[Jack’sMom]

It’s been quite a while since I had my last GS, so the memory is getting foggy. Jack will be 9 months in 2 days. Just took him by the vet to weigh him and meet some staff( they have had a rash of very ill behaved shepherds lately. Jack was great) My question is: did any of your dogs go through a little slump as far as gaining weight? He’s not too skinny and definitely not fat. Very active dog, but he’s only gained about 5 lbs the last two months. Currently about 25.5 inches tall and 75 lbs.

 

[Sunsilver]

HORRORS!! Yes, he's going to be skin and bone soon! Send him to me, and I'll fix him up!

Sorry, we get so many of these threads... 😁

He looks great. He isn't skinny at all. The fastest growth takes place usually between 4 and 7 months, then it slows down. My female was eating me out of house and home until she hit 8 months, then she started to leave food in her bowl.

Honestly, if people could just STOP worrying about the way their pups are growing, and just ENJOY them! The puppy stage goes by SO fast... 😥

 

[WNGD]

I agree, he looks perfect AND perfectly normal. 75 pounds at 9 months is fantastic, he'll likely end up at or near the top of the breed standard in another year, hopefully no more.

 

[Jack’sMom]

HORRORS!! Yes, he's going to be skin and bone soon! Send him to me, and I'll fix him up!

Sorry, we get so many of these threads... 😁

He looks great. He isn't skinny at all. The fastest growth takes place usually between 4 and 7 months, then it slows down. My female was eating me out of house and home until she hit 8 months, then she started to leave food in her bowl.

Honestly, if people could just STOP worrying about the way their pups are growing, and just ENJOY them! The puppy stage goes by SO fast... 😥

I’m not concerned about his weight. I have been through hip dysplasia with my last boy, so we are definitely keeping him lean. And trust me, I’m enjoying every day with him. He’s high drive, so lots of training and play time. He’s always ready to go and he’s still eating a well as ever. I was really just curious if anyone else’s dogs had a similar experience. If he was closer to 12 months, I wouldn’t even question it.

 

[Sunsilver]

Every dog has their own growth pattern, and each is a bit different. 75 lbs. at 7 months is heavier than I'd expect at that age, but I've never had a male puppy, and he is quite tall already. I'd only be concerned if he started to lose weight.

 

[Zeppy]

For the longest time I referred to Zeppelin as my “string bean” because he was painfully skinny. Family and friends were remiss of how I was “starving” my dog (while he was eating 4-5 cups of high quality kibble a day). Now at 3 I can say he has filled out but still lean, he is a very active dude.
String bean mode:

Big boy mode

 

[WNGD]

Every dog has their own growth pattern, and each is a bit different. 75 lbs. at 7 months is heavier than I'd expect at that age, but I've never had a male puppy, and he is quite tall already. I'd only be concerned if he started to lose weight.

9 months now, +5 pounds since 7 months.

 

[Sunsilver]

Right...gotcha! I misunderstood.

 

[mnm]

If anything, he looks a tad bit heavy to me. I prefer to keep them lean while growing. I want to easily see the last one to two ribs and a definite tuck up in the belly.

 

[Rionel]

I just happened to be going thru vet invoices the other day and noticed that between months 7 and 9, my dog stayed the same (at least per the wts recorded by the vet). Then between 9 months and 3yrs, only 16lbs or so difference. She crept up a lb or so but I've gotten her back to just above 83lbs. The biggest spurt was between 4.5 and 7 months with almost 26lb gained. Spurts and lulls.

14w	27.7​
18w	40.6​
7mo	66.4​
9mo	66.4​
1yr	80​
2yr	83​
28mo	84.6​
45mo	83.4​