k2parke
Posts:3
 |
| 07/08/2009 9:57 AM |
|
Wow! I have to say that there is a lot of great information on this forum and, as a new GSP owner, I appreciate that there is a place for general discussion about everyday issues, successes etc.
We welcomed Izzy into our home at 7 weeks. We have had her for 4 weeks now and we could not be happier!! We also have a 7 yr old cat who was not very fond of Izzy at first, but now waits at the door for her to come in from outside and meows in the morning for us to let Izzy out of her kennel so that they can play!!
We were starting to get a little worried about Izzy's size. Although she was growing in length and height, she was not filling out and we were able to see almost every bone in her body! We were feeding her more than what was recommended on the food bag, but still no luck. The vet suggested a new food with more protein so we started that yesterday and we are hoping to see a little more meat on those bones (currently 15lbs)!
Here are a few pictures of our little munchkin!
Lounging on the dock at camp - 9 weeks.
Helping me with my pedicure - 10 weeks.
Queen of the Stump - 11 weeks.
 
And the attack on the intruder (our cat Sadie likes to lie on Izzy's bed when Izzy is distracted)! |
|
|
|
|
caroline_mae
Clemson, SC
MH
Posts:102
|
| 07/08/2009 10:08 AM |
|
| Welcome Izzy is adorable! As far as her filling out don't worry its just the gsp metabolism. Porter was alwasy "portly" as a pup and we had no problems. When we got his half sister we were feeding her 6 cups of food a day trying to put weight on her. Now that she has been spayed she has filled out really nice. So don't worry but just make sure to be on the safe side you have her checked out by your vet anyways for the possibility of worms. They pick them up fast and anywhere! |
|
|
|
|
Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:712
|
| 07/08/2009 10:16 AM |
|
She is adorable! It took me a bit to find a food for Leena (8mo) that wasnt too rich and still kept weight on.
|
|
Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
|
|
|
MurfsMa
Orange County, CA
MH
Posts:280
|
| 07/08/2009 10:39 AM |
|
Welcome! Izzy is absolutely adorable and looks like she will be a beauty! I wouldn't worry so much about the weight. As long as she is eating and and not acting lethargic I would imagine she's probably ok. These little ones tend to run circles (literally) around the rest of us... so they expend a TON of energy! She's probably burning it off before she can put the weight on.
Good luck in the coming months with her! And as you've already found there are some great people on here with a wealth of knowledge on the breed who are super helpful with anything you might come across! |
|
|
|
|
Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6744
|
|
zodiakgsps
NW PA
MH
Posts:1059
|
| 07/08/2009 11:27 AM |
|
| Welcome aboard, Izzy is a cutie!!!!! |
|
|
|
|
carlower1
Kansas
MH
Posts:1253
|
| 07/08/2009 1:25 PM |
|
She is cute!
One thing is that at this age they grow up faster than they grow out.. Keep trying foods, and add a few higher calorie additives (yougurt, peanut butter, fish oil etc) into her food to help keep up with her metabolism
Carrie |
|
|
|
|
pixie bee
MH
Posts:3909
|
| 07/08/2009 1:41 PM |
|
Welcome. Izzy sure does have big feet.
I would not consider too high protein food, it may not be digestible.
Francine |
|
"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
|
|
|
TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2378
|
| 07/08/2009 7:18 PM |
|
First off, she is very cute!
Re food: what were you feeding her, and what did the vet recommend? I am surprised the vet recommended a high protein food - not considered suitable for puppies. Also the calcium-phosphorous ratio is important especially so for growing puppies. That said, I assume the vet recommended a higher protein kibble than you were feeding, so I am curious as to what you were/are feeding.
GSP in general run a little skinnier than other breeds. My Tessa was always a gangly pup, until about 8 months old, when she started not gaining but keeping weight easier on the puppy kibble, and I switched to adult food. She just turned one year old and I noticed she is getting wider. Not fat, just more rounded and strong, and very, very fast running. Definitely a change going on...
So I would say she's probably normal. Also, they go through growing phases, long one week, filled out for a day or two, then growing up, long and gangly, then growing long again - Tessa looked different almost every week!
Caroline, Porter was always portly indeed, and I always admired his mature physique at an early age! I didn't know Tink is spayed  |
|
To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
 |
|
|
k2parke
Posts:3
|
| 07/09/2009 11:44 AM |
|
We started out feeding her ProPlan Large Breed Puppy food and the vet suggested that we try their prescription food and when we asked for an alternative she suggested Science Diet Large Breed Puppy. The feedback from most people is that it is not uncommon in this breed so we will just wait for the day she starts to fill out!
What triggered our concern is that at 10 weeks we met another couple with a 12 week old GSP and although he was male he was still twice her size. |
|
|
|
|
pixie bee
MH
Posts:3909
|
| 07/09/2009 11:50 AM |
|
My Haiko was all muscle and bones until 2 1/2 years old. He looked like a 3rd world dog.
Hormones kicked in and now at 4 he looks like he is married like forever with 5 kids. We have embarked on a swimming program that is doing wonders.
I wouldn't worry about a skinny puppy. |
|
"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
|
|
|
Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6744
|
| 07/09/2009 12:04 PM |
|
My personal opinion is Science Diet is junk. My dogs won't even touch it. Of the two I think ProPlan is the better option. There are quite a few threads on this forum that discuss food. Try searching and read those threads as you might find them helpful.
|
|
Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
     
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
|
|
everbell
Kanata, ON
MH
Posts:2733
|
| 07/09/2009 12:27 PM |
|
It's amazing at that age what a difference two weeks can make. I remember thinking I could actually see how much Bo grew each day while I was at work  |
|
Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
|
|
MillerClemsonHD
JH
Posts:36
|
| 07/09/2009 1:01 PM |
|
Our pup and her brother were as much as 10lbs diff in weight throughout their first year. She is about 57lbs now and he is 75lbs. Not always fair to try to compare a female to a male. People always think GSPs are too skinny bc they are used to looking at lazy labs and goldens. They also tend to think we give them steroids bc of the muscles. We feed Purina large breed puppy with no complaints. Remember they are kinda like people they grow in spurts legs will shoot up, they get a little longer and it take a week or two to fill back out and then it happens again.
She has to grow into those ears and feet!! Great looking pup by the way. |
|
|
|
|
TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2378
|
| 07/09/2009 6:52 PM |
|
I second what Bev said re Science Diet, my dog trainer also thinks it's one of the worst kibbles out there and she works at the vet school and could get it for free or discounted, and she has 13 dogs but she won't touch it. I have a huge issue with vets and their take on food and their constant promotion of Science Diet (it's good for dogs that REALLY need special diets due to serious health problems).
There are so, so many options out there. Of course, you don't want to keep switching the food on her, but it may be a little trial and error to find the food she does best on. Then again, like Francine said, I wouldn't worry about a skinny puppy...unless there are other symptoms (lethargy, vomiting etc). |
|
To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
|
|
|