Large/Medium Breed dog?

[Pauline46]

Can someone help me? How do you know if you have a large breed dog? What is the criteria for Large versus Medium Breed dog?:confused:

[brunosmom]

I'm no expert...but my own opinion is :
1-20lb. small
20-40lb. medium
40-70lb/ large
70 plus extra large

any dog that hurts my lap is usually large to XL.....:D the bigger the better for me...

[eilenej1]

Most feed bags identify Large as over 50 lbs. But then again - I'm not an expert either!!! ;)

[Pauline46]

I was wondering because if I get a female collie pup, should I feed Large Breed puppy formula?

[vagreys]

An adult rough collie is going range from 50-75 lbs, so I would. Height is going run from 22-26" - not huge, but medium-to-large. So, whether you classify by height or weight, a collie is probably big enough to benefit from a lower-calorie puppy food.

[Pauline46]

Large Breed puppy food is low calorie? hmmmmmmmm..........why is that?

[vagreys]

Large Breed puppy food is low calorie? hmmmmmmmm..........why is that?
Well, lower in calories than regular puppy food, anyway. The theory is that large/giant breed pups need a diet lower in fat and calories because they develop slower than smaller breeds, and often don't reach full physical maturity until 18-24 months. The concern is that feeding a large/giant pup regular puppy food may cause it to be overweight and may lead to skeletal/joint problems as it grows - basically that it will grow too fast. So the large breed puppy foods offer lower fat and calories, and typically include supplements for joint health. I don't know if anyone has actually studied whether administering glucosamine and chondroitin has any effect in puppies (it sounds like a marketing gimic, to me).

I feed our pup a large breed puppy food because the vet recommended it, and because Greyhounds do better on a lower fat diet.

[City girl]

I'm no expert...but my own opinion is :
1-20lb. small
20-40lb. medium
40-70lb/ large
70 plus extra large

any dog that hurts my lap is usually large to XL.....:D the bigger the better
for me...
Kip weighs 68 poundsThe bigger the better for me to!

[dlambertz]

I was wondering because if I get a female collie pup, should I feed Large Breed puppy formula?
I have always been told to feed a high quality food and skip the puppy part :) You do not want to encourage rapid growth in large and giant breed puppies.

[Pauline46]

I have always been told to feed a high quality food and skip the puppy part :) You do not want to encourage rapid growth in large and giant breed puppies.

Okay, now I am thoroughly confused! :confused: LOL:laughingsmiley:

[KatzNK9]

Not sure if I'll actually be adding to the confusion or not ... I'd consider a Collie to be a large breed dog as far as food is concerned. I've got a golden retriever pup (similar in size & weight to a collie) & have him on Large Breed Puppy food.

I've always understood the lower calorie & lower fat to help a large dog grow at a more consistent pace, helping control growth spurts will lessen stress on bones & joints.

My vote is ... Collie = large breed puppy food (but I'm not a nutrition expert ... just do the best I can)

[dlambertz]

I did a lot of research and talked to a lot of breeders when we did our latest rescue. I am not going to tell you that you can only feed a certain brand of food. We can debate foods forever and no one will ever agree. Find yourself a good dogfood that starts with a meat meal base and go from there.
Here is an article that you can read to get you on the right track. And no I personally do not feed this food though I think it is a good choice.
http://www.royalcanin.us/articles/nutritionlargebreedpuppies.html

[Jake2006]

Oh Pauline - are you - getting a puppy? I'm green as kryptonite with jealousy! I'm sure I'm teaching my grannie how to suck eggs but up to 6 months of age the general feeding guide is the same for nearly all puppies. The next period of growth needs to be carefully controlled to provide a healthy future. Smaller breeds develop to adult weight more rapidly than larger breeds, and their energy requirements will reduce at an earlier age. At this stage the puppies rib cage should still be visible, but with a slightly thicker layer of fat. Their overall condition should be closely monitored as this is also the time when the puppies are most efficient at converting energy to fat.

