We do not do that here as we do not have this problem, so regular worming is normal practice. The important thing is that they are parasite free.

 

[Nikkole]

So one last thing I didn't realize might be important, but he has an extra toe on his back paws (including the dew claw). Is that typical of goldens?