German Shepherd 25% weight gain for pregnancy doesn't seem much

In Youtube I have seen smaller dog breed bitches swollen like a ballon. If this were the case for the GSD, then a 67 pound bitch should weigh close to 90-95 pounds at the end of the eigth week I tend to think.

I have seen a picture of a Rhodesian Ridgeback swollen like a balloon, may be 35-40% weight gain, and she isn't fat! May I right that it is a extraordinarily large litter of 10-12 pups?

To avoid her getting fat, ever since the appettie of my bitch has become very good, I have reduced the fat content of her food to just about 20-21% fat. The protein content has been high, about 32-34%. I think she has been eating just 20-30% above maintenance, in terms of weight of food; which is rather less than the 40-50% above maintenance that is recommended in a few articles. I hope the pups will be OK, she certainly is in great shape. Her coat is very shiny now and she is still quite fit.

From what I gather, as long as the birth weight is normal, heavier at birth does not mean heathier for life. Am I right? I have seen a litter of ten having several Champions.

But I heard that at least once the SV stipulated that a dam can only nurse up to six pups. Otherwise the warden will find a wet nurse for the rest of the pups. Am I right?

25% weight gain for pregnancy doesn't seem much

by auntievenom on 02 December 2008 - 19:12

auntievenom

Posts: 94
Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2007 07:26 am

I gained 50% of my body weight during my first pregnancy and at 6 months, I have gained 30% of my original body weight already with my second. My first kid is very skinny now (At 12)....

Ohhhhh - you mean your GSD?? LOL.

As far as maltese breeding, and human breeding, and probably GSD breeding, it is more about the individual than an arbitrary number. We have produced several maltese champions with girls that got huge, and several that didn't. It is more about number of pups in there impacting birth weight than how big mom is genetically pre-programmed to get. I am confident someone who breeds actual GSDs can give better insight - but don't get hung up on a number. I have seen girls worked in SAR up to three days before delivery that were gigantic but still moved very effectively and were no worse for wear. They had excellent conditioning prior to pregnancy though...

25% weight gain for pregnancy doesn't seem much

by PowerHaus on 03 December 2008 - 04:12