Bullmastiff Weight issues?

[Dangixer]

Hi there everyone, I'm new to this forum so looking forward to some help. Have a 9 month old Bullmastiff pup, my first of this breed. he weighs in at 39kgs and I reckon he's okay, if not a little leggy, here's the thing, I keep getting told by non mastiff owners he needs more weight, are they right? He's currently on an arden grange large breed puppy, and Green tripe mix, with the odd scrambled egg or fresh yoghurt treat with steamed veg too. Any help would be appreciated!! Thanks

 

[NeSaxena]

39 kgs.. hmmmm.. about 86 Lbs

Is he otherwise active? Does he eat everything you put down or does he act hungry? Does he drink enough water? Can you see his ribs/spine?

In any case, I recommend a blood test JUST to be sure there's nothing wrong. If he's otherwise normal, I don't think you should worry at all

And yeah, we like pictures here

 

[DeviantDiesel]

I used to have an extremely leggy Bullmastiff male, compared to his brothers he did not fill out at all, plus yours is still only 9 months old! But just get a check up at the vets to make sure And the comment from NeSaxena has very good points there

 

[Dangixer]

He's ALWAYS been a hungry boy but I follow the instructions on the arden grange to the letter. Doesn't matter what I feed him he's never full. Ever. You can't see a single rib or any of his spine. Ill put a pic on my profile if you could take a look?

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

If you cant feel ribs or spine I wouldnt worry too much, but if you are really not happy give him an extra cup with one of his meals, I assume he is on 2 a day? If he is getting fat, seems happier and less hungry then great its problem solved. Sometimes the feeding guidlines arent always right, they are just guidlines.

I have a 3 year old TM and you can feel her ribs, her spine and her bum bones but she is not underweight and definately not starving, I wish she would eat more and i wish she would gain weight but she wont, plain and simple she is how she is.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

BTW I meant if he 'isnt' getting fat and seems happier etc....

 

[ruthcatrin]

If you can't see any ribs, not even when he's moving, then he definetly doesn't need more food. Ignore the idiots who want fat dogs. Ideally you should be able to see just the last rib or two when he's moving, to have him at an ideal weight.

 

[Smokeycat]

Ignore the idiots who want fat dogs.

Exactly. I can't tell you how many times I've been accused of starving my dogs since they aren't round. Besides its better for these big guys to be lean growing up as less weight equals less strain on developing joints and bones.

 

[Dangixer]

Thanks for your help! No he seems PERFECTLY fine otherwise, just like I said a hungry boy all the time. I've put a pic on my profile if anyone has a comment on his size I'd much appreciate it. Also how do you all manage their energy levels at this age? I've read every wear they are not allowed exercise till he's mature physically, so he has ten mins in the garden each day and 1 walk round the lake for 10 mins once a week, but probably due to the high protein in his diet he's really lively. Not in a destructive way, just when he does go out he tears round like a loon.

 

[DennasMom]

I think the "not allowed to exercise" is meaning, no strenuous, repetitive exercise, like a 5 mile jog on pavement. Sprinting around unrestrained on soft dirt and grass sounds like great fun to me, not "exercise".

I just don't understand how you can expect these big, muscular dogs to grow correct muscle density if they're not allowed to use them... but... I'm not a vet or even a long-time mastiff owner... I've had big dogs for the past 15 years, but Denna is our first full mastiff (EM).

I let Denna lead our walks from the second week she came home... at that point I could still carry her so the old adage of "don't walk a mastiff further than you can carry them home" was in full effect.

But, by the time she was 6 months old, she was very happy to take a one mile walk on cool days. She often wanted to pull me along to go faster, so I've gotten in better shape as we've both gained in speed and distance as she's aged. She's 15 months now, and is very happy to go for a 3 mile walk... with some jogging and off-leash sprints mixed in. After mile 3, we're both ready for a lounge chair and a cold pint...

 

[ruthcatrin]

Yup, what Dennasmom said. What you don't want to do is STRESS their joints, but they need exercise. So you limit jumping, and running on pavement, and movements that result in them swapping their rear around quick, but otherwise give them plenty of exercise.