6 Month Old--Weak Rear - Page 2

You bought a pup that looked like that for dog sports? It looks like he can barely walk? Hope his vet stuff comes back ok but I too would be looking for another breeder and doing some more research.

If the pup is not dragging its legs, chances are that this is just a typical show line pup, which will firm up with time. Under feeding is not the culprit, infact if he puts on weight, the problem may only accentuate (until he firms up). There is not much that you can do at this stage, so sit back and enjoy the puppy.

My Sl pup was up to at least 5 cups of food a day during her adolescence, and she STILL looked skinny!

Just give him time. He looks like a typical German SL. That's the way many are being bred now: steep croups and overangulated, weak rears. He's a long coat, isn't he?

The pasterns don't look as bad as some I've seen, and will firm up with age.

I agree about the size of the crate...WAY too small! If there's some way you can secure an x-pen to the crate, so he has more room to move around, but still be kept out of mischief while you're out, that would be a good idea.

I agree with Hundmutter.  The pup looks more than just underweight, he looks unwell.  He has little to no muscle tone so no wonder he is suffering on his legs.  Please get your vet to check pup over thoroughly for digestive issues etc.

 Bigger crate to start and a good vet check with some blood work. But it looks like the average show dog puppy a little under weight. If you plan on working this dog in the sport you started with the wrong lines. He will probably make a fantastic pet. It is what it is.  Good Luck.

If ShowLine puppies in America often look as miserable as this example, the US has more of a problem than I thought.
UK Show-bred puppies, even undersized, skinny, mediocre-bred ones that this observer has had serious worries about,
usually look brighter and happier than the pup pictured here.  Am not setting out to be nasty to the OP, just can't find any better way to express this concern !!!  Booking prelim hip Xrays etc with the vet is all very well, but as Ambii says, some serious consideration to e.g. digestive issues is definitely in order - and quickly.    Linda Swift.  

With apparently loose ligaments ( even toes are loose), it looks like this puppy is not only underfed, but not enough exercise. Does he get outside to walk and play on natural ground surface a majority of the day ?

Believe me, I've seen many puppies for sale here on the PDB that looked a lot like this one. Other than needing more grub, I don't think there's a lot wrong with him health-wise.

Conformation-wise...well, that's another story.

And yes, exercise would definitely help, but moderate exercise, so as not to damage those young joints!

Yikes!! That is normal for a showline dog??? And, everyone is ok with that..Holy S#!T!! That's messed up. :-(

Sorry to the OP....hope you figure it out. I, honestly, don't know what I find more atrocious...the fact that he is, apparently, a "normal" showline example or the potential that he may have something really wrong with him.  I hope the vets can figure it out and that he will get better.  My heart goes out to you as clearly you love him very much. The fact he drags his hind feet and is in pain when you try to move hind legs really worries me.  I wish you the best of luck and please keep us posted on what the vet says....

Here is what my bitch looked like at exactly 6 months old for comparison (ignore bad stack):

What formula, exactly, is he eating. If you could post the nutrient analysis, I'd appreciate it. Also, what, if anything, are you supplementing him with? 

I had a similar situation with a breeder friend's dog recently. Turns out it was food, vitamin, and lack of exercise-related. Ligaments had grown disproportionate to bones due to improper nutrition. Not enough food, but too many vitamins was the culprit, plus keeping crated much of the day. 

As much detail as you can give, even if it seems unimportant, will help.