Weight Worries
He was at the vets last week who was not concerned with his weight. I realise all dogs will be different, however a few oes owners have suggested that his weight should be slightly higher at this age. Im feeding Bo around 450 grams of Skinners Field and Trial Duck and Rice per day. Plus a small amount of treats ie biscuit or carrot for training purposes. He is walked 3 times per day around a total of 1 1/2 hours. He always seems to be hungry but then hes been like that since a puppy would probably eat all day if i let him ! So any advice would be appreciated, thankyou, Susan  |
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| Okay. I am dumb. What is that weight in American pounds? Its always better to be on the thin side that the fatso side - like my dogs! And yes, puppies would eat all day long! Did you tell the vet how much he eats? If the vet isn't concerned, I wouldn't be worried. |
| 23 kilos equals nearly 51 pounds. I wouldn't worry. You probably won't have a big bruiser but a more compact, well formed dog. Don't increase food unless there is obvious malnutrition. The vet would have said something. It is better on their developing bone, ligaments, etc to be light right now. Make sure he is getting the best possible nutrition but not to the point where he gets diarrhea. |
Most vets like a dog on the lean side, as it is easier on bones and joints, etc. If your vet is unconcerned, I wouldn't be either. They will certainly let you know if your dog is overweight, or underweight as well. My vet's rule of thumb for weight: a dog's ribs should feel more like the back of our hand, as opposed to the palm, with a slight layer of fat over the bones. Most dogs here in the US tend to the, ahem, shall we say, pudgy side.  Oscar is a big sheepdog. At 10 months old, he was 67 lbs (just over 30 kilos), and pretty severely underweight. He has an autoimmune disorder which resulted in a terribly inflamed small intestine, and all food literally went right through him. Once we sorted that out, he hit his fightin' weight of 105 lbs (67 kilos), where he is today. He is slightly overweight, as he's aged and lost some muscle mass, but with Oscar's digestive troubles, my vets like him to carry a little cushion. Last time he got sick, he lost 9 lbs in 4 days.  But Oscar is certainly the exception, not the rule. He's my "special" boy!Sounds like your pup is in good shape, and in good hands. Laurie and Oscar |
| Thankyou for your replies, was just a bit concerned as have been told this could affect his growth if not fed enough also a dog food manufacturer told me that Bo will have gone through his major growth spurt by now ? Was a little concerned by that as I thought oes will continue growth until around 12 to 18 months ? Also been told that he needs weight to help him fight any illness at a young age ? When bathed there is very little of him and his ribs can be felt under his coat but hes healthy, bags of energy, would walk all day if he could, he gets no human food whatsoever and is very good when we eat in that he does not scrounge ? Apologies but Bo is my first oes and to me he seems fine, but then im no expert and couldnt bear to think I wasnt feeding him properly so its kinda worrying for me, so thankyou and would be grateful for any more suggestions. Susan |
| Sounds like Bo is more the ideal size. If he seems light, he'll probably remain light, but it is so much better for their health.........and activity as you are seeing. If the ribs stand proud, stick out, then he's under weight. Over the ribs he needs skin and the sheath underneath, no great padding. Your fingers should easily go between the ribs, but you kinda have to push a bit. When viewed from the top when wet, he should tuck in nicely after the rib cage, but not more than the hips beyond. Side view should also have a nice tucked up tummy. If you are worried about nutrition, oily fish once in awhile would be a special treat.....mackerel for example. Mine received it twice a week and would do head stands in their bowl to get it all. Each received maybe half a fish....small fish. Instead you could add salmon oil or other oily supplement like Vit E or fish oil capsules. Mine also could tolerate yogurt or kefir (yogurt like product). Some dogs can't. Daily they received a small helping. A few dogs do stop growing height by 10 months, others continue maybe to 14 months. Then they begin to bulk up....muscles begin to form up, of course depending on his activity level. Have you gone through the coat change from puppy hair to adult? |
| Thanks, feeling a bit better already ! His coat has been changing last few months, from pure black to greying through his back. Shedding quite a bit but since he was at the groomers not so bad. Sorry but how do I know if his coat is changing from puppy to adult or just plain shedding ? |
They all feel like bones beneath the hair when they are puppies.  But you should be able to feel the ribs just undr the skin as adults. My dogs are fatsos and it is not good. I think your weight is perfect. And this is your first sheepdog? Welcome to our world! Glad you are on this forum. So much great in info here! |
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