Metabolism and doodle genetics

[jenn D]

How much do you think the genetics of a doodle has to do with the rate they metabolize food? Two of our boys are ALD miltigens and 2 have much more poodle in them. The boys that have more poodle seem to stay thin on their diet while the ALDs seem to be a bit thicker and have a small layer of "excess" around their middles. The poodle doodles I have have thinner bone than their ALD counterparts. They all eat the same amount but it seems like the poodley doodles burn it faster.

[Adina P]

I'm sure it has a huge amount to do with it.  I mean you can feed 100 people the same food and quantity and they won't all be equally thin or fat or equally thin/fat in the same places.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

In humans, metabolic rate is linked to lean mass: the higher the percentage of lean tissue (muscle) you have, the more calories you burn, even at rest. Poodles are very muscular dogs, or at least they are supposed to be when properly bred. 

[Kaitee and Orwell]

My F2b, while still a puppy, exhibits a poodle body and thinness. It seems that I can feed anything and everything and he doesn't gain any bulk. You can feel his ribs, spine outline, and hips. Though, you can feel his muscle in his chest and legs. He's a strong 30 lbs puppy... not frail at all.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My multigenerational ALD has a more poodlish body, no fat in the middle, and is not a naturally big eater. He has weighed pretty much the same since he was 8 months old (now he is 6).  My other doodle is a rescue but most definitely a first generation. He has a stocky build and a calm personality and we have to carefully watch how much he eats.  Our Springer who weighs almost 20 pounds less eats the same amount or more.  The Springer burns calories with his anxiety and hyperactivity.

[jenn D]

Nancy,
It's Clancy who is your first gen stockier one right?