Too Big-Too Fast!??!?!?

[ldpusateri]

My pup turns 16 weeks tomorrow. All I've read is to keep them from growing too fast and keep them lean.

At 16 weeks, Holly is 14" at the withers and 32.6 lbs. She is not fat, you can still easily feel her ribs and she still has the waist indent (even under all the FUR). But she's a solid dog. Stocky. You don't look at her and say "delicate boned". My parents make the joke that she's not really a golden, she's a shetland pony!

All kidding aside, I don't want her to have any problems with hips and joints and things by growing too fast... but how do you slow down a puppy that's growing like a weed overnight?

[GoldenLover]

My male weighed a little less than that, at that age, but my female was only 26 pounds at 4 months. You may want to cut back a little on her food. Ask your Vet. I wouldn't keep her on puppy food for too long either.
http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL137/669548/1096391/21480399.jpg

[KCGoldens]

She sounds about the right size. Thunder is 15 wks and about that size. Thunders is stocky. His mommy is a stocky golden, and is one of the most perfect goldens I have ever seen. From everything I have heard, stocky is a good thing! I bet Holly is going to be a real beauty!:032

[CanadianGolden423]

Hi,

He should be off of puppy food at 3 months...so get him off of it soon. On the contrary, a Golden should not be a stocky dog. It should be strong, medium size, and lean, with a medium amount of bone. Stocky dogs end up looking like Newfoundlands (esp when coupled with that overly groomed heavy show coat) and many can't move to save their lives. Too many are bred for their coat and bone and not structure and movement. :\

Samra

[KCGoldens]

Samra~ hi,
I think we are thinking different things when we say stocky. I think of stocky as a compact, very well put together dog, (Like your younger dog you post pictures of)not a long legged tall lanky dog. If this is not stocky, what should I call it.

I don't want to offend you, I think your dog is very beautiful. I know what sort of golden you are talking about when you say they look like a Newfoundland. I would refer to them as beefy and burly.
Sorry for the confusion in the way I word things sometimes.

[GoldenGirl]

Kally is also very solid - she's not fat, just SOLID. She'll be 3 in July and weighs 80lbs. Some goldens are just solid (though never should be fat or meaty), it's just the way God made them. Like Samra said, they are supposed to be on the lean side - but yet, not like Irish Setters or Grayhounds! :lol

Samra - I agree totally with what you said! :)

KC - Don't worry, I always get misunderstood too! :lol I understand what you're saying! :)

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL60/939661/1749169/21491561.jpg

[CanadianGolden423]

KCGoldens-

I think I get it now. :) The dogs I'm talking about tend to just be large and heavy...I guess you mean a smaller sized, short-backed dog. Short-backed dogs are the best for jumping. Of course, Sallie, who is somewhat long-backed, never has a problem with it. :b

Samra

[ldpusateri]

We were just to the vet this past Saturday (we go every two week-to stagger shots) and she seemed to think that her health was perfect, and her weigh and height were fine. Holly is very high energy and moves like lightning! The vet also told me that she wasn't going to be on the low-end of the female height/weight chart. She told me that Holly would probably end up being about 70 lbs full grown :eek

It's funny, I recently posted on how I was trying to switch Holly over from Wellness Puppy Super 5 Dry mixed with Euk Large Breed Puppy canned, to adult Innova and I was told that it was too soon and "if it ain't broke...don't fix it". :204 I'm so confused.

[Swampcollie]

Keep doing what you have been in the food department, feeding the dog a large breed puppy food. Changing them over to adult food at 3 months of age is ENTIRELY too young.

Most of the studies and reports that suggest changing the pup over to adult food, were done in the early nineties, prior to the widespread availability of puppy foods formulated for large breeds. You should be able to feed the Large Breed Puppy Formula up to 18 months or so, if you chose to do so. Keep in mind that the Large Breed Formula's are not the same as the standard Puppy Formula's. The nutrient balance is different.

If your Vet tells you to switch to the Adult Formula then do so, otherwise stay the course. Keep an eye on the pups physical condition and adjust the portions at dinnertime accordingly.

[lotagoldens]

I agree with Swampcollie,
My guys are on LARGE BREED PUPPY food until 18-24 months. Changing to adult food at 3 months would rob your critter of important nutrients during their most rapid growth/development phases!!!!!

