Normal Growth Rate For Corgis
I am looking at our little pup, Hazel. He is 4.5 months going on 5 months next week and weights about 20lbs. I do not have the measurements for his mom and dad but mom is definitely a bigger corgi and dad is medium sized. I've included some photos below for reference. The reason for my post is I am concerned with his growth rate. Is he growing too quickly for the breed? If he is, what stress is being put on his little joints that could lead to spine and joint problems including hip dysplasia later in life.
Corgi community, what are your thoughts and knowledge on this subject?
The best case scenario is that I am overthinking it and don't have anything to be concerned about. I figure either way, it's probably good to ask how pet parents gauge between a good amount of exercise given a corgi's age versus what the pup can do. For example, Hazel will still run around and play chase if there's something moving well after 2-3 hours of continuous outside play and swimming. Granted, he is not this active for hours everyday but it makes me wonder how much his body can take without risking overexertion during his puppy stages.
We feed 1 and 3/4 to 2 cups of Solid Gold Hunchen Puppy Food divided equally twice a day. He gets a 7-15 minute brisk walk everyday. The length of time depends how much energy he has. If he played and swam outside the day before, we keep walks shorter the next day. Evenings are mixed with fetching, prey playing with his stuffy, chewing, and cuddling. He tires himself out with the stuffy as he'll fling it around for a good 30 minutes every night! He sleeps an average of 17 hours.
Hazel's is about 22" long. I couldn't get more accurate measurements by myself at this time. Here are some photos of him from 8 weeks to now, 4.5 months.
Hazel's mom, Hera.
Birdie- Hazel's dad. Photo courtesy of breeder, Highland Pointe Pets
Hazel with a heart-shaped nose at 8 weeks.
10.5 weeks with both ears up for the first time!
15 weeks and didn't know how to back out of the wine rack after walking into it. lol
17 weeks. He looks plump here because I fed him nearly 3 cups the day before due to all the swimming he was doing that week. He was starting to look a bit trim where you could see ribs when he stood. He is back at 1 and 3/4 to 2 cups a day now.
This was taken two days ago. He is with his beloved stuffy, Pecan. He has yet to lay with both hind legs sticking out flat behind him. They are always tucked underneath or to the side when he's sitting.
Comment
-
Comment by Michi Michi on July 28, 2014 at 10:00am
-
I absolutely agree! Even if the same kind of questions are asked by new pet parents for the nth time which does happen, people could simply direct them to the page without repeating it in typing. Everyone does eventually need help at one point of another. I appreciate that there are chat for Corgis at all life stages!
-
Comment by Jane Christensen on July 26, 2014 at 7:32pm
-
That's too bad that Corgi owners would do this...a well trained Corgi is important and to ridicule someone asking for advice is horrible. We do try to help others here...we all need "help" sometimes!
-
-
Haha I did not want people to see the photo above of Hazel in the front seat and think it's OK to let dogs ride like that in the car.
Well, I am so happy to be on this corgi site. Members are much more helpful and friendlier here than what I've experienced elsewhere. You would (or perhaps not) be surprised at how some people habitually ridicule new flustered owners for actively asking for help. It's amazing what a little bit of ego can do to full grown adults.
-
-
Good practices such as crating in the car are very important and much easier if you start them right away...you sound like a very good Corgi owner:)
-
-
Jane, thank you for pointing out the large breed puppy food! I always thought of Corgis as medium breed dogs. Interestingly, I was reading some articles on Corgis few days ago and clearly recalled the author referring to the breed as large dogs without legs. Well, all the information is coming together for me now. :)
In case anyone is wondering, we have Hazel inside the kennel when he rides in the car.
-
-
Beautiful pup, congrats. The main thing to consider when feeding a Corgi is that they are considered a large breed dog and should be fed accordingly. This means large breed puppy food instead of puppy food. Large breed has lower protein levels for a food that the dog gets what it needs but does not mature as fast as toy breeds etc. I see you feed a good food but would switch to the large breed version!
Size, Proportion, Substance: Size - Height (from ground to highest point on withers) should be 10 to 12 inches. Weight is in proportion to size, not exceeding 30 pounds for dogs and 28 pounds for bitches. In show condition, the preferred medium- sized dog of correct bone and substance will weigh approximately 27 pounds, with bitches approximately 25 pounds. Obvious oversized specimens and diminutive toylike individuals must be very severely penalized. Proportions - Moderately long and low. The distance from the withers to the base of the tail should be approximately 40 percent greater than the distance from the withers to the ground. Substance - Should not be so low and heavy-boned as to appear coarse or overdone, nor so light-boned as to appear racy.
When given these figures they are at shoulder length and from the shoulder to the back end. Example: Wynn stands 12" at the shoulder and his length is about 18".
Exercise is good to keep him healthy and tire him out:) As long as it's not extreme amounts!
Rescue Store
Stay Connected
FDA Recall
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Recall
Groups
We support...
Badge
© 2024 Created by Sam Tsang.
Powered by
You need to be a member of MyCorgi.com to add comments!
Join MyCorgi.com