EMs -- phases of physical development ?

[Jadotha]

A thread that Northernmastiff started about her pup, Daisy's, show potential really piqued my interest. Just as background, our EM Boris (12 weeks) is our first Mastiff, but I did spend three years looking at pictures, visiting breeders and owners, studying the breed standard, attending shows and so forth before we bought him. Particularly watching puppy and adult showing classes, looking at my breeder' pictures of her dogs at various stages of their development (e.g, newborns, 8 wks, 6 mos, 10 mos, 1 year and 3 years), as well as other breeders' similar photos, it seems to me that there are discernible phases in their growth patterns. For example, pups from about 10 months through 'teenage' months seem to get leggy, elongated with longer muzzle to head ratios, and fewer wrinkles. Then between 18 mos to 3 years, they develop substance all over and heads broaden and gain wrinkle (males more than females). Again, these are just my impressions -- is there anything to them, or is it every dog is an individual?

I know we have weight and height charting, but I haven't seen a lot about physiological changes at different ages.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I figure that was just a normal part of growing, similar to humans. Thor was tall,lankey, and skinny pup at 8 months on up to about a year. Then around 2 or 3 years my dad mentioned that Thor looked "bigger" or "thicker" I didn't notice it initially but as he reached 4 and 5 years of age he definitely has more substance than he did at 2/3 years. As for mentality it changed around 1 year and half to 2 years, he wasn't as much as a jerk, even now at almost 7 he still tries me, LOL.

Also want to mention lines as well depending on the some line mature earlier or later.

 

[NeoBull]

Branka definitely grows in stages... She's grow up and look skinny and leggy, the grow out and look stocky and just as I'd start thinking she was looking a little fat she'd go up again lol. She's 13 months now and I'm still waiting to see if her shoulders will ever catch up to her butt lol. They seem to be slowly catching up.