Sorry about the title, not sure how to word it!!

I post a few months back about my male dogue de bordeaux puppy being loose behind and wobbily hocks. I believe it was caused by me being over cautious with his exercise in the early months and feeding royal canin giant puppy. 

He is now 7 months old, is fed on simpsons puppy chicken and rice and we've been lead exercising for about 20-30 minutes a day. I live next to a river so road walking on the way out and up on the bank on the way back. He also goes out into a paddock every morning for an hour or two. He doesn't bomb about and I don't play fetch or chase games so he's not twisting or turning too sharply just mooching about.

He is much improved and you can see the muscle developing, but still a way to go.  We had match night last night with a large breed specialist who judges at champ shows and although he said some really lovely things about Bert he says he needs to tighten up behind.

I have entered him into the DDB club show and LKA and just wondered if there is anything else I can do exercise wise? I don't want to rush him and will cancel the shows if you think it's necessary. Would he be penalised for this or will it be over looked as he is still in minor puppy and very large. Haven't weighed him recently but would estimate over 40kg.

Any advice would be great. Thanks x

Any judge worth his salt should 'make allowances' for a floppy puppy, within reason.  But just know, if there are others in the class who have better (more advanced) muscle tone so they move better, they will be placed over your dog, unless he's otherwise exceptional (in other areas).    You might do better to give him time to become more the part before showing him.   I had to wait with one of mine (another breed) when, being from my slower maturing line, coupled with his sire who was far from over-endowed (more sensible!!), against others in the puppy class he looked very immature.   I had to wait until he was at least 18 months before going back in the ring with him.  Your Club show might be okay, but not, I'd suggest, a general Championship show.   People do tend to swerve the Open shows these days, whereas in the past, we'd do them and if our entry was placed highly, or won, at Open show level, then and only then did we progress to Champ.shows.

You might find running him UP hills helps him muscle up but talk to his breeder for advice.  Nobody should know theri breed and BLOODLINES better.   I doubt they'd want one they'd bred in the ring looking less than ready.

Just to add I'd never use breed-specific (or size specific) Royal Canin.   It promotes too much too fast which can result in growth problems (development).   With the bigger breeds, be it size overall, or bone like mine, it rarely pays to force things.   You could end up with an unsound animal by a year if you do.   And for the most part, size-related RC only means bigger sized kibble!!

Thanks Mamabas, I will send his breeder a video of him moving and ask her opinion.

He is booked into an open show on 21st November, just for the experience really rather than throwing him in straight at he deep end, he loves everyone but has never been to a large venue before.

I did think walking up hills would work but living in the fens means they are pretty much non existent!!

He has improved no end so hopefully with 6 weeks to go before LKA it might be better yet.  His breeder is going which was my reason for entering, she lives the far side of wales so she hasn't seen him since we picked him up at 8 weeks.