Is my dog a runt?

jobe09 · 12-18-2011, 08:07 PM

My puppy was about a month old when we got him, he is now a little over 2 years old and weighs about 70lbs. I understand german shepherds usually take 3 years to fully mature or develop. But I assumed he'd be done with most of his growing by now. We have him in obedience school right now and the other german shepherd in the class is a little taller and a lot huskier than our dog, at only 7 months! We're trying not to let him get overweight, maybe we're overdoing it? Thanks for any comments or opinions.

Here's a couple of links to photos:

IMGP0028 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

IMGP0024-3 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I_LOVE_MY_MIKKO · 12-18-2011, 08:09 PM

He looks great! 70lbs is a perfectly normal weight for a GSD. My dog has been between 70-75lbs since he was full grown.

bocron · 12-18-2011, 08:27 PM

We have 5 male GSDs in our house, 2 are right at 70lbs, one is usually around 77lbs, one is 82lbs and the big boy (to us) is 89lbs.
I think the 3 dogs in the 70lb range are the most athletic and agile and are the size we love.

Freestep · 12-18-2011, 09:01 PM

No, your dog is not a runt--your dog is actually within the standard! That puppy that is bigger than yours at 7 months of age is going to be oversize.

**jocoyn** · 12-18-2011, 09:27 PM

Your dog actually looks very nice. At 2 he will still probably continue to muscle up and fill out some but don't try to put it on him. He will add muscle if it is in his genetics to do so.

My male is 74lbs and I like the smaller side of normal. At 8.5 he is still fit and agile.

jobe09 · 12-19-2011, 01:46 AM

Thanks for the comments. We were worried that maybe we were under nourishing him, or that maybe he was just a runt!

jetscarbie · 12-19-2011, 04:20 AM

Your boy is very handsome.

I wouldn't worry about him. For some reason, the general public thinks GSD's should be over 100 pds. Not true at all.

qbchottu · 12-19-2011, 04:54 AM

You don't want an oversized GSD. GSDs were not meant to be 100+ lb dogs. Feed him only what he requires to stay at a stable weight. Don't try to add on excessive weight. It will cause elbow and hip problems. Genetics determines a dog's frame so overfeeding the dog won't make a difference in the bone, it will just put on excessive weight on a frame that can't handle it. Your boy looks great!!!

mwiacek10 · 12-19-2011, 09:18 AM

He looks just fine to me! My Gunny is 2 yrs old and is about 75lbs. They both look very similar. I'm constantly asking my vet (who's also a family friend) if he's too skinny. She tells me he's perfect! I am glad to hear that they can take 3 years to fully mature or develop.

12-18-2011, 08:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
jobe09 New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 2	Is my dog a runt? My puppy was about a month old when we got him, he is now a little over 2 years old and weighs about 70lbs. I understand german shepherds usually take 3 years to fully mature or develop. But I assumed he'd be done with most of his growing by now. We have him in obedience school right now and the other german shepherd in the class is a little taller and a lot huskier than our dog, at only 7 months! We're trying not to let him get overweight, maybe we're overdoing it? Thanks for any comments or opinions. Here's a couple of links to photos: IMGP0028 \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! IMGP0024-3 \| Flickr - Photo Sharing!

12-18-2011, 08:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
I_LOVE_MY_MIKKO Knighted Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 2,248	He looks great! 70lbs is a perfectly normal weight for a GSD. My dog has been between 70-75lbs since he was full grown. __________________ Mikko GM, RM, AAD, ASA, SJ, SS, EAC, EJC, TN-E, TG-E, WV-O, OCC, HP-O, VerO, NAJ, CGC - 6 year old GSD

12-18-2011, 08:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
bocron Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Milton, Georgia Posts: 1,458	We have 5 male GSDs in our house, 2 are right at 70lbs, one is usually around 77lbs, one is 82lbs and the big boy (to us) is 89lbs. I think the 3 dogs in the 70lb range are the most athletic and agile and are the size we love. __________________ Annette Holbrook www.coppercreekdvg.com- All Breed Schutzhund Club Home of Umarek von Hugelblick, my good luck charm!

12-18-2011, 09:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Freestep Knighted Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,087	No, your dog is not a runt--your dog is actually within the standard! That puppy that is bigger than yours at 7 months of age is going to be oversize. __________________ Luka von Sontausen, CD Vinca von Sontausen, CGC Freestep's Beluga Whale, BWD

12-18-2011, 09:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
jocoyn Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 8,040	Your dog actually looks very nice. At 2 he will still probably continue to muscle up and fill out some but don't try to put it on him. He will add muscle if it is in his genetics to do so. My male is 74lbs and I like the smaller side of normal. At 8.5 he is still fit and agile. __________________ Nancy www.scsarda.org Grim (Grimmy Bear) & Beau (Bo-dee man) Waiting at the Bridge: Cyra, Toby, Rainbow, Linus, Oscar, Arlo & Waggles

12-19-2011, 01:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
jobe09 New Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 2	Thanks for the comments. We were worried that maybe we were under nourishing him, or that maybe he was just a runt!

12-19-2011, 04:20 AM	#7 (permalink)
jetscarbie Master Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 745	Your boy is very handsome. I wouldn't worry about him. For some reason, the general public thinks GSD's should be over 100 pds. Not true at all.

12-19-2011, 04:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
qbchottu Master Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 890	You don't want an oversized GSD. GSDs were not meant to be 100+ lb dogs. Feed him only what he requires to stay at a stable weight. Don't try to add on excessive weight. It will cause elbow and hip problems. Genetics determines a dog's frame so overfeeding the dog won't make a difference in the bone, it will just put on excessive weight on a frame that can't handle it. Your boy looks great!!! __________________ Puddi 11/15/10 Rescue GSD/Golden Whiskey von Huerta Hof 12/20/10 WGSL GSD Wiva vom Drache Feld 2/3/11 WGSL GSD

12-19-2011, 09:18 AM	#9 (permalink)
mwiacek10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Grosse Ile, MI Posts: 281	He looks just fine to me! My Gunny is 2 yrs old and is about 75lbs. They both look very similar. I'm constantly asking my vet (who's also a family friend) if he's too skinny. She tells me he's perfect! I am glad to hear that they can take 3 years to fully mature or develop. __________________ Michele Gunny Sgt von Wind Dancer CGC (12/23/09) Lana - Siamese (12/26/06) Twister - TB Mare (4/14/06)

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