29 lb Six Month Old Pup

Question
I found your website while searching for weight questions on a bulletin board.  I was wondering if you might be able to tell me how much a 6 month old, male GSD should weigh.  We inherited this pup from a teenage girl and you count the points on his vertebrae.  He currently weighs 26 pounds.  We've had him wormed and he's had most of his shots.  He still needs rabies and his 3rd parvo.  Any suggestions on weight and fattening him up would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Answer
The average weight of an adult male german shepherd is approx 80-90 lbs.  A female 60-70 lbs can reach 90 lbs.  It really depends on the bone structure.  I know some german shepherd males to be 130 lbs and not look fat these are from german lines.  The father of two of my dogs is 115lbs he is a cross of American and german lines.  The German German Shepherds are heavier boned and more squared off that's why they are heavier.  The American German Shepherds are known to be smaller boned and tend to weigh less hence the average of 80-90 lbs.  A Pup around 6 Months should be at least 50-60 lbs and is approximately 2/3 grown.  

26 pounds is way too light for a 6 month old male and this is very serious.  Your poor dog has been through a lot in his little short life.  I recommend taking him to a vet to get checked out.  Be sure your dog is also dewormed and free of parasites which could affect his weight but it sounds like he has been starved.  

The big question here really is, what happened to your dog before, was he starved?  If that be the case, he should gain weight with regular feeding (just make sure he gets all he can eat at meal times) and regular care.  

Even though you are concerned and want your dog to gain weight, your dog also needs balance and a healthy routine.  You will essentially need to rehabilitate the WHOLE Dog and trying to get him to gain weight at the same time.

Just like children, dogs do best when on a schedule and routine.  Imagine letting your children eat when they want how much they want without proper mealtimes? Do you think they'd make healthy choices?  If your dog learns the schedule he will look forward to mealtimes. The dogs learn fast that they better eat when the food goes out or they won't get any.  He may need to miss a couple of meals but it will be better in the long run at least until his weight is up.

The thing with leaving the bowl out all the time, you are really not sure when your dog is eating, and he will nibble here and there.  By placing your dog on a schedule, you can also know exactly when your dog is eating and how much.  You can also tell when he'll need his Bowel movements (within one hour after eating).


I recommend a Large breed Puppy Food until 15 months of Age.  A regular puppy food has too much calcium for German Shepherds and an adult dog food does not have the nutrients and fat content required by growing puppies.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A PUPPY FOOD When choosing a food for your dog keep in mind that German Shepherds increase their birth weight by approx. 70 times by 15 months of age.  As pups, they tend to double their weight each month.  

Your pup will require a puppy food made especially for the needs of a growing large breed puppy and for the special needs of your German Shepherd who have issues with joints and the digestive system.  There are many large breed puppy foods on the market today.  Find a premium one you can trust to ensure your dog is getting the proper nutrients it requires.

I feed Royal Canin Premium Dog food.  It is a good Premium dog food.  I use it with my dogs and they all have beautiful shiny coats and good weight.  With the premium dog food, your dog will absorb more of the nutrients.  

It comes in 40 pound bags and is a little more expensive than others, but my dogs absorb more of the food they eat thus eating less than many other brands. They offer the 40 lb bag rather than the 35 lb.  A small puppy may go through 1 bag in 2 months.

Royal Canin also offers buy nine bags get the 10th free at retail outlets.  Ask Your retail Outlet About this.  (You will need to keep your receipts and the bar codes from the bags you have purchased.)  In the end I find this dog food well worth the price, a very good deal and provides peace of mind.

A Video Clip Regarding German Shepherd Special Dietary Needs http://www.royalcanin.ca/library/files/dog/gs.wmv

For Info on Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy (under 15 Months) Designed specifically for the growing needs of the Large Breed Dog. http://www.royalcanin.ca/products/hn/maxi/puppy_en.php; and

Feeding Guidelines For Pups on Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy http://www.royalcanin.ca/products/hn/maxi/puppy_feeding_en.php

For Info German Shepherd (Over 15 Months)- Royal Canin makes a dog food designed specifically for the special needs of the adult German Shepherd. http://www.royalcanin.ca/products/hn/breed/german_en.php


WHAT TO DO IF SWITCHING FOODS
When switching dog foods, puppies do not tolerate a sudden switch and this usually causes diarrhea.  In order to avoid this make the switch gradually.

Feed 75% old food and 25% new food for a few days, then 50% Old and 50% New for another few days then 25% old 75% new another few days Then finally 100% New.

Remember - Do not feed table scraps.  Never allow your dog to eat your food.  In a Pack, the pack leader eats first and the pack stays at a distance.  The pack is never allowed to eat the pack leader's food.  

