How to Know If Your Puppy Will Grow Into a Big Dog

Have you ever wondered if your puppy is going to be a big dog? It’s one of the most common questions when someone brings home a pup—especially if it’s from a strong breed like a Cane Corso, a Dogo Argentino, or any other big dog breed.

There’s no crystal ball to predict it 100%, but there are plenty of signs that can help you figure it out.

Not all puppies grow the same

Even within the same breed, there can be big differences. In Cane Corsos, for example, you can have a 40 kg male… or one that hits 80 kg. That’s a massive gap.

So, what should you look at?

1. Bone structure and paw size

One of the first things to check is the size and thickness of the paws. Big paws often mean a big dog later.

Also, longer legs can indicate that the pup will grow tall. You can even compare with the rest of the litter: does your pup have bigger paws, thicker bone, or a larger head? That’s valuable info.

2. Genotype (Parents and Grandparents)

This is the genetic side. If both parents are big, odds are your pup will be too. But here’s the twist: the maternal grandfather often has a big impact. If he was a beast, that’s a good sign.

3. Tail base thickness

Yes, you read that right. The base of the tail (called the “tail root”) says a lot. A thick tail base usually means the pup has strong bones and will grow into a solid, powerful dog.

4. Body proportions

The way your pup is built tells a story. A pup with good proportions, long body, strong legs, and a deep chest is likely to grow big. Again, comparing with siblings gives you even more insight.

5. Litter size and development

In large litters—like 10 to 12 puppies—some pups can fall behind a little. If the mom has only 8 nipples, some don’t get as much milk. That doesn’t mean they’ll be small forever—it just means they might take a bit longer to catch up.

6. Bottle-fed pups and delayed growth

Sometimes a puppy needed bottle-feeding, which can slow things down early on. But once they start eating solid food and getting supplements, they can explode in size—especially if the genes are there.

Final thoughts

To know if your puppy will grow big, look at all the signs together:

  • Bone and paw size

  • Genetics (parents, grandparents)

  • Tail base

  • Body shape and proportions

  • Eating habits

  • Litter size

Put it all together and you’ll get a pretty solid idea. And remember: every dog is unique. If your pup is well-fed and comes from a strong bloodline, it will surprise you.