Size

[Kaz]

Manfred is 4.5 months old today. And he is 44 lbs in the evening (after potty and pee and playing around).

I am a bit afraid that he is weighing less than what the growth charts (On this forum and else where) predict his weight to be. I thought he would be 42 lbs at 4 months and by now he would be 50'ish.

His father is a German bred 110lb beauty. Not fat, but lean and muscular.

Manfred looks big, and he is big boned with the paws of a bear. And his back has the straightness more associated with the German lines than the American lines.

Here is his most recent picture (From saturday).

I am hoping he gets to be above 110lbs. Is that possible?

Manfred is free fed, meaning there are no meal times, but we leave his food in a bowl for him to munch on through out the day.

We are feeding him :
Costco.com: KS_PetFood_Puppy

Some days he eats more than others, and some times he is too busy following me or my fiancee to sit down and eat.

What can I do to ensure he gets to his full size potential? Any diet supplements?

Thanks,
Kaz.

PS: *removed by mod*, dont post to this thread.
P.PS: Yes I am concerned about my dog's size. I want a big dog.

[Liesje]

Honestly I think the only thing *you* can do is not neuter him. Overfeeding him just to pack on weight is, I don't know pretty inhumane. The food you are using looks good. Keep him fit with lots of exercise so he develops muscle.

[msvette2u]

I do not think you should overfeed him and that brand you are using I'd recommend for regular puppies, but I'd recommend feeding him Kirkland adult food formula, not the puppy type, as he's supposed to be larger than average puppies.

[onyx'girl]

Slow growth is best, he is what he is...and I don't know why you'd want a 110# GSD! My 90#'r is plenty big/powerful. I agree build muscle, keep the dog trim and his genetics will give him his structure. I would still make sure you are monitering his intake. Freefeeding can work, but most often a free fed dog will become overweight after the growth period ends. I'd rather use the meals as training time for a puppy, than leave a buffet out all day long.

[msvette2u]

Originally Posted by Kaz

PS: Chelle, dont post to this thread.

BTW...to quote you (and take a slight liberty) from another thread,

If a person posts a story (or question) on an internet forum, then he/she opens it for public scrutiny, questions, discussion.

Best to remember that, and anyone can post anywhere on the forum, unless a moderator specifically forbids it. If you don't like Chelle's posts, maybe you ought to block her.

[onyx'girl]

So if his structure is supposed to support a 90# frame, but you want a 110# dog....is that a healthy dog? His joints won't last. And watch out at 6 months on if you rush his growth, Panosteitis is a painful issue let alone other problems that may crop up from adding unnecessary weight. GSD's are supposed to be medium size. If you wanted a big dog, why did you go with a GSD? A king or shiloh shepherd may have been a better choice.

[chelle]

Originally Posted by Kaz

PS: Chelle, dont post to this thread.

Kaz, there is no need to add these postscripts, as you've done for the second time now. There is a block function on this board, btw. Not sure how to use it, but I know it is available. You might want to take advantage of that. If you choose not to block me, and I have an opinion, I may post it. That is the nature of an Internet forum.

But on this particular thread, I don't know why you want your dog to grow so large. He will be what he will be. Overfeeding will only cause him to be overweight, it won't change the genetics of what he is predispositioned to become.

I like the whole ritual of feeding, so I'm not a big pro on the free feeding of a puppy. I did free feed my oldest two for quite awhile, but the oldest one gained too much weight and now we are working earnestly to get that weight off. (this was also due to medications/health issues that made her very hungry.) Again, I like the "ritual" of feeding time and it is important to me, with an elder with health stuff and a puppy that I don't want to overeat, that I am in complete control of calorie intake.

I can say it is really hard to get weight off of a dog once they're overweight.

[msvette2u]

I agree. Overfeeding and freefeeding can tend to make dogs really overweight (which is unhealthy for dozens of reasons). It's especially harmful to a puppy.

[Twyla]

Originally Posted by Kaz

PS: Chelle, dont post to this thread.
P.PS: Yes I am concerned about my dog's size. I want a big dog.

Do you want a big dog or a healthy dog? It sounds like he has the genetics to be a large dog, so the focus should be on healthy. Keep him lean, keep his mind and body active, be sure he is well trained.

I've got to put my 2 cents in as well on your demands for someone not to post. You don't like or want the knowledge that is shared by someone, like others have said... use block. It's sad that you allow personal differences over shadow what you can learn.

[LoveEcho]

Let him grow at his own rate... They don't tend to "fill out" until between 1 and 2 years, and rushing it will spell disaster for his joints. 110# is fairly atypical for a shepherd, so don't try and force it because that's what you think is normal. Feed an appropriate amount of good quality food, puppy vitamins, etc (and definitely lose the free feeding... It's important for setting boundaries as well as healthy eating habits). You can't really dictate his growth (and does it really matter?) so just focus on keeping him healthy and happy, and cute


Take it easy on banning people from posting- this is a community, for better or worse. None of what was said in previous posts warrants this kind of behavior, and it's extremely off-putting. Just relax.