With large and giant breeds the difference between appetite and requirement is vast and therefore there is more chance of these breeds becoming obese. This can be accentuated by owners wrongly believing a rapidly growing puppy is healthy and then fed more than is required. Excessive growth at this stage may also lead to bone abnormalities. Exercise is important, but should not be instigated too early or too vigorously. As a general rule a puppy should be fed 4 x daily for the first third of its growth to adult size. 3 x daily for the middle third and 2 x daily for the remaining third and probably for the rest of its life.

[sheplovr]

Hi Pauline,
I have jumped all over the replies, sorry not time today have alot to do.
Shepherds are Medium sized dogs. I personally apply Large breeds to St. Bermards, Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, etc. I would place the collie in Medium size as I owned one named Bridget, loved her and she was certainly not a Large breed.
The large breed are the very large dogs one can certainly tell the difference and in feeding regardless I use Large Breed Food so as not to out grow my Shepherds tooooo fast. So, in feeding it does not mean so much as to the size as to how fast you want to care for your pet. Feed it slower to not have joint, hip, bone problems. Know what I am saying, Hope so honey????? Any questions ask me anytime. I am always hanging around someplace here, lol. Have a Wonderful Day honey.

[Pauline46]

Here is an article that you can read to get you on the right track. And no I personally do not feed this food though I think it is a good choice.
http://www.royalcanin.us/articles/nutritionlargebreedpuppies.html

Thank you, I have read the same things in other articles. I think I have made a good choice with the large breed puppy formula. I am using the eagle brand. Did you know that Eagle also has a large breed puppy formula that is Holistic? I wonder which would be better? :D :rolleyes:

[Pauline46]

Not sure if I'll actually be adding to the confusion or not ... I'd consider a Collie to be a large breed dog as far as food is concerned. I've got a golden retriever pup (similar in size & weight to a collie) & have him on Large Breed Puppy food.

I've always understood the lower calorie & lower fat to help a large dog grow at a more consistent pace, helping control growth spurts will lessen stress on bones & joints.

My vote is ... Collie = large breed puppy food (but I'm not a nutrition expert ... just do the best I can)


Thanks for the input.....;)

[Pauline46]

Oh Pauline - are you - getting a puppy? .

Lol......no I'm not getting a puppy, I got one!! Ha ha ha ....:D She just turned 12 weeks.

Thank you for all that good information. I told my Vet what I am feeding her and he said keep her on it until she is 18 months old. Sounds about right, from all I have heard or researched.

Thanks for the input....;)

[Pauline46]

Any questions ask me anytime. I am always hanging around someplace here, lol. Have a Wonderful Day honey.

Thanks Sheplovr! You are helpful as always! ;)

[vagreys]

...Did you know that Eagle also has a large breed puppy formula that is Holistic? I wonder which would be better? :D :rolleyes:
If you can afford the Eagle Pack Holistic, I've heard nothing but rave reviews. As the number of hounds in my house has grown, and with fosters all the time, I simply can't afford the super-premium foods for everyone. I'm moving more and more toward a homemade diet, where I can control the cost and quality, supplemented by some good quality kibble. Slowly moving back toward an improved version of what racing Greyhounds are raised on.

[sheplovr]

Listen Sweetheart beautiful lady, just feed large breed puppy brand Eagle Pack is great. Add an egg a week, come yogurt plain, cottage cheese as a treat into the food only. Do not give human food thrown from the table or we get into trouble. Keep your new loved one on a dog diet with treats suggested above by me, also a RAW beef soup bone bought in the beef department in the grocery store good for teeth n gums. I am beginning to get really upset with the junk sold at pet stores. Pig ears, rawhides, etc are deadly I know as I nearly lost a Boston Terrrier years back and had just learned the Hymic thingy and it worked and saved him. I do all I can for my dogs and my friends. Also, a great tonic for dogs is a tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar daily either in food or water, dogs love it and good for us oldies, me I am referring to with Arthritis for aches n pains to drink with water or juice, truly helps no kidding. Great for dogs, hot spots, dab on with cotton ball, itching, stops it, nice coat you betcha, just a good home remedy harmless to the pet or us to take for cures or help needed for what is hurting me or my pets. Bless your Heart honey and stay well, love your new friend.:D