Puppy changes?!

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brindledog
Puppy
Posts: 94
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2016 9:04 am
Tell us about yourself: I love Shepherds- German, Dutch and Belgian. I recently lost my 16.5 y/o GSD mix and was hoping to find a GSD or DS mix. I totally lucked out in finding Grendel, a DS/GSD mix at 9.5 weeks old. She was filthy and flea-ridden, but still the cutest, craziest thing ever. She's going to live up to her name! First dog I've had that I've actually seen the parents and definitely know what she is!

Puppy changes?!

Post by brindledog »

Grendel has not grown at all in the week I've had her. Not a bit. Tiny at 10.5 weeks. I'm starting to think a pomeranian got into the yard when Grendel's mother was pregnant...

But though she hasn't seemed to grow at all, I have noticed that her fur is already changing. I swear it's gotten gotten more red on top and lightening on her chest. What's more, though her stripes were barely discernible when I first saw her (partly due to the heavy filth in which she was covered), it seems like they are becoming even more noticeable than when I first bathed her.

She is so damn cute but I think she's going to be quite the looker as an adult. I just hope the GSD I saw was really her father!!

Lisa
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cordeliandemon
Training Dog
Posts: 284
Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2014 4:35 am
Tell us about yourself: owner of a male Dutch Shepherd and female Alaskan Malamute
Location: Ireland

Re: Puppy changes?!

Post by cordeliandemon »

A week is an extremely short amount of time, and if you're using a human bathroom scales to try and weigh her it's not going to be sensitive enough to detect such small changes in a puppy like the scales at a vet can.
I'd try to scale back the paranoia about weight at this stage, she'll be fine and from the photos I've seen she'sgot zero Pomeranian in her. If you're feeding dry puppy kibble just make sure you're following the instructions and feeding the correct amount for her age and/or vague possible adult weight depending on which system the manufacturer uses(I recall you saying you were trying not to feed too much). Also no intense exercise for long periods at her age if that could be burning off all the energy, it's not good on growing joints.
All in all just try to chill:) and as for adult weight I'd look more at her mums weight range as dogs are sexually dismorphic and the males are usually larger than females(though there are flukes, my malamute koda grew to be taller and larger than both her parents)
Sadhbh (pronounced "Sive", its an irish name) -
Demon (dutch shepherd)
Koda (alaskan malamute)
Sidney (collie/springer spaniel)- R.I.P
Mark77
Training Dog
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Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2012 6:19 am
Tell us about yourself: Own a Mal and a Dutchie.

Re: Puppy changes?!

Post by Mark77 »

They'll get leaned out as they grow but for now your dog should be a plump little thing with stubby legs at that age. Add some cooked pork loin, brown rice and sweet potatoes to the feeding regiment if you want to it to put on some weight.
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brindledog
Puppy
Posts: 94
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2016 9:04 am
Tell us about yourself: I love Shepherds- German, Dutch and Belgian. I recently lost my 16.5 y/o GSD mix and was hoping to find a GSD or DS mix. I totally lucked out in finding Grendel, a DS/GSD mix at 9.5 weeks old. She was filthy and flea-ridden, but still the cutest, craziest thing ever. She's going to live up to her name! First dog I've had that I've actually seen the parents and definitely know what she is!

Re: Puppy changes?!

Post by brindledog »

Well Grendel is now almost 15 weeks and just over 25 lbs. So she is definitely growing! I am hoping she hits at least 60lbs as an adult. Right now it's hard to tell, but her mom was at least 55 and her dad at least 75, so seems like 60-65 would make sense.
I really hope the chronic tape worms she's had has not compromised her early growth period. Those damn things have been very, very persistent despite different wormers and diligent anti-flea measures.
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