Let's Talk About Puppy Growth...(Questions)
Many years ago we used to feed our dogs a high quality kibble made in France. I think the name was Flatazor or something like that. It was a large breed formula with about 26% protein. The dogs grew normally for big dogs. From fluffy round bodied puppies at 2 months to tall lanky ungainly things at 6 months. Started taking on muscular strength and forming at 8 months and grew to 90% height by 18 months and full height by 24 months. They began filling out structurally at about 14 months and continue until about 36 months.
So the keep it simple - by 18 months they were almost finished growing in height with just another 10% to go. They are completely in form and height by 24 moths and continue to mature structurally until about 36 months.
I suspect that kind of growth rate is common among the molossers, mastiffs and bullies.
In 2003 we switched from kibble to a completely raw diet for our dogs. Have not had any health issues since them.
-
I know there are a lot of us here with a vast experience in rare breeds & very rustic breeds of dogs. As you all know, I have a Cimarron Uruguayo puppy that is now 5 months old. I want to talk puppy growth because I have some theories but also want others with way more experience than me to chime in about growth rates in their lines. This is not breed specific questions, just want to know what you all think.
I stay in communication with my puppy's breeder and he was telling me his Cimarrones reach their adult height around 8 months old (in his lines), from there they start filling out. Now, I also know that he feeds his dogs a kibble that is 29/14 (29% protein, 14% fat). I feed my dogs Victor Dog Food Performance blend which is 26/18 (26% protein, 18% fat). I have read everywhere that with large breed puppies you want slow & steady growth, hence why you shouldn't feed high protein foods.
Since I am feeding my Bruno a food that is 3% lower in protein than what his breeder was giving him, does that mean that he is going to grow at a slightly slower rate than what his breeder is used to? Does 3% in protein really make that much of a difference?
His breeder hasn't had any instances of pano in his lines and he said he hasn't heard of anyone else stating that they had issues with that in their lines. Bloat also doesn't seem to be an issue with Cimarrones either.
So, let's discuss!!! Let's talk about your breed growth rates & theories on whether a slightly higher protein percentage does make a difference in growth rate.
Looking forward to talking with you all!
-
I can't speak specifically on your breed. But I will speak in general. The best thing to do is to make sure you are giving the dog some good food, Whether that is a good kibble or Raw diet. You feeding it a different ratio of protein than the breeder will not make it grow faster or slower. That will be determined by genetics. Understand that the majority of a dog's necessary nutrients come from either protein or fat. Protein is the builders. It build all the cells. It build skin, fur, muscle, etc. Fat is used to supply energy, shiny coat, etc. In regards to growing too quickly it is my understanding that this refers to additional supplements like calcium. People think in terms of humans or human nutrition. We need strong bones so we need more milk or calcium. So we know we have big dogs. We give them calcium supplements to help develop their bones and teeth. This can harm the dogs especially larger breed dogs that have a very different growth rate than other species. My suggestion is to avoid supplements for bone, joints, and teeth. Allow them to get nutrients from good sources of foods. If you use kibble check out https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/ . They a non-biased in regards to different brands of kibble. If you choose to feed Raw make sure you do the research and get a good plan. It should be more than just giving them Raw leg quarters. It will need other nutrients. We all have our preferences. But you need to make those decisions for your dog. My way is not the best way. It is just my way or the way I think is best.
I learned on https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/ that many of the top well known dog foods that I was taught was the best are worth feeding to a dog. I remember as a child these foods cost more than most foods. They had the big name. Vet recommended them and so did everyone else. Today there are more brands. Even some of them have bigger names, but not always a bigger branding. But you might be shock at 3 of the biggest well known brands and their ratings.
By the way I didn't attempt to put in the brand that you are using or the one that your breeder uses. But you should check them both out. If I am going to use kibble I would try to stay within the 4 or 5 star brands. Also, if possible grain free as dogs don't metabolize grains like humans. They are carnivores not omnivores. They are opportunist too. They'll eat what is in front of them. But their bodies don't digest everything or at least not well. They have a short digestive tract. Things that might give us salmonella will not affect them.
Good luck
-
Thanks for your reply. My breeder is in Brazil, so trying to feed what he was feeding was impossible. :-) What I did was try to get a food that was as similar to the one my breeder was using. He uses a formula with chondroitin & glucosamine. I already feed Victor Dog Food to my dogs (they are rated as 4 stars), so I saw one that had those ingredients in the formula already.
It's good to know that the 3% difference in protein wouldn't deprive my puppy of nutrients he needs & he will still grow to whatever his genes tell him to. :-) I was concerned about that. He's getting so tall & lanky these days. LOL! He's taller than my German Pinscher who is about 18.5" at the shoulders, Bruno is now closer to 20" at the shoulders (5 months old).
I used to feed raw when I was competing in AKC conformation back in the day when my German Pinscher was in his hey-days. I do plan on going back to raw feeding in the near future. Right now, I just don't have room for it in my life (figuratively & literally) right now.
Thanks again for your reply! :-)
-
Many years ago we used to feed our dogs a high quality kibble made in France. I think the name was Flatazor or something like that. It was a large breed formula with about 26% protein. The dogs grew normally for big dogs. From fluffy round bodied puppies at 2 months to tall lanky ungainly things at 6 months. Started taking on muscular strength and forming at 8 months and grew to 90% height by 18 months and full height by 24 months. They began filling out structurally at about 14 months and continue until about 36 months.
So the keep it simple - by 18 months they were almost finished growing in height with just another 10% to go. They are completely in form and height by 24 moths and continue to mature structurally until about 36 months.
I suspect that kind of growth rate is common among the molossers, mastiffs and bullies.
In 2003 we switched from kibble to a completely raw diet for our dogs. Have not had any health issues since them.
