Nutrition

GSD puppy — breeder pushing large-breed puppy, breeder friend says adult food. I'm lost.

priya_gsd·10 days·520 views

Koda is 14 weeks, 32 lbs already (parents were big). Breeder sent us home with large-breed puppy. Trainer at the club said "too much calcium can mess up growth plates" and mentioned adult food — which scared me.

Growth chart from the vet looks normal. Feeding 4 cups/day split per bag instructions.

For those who've raised big shepherds: stick with large-breed puppy until 12mo? Switch earlier? I care more about joints at 5 than show weight now.

1 replies

dr_yamada· 9 days

For large-breed puppies, AAFCO "large breed growth" (controlled Ca/P) until ~12–18 months is still the mainstream recommendation unless your vet sees a specific reason to change.

Random adult food at 14 weeks isn't something I'd do without orthopedic input. If you switch anything, switch brands within the same category with a 7–10 day transition — not category hopping because of Facebook.

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