My Registered German Shepherd Puppy

Question
QUESTION: Hi There, I have a GSD that is 15 weeks old.  I got her from a registered breeder.  She is very thin and only weighs 13Kg and the Dog Training Club says that her hips are too elongated / angular, with not much muscle tone ?  Her Mom and Dad are both Show Dogs.  Her sister is at the same club and is much stockier and heavier than her ? I am really worried although she is happy and energetic.  I feed her 3x a day with Royal Canin.  The breeder says that she is on the thin side and that is why everything is exagerated by the trainer ?  She does not limp, or anything = Please advise = Thanks a Lot = Karen

ANSWER: ''Note, German Shepherd puppies typically will look very thin throughtout puppy hood.''  That quote is from the Puppy Raising Manual issued by a large dog guide school.  I don't think there are any other breed specific comments in the manual also meant for Labs and Goldens.  While litter mates aren't peas in a pod, it is possible the sister's owner is bribing her with rich food to eat more.  The worst thing you can do is to bribe a dog with rich foods into eating more than it needs. Instead, Put down the dish with what the dog should eat, and give it 15 minutes to eat. Then take it up. Do not give it anything to eat until its next scheduled meal. In a few days, it should be eating what it needs. Continue to check its ribs and adjust the food as needed. This is not easy. I had a Shepherd go 3 days on a few nibbles. I was a wreck, but she was fine. It is almost unknown for a healthy dog not to eat what it needs. Unfortunately, in too many cases, it is less than the package says, and less than the owner thinks the dog should have.  Of all that have seen the dog, I would give the most weight to what your vet says.  Unless he says you have a problem, she is fine.  

The dog guide manual also says switch the dog to adult chow at 4 months to slow growth.  That allows more time to develop sturdy joints.

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QUESTION: Last one, promise !!  Puppy eating all "spikey" plants like cactus and rose bushes !!!  Is this normal as I would have to dig up a lot of my garden if she carries on ? Karen x

Answer
I don't see a lot of it, and don't remember much from my training and reading.  I do know some of my puppies will eat the shoots from the osage orange tree, thorns and all.  Before uprooting your garden, check the sprays meant to keep dogs out of flower beds.  I see the osage orange shoots as no loss.