Beefing up a scrawny collie

[Sylverfly]

So no matter what I feed my rough collie River he never seems to gain weight. He was just wormed twice recently actually, and seems fine he is a very energetic guy. He's a picky eater to say the least I've tried high quality dog food and grain free brands turns up his nose and refuses to eat it. Tried a homemade diet and all he does is pick the meat out and eat it...I don't feel like he should eat just meat since over the years that dogs have lived with man they have become slightly omnivorous...at least that’s what the vets and scientist will tell you and I tend to agree, plus eating just meat makes him gassy. I'm currently feeding him a high protein and high fat dog food dry in the afternoon and evening. In the morning he gets a large can of wet food. He always eats and he looks healthy but when you pet, lift, or bathe him he looks like I never feed him. He's a year and almost a half old and unaltered. Do you think he'll fill out as he ages? Any recommendations on something I can feed him as a supplement to help him put on a little weight. He also gets an omega 3 rich fresh egg every morning as well...cooked of course.

Heres a pic of my River boy, he is very fuzzy:

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Completely off topic, but you have my future dog at your house!

 

[dainerra]

At 1 1/2 he' still a teenager and will keep bulkimg up until he is at least 2.

It's hard to tell since he is a coated breed, but he definitely doesn't look too thin. When you rub your habd down his side you sh ould be able to slightly feel each rib. If you have to push in to feel them, he' too heavy. If he feels like a wash board with a huge dip between each bone, he's too thin. When viewed from the side, he should have a bit of a tuck up behind the rib cage when he is standing. I can't cut and paste very well from my phone, but if you do a search for "is my dog fat" you can find some photos to illustrate what I mean.

Most dogs today are SERIOUSLY overweight. It's much better for a dog to be a little too thin than a little too heavy.

 

[ChickInDelight]

What a beautiful dog!

I have always fed Purina dry food to my dogs, and always had healthy canines. My darling, Akela, chose Purina Beneful over Blue Buffalo - and so did all the cats. I filled a bowl with each, and the Beneful disappeared. It smells delicious!

Akela is quite active - he will swim the whole lake behind my canoe. He is peppy and runs daily.

Okay - not in THIS picture.

 

[georgeandmildredgoose]

what a beauty! sounds like you are trying all the right things, im sure he will fill out when he gets a bit older, larger breeds of dogs will keep growing till about 2. if you do choose to neuter him, i bet he will gain more weight.
food allergies can cause dogs to be thin, but there would be other symptoms, which im sure you would have mentioned, but just a thought

 

[Sylverfly]

Thanks everyone and I think my River is a handsome fellow too. He is a sap for the lady dogs though, if he sees a girl dog he follows her around and brings her every toy he owns trying to impress her I guess. He's like an awkward teen boy showing off for the girls. He has good eyes and hips and champion bloodlines out of Di Cambiano and Graceland lines, so I'd like to breed him one day just because I know his puppies would have a winning personality just like their daddy.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

*drools*

 

[EweSheep]

Do not show this collie to my mom LOL! She absolutely LOVES blue merle collies! Yep we used to raise and show them too! I find that blue merles are wonderful, better than tricolored ones, which in our case, were absolutely neurotic when it comes to storms and guns and they would be heck of a quivering mass of fur!

As for fattening him, I remember my mom add cottage cheese and a bit of bacon grease with ProPlan. Beautiful coats. You just have to experiment what works for your River.

I am not familiar with his lines, been out of the collie show/breeding for almost twenty some years. I remember Starr's Blue Jeans, beautiful blue merle b itch that made herself so popular in the late 80-90's. Is River descended from her? As for breeding him, I would like to see his profile and his pricked ears are a no no but can be taught in earlier age to "tip" the ears. Naturally tipped ears are very desirable. Is his ear flaps heavy and thick? Or is it thin? If you are not showing him, it would not matter at this point.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

My question is does he really need to be fattened up? Are his hip bones excessively visable, are all his ribs visable when bathing him? Does he seem to lack muscle as well as fat?

At a year and half old I would, to a certain extent, expect him to be a bit lanky. It's better for his development that he's at a lean weight.

How much does he weigh and how tall is he at the shoulders. That should give the best indication if he's underweight or not.

..and if he's really too thin there are several things you can do to boost his calorie intake.

 

[krcote]

Quote:
Aside from these points and questions, it is medically rare that a healthy dog is ever too thin. If you offer him food, he eats what he wants and is on the lean side... don't stress! He is just a lean dog