To Samra: Our standard says "GOOD BONE" not medium bone. I personally am beginning to get mildly irritated by your constant referral to "Newfie" show dogs. The AKC standard describes an athletic, powerful well muscled dog, deep through the chest with well sprung ribs, a broad and strongly muscled hindquarters, short, wide, deep loin with very little tuck-up with GOOD bone. (An athletic "hard-body" if you will!)Because you seem to favor dogs that are fine-boned and do not meet the standard I ask you not to criticize those that do. As far as movement....as I watched the 100's of dogs at the Golden Retriever National this year I was impressed by the impeccable foot timing and correct fluid ground covering movement (this in 90 degree heat). It seems to me you are being extremely critical of a sport you have not,as of yet competed in. I show my dogs. I believe they meet the standard, have excellent temperaments and health and I am PROUD of them. It would be much easier for me to stay at home (cheaper too) and say all judges are idiots, all shows are political and all conformation dogs are crap but it is not true. Sorry, I just had to get his off my chest!!!
Lotagoldens
P.S. I just finished my darling girl from the Bred-By class at a HUGE show...no handler....no adds....no politics....just me and my "Newfie golden".

[CanadianGolden423]

lotagoldens-

I actually do not favor a dog with overly fine bone. I do understand that the Golden standard calls for some degree of bone. Perhaps it is the region I live in, but at the shows I have observed (and, contrary to what you say, I have competed and watched breed, including a specialty and also other large all-breed shows) the Goldens are overly heavy. Many of them are also overweight. As a side note, I did not ever say that YOUR dogs were too heavy, nor did I refer to them at all. I also do not think all conformation dogs are crap, nor do I think that none of them can move well. But from what I have seen in MY area, many of them are overweight, large, and heavy. I do prefer a more moderate look, but I don't like a fine boned Golden. Congratulations on your dog finishing, by the way. :)

Samra

[CanadianGolden423]

lotagoldens-
I actually do not favor too light a dog. In my area, many breed dogs are overweight and too heavy for STANDARD. Very fe that I have seen are truly in hard working condition, and many are being strung up to emphasize the side gait in the front legs. I have seen some that are nice looking, and I do not think all conformation dogs are crap. In fact, I have observed, with an expert, both specialties and all breed shows, and I have competed in breed. I never criticized your dogs, nor did I say anything else about them. Congratulations on finishing. :)

Samra

[CanadianGolden423]

Sorry about the double post- computer problems.

Samra

[lotagoldens]

CanadianGolden:
Each time you criticize "Show Goldens" (and you do so frequently) you are "speaking" to anyone that is involved with that sport. I realize you did not mention my dogs specifically. If you are serious about learning structure observing is a start. I recommend attending breed seminars where you can get some hands on (it makes a huge difference)and better yet go to a hunt test or field trial. Watching the dogs do what they were bred to is by far the best way to learn any Sporting dog's structure. My last bit of advice (not that you have to take it) is to stop approaching the sport with such negativity. It is a wonderful sport, filled with great people and beautiful dogs. (For the most part anyway!!;) )
Lotagoldens

[CanadianGolden423]

My intent is not to criticize all show dogs, but merely to point out that the ones in my area seem to have the traits I have mentioned. I also see many nice looking Goldens in my area. I am a member of my local club and have attended hunt tests, WC/WCX tests, obedience trials, breed shows, etc. I have the help of an expert on canine structure and movement, and she has at times specifically pointed out that some of the show dogs were not moving well. She has also shown me dogs that are moving well and have good structure, and I do understand the differences. I truly do not think badly of breed showing. I have defended it against people who speak badly about it. My protest is more against exhibitors who do not keep their dogs in hard working condition as per the standard, and against dogs that win despite incorrect movement. Again, these are things I have observed where *I* live, and this may not apply to your area.

Samra

[ChicagoCanine]

Just a note--

Personally and in my experience it is fine to switch a 'large breed' puppy over to an adult food at an early age- I know/know of many breeders and owners who NEVER use puppy food with their puppies.

There are 'adult' dog foods out there that state in the package that they are 'complete and balanced for all life stages'. I'd probably look for one of these if you're going to use an adult food.
I believe that Wellness Super5Mix Chicken dog food is one that does.

