I am worried about my dogs health?

Smitherman · 01-26-2013, 10:06 PM

My GSD is 12 weeks old, I am worried she is small for her age. She weighs 20 pounds and from her back to the floor is 15 inches high. Every other GSD her age is bigger, although the dogs are male. Would it be a big difference between male & females? I know males are bigger but is it a big difference? She is not starved or anything, she seems to be healthy for her height.

Loneforce · 01-26-2013, 10:13 PM

Go by what your Vet says. Jonas was a lightweight at 12 wks too. Now he is pretty big, roughly 80lbs and trim at 1 yr old. Your vet will tell you their thoughts for sure.

selzer · 01-26-2013, 10:13 PM

Yeah boys will start getting bigger. The growth chart says approximately 26 pounds at 3 months (13 weeks). That is approximate. I think you are right on schedule. They have boys as about 5 pounds bigger, but GSDs really vary depending on lines, conformation, etc. So you have a pup that is either on the small side, or growing slow and steady (good), or both,

doggiedad · 01-26-2013, 10:16 PM

stop worrying about your pup. your pup is the size
she should be by nature. don't try to change nature, genetics.
you're comparing your pup to other pups. how do you know
who you're comparing to meets the standard. some dogs
don't meet the standard and so what if they don't.

are you worried about your dog's health or are you worried
about your dog's size?

Anubis_Star · 01-26-2013, 11:45 PM

MANY GSDs are being bred over-sized. a WELL BRED b*tch should only be 60-75lbs max full grown. And a well bred male should never really exceed 85lbs. Small = athletic, less impact on joints, and IMHO can mean healthier.

If your puppy is healthy, then don't worry about her size. If she's THIN and appears unhealthy, that's another problems.

Capone22 · 01-26-2013, 11:57 PM

My female is 7 months 38ish pounds and about 21 inches. At 12 weeks she was only about 12 pounds. Tiny lil thing. But she's healthy and fit an FAST and agile! Just let her grow slow, it's better on her joints!

Sent from Petguide.com Free App

huntergreen · 01-27-2013, 02:08 AM

only time will tell about sizing. slow and steady growth is best. your vet will let you know if there is a problem.

01-26-2013, 10:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Smitherman Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 108	I am worried about my dogs health? My GSD is 12 weeks old, I am worried she is small for her age. She weighs 20 pounds and from her back to the floor is 15 inches high. Every other GSD her age is bigger, although the dogs are male. Would it be a big difference between male & females? I know males are bigger but is it a big difference? She is not starved or anything, she seems to be healthy for her height.

01-26-2013, 10:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
Loneforce Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,394	Go by what your Vet says. Jonas was a lightweight at 12 wks too. Now he is pretty big, roughly 80lbs and trim at 1 yr old. Your vet will tell you their thoughts for sure. __________________ Jonas :Black & Red WGSL D.O.B.01/14/2012... Taz:11/15/99-01/16/12 Ginger:06/23/02-02/13/13

01-26-2013, 10:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
selzer Crowned Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Denmark, Ohio Posts: 20,858	Yeah boys will start getting bigger. The growth chart says approximately 26 pounds at 3 months (13 weeks). That is approximate. I think you are right on schedule. They have boys as about 5 pounds bigger, but GSDs really vary depending on lines, conformation, etc. So you have a pup that is either on the small side, or growing slow and steady (good), or both, __________________ RIP Arwen, CD RN CGC RIP Whitney, RN CGC Jenna, RN CGC & Babs, CD RA CGC HIC (not AKC) Heidi, RA CGC & Tori, RN CGC SG3 Odessa, SchH1, Kkl1, AD Ninja, RN CGC & Milla, RN CGC Joy, Star Puppy, RN CGC Dolly CGC & Bear Gretta Hepzibah

01-26-2013, 10:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
doggiedad Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa. Posts: 12,722	stop worrying about your pup. your pup is the size she should be by nature. don't try to change nature, genetics. you're comparing your pup to other pups. how do you know who you're comparing to meets the standard. some dogs don't meet the standard and so what if they don't. are you worried about your dog's health or are you worried about your dog's size? __________________ "Life Without A Dog Is A Life Unfulfilled" Last edited by doggiedad; 01-26-2013 at 10:22 PM.

01-26-2013, 11:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
Anubis_Star Master Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 723	MANY GSDs are being bred over-sized. a WELL BRED b*tch should only be 60-75lbs max full grown. And a well bred male should never really exceed 85lbs. Small = athletic, less impact on joints, and IMHO can mean healthier. If your puppy is healthy, then don't worry about her size. If she's THIN and appears unhealthy, that's another problems. __________________ ~Emergency Vet Tech Berlin vom Spartanville 1/13/13 Zeke 5/25/07 Luther 2008 - 7/23/12 "Take this trouble from me: Make sure my shepherd dog remains a working dog, for I have struggled all my life long for that aim." Max Von Stephanitz

01-26-2013, 11:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
Capone22 Master Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Southern California Posts: 935	I am worried about my dogs health? My female is 7 months 38ish pounds and about 21 inches. At 12 weeks she was only about 12 pounds. Tiny lil thing. But she's healthy and fit an FAST and agile! Just let her grow slow, it's better on her joints! Sent from Petguide.com Free App

01-27-2013, 02:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
huntergreen Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,199	only time will tell about sizing. slow and steady growth is best. your vet will let you know if there is a problem.

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