how much food should a 2.5 month old GSD be fed?

Question
hi im a beginning dog owner and you advised me to get a 7-8 week GSD puppy. my family and i are all out during the day and we are out all day. we come home at around 0430-0500. how should we work the feeding into our schedule? thanks.

Answer
A cup each of 3 times a day should be close.  Usually if you over feed a GSD, it will refuse it eat it.  Some of them insist on having their ribs show.  As long as you are feeding a concentrated, meat based food, leave well enough alone.  Check http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx to make sure you don't have an exceptional Shepherd that would overeat.  

I hate to see a puppy left all day.  It would be better if one of you could make it home mid day to give it a break and a meal.  If nobody can, look into having a neighbor or professional dog walker do it.  When the puppy is older, you could leave it at a doggy day care.  We feed our young puppies the first thing in the morning, noon, and dinner time.  After 3-4 months,you can cut out the noon feeding, buthe puppy still needs a break.  

If you can't make a mid day feeding work, try the first thing in th emorning, as soon as somebody gets home, and later in the evening, but well before bedtime.