Worried my girl is too skinny! Need advice.

[Havok]

We've had her since she was 7 weeks old, she's now 1 year and 5 months old. According to the vet and standard GSD growth charts, she's about the right weight for a female. Her parents were not big but not small either, about 85 and 95 lbs. Alice weighs 60 lbs right now and has maintained it the last month or so. Her peak weight was about 75 lbs when she was still on puppy food around 11 months. When she hit 1, we switched her to adult food (blue buffalo). Then we noticed she started to lose weight slowly so recently we switched her to the adult wilderness plan (BB) which has more protein, still nothing. She gets fed 3 cups a day right now and eats all of it every time and isn't throwing it up. Her poop has always been normal.

Facts:

-She's a some what of a shy dog with new people, she can play with other dogs around anyone but just doesn't like to be petted unless she knows you, she doesn't bite at all, but will bark to give you a warning that she doesn't want the attention right now. This is because we didn't socialize her enough.

-She LOVES to fetch using the chuck-it, and shes a fast runner, she fetches about a couple hours a day when I work and on my days off we visits the dog park 3 times a week for a few hours. So is she just keeping a sort of athlete body?

-We also got a new puppy this past August, another GSD we are doing great at socializing/training him but we are also always bringing along Alice to observe and at home they each get equal amount of attention, I let them set the rules but it seems Alice is letting him be the dominate one which he was anyways from his litter. At first, I fed Alice first, then Miles, but she wouldn't eat until he finishes first. Now she eats at the same time since they became best friends.

-She got spayed too early I think, didn't know any better and trusted my vet at the time. They recommended to spay her when she was 3-4 months old to prevent the first heat and her cut will be smaller and heal faster. She came back like if nothing happened but I later find out that it could of stopped her growth hormones from helping her develop fully, that's why she looks small for a GSD. 25" on the shoulders.

I know I can't do anything about her getting spayed obviously but do you think she should of stayed on puppy food until she was 2 years old or is it too late to put her back on puppy food. Let me know what you guys think.

Recent pics of her:

[Jax08]

Actually, early spay causes them to be leggier. 25" is over the standard for a female so she's taller than a female GSD should be. She looks lean but not overly skinny. My girl is 24.5" tall and 62 lbs. Can you see her ribs? I can't see Jax's ribs but I can easily feel them. Once she gets to about 65 lbs then I have to press a little to feel her ribs.

Higher protein doesn't cause weight gain. Higher fat/calories do. You could just increase her food a bit instead of switching her food. And if you do switch, look for a higher calorie food.

[catz]

I have no real advice but my girl Rio is a year and 5 months and still intact but has the same body shape as your dog. She was always on the slimmer side with plenty of muscle. She can be a very picky eater. Her mum was also quite slim so i assume its her genetics.
Im interested to hear everyones take on this also

[Lucy Dog]

Looks normal to me. If she was too skinny, you'd be seeing ribs. I'm not seeing any ribs or hip bones exposed. She looks like she's right where she should be.

[Stosh]

She looks fine to me too. Our last female was about 65 lbs. As long as she's healthy as eats well I wouldn't worry about it. If you think she needs a few pounds I would add a bit of canned food rather than switching back to puppy- in fact, many puppy formulas are actually lower in calorie than adult. But again, I think she looks good and is a very pretty girl

[BR870]

25" at the shoulders is actually alittle oversize for a female. Nothing wrong with 60lbs for a female. Totally within the standard. A female shepherd that is within standard height wise, and not carrying too much weight should be between 50-75lbs. People seem to have this image of GSDs as big, and they were never intended to be.

Your dog is perfect, don't sweat it...

Also, about the spay. If anything, spaying generally makes them carry more weight. She's doing good to be at 60lbs. Try and keep her there. Better for her to be an athletic 60lbs than a hefty 75lbs...

[Havok]

Originally Posted by Jax08

Actually, early spay causes them to be leggier. 25" is over the standard for a female so she's taller than a female GSD should be. She looks lean but not overly skinny. My girl is 24.5" tall and 62 lbs. Can you see her ribs? I can't see Jax's ribs but I can easily feel them. Once she gets to about 65 lbs then I have to press a little to feel her ribs.

Higher protein doesn't cause weight gain. Higher fat/calories do. You could just increase her food a bit instead of switching her food. And if you do switch, look for a higher calorie food.

Her ribs don't show at all from any angle. Glad to hear others have the same sized pet. The wilderness shes eating is just a basic grain free chicken recipe bag (not really directed for a specific breed size). I just noticed they introduced the wilderness plan for large and small breeds bags. I'll switch her to the large breed once this one runs out, same flavor and she never had trouble switching between different blue buffalos. I also might add a bit more into her daily amount, like a cup.

[BR870]

Originally Posted by Havok

Her ribs don't show at all from any angle. Glad to hear others have the same sized pet.

My female is only about 55lbs last time I weighed her. Granted, she is only 10 months, but still I doubt she will ever go much over 60 if that. Her frame is very similar looking... Nothin to worry about

[Havok]

Originally Posted by BR870

25" at the shoulders is actually alittle oversize for a female. Nothing wrong with 60lbs for a female. Totally within the standard. A female shepherd that is within standard height wise, and not carrying too much weight should be between 50-75lbs. People seem to have this image of GSDs as big, and they were never intended to be.

Your dog is perfect, don't sweat it...

Also, about the spay. If anything, spaying generally makes them carry more weight. She's doing good to be at 60lbs. Try and keep her there. Better for her to be an athletic 60lbs than a hefty 75lbs...

I agree with you there. Alice grew up with an all black GSD female at the park. She was a few months older than Alice, she got big and next to Alice, got me concerned. She's about 80-100 lbs last time I checked with the owner. They both love to fetch but Lily doesn't bother running to get the ball if Alice goes for it, she just doesn't stand a chance anymore. lol

Here they are chilling:

[Jax08]

Originally Posted by Havok

Her ribs don't show at all from any angle. Glad to hear others have the same sized pet. The wilderness shes eating is just a basic grain free chicken recipe bag (not really directed for a specific breed size). I just noticed they introduced the wilderness plan for large and small breeds bags. I'll switch her to the large breed once this one runs out, same flavor and she never had trouble switching between different blue buffalos. I also might add a bit more into her daily amount, like a cup.

If her ribs aren't visible then I wouldn't add anything to her diet. Sounds like she's doing just fine. She's just a lean, athletic GSD.