Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I was wondering. Is there a table or general rule of thumb to go buy for a puppies Age vs. Weight?

I was at the Vet yesturday (forgot to ask him) and he weighed in at 10 lbs and 9 weeks old.

He was pretty plump when I first got him and the first few days and would eat very quickly when I fed him. He has now slowed down when eating.

Also, I have a new picture I took a few minutes ago.

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Matt

He's still adorable. What's with the AR-15? Is it in the pic for a reason?

Walt

Maybe for a size comparison??

Anyhoo... what I've always used is I feed the recomended amount by manufacturer and then tweek that accordingly.

the system I generally use to tell if the pup is in good shape is when he's standing pet him on the sides and feel his ribs.
By general feel you should be able to tell where each rib is, however you should definately not be able to see them.
The feel of each rib should not be overly pronounced either, if you can feel them very easily then he is probably not eating enough and a slight increase in food may be warrented.
If you can't feel them at all then a slight decrease until they are back to the ideal weight.

Now for a still growing puppy though, I wouldn't decrease the food as he is still growing, and like people, dogs tend to get a bit pudgy right before a growth spurt, so if he looks like he's getting a bit heavy and hasn't changed much in size lately then that's probably what is going to happen.

Since you have to bring a pup to the vet fairly often as compared to a full grown dog then will be more then willing to help tell you if your dog is over or under weight. Most often taht's just part of regular check up.

They have weight fluctuations like we do(although I find dogs are able to back weight off much easier then people) and most people I know who keep there dog at a healthy weight are always making slight changes to the amount of food, based on activity for that time of year, how many treats they get in a day and so on.

Great post! Thank you!
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Matt

Well,

I actually did not plan to take a picture of the dog. He just happend to come into the shot and I said hmm..... that's a good pic!
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Matt

All I'm wondering is do you always leave semi-automatic assault rifles lying around on the floor of your apartment/house with the clip engaged??? lol

Actually no, just when they are new, unfired and I'm taking pictures for my Renters Insurance policy (should anything ever become stolen).

I know this is completely off-topic for this forum, but I must throw it out there for those that may be unaware.

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- True "Assault Rifles" are capable of firing full auto, in a manner comparable to a sub machine gun. Rifles for the civilian market are restricted to semi-automatic operation only, in which the trigger must be pulled to initiate each shot.

In 1994, a number of earlier makes and models of .223 caliber (5.56 NATO) semi-automatic rifles were banned by cowardly, incompetent federal legislators as "assault rifles". Rather than confront and address the nature of crime in this country (Duh!- criminals, particularly repeat offenders), these morally bankrupt politicians chose to blame societal ills on an inanimate tool: a household firearm. In an orgy of deceit, frenzy was substituted for foresight and illusion for substance in conjuring up this so-called "crime bill": the "Clinton Gun Ban".

Amazingly, the criteria used by the "Clinton Gun Ban" to classify a civilian rifle as an "assault rifle" was based solely on appearance, accessories, or ancillary features that had no bearing on the firearms function, which included the lack of any full auto capability.

An "assault rifle" was defined as a semi-automatic rifle that had two of the five following features:

1. folding or telescoping stock;
2. pistol grips;
3. flash suppressor;
4. bayonet mount;
5. grenade launcher.

Firearms intended for the civilian market didn't incorporate grenade launchers anyway, due to the fact that grenades and other types of bombs and explosives have been for decades illegal for the general public to own. Hence, the gun ban focused on ergonomic features like stocks and grips, and the innocuous flash suppressor. Modern combat doesn't lend itself to bayonet use, and the AR-15 platform is not really sturdy enough to effectively function as a spear. Yet the inoffensive bayonet mount was also restricted.

To reiterate and emphasize, please note that civilian "assault rifles" were never full auto or select fire sub machine guns, a category of firearm already subject to considerable federal oversight and regulation. In terms of its operation, the semi-automatic action of these so-called "assault rifles" is identical to the action of other countless, and legal, self-loading handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Nevertheless, because of their "scary" military look, many fine rifles were outlawed.

The portion of the "Clinton Gun Ban" which demonized military-style semi-automatic firearms passed into law subject to a "sunset" provision which was to become effective in a decade, unless the law was re-enacted. On September 13, 2004, this truly pathetic piece of legislation expired. No shred of evidence was ever found to exist which demonstrates that the ban contributed anything at all toward the reduction of crime.

With the sunset of the "Clinton Gun Ban", the exact same civilian rifle as a pre-ban "assault rifle" can now be purchased new and legally owned, even though it is possesses the "intimidating" cosmetic features that anti-self protection/anti-Bill of Rights legislators and their gun bigot, pinko buddies found so frightening.

Existing "post-ban" rifles purchased between 1994 and 2004 may also be legally retrofitted with the collapsible stock option, the bayonet lug, and the flash suppressor, while still retaining the handy pistol grip.

Hence, a law-abiding citizen in all states but the Peoples' Republic of California, and possibly some Eastern Bloc states such as Massachusetts, can acquire and own an unregistered, brand new or modified civilian "assault rifle", that really isn't an "assault rifle" (select fire, full auto) at all.

Some feel that deletion of the flash suppressor mandated by the 1994 "Clinton Gun Ban" actually improved the overall accuracy of the .223 rifle. However, for those wishing this particular component, the flash suppressor can now be purchased as an option on a new rifle, or as a retrofit to a rifle purchased during the "post ban" period.

It is also legal to install a "muzzle break" or a "compensator" to the barrel of the rifle should the shooter desire to reduce either, respectively, recoil or muzzle jump. These devices look somewhat akin to a flash suppressor, but function differently, in a manner similar to that produced by porting.

What Americans are looking for is crime control with substance. What they got in the "Clinton Gun Ban" of 1994 was a charade which did nothing to inhibit the lawless. This travesty was rather only another infringement upon the liberties of the law abiding. With dedicated attention by an informed citizenry, hopefully any future debacle regarding "assault rifle" prohibition can be avoided.
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Matt

Very interesting... thanks for the distinction. It was just a very curious photo!

Keep the pics of your pup coming!

Walt

Will do, I swear he seems to be getting bigger everyday.
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Matt

Another trip to the vet today for rabies shot etc.

He weighed in at 15.6 lbs. Thats up 56% from the first trip. Here are a few more pictures from today.

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Matt

Last week: 14 weeks, 21.3 lbs
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Matt