While most puppies are capable of climbing stairs by three months, body weight and bone growth set the actual timing.
The real issue is whether those underdeveloped joints can support the extra load without injury.
Early stair use is directly linked to hip dysplasia, leading to lifelong mobility issues for the dogs.
Having bred and raised the Sarplaninac breed for over 30 years has taught us exactly how their weight impacts joint development.
Is the Puppy Ready for Stairs?
From the day the puppy joins your family at around 8 to 10 weeks old, they might try to climb a step or two.
However, this is not a sign that they should be using stairs!
This stage is about getting used to a step, not exercise.
The goal is for the puppy to learn how to take a single step calmly under your control, ensuring stability without any jumping or slipping.
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 conclude from this?
Always verify your facts from multiple sources before making any big decisions.
What Vets Say About the Risk?
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.
During a puppy’s growth and development, it is crucial to ensure high-quality and balanced nutrition.
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]
Zdravka Rumiha, DVM,
Pet Center Drvinje 1, Zagreb
Let’s Talk About Sarplaninac Puppies!
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, heavy-boned dog of impressive size. Its thick, coarse coat further highlights its compact, powerful build.
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 Sarplaninac puppy’s pasterns are clear indicators of whether it is carrying too much weight.
This 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.
Excess energy is evident, and moderate physical activity is desirable.
However, it doesn’t mean the puppy can go up and down the stairs 24/7. – No!
Training is the key, and it requires experience or advice from real breeders (including proper nutrition, exercise duration, etc.).
The Facebook Post That Started It All
I recently shared a video in a Facebook group focused on Sarplaninac dogs.
In the video, you can see my puppy handling the stairs with total confidence, with and without a leash.
Although I didn’t mention the age or gender of the puppy, the main focus is on the importance of socialization.
I encourage you to watch the video below to see how my puppy handles the stairs.
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 “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!
You must have strong arguments to argue …
What Are the Real Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia?
Symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs include:
- A drop in activity level (The puppy becomes unusually “lazy”).
- Stiffness or restricted movement in the hind legs.
- Struggling to stand up, run, or climb.
- Limping or stiffness in the back legs.
- The “Bunny Hop” – using both back legs together to move.
- Clicking sound in the joint during movement.
- Muscle loss in the thighs (thinner back legs compared to the front).
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 …
Conclusion
I wanted to put the veterinary facts alongside the reality of raising a Sarplaninac, because this breed doesn’t fit into a “one-size-fits-all” box.
Generalizations are easy, but they are often misleading.
When it comes to your puppy and those stairs, don’t just follow a rule – look at the dog in front of you. Pay attention to their weight, structure, and how they actually move.
Now that you’ve seen both the medical side and our practical experience, the final call is yours. You have the information, and I trust you to make the best judgment for your puppy’s future.
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);
- Stepenice i šetnja (more information).
