While it’s true that most puppies can safely navigate stairs after reaching the tender age of 3 months, caution and consideration must be exercised.
Factors such as (dog) breed, anatomy, weight, and temperament play crucial roles in determining whether your precious pup is ready for this monumental feat.
Research has shed light on a rather intriguing finding.
Puppies who are allowed to freely bound up and down stairs before the age of 3 months may face an increased risk of developing hip dysplasia—a condition that can lead to long-term discomfort and mobility issues.
Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the world of Sarplaninac puppies and their journey with stairs.
Together, we’ll unravel the secrets and unveil the best approach for your furry friend’s stair-climbing adventures.
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Do Stairs Harm Your Dog’s Joints?
I’m sorry, I’m not qualified to provide an answer to this question.
Let me share the information I found on the internet while preparing for this article.
“Yes, stairs are bad for dogs with arthritis. This is because stairs may strain the areas of the body that suffer pain during movement – mainly the joints of the limbs. Stairs are also a potential accident hazard – one that is more real because the motions of the arthritic dog are not adequately controlled”. [1]
“In fact, walking UP stairs can be a great way to help improve active range of motion, muscle strength, and proprioception (the awareness of the position and movement of the body). Navigating stairs daily have helped Dr. Kirkby Shaw’s dogs with arthritis maintain their mobility!”. [2]
What can we deduce from the information provided?
It is essential to verify the accuracy of various pieces of information from multiple sources before making a crucial decision.
Words from the White Coat: Veterinarians Speak on Puppies and Stairs
Q: I recently heard that a dog should not walk on stairs until they are one year old, but my puppy is around 3 months old.
He currently weighs 10 kg and has been going up and down stairs since day one.
I’m concerned about how dangerous this might be and whether I should carry him on the stairs.
He goes up and down about 30 high steps at least 10 times a day.
How long should walks be for a young puppy?
In the morning, he usually goes for a 30-minute walk, and during the day, he has access to the yard where he plays around.
In the evening, we go out for an hour or longer.
If he gets tired in the field but still needs to get home, I carry him, although it’s very rare because he loves being outside.
How can I determine the limit for his walking? Thank you.
A:Adequate exercise and proper nutrition are essential for a puppy’s good health.
Healthy puppies are lively, energetic, and require plenty of movement and exercise.
The amount of exercise needed does not primarily depend on the size of the dog but rather on its breed.
For example, hunting dogs such as pointers or retrievers were traditionally bred and prepared for full-day fieldwork.
Such dogs thrive on regular exercise and physical activity.
Since you did not mention the breed, but considering that your puppy weighs 10 kg at 3 months old, I believe he will likely weigh around 25 kg as an adult, placing him in the medium-sized category.
Only large and giant breeds are more sensitive to bone and joint issues due to the weight their skeletal system must support.
Young dogs of medium-sized breeds grow until around 12 months of age, during which time they experience intense bone growth and development.
Proper development is supported by high-quality nutrition, sufficient exercise, outdoor time, and maintaining appropriate body weight.
Physical activity is crucial for a young dog’s overall development, but it should be moderate while their bone and muscle systems are still growing.
Growing puppies require plenty of rest, attention, and exercise.
It is important to provide them with rest at the first signs of fatigue.
If that means carrying your puppy on the way home, go ahead and do so.
For proper bone development, it is not recommended for puppies up to 5 months old to walk on stairs.
Whenever possible, carry him.
As for your puppy’s daily activities, you are already providing him with optimal conditions.
A good indicator of his fitness level is walking for 20-30 minutes without becoming exhausted.
The amount of food needed to meet a puppy’s daily nutritional requirements is individual and depends on age, size, breed, and physical activity.
By feeding him high-quality food rich in meat proteins, you will provide him with sufficient protein and other essential nutrients needed for his growth and development.
Adequate intake of vitamins and minerals, especially calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D, is essential for developing bones.
Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that his body receives an adequate and proper supply of these nutrients during this time.
