Little man

[Newfielover89]

Hi all,

So I know that my little guy isn't going to grow as fast as others because I have him on an all life stages food instead of a puppy food, thanks to many of your suggestions.

I'm just worried that maybe he is growing a little too slow. At 6 months he only weighs about 55 pounds. When I look at pics of dogs online, they are all much larger than he is. Am I just over thinking this? I've heard that these guys can grow until they are 3, but I've also heard that they do most of their growing in the first 6 months. Should I maybe give him a little bit of puppy food to encourage some growth? He eats 6 cups a day and he isn't fat.

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

My advice is this: stop looking at the scale. In fact, when you go to the vets and they ask for a wieght, tell them to have a vet tech do it and then look away and plug your ears until they're done. No, seriously.

Then, look at your pup. If he doesn't look emaciated or seem unwell, and as long as you can see a defined waist and feel his ribs without effort...he's probably just fine.

How much did his sire weigh? How much did his dam weigh? Have you talked to the breeder to see how those lines finish out?

If he looks fine and acts fine, he's probably...you guessed it: fine.

 

[fall3n-ang3l]

In the uk, a good quality kibble,there is hardly any difference between puppy and adult,bernie has been on adult for 4-5 months and he's 9 months old now, and you don't want them to grow fast as it's not good for them,just as long as he looks healthy and he's growing nice and steady,I wouldn't worry,if iam wrong someone will come and correct me

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

Also. They do the bulk of their growing in the first year, not in the first six months, so you've got a ways to go yet! I'd rather see slow growth than too rapid of growth...slow and steady wins the race

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

Also also. In the absence of outright deprivation resulting in stunted growth, a dog is genetically predetermined to be whatever size it's supposed to be, basically the moment it's conceived. Meaning, he'll grow to be however big he's going to be. Encouraging faster growth now will only serve to A: stress his growing joints/body unduly and B: make him fat.

 

[Jeannie]

On average a dog should weigh 10 lbs for every month of age. So 5 month old should weight 50 lbs. This is not written in stone. They can vary and still be healthy. Adam was always about 5 lbs over that and Chase 5-8 below. Don't worry.

 

[dreamchaser456]

Don't worry about what he weighs, and ignore all the puppy size posts online! It's about genetics and you WANT slow growth. If he in good shape, right weight by the rib test and acting normal, he's healthy and growing properly. I have one that IS tiny but she's a rescue and lacked enough food for her first 6 months so she is stunted. (She looks like an 8 month old and she's almost 4).

 

[Jentarin]

Bessa is just under that at 5 months, and the Vet said she is doing fine. I imagine you are right on track.

 

[Murphy]

My "little man" grew way too quick and was a tall giant... I lost him at 7 years old after constant battles with his health.. He remained an angel but if I had to do it over. I would wish for slow and steady....

 

[R Taft]

My Yussie is a lean mean running machine at 9 month, I am proud of that. The rescue pup I have of the same age is a lot heavier.i just look at how healthy she looks, lean with a shiny coat and beautiful clear eye and full of energy=healthy to me. I was devastated that my katy grew so heavy so quick when she was a puppy.even though they were fed the same RAW..most of it is still the gene pool, you can only do your best and assist that a little

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

Traveler was the smallest in the litter, but my breeder told me not to worry and she was right. He caught up with his siblings by a year. Granted he is still not as large as the others, but he has a nice proportioned body. He may never reach the 160 of both his parents, but he's still a good looking Newf and best of all, very healthy.

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

Traveler was the smallest in the litter, but my breeder told me not to worry and she was right. He caught up with his siblings by a year. Granted he is still not as large as the others, but he has a nice proportioned body. He may never reach the 160 of both his parents, but he's still a good looking Newf and best of all, very healthy.

I will attest that he is a very good looking boy!!