GSD PUPPY DIET

Question
QUESTION: I have an 11 weeks old female GSD.  She is slim and beautiful.
I also have two 2 year old Jack Russells. I feed her Wellness Just for Puppies and I feed the Jacks Wellness chicken 5 super mix.  When would you say I should change her to the same diet as my Jacks? Wellness dos not differentiate dog size when it comes to their formulas.
Also, she has a pea size cyst(it does not feel like is attached to anything) by one of her nipples in the lower stomach area. Should I be concerned or alarmed?
Thank you in advance for your advice.  Nilma Hunter

ANSWER: More knowledgeable people switch large breed dogs to adult chow early.  After genetics, keeping a puppy lean and avoiding too rich of a diet is the most important factor in developing sturdy joints for a long active life.  Even the large breed puppy chows can lead to rapid growth.  Usually with Shepherds it is harder to get them to eat enough to hide their ribs than keep them from getting fat.  Slim is good, even tolerating a little rib showing in a young Shepherd.  I am unfamiliar with the Wellness, but as long as it is AAFCO tested, it should be fine.  I haven't seen any credible evidence one way or another on the premium foods except some bad reports on Nutro.  I do know Shepherds thrive on Pro Plan.

You should be seeing plenty of the vet with a young puppy.  I would ask about the cyst.  The vet can far better advise removing it or just keeping an eye on it than I can.  

You might evaluate the Jacks using  http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx  Adjust how much you are feeding as needed.  


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

QUESTION: Ooops, I apologize if I am asking to many questions, you know, when you give the mouse a cookie he asks for milk.  when I change my puppy to the adult formula, do I feed using the same guidelines (measurements) for puppies or do I follow the guidelines on the bag of the adult formula?
I really appreciate your time.

Answer
One problem with ''experts'' is they often fail to realize how much detail those lower on the learning curve need.  My ''Oops!''  Usually I just continue feeding the same amount.  The package guidelines are just a starting point.  In most cases you need to evaluate the dog as I said using http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx and adjust the food as needed.  

With a young Shepherd, it may be more:

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.  Despite growing up with her ribs showing a little, she was retained by the dog guide school as breeding stock.  That is reserved for only the best without any physical or behavior problems.