Chubby puppy?

[shelldom]

Sorry if this is redundant, I've scoured the forums and studied all of the various posts on puppies height/weight, and types of food, etc...but we are still a little stumped. Cali is just turning 4 mos old, but has grown somewhat awkwardly it seems. She is getting thicker in the middle (with a little belly) but her legs are growing long and skinny! I would hate to cut back on a growing baby's food and deprive her of proper nutrients, but at the same time, I know there are repercussions to having an overweight and unhealthy animal. She gets an average amount of exercise (2 or 3 walks a day, lots of fetch and chasing the cats) and she's about 11.5 in, weighing 8.3 lbs. Everyone I talk to seems to have a different idea of how much she should be eating. Thanks in advance for your help, hopefully ill soon be able to explain to friends/family why Cali has been looking a little "sausage-like" lately, as they have said.

[missjenneygirl]

Puppies (parts) grow at different rates. Some days they look tall, and short backed, another time they look long and low on leg.

I swear by 2/3 a cup twice a day of high quality puppy kibble with a little water added. You want steady growth. That is why I don't add any canned or extra foods. If they are growing too fast, as in legs are going wonky, I change to adult food, with a lower protein ratio, and add a "Pet Tab with Calcium".
For me, an indicator of growth rate is if the front legs start looking crooked, because the two large parellel bones, the radius and ulna (can) grow at different rates. I also watch to make sure the puppy is not down on the pasterns (metacarpus if you are looking at a picture of the skeleton).

Looking at the front of your puppy while standing, if you have nice straight front legs (looking identical) with the foot appearing balanced under the leg and toes facing forward your puppy's growth is on track. Everyone can learn to observe this in their puppy, and make subtle adjustments in their diet.

[sable]

Missjenny I read your posts and they are so interesting. I think about all a breeder has to think about breeding the dogs. That is why I am a pet buyer.

Hurts my brain just thinking about the vision a breeder has. Neck to long, leg too long, or body to long/ or too short. Then all the testing, and so on and so on to get it right. How to match a pair for the breeding is something too. Me I would look at the bodies and face, or their a cute match. LOL!

I quess with Lil' Lady I was fortunate though she was too small for show. Everything else I love about her. Lucky came from a one time shot, but they really did their homework. He has a gay tail, so never a show for him. LOL!