How Large is Large? How tall is your dog?

[bryant88]

Im just curious some sizes of some of your all's dogs. Height and Weight. Do the bigger GSD have any more know health issues has the smaller ones? I did some research last night and it said the normal height is 22-26 inches tall and 90lbs on the weight. Well I measured Zeus last night and he's exactly 30.2 inches tall and im not 100% on weight. I had him at the vet in Sep and he was 118lbs but I know he has gotten bigger sense then. I would guess he's in the 120-125lb range and growing by the day. I just want to know what health issues I need to look for. His hips was guaranteed by the breeder whatever that means. But is there anything I should look for or anything yall have noticed with your larger breed German Shepherds? Any info helps. Thank You

Here are a couple pics that shows how big he is right now.

[msvette2u]

It's hard to say without some perspective (without him standing next to someone) and from the photos you've posted, but he looks as if he's quite possibly overweight.
If that is the case, get the extra pounds off of him because it's terribly hard on their hips to be overweight, even by 5-10lb.

[Liesje]

He looks overweight to me too but better pics would be helpful.

My 4 year old male is 24.5" tall and 75lbs. He is correct, to the standard, and not considered a small male (as per his breed survey).

[LynneLittlefield]

I have a five month old female and she is 23 inches at the shoulder and 52 pounds.


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[bryant88]

Ya ill see if I can get some pics of him next to my wife. She weighs 110lbs and you can clearly see the dog is larger than her. I guess he could be over weight but I don't really see it. In some pics I could see where he looks fat but in person not so much he just looks really big. A guy down the street has what I would call a normal size GSD and Zeus is A LOT taller like 6 inches and just more meaty but not fat. Im not sure **** maybe he is fat lol. I know he's overweight because everything I can find is telling me he shouldn't be over 90lbs but its also telling me that weight is for a 26inch tall dog. So im not sure.

[bryant88]

So what would you all do to help him loose weight if in fact he is obese? He is very active and I mean VERY. He is on Science Diet and receives only 4 scoops a day. Which a scoop is one cup. He gets two cups in the morning and two before bed. Zeus's dad was in the 140lb bracket and just very large. I didn't think his dad was fat. Just Tall and Huge. Could this just be his genes?

[msvette2u]

Did you measure from the ground to the top of his withers?

Also, if you touch behind his arm, over his ribcage, is there a fat pad there? Most of our dogs have little to no fat pad. If there's big fat pad there, he's overweight. There can be a little tiny layer of fat right behind the elbow on the ribs but that's about it.

If you have to press some to feel his ribs, he's fat.
I'm guessing, on this particular body condition scale, he's "overweight".

Weight Loss Tips for Your Pet | Lakewood Veterinary

I don't like Science Diet foods, we feed Kirkland with great success here.

[bryant88]

Originally Posted by msvette2u

Did you measure from the ground to the top of his withers?

Also, if you touch behind his arm, over his ribcage, is there a fat pad there? Most of our dogs have little to no fat pad. If there's big fat pad there, he's overweight. There can be a little tiny layer of fat right behind the elbow on the ribs but that's about it.

If you have to press some to feel his ribs, he's fat.
I'm guessing, on this particular body condition scale, he's "overweight".

Weight Loss Tips for Your Pet | Lakewood Veterinary

I don't like Science Diet foods, we feed Kirkland with great success here.

I measured from the floor under his foot to the top of his shoulder. Like where his shoulder and neck meet. Seen a chart that showed exactly where to measure. When I rub his side I don't have to push barley at all to feel his ribs. Ill have to check on that fat pad you talk about. Hey thanks for your help I just want to know what everyone thinks and what health problems to look for in the future.

[bryant88]

Kirkland? Where do you get your food?

[msvette2u]

How do you measure a dogs height

You measure across the shoulder, not where the neck meets

Science Diet has too many by products, too much corn and soy. It's basically junk food.
Feed a better quality diet, one that has no corn, soy, wheat or byproducts.

Kirkland is sold at Costco and has none of the above ingredients. It's cheaper than SD, too