GSD Female Size Concerns

[Wheezy]

Hello everyone!

I'm a relatively new GSD owner (my puppy is 7 months old) and I'm a bit concerned about her size. I picked her up from the breeder when she was 8 weeks old and to be honest, she's always been a very picky eater. She's now 7 months and only 43 lbs. She's had all of her shots and the vet has given her a clean bill of health. The sire was 120 lbs and the mother was about 90 lbs. She's a playful puppy, very loving, and a wonderful companion.

Sometimes she eats like a little pig and other times she just puts her nose up at the bowl and won't eat. She has always eaten at least one meal per day and she's in good shape (not overly skinny but thin). I've tried 6-7 types of dry puppy food (Blue, Nutro, Natures Recipe, Wellness, etc..) and even some of the wet food and every combination of the two. I'm concerned she's not getting the right nutrition and that's causing her to not develop. Am I looking too far into this? I'm ok if she ends up being "below average" size, so long as she's healthy.

Thanks in advance!

John

[Lucy Dog]

Yes, you are... just relax and let her grow as nature intended. As long as bones/ribs aren't showing, she's fine.

And why so many different foods at such a young age? Are you just trying to find something she likes? I'd just stick with one food for now and let her get used to that.

[mycobraracr]

My girl was on the smaller side of the scale for a long time. She is now 23" tall and a lean 60lbs at 11 months old. That is perfect for a female.

Don't worry about it. Nothing you can do will change the size she will be.

[Wheezy]

I was having to try different foods because very early on she'd go a full day without eating. I've been sticking to the Wellness brand dry mixed with Innova wet puppy food...To be honest, I was lost. Never had a dog who didn't like food, lol.

[mycobraracr]

Originally Posted by Wheezy

I was having to try different foods because very early on she'd go a full day without eating. I've been sticking to the Wellness brand dry mixed with Innova wet puppy food...To be honest, I was lost. Never had a dog who didn't like food, lol.

Haha my girl was picky too. Either the kibble didn't agree with her or she just didn't like it. I switched to raw and never looked back. Now she see's her bowl and sprints into her crate to eat.

[qbchottu]

Originally Posted by Wheezy

Hello everyone!

I'm a relatively new GSD owner (my puppy is 7 months old) and I'm a bit concerned about her size. I picked her up from the breeder when she was 8 weeks old and to be honest, she's always been a very picky eater. She's now 7 months and only 43 lbs. She's had all of her shots and the vet has given her a clean bill of health. The sire was 120 lbs and the mother was about 90 lbs.

Am I looking too far into this? I'm ok if she ends up being "below average" size, so long as she's healthy.

Only 43? Hah! That's average for a female that age. My female is 18 months and about 65lbs. That is a perfect size.

120 for a male and 90 for a female is WAY over standard. That's huge. Well over standard. GSDs are supposed to top out at 88lbs and that's for males. Females within standard tend to be 40-75lbs. 90lb dam? Wow...

She is not below average. She is normal. Don't force feed her in an attempt to put on weight and mass. It is better to grow slowly at a good pace rather than packing on weight at a young age. She will top out at whatever she will top out at. Feeding her more won't change that. Large and overweight dogs have excessive hip/joint issues.

[Wheezy]

I would never force feed a dog

I'll leave her be. Like I said before, she's a sweet, well tempered dog. I was just concerned that she's "on par" with other GSD's. I got her from Texas Bigger German Shepherd. See the link for info on the parents.

MY DOGS - TEXAS BIG GERMAN SHEPHERDS

Her parents were Brutus (Beuwulf Vonvargas and Tara Von Gateway).

John