Causes of joint diseases can include trauma, infection, genetic predisposition, accumulation of excess weight, and in some cases, excessive physical activity.
However, in most cases, degenerative joint changes are diagnosed in older dogs to varying degrees. [3]
I’d like to go back to the beginning of this article and highlight four important elements: breed, anatomy, weight, and temperament.
The Sarplaninac is a robust, well-proportioned dog with plenty of bone, of a size that is well above the average, and with a thick, long, rather coarse coat that emphasizes the short coupled appearance.
In recent years, there have been discussions about hip dysplasia issues in this breed.
While I don’t deny these claims, it’s crucial to differentiate between genetics and the negligence of owners/breeders.
Many dogs used as illustrations by experts on their websites/videos/books are not Sarplaninacs, which further proves their lack of understanding about this specific breed.
Back to the puppies …
Anatomy plays a crucial role, and it’s important to note that a Sarplaninac puppy and a Dachshund puppy cannot be placed in the same class when it comes to stairs and joints.
The weight of the Sarplaninac puppy, as well as their pasterns, are clear indicators of whether they have weight issues.
Such a puppy already carries enough “burden on their back” when it comes to their skeletal structure, and going up and down stairs would be a challenge.
It would be like a noose around their neck.
Puppies like these are incredibly cute (like little bears), but in most cases, their temperament is questionable – they seem disinterested in their surroundings (under the guise of laziness) and have a melancholic gaze.
I am talking about Sarplaninac puppies aged 3-5 months and we must not generalize things!
Additionally, due to excess weight, they struggle to cover a normal distance for their age.
My advice is a balanced diet and rest (along with exposure to sunlight for essential vitamin D for bone health).
Unlike them, there are Sarplaninac puppies who are extremely fast, agile, and interested in their surroundings.
Their tails are always up and wagging when there’s an alert.
At 3 months old, they may appear lean (or undernourished to amateurs), but their growth and development are never in question.
I knew there would be negative comments from some users, and there are several factors contributing to it – the building, the young age of the puppy, the use of stairs, and the impact on the joints.
What is common to all users who wanted to give me well-intentioned advice is the following:
Nobody asked how old the puppy is.
Nobody praised the puppy and then criticized it.
Nobody noticed that we specifically chose this puppy, not another one from the litter because it has one element that the others don’t.
None of them appreciated our knowledge and experience.
Most of them think the puppy goes like this every day at least xx times up and down 24/7.
Be careful when posting videos like this in Facebook groups!
Parents of Puppies Have Excellent Elbows and Hips (HD-A and ED-0)
That’s good, but it can be even better if you have information about the hip and elbow health of the puppy’s parents and ancestors going back 6-7 generations.
By having this genetic background, any potential issues can be ruled out if they arise!
However, as evident, the problem can indeed be attributed to factors such as stairs and excessive physical activity …
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Conclusion
I hope this article has been helpful to you. It’s important to note that you have received expert opinions from a veterinarian as well as our perspective specifically related to Sarplaninac dogs.
We believe that it is crucial not to generalize and to consider various factors when it comes to puppies and stairs.
The responsibility lies with you to draw conclusions and make your judgment! Wishing you all the best, and thank you for your attention.
Sources:
Why Using the Stairs is a Challenge for Dogs with Arthritis (HandicappedPets.Com);
Is it ok for my dog to use the stairs at home? (more information);
Zašto se štenci ne bi trebali penjati stepenicama? (more information).
admin
My name is Alen Stefanovic, and I am the founder of the AwesomeSarplaninac.com. As an economist-trade manager, and web designer, I have a passion for the Sarplaninac breed (number 1 dogs for me). My father has been breeding these dogs since 1990, and through the website, I aim to share valuable information about nutrition, care, and training for both puppies and adult dogs. Whether you're a new or experienced owner, you'll find plenty of helpful tips and resources on the site. I wish you a pleasant stay.
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