My almost 5mo puppy is slightly down in his pasterns. Fed on JWB as he had flaky skin on RC. What exercise/diet wise can i do to improve them. Also he has a slight bold patch on his face where in a bit of rough play he got caught by one of the others and it scabbed over (not a puncture just a graze). Size of 20p piece, took ages to heal no infection and now the hair will take ages to grow back. Any supplements i can use as he will be shown when he becomes of age.

Louise

As far as the pasterns are concerned it seems to be a common problem with giant dogs, can only think that keeping the weight well within reason whilst the pup is growing and restricting exercise may help the pasterns but not the muscle conditioning.

When it comes to the scar I would not worry no judge will worry about that unless it looks like demodetic mange.

Hes a French Bulldog, and the scabs just come off, do you think it will scar?

So Sorry that's what comes of looking a avatars and names thought it was a DDB - in which case forget what I said and go for lead walking up and down hills if possible, not too much but start with a few minutes and increase slowly.

If the hair follicles were removed in the accident then the coat may not return as it was but you will get some regrowth but if it was only the surface it will return to normal although it may not be the same colour, either way it should not be a problem in the ring particularly with a male.

Sorry should have put breed first

He gets an off lead play on the field in the afternoon just got back now, social skills mainly. Thats around 20 mins, only across the road from us, but i was also walking him on the roads not loads just when its been particularly wet as pram+mud isnt a good combo. Still sticking to the 5 min rule, should i do less of this and keep his town centre visits at weekend the only time? This is also a social skills outing for him.

Louise

ETA hes brindle so colour change wont matter just hope it grows back, hoping he will do ok in the shows his dad won his class this weekend.

I massage aloe vera oil into the little scrapes a couple of times a day it works for us.

> down in his pasterns

I find raising the food bowl keeps them up on their pasterns. You could clamp the bowl onto his crate or run if fed outdoors.

Not sure about the graze, they can take ages to grow coat again after a graze. Hopefully you'll be lucky and it won't take too long.

dermacton cream is great for hair growth,louise,also heard walking on gravel or sand is good for strengthening pasterns..