Okay, I know that it is important that I do not overfeed my pup, that being overweight is hard on their joints, reduces their lifespan, et cetera.

So I have been using the feeding chart on the bag as a guide for the pup and with the Canidae (if I recall correctly) the portion for his age is 4 - 6 cups per day. So he has been getting a scarce 2 cups, twice daily and he typically eats all of his portion when fed (12) hrs apart.

About 3 weeks ago he started eating ALL of it, no left overs so I started increasing his portion, and he was eating between 2 to 2-1/2 cups at each meal. Since that is well within the 4 - 6 cups per day, I was not concerned.

I recently weighed our pup and he is 63 lbs at 6-1/2 months old. He doesn't appear to be fat at all. Has plenty of energy and I try to exercise him as much as our schedules allow in the early morning and evening times. He is now crated "all day" whether he is at home or at work with me.

While vacationing I met someone that has a 2 yr old Golden Female who is 72 lbs and is on a DIET. I guess she has been as high as 83 lbs. This person told me that 63 lbs at 6-1/2 months is too much weight for a pup and that Goldens are Food Hounds and will eat themselves to obseity.

My pup has great food drive, especially for TREATS (craisins, bones, cheese, apples, et cetera) but typically these are reserved as the "get in the crate" BRIBE. :-)

So does anyone have any comments or facts about what a dog should weight at what stage for specific breeds or even families of breeds? I've looked on the internet previously and found nothing.

There is no set weight that a puppy should be at a certain age, its a case by case basis. My male german shepherd is 63lbs at 3 years old and other peoples dogs are 85lbs and nice and lean at the same age, so its impossible for me to say "well my dogs is 63lbs and the same breed, so your dog must be fat".

Look at your pup, make sure that his waist indents after the ribs and that there is a hint of ribs/can feel them easily. That is the only way to tell.

I have seen people who think their dogs are thin and the dogs are far too fat. The only way to describe it is by checking the ribs. If their waiste is just as thick as their ribs then they are too fat, from above there should be a slight hourglass type figure.

Here's what Natalya Zahn posted about weight on another recent thread. The chart she provided the link for is helpful.

 Quote:

The rib test is a good one, though the exact feel of too fat or too thin is difficult to describe... Skin and coat have a natural thickness, but excess fat will feel spongy between the coat and the rib bones. Visually, you don't want to be able to count all her ribs - there should just be a "shadow" of them, more clearly visible if she's moving and flexing. If you NEVER see any indication of those bones, she may be a little heavy...

Another test - If you stand over her, can you see her waist? Is it clear where her rib cage ends and her pelvis begins - it should tuck in a bit there on a good lean dog.

Here's a link to little chart that shows 5 stages of weight (from too thin, to too fat):
http://www.placervillevet.com/canine%20body%20condition.htm

Thanks for re-posting that Sarah

This also made me feel like comenting on the fact that VERY FEW dog owners (mostly 'pet' owners, though I've seen some overweight conformation show dogs), know what the proper weight for THEIR dog should be (I'll add that I myself am a 'pet' owner :grin . Correct weight should NOT be based entirely on charts on a food bag or standards for any given breed, but rather the look and feel of any individual canine. Genetics of pedigree will give you a ballpark range for adult weight, and food bag charts can be a starting point for feeding, but becoming more familiar with the anatomy of a healthy dog is the most important guide to maintaining a healthy weight.

We commonly are told that our dog is too "skinny" - because you can see a hint of ribs, and he has that great hourglass figure that Mike reffered to... Oscar is 95lbs, ALL muscle and he couldn't be at a better weight for his frame. His sire is closer to 104lbs, but that doesn't mean I need to put another 10lbs on him (yikes!). Every dog is different and the only way to know if YOUR dog is at it's "correct" weight is to visually and physically monitor how much "fat" he's carrying. As whitnessed by the chart linked to previously, there are some telltale visual markers for a dog who is putting on too many pounds.

Louanne, don't ever be swayed by comparisson to 'other dogs of the same breed' - variety within a breed standard (especially for a breed as plentiful as the retreiver) can be HUGE. Your dog sounds like he's probably at a fine weight and as long as you keep him LOOKING good, by keeping his figure within healthy guidelines, it doesn't really matter what the scale says...

~Natalya

Thanks for the feedback, as always. I think he's right where he should be, at the present. And I knew I could come here for some good, solid, reliable information.

I like the Purina Link. That was cool too!

Thanks again to all.