New here...feeding question. - Page 1

Hello all,

I just purchased a working line puppy from Germany and am hoping to get into Schutzhund.  He is my third shepherd.  I had a male from show lines that I lost a year ago at 12, and my female is 13, also from show lines.   I forgot how much work a puppy is...WOW!   But it's fun. 

When I purchased the pup, I asked the breeder about what type of food he was on.  I told him I was planning on feeding Royal Canin puppy.  The breeder told me that would be fine, but to switch to adult food after the first bag.  The pup was 9 weeks when I got him...he's now 10 weeks.  I had never heard of this before and asked around to a few of my "dog" friends and they had never heard of not feeding puppy food until 12-15 months.  Now, that I'm on this site, I read the post about Pano, which I had never heard of before, and it was mentioned that some of you are feeding adult food at a young age.  My pup is HUGE.  He is not fat at all, actually thin, but his forearms are large and at 10 weeks, he's 27 pounds.  My original plan was to follow Royal Canin's feeding schedule and stay on baby dog until 4 months and then move up to puppy until 12-15 months.  Should I not do this?  Any input will be appreciated.  Thank you!

I would do what the breeder Suggested. It will be good for a fast growing pup. I start my pups on Adultfood at 3-4 weeks old , my Male had Pano ( Growing Pain) and it is a Painful Situation for the dog, I did my homework and found out to much Protein makes the pups grow to fast and it causes Pano, Put Pano in your browser to read up on it you get very good info out of it. Also You should talk to your Vet about it . But then the breeder knows best.

Defenitely do what your breeder suggested, as doing not so can influence your warranty on the pup. Always stay in contact, send e-mails with pictures ect., save them as well as the ones you received in case you should encounter a problem later down the road.

with the Pano: I am a firm believer that this has a genetic link. Even if you feed lower protein, the pup may still be getting it. I always feed in a way to support a pups growth, not the other way arround as this is trying to slow growth by starvation of nutrients. My last pup had gotten wellness core with extra raw beef and dried powdered milk mixed into it since she came to me at 8 weeks old. No pano, no nothing but strong bones and joints now at 18 mo, not taller but exact 60 cm meassured by a SV judge.

Feed Adult Dog Food from day one, you puppy will still grow to his genetic disposition, without the Pano or HD large
breed dogs are prone to inherit.

That's just what I preach.....................you can take it with a grain of salt.....

 

Screw the warranty!

Do it for the pup, no more than 24% protein or you're asking for trouble...............(From Day One)


I feed      www.frommfamily.com

I think it's priced reasonablly....................

we have our 1st gsd our breeder told us the same one bag of puppy then adult they said so the pup doesnt grow to quickly and he will get to his full size a little slower than just feeding puppy food.

i now feed him adult kibble , tripe and chicken wings and he loves it