12 Weeks very thin

[KZoppa]

Originally Posted by MN GSD Fan

Yeah I think I am just used to our adult GSD so he looks really thin from the top and then when the trainers and others mentioned it I got to thinking. We'll keep at the feeding schedule we're on now then and let him grow and fill out as needed while he ages.

I'd really take what some other people say with a grain of salt. IME, unless you're going to a trainer who works with the breed most often and have experience beyond just a petsmart/petco two week class to teach basics, I wouldn't worry. Every pup grows differently, just like kids. Also keep in mind that a lot of people associate food with how much they love their pets, including puppies. A rolly polly pup is considered cute but people forget that young joints carrying around unneccessary weight can be dangerous. He'll fill out and grow. Adjust as necessary for HIS growth.

[MN GSD Fan]

Originally Posted by KZoppa

I'd really take what some other people say with a grain of salt. IME, unless you're going to a trainer who works with the breed most often and have experience beyond just a petsmart/petco two week class to teach basics, I wouldn't worry. Every pup grows differently, just like kids. Also keep in mind that a lot of people associate food with how much they love their pets, including puppies. A rolly polly pup is considered cute but people forget that young joints carrying around unneccessary weight can be dangerous. He'll fill out and grow. Adjust as necessary for HIS growth.

Very good point. We'll stick to what our vet says as well as the GSD owners on here. I'll just keep sticking up for my skinny little buddy until he grows up

[Sunflowers]

He actually doesn't look thin at all. He could actually be even thinner. My breeder said that people are supposed to say that he looks too thin. That is when he is at the perfect weight.

[GerMutt]

I may be wrong here (wouldn't be the first time!), but do his front legs look a bit "off" to anyone else? The angle looks quite steep to me...but I am no vet! I know growth spurts do funny things to pups, but I have a friend with a mixed breed that had that angle as a puppy and now she is a big dog with even sharper angles. Again, I am no vet, but it might be something to look into. In the mean time, his weight looks great for a growing boy...and based on his feet and ears, he will be growing a LOT!!!

[Jo Ellen]

He looks fine to me, too. A lot like my Spirit, very thin. Spirit's the kind of dog that I can leave the food down and he'll eat when he wants to and won't eat too much. He actually "pulls up a chair" so to speak and chews his food.

Your pup's legs look so big! I noticed them right away, big boned. He's going to clobber you with those paws in the coming months LOL

He's adorable, beautiful. Enjoy

[MN GSD Fan]

Originally Posted by Jo Ellen

He looks fine to me, too. A lot like my Spirit, very thin. Spirit's the kind of dog that I can leave the food down and he'll eat when he wants to and won't eat too much. He actually "pulls up a chair" so to speak and chews his food.

Your pup's legs look so big! I noticed them right away, big boned. He's going to clobber you with those paws in the coming months LOL

He's adorable, beautiful. Enjoy

Thanks for the comments. His mother was only about 65lbs and his dad was about 90lbs so we weren't sure how big he would get. Everyone notices his legs, paws, and ears (although floppy) and seems to think he'll be a big boy. That's good though cause he has to live with a 90lbs female GSD so if he isn't big he'll get run over

[MN GSD Fan]

Originally Posted by Jo Ellen

He looks fine to me, too. A lot like my Spirit, very thin. Spirit's the kind of dog that I can leave the food down and he'll eat when he wants to and won't eat too much. He actually "pulls up a chair" so to speak and chews his food.

Your pup's legs look so big! I noticed them right away, big boned. He's going to clobber you with those paws in the coming months LOL

He's adorable, beautiful. Enjoy

BTW...took a look at your album and you have a very good looking dog. Fun to see the pictures as he got older and my second favorite breed is the Golden Retriever so its good to see one of those. Our 9 year old GSD grew up with our golden and I swear she was able to train the GSD better than we were. Both great dogs!

[swharshbar]

He looks low to me too in the front pastern's. I had a puppy like that. It took some work to get him up. Walking on stone helps alot.

[Jo Ellen]

Originally Posted by MN GSD Fan

BTW...took a look at your album and you have a very good looking dog. Fun to see the pictures as he got older and my second favorite breed is the Golden Retriever so its good to see one of those. Our 9 year old GSD grew up with our golden and I swear she was able to train the GSD better than we were. Both great dogs!

I need to update my album, I have many new pictures. Thanks I'll do that this weekend.

Daisy, my golden, is a great mentor and teacher for Spirit. It's funny (well, maybe not ) that she has a better recall with Spirit than I do. When I have trouble getting him to come indoors, I tell Daisy to bark and he comes running. I have 2 great dogs, I couldn't be happier

[MN GSD Fan]

Originally Posted by swharshbar

He looks low to me too in the front pastern's. I had a puppy like that. It took some work to get him up. Walking on stone helps alot.

Interesting...this is something I didn't notice, but I am far from an expert on how the dogs should look. So this is a correctable thing possibly? Is walking on stone the only way to try and remedy?