I think the confusion is the color change ..box of chocolates thing going on .. I bet the dog is three monthes younger in the first avatar picture .Just going on the snow factor ........then and now .

Thanks for the answer.   5 months ago this same dog was very pudgy...He looks better now but still out of proportioned.  tail is too short and  he will grow into his legs..He is not finished growing.   Do not worry anylonger . Feed him ,but exercise approp. as we all told you...Don't worry about his pain,  I think he may be over his strain, but still keep quiet for another week....then do as we all said...little bit at a time...work him more and get his muscle tone better...

I can not post pics either. And if I use the styles it wont post period. Spot posts only and leaves the rest in the edit box..Will wait for Oli to get to it when he comes back to norm. Not complaining....jfyinfo

Thank you so much YellowRose.  I'm glad we were able to figure it all out!   *YIKES*

I wouldn't want to tick off my favorite color rose! 

You have been very helpful & informative! 

give it a rest gslover..we got it all taken care of..don't need your getting involved to prove your itch. [Stop right now...no need to post anything about any blue. Does not apply here..stop right now. Please. ]

 What I am wondering about is why all the defensiveness?  NOBODY made any kind of accusations against the breeder at all. 

I also wonder if his is the Bullinger dog and what she thinks of it being bred.

Okay SERIOUSLY - as far as I'm concerned this thread is over.  There has been no wrong doing by the breeder so leave KitKat out of it.  No need to drag up crap from other posts & previous "vendettas."  This isn't the time or place.

Has anyone asked how much exercise this dog gets? If they did i missed it. Lack of exercise could contribute to the weight problem.

He is getting a lot more exercise now that all of my snow is finally gone.  We go for 3 - 4 miles walks in the evening & I throw a ball continuously for him in the several fields we pass.  I admit, some of his weight is probably 'winter weight."  Now I'm more knowledgeable & will decrease the food intake & increase the exercise! 

i bet right about now you're sorry you asked for people's opinions   he's just a very big boy - it's happens - it would explain the lameness & yelping - growing pains - it hurts sometimes to grow that big that fast

    * Height at the wither 60 cm to 65 cm (23.62 inches - 25.59 inches)
    * Weight 30 kg to 40 kg. (66.14 pounds - 88.18 pounds; Midrange = 77 pounds)

if he was 27" at 7 months how much do people really expect him to weigh - certainly not the same as an average/standard size gsd.  fact - you can't determine if a dog is fat by weight alone you need to know his height as well.

not sure you are wanting to continue discussing your dog here after some of the responses you've received - i didn't read them all because some were too off the mark for me, so i started skipping and skimming - but from some i did read i wouldn't  blame you if you went silent.  but if you do want to offer more info:

what is his present height? i'm guessing well over 27"

is he neutered? if so at what age? - when i ran a search here for growth plates i found a few threads that discussed the effects of early neutering if he is already neutered you might want to read those threads.

not sure about the tail, but it looks normal enough to me - i was expecting a tail like a husky or a great pyr but if you're not breeding or showing it's a complete non-issue, certanly not a health concern.

i had a vet like the one you described had me so upset i called my breeder got her into a panic so she ran the rest of the litter to her vet who said my vet was ridiculous - sometimes vets just take a dislike to a person or an animals and can't see straight.

enjoy you pup he looks like he's fun to hang out and play with. best wishes, susan

Justcurious (cute tag btw) - LOL - I'll take all the "good" advice I can get.

He is currently - let me see if I can get him to stand still long enough!  :O)

Drum roll please......28" best I can tell.  My husband isn't home to help me right now.

Oh & yes he has been neutered - unfortunately.  I let the vet @ Cornell talk me into it when he had his teeth worked on.  Knowing what I know now, I never (if ever) would have done it.  Especially not so early. He was 6 mon.  Ugh the frustration of being a rookie!  *Grrrr*  If I only knew....

Oh & I love the pic of your pup!