HOW MUCH TO FEED
For his age he should be approx 50-60 lbs eating a minimum of 6 1/4 cups per day but he is very underweight at only 29 lbs.  A 29 lb puppy would normally get about 3 cups per day, but this far too little for your dog.  You may need to gradually increase if your dog is not used to that much. If he's getting that much feed your dog 2 cups - 3 times per day. Check the Bag for feeding instructions. Removing the bowl after your dog eats.  
 
When I'm trying to fatten up underweight pups I recommend adding a little warm water to the kibble, mixing it up to make a gravy. Not too watery, or the kibble gets too soft.  You'll learn how much to give after a few feedings.  The dogs seem to love that and are more willing to eat the food with the gravy, do it until he gets on a schedule.  It will also help the pup with his sensitive digestive system. Kibble also expands in the pup's stomach.  So this will help a little with that.  It will help encourage him to eat when you put the bowl down. (he may like it and you might want to continue for a while). The general rule is to remove the bowl after 15-20 minutes.  You should stay with him while he eats to encourage him to eat his food.  If he's still eating at the 15 minute mark and wants more, give him more (that's what I do with underweight pups).  The idea then would be to make sure he gets all he can eat at meal times. (If your dog does not eat it after you've made a gravy, drain excess water and place in the fridge.  The kibble will be a little soft so Mix 1/2 with each next meal. That way you won't waste any)

It also helps to take him for a walk before you feed him.  I recommend walking in the morning for about 1/2 hour to 45 Minutes. The walk mimics their migration for food in the wild where they walk all day sometimes before getting food.  It will help your dog feel that he's worked for his meals and will be more likely to eat.  Dogs are more happy when they get regular walks and fed afterwards.

The exercise is good for your dog.  Walking is a must.  Preferably a morning walk you can add walks as he gets stronger.  Walks don't really utilize calories too much for a German shepherd; the exercise is more mental than physical.  Not only will your dog get an appetite and feel like he has earned his food but it will keep him emotionally sound.  Dogs who get regular walks are better behaved and less aggressive and calmer around the house (utilizing less energy in the end). It also helps with your bonding process. Shepherds are known to be able to go all day long as adults.  They are herding dogs and accustomed to herding sheep all day.  Retrieving a ball is fun for the dog and they consider it play time, it also allows the dog to feel free and to run at his own pace.  It also helps you and your dog bond.  So the exercise I am suggesting is minimal and should help your boy's appetite.

I like to stop after the walk and throw a ball for a while also to get rid of some of the extra energy and allows the dog to spend quality time with you and get a good run and to feel free.  Done regularly your dog will look forward to it.

Weigh your dog once per week (don't weigh too often once per week is good enough).  You can do this by weighing yourself first, then picking your dog up and weighing yourself again.  A little math and you have the weight.

The next question is... Is he utilizing the nutrients in the food he is being fed.  If he is, he will gain weight.  If he doesn't gain weight, I suggested the enzymes.  Some dogs, eat and eat but don't gain weight, their bodies don't utilize nutrients and they just past through the dog.  The enzymes help the dog utilize more of the nutrients in the food.

Adding enzymes to the food helps your dog retain more of the nutrients, but I would NOT consider this unless he hasn't gained any weight after another month.  Some dogs are helped by the enzymes.  It's a powder that is added to the food in small quantities and is available at pet food stores.  It sounds like your dog just wasn't getting what he needed and most likely will not need the enzymes.

If feeding treats don't let the treats replace or spoil mealtimes (the kibble has better nutrients).  Be sure that your dog works for his treats too by completing a command before getting the treat.  The treats I give are milkbones.  For training I give dehydrated liver, Charlie Bears and Rollover.

Your dog will love things to chew on.  Only give your dog large bones that don't splinter. I purchase bully's (bull Penises) at the pet store. They are 100 percent natural, last along time and are good for your dogs teeth.  I Also purchase the large bones filled with Roll over. My dogs love them.

When your dog gets stronger, consider purchasing a bike attachment to attach the dog to my bike without pulling you over.  We go for a bike rides often.  It allows the dog to get a better workout.  Going with a bike for 15 - 20 minutes is not much for a shepherd.  Mine trotts much of the way and walks fast when I ride slow.  Utilizing a bike burns off the excess energy in the shepherd and helps you to exercise your dog faster than a walk.  My dog loves the bike.  And if I choose I can go fast.  When I do that we are like one.  My dog loves it (sometimes I think it impresses her that I can keep up).  Dogs under a year should not be run for long lengths of time.  Only Short Jaunts until after one year to allow proper joint strengthening and growth

I strongly recommend getting further educated about raising a pup and learning how to deal with behavior issues as they arise.

Check out our Help and Info Sections on my website.  They provide information and articles to assist you with raising your dog.  I also carry a K9 Books,DVDs & Videos to assist you to better understand and care for your dog

Sincerely
Gallant German Shepherds
http://www.gallantshepherds.com