Feeding and Weight

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have a female German Shepherd named Shyanne, she is a year and 4 months old and she is 32" tall. She weighs 55 pounds. She doesn't look like she is "skinny" as in unhealthy, but she looks sleek and slender. I have talked to my vet and she says that she isn't skinny that she still has a puppy body. Then I talked to one breeder that said that she was too skinny, then another said that she was just right. I don't think that her build is an issue because she is beginning to fill out, but it seems like she should weigh a lot more. And she isn't a "small" Shepherd, she has a pretty good sized bone structure. =) But I was just curious. Also I feed her about 6 cups of Nutro Large Breed Dog Food a day. Is this enough she is a very active dog, also, is that a good breed of dog food to ensure a healthy body and a good life span? I appreciate your help.
Thank you,
Curious and Concerned,
Miriam

ANSWER: If your vet says she is fine, likely she is fine.  Young shepherds do tend to keep themselves lean and healthy.   Your dog definitely should be narrower at the waist than the hips and chest. You should be able to easily feel the ribs, but not see them. Each dog is different. Standard recommendations are a good place to start, but each dog must have its food and exercise adjusted to its individual needs. Here is a link to a good illustrated guide, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx

Most dogs will thrive on most dog foods.  I think I have read bad reports on nearly every food there is too.  I don't think the premuim foods such as Nutro have any benefits for the dog over the common brands.  6 cups is more than average to be feeding a large dog.  The vet has checked a stool sample and found her clear of worms?  You might try something else.  Anything with different ingredients would be fine.  I think Nutro has rice like the common brands.  You could look for one with potato or barley.  Make the transition slowly over a week,  Don't be surprised if she eats less but maintains her weight.  Although checking  her ribs is the best way to determine what she should weigh, sometimes you see changes quicker by weighing the dog.  If she is near her ideal body condition, try to keep her there.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again. I have had her checked for worms and such and all the tests came out perfect. And she is spayed so I thought that is maybe why she looked so thin. Which leads me to my next question. Is it true that when you spay or neuter your dog they gain weight/can't retain their weight? Also, I have a friend who thinks her dog may be pregnant, (shiz tzu mix bichon frise), she doesn't want to take her to a vet to find out because the prises are outrageous! What are some signs in the physical part of her as well as the behavioral part that she could look for to discover if she is pregnant?
Thank you,
Miriam

Answer
Dogs are often spay/neutered at about 6 months near the time growth levels off sharply.  Their nutritional needs drop with the lower growth rate.  If the owner continues to feed just as much as before, the dog gains weight, thus leading to myth that spay/neutering causes dog to get fat.  Too much food for the amount of exercise is what makes dogs get fat.  There are plenty of intact dogs that ore overweight.  We have raised many puppies keeping them intact to a year old, and they would have been too fat if we didn't cut back on food.  We only keep them intact because they are part of a serious breeding program.  

Females often go through false pregnancies difficult to sort out from real ones.  A vet visit is the best way to tell.  Accidental breeding can lead to other problems needing the attention of a vet.  Your friend has 2 strikes against her.  Breeding should be left to those not needing to ask simple, basic questions. Books have been written about it. Those unwilling to do the work it takes to produce quality puppies should spay/neuter their pets at 6 months.  Having a dog brings responsibilities.  These include giving it the medical care it needs and avoiding adding to the misery of slaughtering millions of dogs every year for lack of homes.