Is your doodle really skinny under all that hair?

[nonnie browne]

My dood Buddy is eight ish months old. He eats well, not aggressively, but I let him eat as much as he can twice a day and it is a good size bowl of food with plain yoguyrt. He still also gets lots of training treats during the day as well. He is in a fast growth stage I know, getting really tall right now, exaggerated by those long doodle legs. He went swimming yesterday at the lake, and I bathed him after and both times he was soaking wet, I was so shocked at how spindly and skinny he is. I wouldnt exactly call him buff and athletic LOL, I would call him a skinny kid. Is this a stage and he will fill out when the growing slows down? When I raised retrievers they were so stocky and seemed to gain weight if they breathed so this is unknown territory. He is considered a large mediun or small standard and is 36 pounds at almost nine months. Thanks

[2da7eiv7vjvht]

I'm so glad you posted this question. Our five month old is the same way! He did not master swimming yet and when we go to the river he gets his legs and bely wet and when he emerges from the water we call him sheep-a-doodle! Too funny! i was and still am concerned with the skinny legs, and him not eating huge amounts of food, so its good to hear that he is not the only bony one out there.

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

If you have some time, look up standard poodle show dogs, you will definitely see the thin leg structure they have, if they are sporting the continental cut. My doodle definitely has lots of poodle in her and has thinner legs than a retriever, she
is 21 months old and her legs have not increased in width, only in height.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Tigger(14 months) looks pretty much like that geeky boy who gets sand kicked in his face when he is wet. Both DH and I noticed his is beginning to fill out in the last month or two, but only a little. He is a great eater, but still growing I think. Roo (21) months looked like a famine victim when he was wet until about the last 3 or 4 months. He is now really getting a good shape on him, although he still could use a few more pounds. He is so active that it is hard to get weight on him, even though he is a great eater. They are both ALDs, full brothers, but Tigger is lighter boned than Roo. I think Roo may finish at about 45 pounds and Tigger maybe about 40 with only and 1 inch or so different in height.

[nonnie browne]

Thanks for your comments. Buddy is a full ALD as well, and both parents and littermates are really thin. I love your comment about famine victim, I guess I am so accustomed to having a chubby dog and trying to figure out how to manage weight downward, it is a real change! He does seem to be growing before my eyes right now, and I know that is normal.

Happy fourth everyone.