[lotagoldens]

***************:
I will no longer offer advice to you as it seems you already know everything there is to know! I continue to attend every educational venue I can,and learn something new (or am reminded of something this old brain has forgotten)almost every time,but that's just me.
I'm sorry to hear you feel our breed is in such a sorry state where you live. I just spent $2,000 shipping semen from an East Coast dog. (I personally think he, his parents and his kids are lovely!!!)
Lotagoldens

[neusiok]

I have to give a thumbs up to the advice Swampcollie and Lotagoldens gave in the above post. Our lab was switched over to adult food at an early age and she is now paying the price for it. She can hardly get up in the mornings. the vet stated it was do to deficiences(sp?) in her diet due to changing over to early. The vet stated to keep her on puppy throughout her first year.

[CanadianGolden423]

I also did not say that I felt I knew everything. I stated that I was being advised by an expert who was helping me. This implies that I am learning, in my opinion. I also do not feel that all the dogs here are bad. I only said that some of the dogs I saw, including some that were winning, were not moving correctly and that I felt they were overweight. I am a little confused as to why you feel that I am insulting you, your dogs, or breed showing in general.

Samra

[neusiok]

CG423,
Let me offer a small bit of advice from someone many years your senoir. Sometimes it just pays to sit back and listen to what some of these people with many, many years of experience with goldens have to say, instead of always trying to get the last word in.

Experience is and always will be the best teacher.

[KCGoldens]

neusiok~I am sorry to hear about your lab. We had alot of problems with or older golden because we switched food around alot when she was young. (I wish there were forums like this 7 years ago, we had no where to turn for help).

Lotagoldens~You keep talking about your beautiful goldens? Do you by chance have any pictures? I want to see!!! I love looking at golden pictures! (sorry for being nosy) :D

[CanadianGolden423]

My objective is not to "get the last word in"- I don't consider this an argument. I think people have misinterpreted what I was saying, maybe because I have been implying certain things, which are untrue. All I have tried to do is clarify what I am saying, not to argue.

[lotagoldens]

Hello KCGoldens,
I have not posted pictures of my dogs because it seems all their show photos as well as candid shots contain me!! How can I lead everyone to believe I'm a tall, willowy, blonde when posting pictures would show the opposite is true!!!:lol
My dogs are not perfect, but I LOVE them. I have owned animals in the past that I just didn't "click" with. Presently the 5 dogs I own I adore. Although each has a distinctly different personality each is funny, smart, sweet tempered (not an aggressive bone in their bodies)and would do anything for me. They are a joy to be around and I feel lucky to be owned by them!(ok, most of the time anyway!):lol
I promise I will post some photos in the near future. My hubby and I recently took a number of photos of our "golden-kids" playing in the snow.
Lotagoldens
P.S. Now I have to ask you....is your Thunder named after/related to THE Thunder (famous dog)?

[KCGoldens]

Lotagoldens~ I can't wait to see pictures of your golden "kids"! I bet they are all really beautiful and special!
On Thunder: My husband and I had this idea of the dream golden we would like. Light blond, male, looking like the dogs you see at the shows, and I had jokingly said we would name him Thunder! Oddly enough when we started looking he managed to find us! The person, who had spoken for him backed out at the last minute, because he had an injury under his chin! The day we went to look at the pups held for us, (all female) they brought him in and said "you were looking for Thunder? Here he is!" They were right, hes definately the dog we were looking for! :lol
I don't know which dog is THE "famous" Thunder?
We did find out his grandpa was a VERY prolific stud dog with the call name "Thunder"(Faera's Future Classic). We thought that was really funny! The way that dog got around I bet Thunder is related to half the dogs on this board :lol

[lotagoldens]

Hello KCGoldens,
I love your story about how you got your Thunder...isn't it neat how things work out the way they're supposed to? :)
Ch. Faera's Future Classic is indeed the famous "Thunder" I was referring to. He was a wonderful dog! (Yes, he was a very popular stud dog, as was his full brother Kodi). Good luck with your new baby-dog...the fun has only just begun!!!!:085
Lotagoldens

[KCGoldens]

Hello Lotagoldens!
Thanks for letting me know about "Thunder" Its nice to know there is someone famous in the family tree!
I tell you this puppy is something else, hes headstrong, stubborn and very smart, but very sensitive! (what a combination!) :lol
I have to be extremely gently, yet forceful to get any results! :eek
This is a real learning experience for me!
Now don't forget! I am still waiting to see those pictures of your "kids"
:032