About your dogs.
From: upchic
Subject: Nutrition
Date/Time 2006-10-29 16:34:10
Remote IP: 24.118.213.73
Message
Your dogs are definately severly obese. The average weight of a german shepard is 80-90lbs. A yorkie shouldn't be over 7lbs.
I have a german shepard/rottie mix. I like to keep her below 75lbs (specifically around 73lbs). That is her ideal weight, and she is a tall german shepard according to the akc standards. I have seen some male german shepards that were a good weight at 100lbs, but these were huge german shepards.
My question would be what type of food are you feeding your dogs? The best (ie least fattening) is the plain dry food. The softer the food the higher the fat. Also make sure you are feeding enough. This could be keeping her obese, ie not getting enough so storing all the fat she gets ect. Most dog foods that are sold in your average grocery store are the most processed and the worst food for your dog. I would advise changing their food if this is the case. Sure it has all the nutrients that your pet needs but it is poor quality.
Look on the back of the bag, feed your yorkie the amount it says for a 10lb dog, your shepard 100lb dog. If you bag doesn't go to 100lbs, look at the average difference the bag gives for a 10lb difference then start as the highest it goes and increase until you get to 100lbs. Limit their treats to fresh veggies and fruits or low fat meats, no more snausages (one of them is like a snickers bar to your dog). When the shepard and yorkie get to their goal weights, then re-evaluate. For the shepard cut her back to 90lbs, and the yorkie to 9lbs. Keep doing that until you can feel their ribs. Remember dogs (and children imho) are only obese because we feed them to much. I wish there was someone there to limit my food, make my life a heck of a lot easier.
Both shepards and terriers are high energy dogs. Putting them in the yard just isn't going to cut it. My dog I take her for a 10minute walk to warm her up then I run for 20 to 25 minutes monday-friday, weekends vary. Even that really isn't enough for her. I am saving up for a treadmill for in the winter. When I get one and get her acclemated I'm going to throw her on it for another 20-30 minutes in the evenings. Obviously you want to start out slow for both of them. I would say start but 20 minute walks twice a day. Make the yorkie go at least 10 minutes each time. You can carry him/her if s/he gets tired.
If you have the time/money and a big enough yard you can set up an agility course and run them both through it.
In anycase, my post is long enough let me know if you want more advise and I can give you my personal email address. The other option is to check with your vet, but I will warn you most vets won't even mention weight issue to owners. There are some owners that get really offended and pissed when you call their dog fat, and since most pets are obese vets don't even bother. It is sad really.
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