Stairs during the first year

M
Ml29 Icon representing the flag French
Report

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to adopt a Golden Retriever and I currently live in a fourth-floor flat without a lift (about 70 steps).

I know that for the first few months, it’s not recommended to let them use the stairs. I’ve often heard people mention the first 6 months, but the breeder told me that I should avoid stairs for the first 12 months because they haven’t finished growing yet.

I completely understand this recommendation, especially as a precaution to protect their joints. However, I’d like to get your opinion, as I’m wondering if this 12-month period is a hard and fast rule or more of a general guideline aimed at minimising risks as much as possible. I also understand that breeders have to be cautious, as they can quickly be held responsible for the slightest health issue a dog might have.

My question is mainly about daily life: I want to be able to take him out three times a day. As he grows, would he eventually be able to:

  • use the stairs for one out of the three outings?

  • use them twice out of three?

  • walk up slowly but avoid going down?

  • start gradually from 6-8 months, for example, by only making him do part of the staircase?

If the recommendation really is to carry him for 12 months, I will obviously do it. Adopting a dog involves sacrifices and having to carry him for a few months, even when he weighs 30 kg (around 4 stone 10 lbs), won't make us reconsider our plans.

My only concern is more about my partner's physical ability to manage this every day for such a long period.

If you have any advice or personal experiences that could help me better understand these different recommendations, I’d be very grateful.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to read this.

Best regards,

Translated from French
icon info

The forum content is sometimes translated from another language, and posts may concern countries with different animal laws. Do your research before making any decisions.

Since the forum is translated by AI, the translations may contain errors.

Write your message and upload a photo if you want to! Please remain courteous in your exchanges.

Your post will be visible to all members of the international Wamiz forum.

1 answer
Sort by:
    • ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
    Expert verified
    Report

    Hi there,

    The issue of stairs for large breed puppies is indeed a debated topic, and there is still no consensus within the scientific community. However, the following is generally recommended:

    • Under 3 months: no stairs at all;

    • Between 3 and 6 months: avoid steps or just 2-3 steps, and if possible, avoid going downstairs (if you can manage a ramp, that would be perfect);

    • Between 6 and 12 months: only if the puppy shows no signs of limping;

    • After 1 year: no problem at all.

    Of course, these are just recommendations and there is no guarantee that using stairs will definitely lead to arthritis. Just as smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, stairs for large breed puppies are a risk factor for arthritis later in life; this means the risk is increased without it being a certainty. Nevertheless, as a precaution, wait until they are six months old if you can, and after that they can use the stairs without any worries.

    I hope this helps shed some light on the matter for you!

    Best regards,

    Inès

    Translated from French

  • 1 comment out of 1

    • Do you have a question? An experience to share? Create a post on our forum!
    These topics could be of interest to you!
    Find out more