Hi everyone,

I have a 20 month old Staffy, Had him since a pup and had him on Royal canin till his was 12 months then switched to arden Grange. Basically, i just wanted advice/opinions on the filling out part during growth. He is at 19kg and vet said he around the perfect weight for his breed, just i see other dogs his breed much wider then him.

Is there something else i should be feeding him?
Does it vary with each dog when they start and if so, whats the usual time the do start?

Any replies will be appreciated thanks.

p.s- he eats mixed dry/wet food in his meals (same brand).

His genetics may mean that he is just a leaner dog, alot of people ask this to do with filling out of bull breeds. But no amount of food will increase bone, its something hes born with.

But muscle building is something that can be done, and with staffords being a compact breed, try springpoles. Great for muscle definition.

I did wonder if thats the case. just wanted to know if i'm missing anything regarding his breed.

Tnx

Royal canin is great, i wont use anything else now and i mix it with my barf diet. It has everything a growing boy needs.

Maturity in the breed probably won't be reached until around 4 years of age, certainly in my own breed the males get that real stallion look then, dogs vary as to how they mature as well as bloodlines.

A clue will be his parents and any other relatives so ask his breeder.

Send some good photos taken at the dogs level of him front and side on and See how he compares to their other breeding.

Do not be tempted to bulk him out by making him fat, which I am sure you won't.  Lean and muscular is how they should be.

Remember he is the equivalent to a canine teenager.

Oooh I can totally relate to this one.

My male Stafford is exactly the same.  Very much on the slim side, but still weighs in at around 19kg too.  He's now just over 3 years old.
He's slightly longer in the leg than some Staffords you see, he isn't 'barrel' chested i.e. the roundness in the ribcage, but he's fit and he's healthy and happy.
He too used to be fed on AG when we were still in the UK, and that food suited him perfectly.  I still added oily fish from time to time, and the odd bits of pasta or rice, to try and 'bulk' up as it were, but to no avail.  He's got good muscle tone though, so I'mhappy with him.
The spring pole and also flirt pole will help with your dogs muscle tone for sure.
If you'd like to pm me I can supply a name for a great supplier of these items.

Be happy with him.  I'm sure he's just lovely

You shuld see my two!
My girl is a more lean and tall staff type, most call her a 'old type' stafford IE more like they used to before they were bred to show, but my boy is pretty much the dead opposite!
He is short and stocky with a wide chest and big head and he is only 16 months old! my girl is 3 and alot smaller but taller!
Its nice having one of each tho as my girl runs circles round any other dog but my boy is good for strength IE springpoles are more fun for him! lol so I get to enjoy best of both worlds!
They look strange next to each other tho, one little and one large lol

Its all in the DNA tho, we made sure we got a more stocky type with our boy as thats what we wanted and we found a breeder with a type we liked and went from there!
Theres so many builds for staffs out there tho no one is right or wrong as long as their healthy and have good bone to support their heavy body and a good air way