Hi all,

my pup has reached the 'teenager' stage where he suddenly looks very lean and leggy, I know he will now 'body up' but can I influence this with different feeding or more/less exercise or like human teenagers is it all hormonal?

Would say IMO you should never try to alter the rate or type of development of a dog, he will sort things for himself and it is always best to let things take their natural course it will end in the best possible results.

If you are worried about showing him, don't, any judge worth their salt will be very used to having junior dogs in front of them and he will not be penalised although you may get critiques saying still needing to mature or things like that but that is because the judge is describing your dog not criticising him.

We have had a recent thread regarding this.  I agree with Nova wholeheartedly.  Lean in healthy!
Please don't be influenced by what you see in the ring for a mature example, particularly in some breeds that shall remain nameless ;) where the taste is for specimens far too heavy to be considered functional in any other arena such as working or the vets diet clinic :)

Thank you both, so is it still worth showing him when he's a bit of an ugly duckling or should I wait until he looks like he's filled his frame? 

I think if you weigh up how much you enjoy going to shows anyway with travel and entry costs, whether there are appropriate classes that will put him against others of a similar age and development, what you might know about the judge and their knowledge and attitude to breed you might find your answer :)

I'd show him at the smaller open shows; then he gets the experience, it's practise for you, and when he's filled out a bit he's ready for bigger shows should you want to take him to them. :)

Definately agree that a few breeds seem to think fat = body and substance!

hank you both, so is it still worth showing him when he's a bit of an ugly duckling or should I wait until he looks like he's filled his frame? 

If you wish to continue showing him in the future then I would not stop now, if he really looks 'odd' at the moment then stick to shows where he will not be on parade in front of the whole breed showing people but keep showing because you and he need to form a partnership in the ring and as you need to make it fun for him and this is the time for that.

I have a leggy teenager. She looks so out of place at the moment but I wouldn't take her out of the ring completely, just the major shows. No point wasting all that money travelling ;-) However, if she wasn't due in season soon I would still be entering her in the local shows. Teenagers go through a phase where they could be scared of their own shadows so I would still want her to be happy in the show environment. There again, my next major show would be crufts. :-)

I dont look at mine ( in terms of show potential) between the 4th and 5th months - they often look awful!

By magic, if they were correct at 8 weeks, come 5 and a half months they emerge lovely. Just keep the faith.

They have to be good to start with of course :-)