12 Weeks very thin

[MN GSD Fan]

I see a lot of questions on here regarding weight/size of their puppy so sorry for adding another. Our pup (male) GSD is 12 weeks today and weights about 27lbs which the vet said was about normal. However at training class last night everyone including the trainers commented on how thin he is. From a side angle he looks fine, but top down he is extremely thin looking in my eyes. Maybe it is just the puppy stage, but do you have any thoughts? We feed him 2 cups of taste of the wild puppy food twice a day. Should that be upped? I can provide pictures if that would help as well. Thanks for your time!

[GerMutt]

Hey there fellow Minnesotan!

Please don't increase food intake beyond what is recommended by your brand. My dog was the same way when she was about that age and nearly everybody questioned whether I was feeding her or not...how insulting! But so many dogs in this country are overweight or obese, so it seems that people have started to think that's how they should look! If your guy has a healthy coat and plenty of puppy energy, then he is doing great! My female shepsky is now 2 and people still say she's so skinny...but her vets are always telling me she's perfect. She has one of the most beautiful, healthy coats I have ever seen and plenty of energy to spare (she is the fastest dog at the park!). Often times she's not even interested in her morning feeding or the treats I offer her. If your food is quality (like Taste of the Wild) then he does not need more than what you are feeding. The standard is that you should be able to feel the ribs, but not able to see individual rib bones (you will see is rib cage is out farther than his "waist"). Animals have no need to have excess fat over their rib cage - fat is to protect your organs (and store energy), but your ribs do that job for your lungs. Trust your vet - they want to see fit, healthy dogs. As he grows, he will fill out. I don't know about you, but I was an awfully scrawny kid when I hit my growing years, but ate my ma out of house and home!

That said, everyone loves pictures!
I attached one of Dellah from last winter, although she is still about the same size...and that is WITH her winter coat on! I couldn't find a good body shot with the face included...she never wants to cooperate with the camera!!!

[Courtney]

My opinion is the general public does not know a normal dog/puppy weight when they see it...to them it looks thin, not being fed enough.

Heard it alot when my boy was a pup, hear it now and then as a adult. *shrug*

[Cassidy's Mom]

That is a big puppy! I've had people comment on my dogs' being skinny when they were actually at a perfect, healthy weight. I agree that most people seem used to fat dogs, so when they see one that's appropriately lean it looks too thin to them. Pictures would definitely help.

[MN GSD Fan]

Got it...I'll get top down and side pictures tonight for reference. Thank you for all your comments.

[dOg]

That's plenty of food, ya might check for worms to insure it isn't being hijacked.
You should feel ribs, not see them like the difference in your knuckles fingers extended
versus a fist.

[MN GSD Fan]

Although very poor.....here are a couple images of Bentley for reference.

[KZoppa]

He looks fine to me. You don't want him growing too much too fast as it'll strain his joints. Your pup is in good shape, especially for a gangly goofy pup.

[KZoppa]

For reference, here's Shasta when she was 12 weeks old. Cant remember weight though. Would have to check vet records.

[MN GSD Fan]

Originally Posted by KZoppa

He looks fine to me. You don't want him growing too much too fast as it'll strain his joints. Your pup is in good shape, especially for a gangly goofy pup.

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.