physical maturity

Question
Hi, I recently adopted a lab mix from the pound (he is believed to be half lab half great dane - looks like a dane's body with a lab head!), and they said he was about 8 months old.  My question is this - how long does it take a dog of this size (assuming a lab-sized dog or bigger) to reach full adult size?  My dog is very tall, but only weighs about 65 pounds right now, which seems kind of light, even for a pure-bred lab.  I'm trying to figure on how big he will eventually get.  

Answer
Hi Lee,

Not knowing the lines (pedigree) of this dog, I can only guesstimate at what age he will be when he reaches his full adult size.  However, knowing Labradors, and, to some extent, Great Danes, I would say that he should be at his full height at around one and one half years.  

That said, I can also guesstimate that he will continue filling out until he is about two and one half to three years of age.  

Also, not knowing the lines of this boy, my guess for his full height can only be that I would say he would be at full height somewhere between that of a Lab and that of a Great Dane.  

Weight wise, I would say he would be in the 80-110 range at full maturity.  At eight months, 65 pounds is not light for a Labrador.  It could, however, be about median weight for a Great Dane.  At full maturity, male Labs can weigh anywhere from 65-95 pounds (show type Labradors).  Great Danes will probably be in the range of 100-120 (again, guessing).  Size and density of bone and how fit the muscles are contribute greatly to weight, as in humans.  The larger the bones and the greater the muscle mass, the heavier the animal will be.  

I hope this gives you a rough estimate.  Perhaps when your dog is one and one half years of age, you will let me know how big he is?