Hi there, new to this site although some of you might recognise me..... theemx, Dawn B, don't I know you from somewhere? lol.

I am the proud (although more often than not it's embarrassed and apologetic!) owner of a six month old Irish Setter pup called Tara. She was weaned on Beta Puppy and changed gradually to Burns Mini Bites when she came home with us at 9wks. She's currently being weaned from three meals to two, and her kibble is fed soaked (and elevated) to prevent bloat like all the good books say! Thing is, she's not really as keen as she was on the Burns, and isn't putting on enough body. 'Gangly' and 'lanky' are typical comments I get in the park when people meet her, (they're not referring to me, unfortunately, more consideration goes into my dog's diet than my own!) and I'm sure people think she is half starved. She's wormed regularly, and her coat condition is excellent and she is full of energy.

I'd be grateful if anyone knows what weight she ought to be at this stage. Her breeder isn't much help as Tara came from her first litter, and I can't find breed specific info about development on any other sites. Was considering changing her food - would like more info on raw or naturediet from people who have fed either to setters if there is anyone out there?

Linda

Hi Linda, welcome!

From what I've seen of Irish setters, 'leggy and gangly' seems to apply to them all at 6 months. Even as adults they are always 'racy' in build. If she's fit and well, and regularly wormed, I wouldn't worry too much.
Hope this helps.

Welcome! I am currently transfering over to Burns (having heard and seen some great feedback!) and have had some great advice from off of their website. Maybe she could benefit from another formula from Burns, although like JG says Irish Setters are of that body sculpt

Thanks for the response.

I know IS's are skinny, and because of their deep chest and higher abdomen they can look 'tucked under' in the manner of greyhounds and the like (less noticable with a full flowing adult coat.) I have only seen a couple of pics of setters as pups of this age, and although both were dogs rather than bitches they did seem a lot more sturdy than my girl. She really is 'all legs'. Can you post pictures on this site or not?

There are a few comments on the Burns site about dogs failing to put on weight on Burns, but these are dismissed as from 'show people' who want 'fat' dogs. Tara is not going to be shown, but I really do think she is a lot thinner than she ought to be at her age. She currently weighs (on my scales, which lie horribly by adding pounds) just under 15kilos and height to withers is 56cm.

Linda

I don't know what she should be weight-wise, but height-wise she shouldn't have more than about 4cm to grow - English and Gordon bitches should be about 61cm, and aren't Irish a touch smaller?

Hi Linda

If I were you I would email Burns and explain your concerns to them; as someone else said it may be time to change your girl from the puppy mix to another formula and they are very helpful in regards to individual situations. I'm with Jeangenie though, if she is fit and well and wormed I wouldn't worry too much

Lesley

Oooooooooooooooooh ello...... fancy meetin u ere..... woss a nice girl like u doin in a (ahem) place like this????

Mmmm, havent actually read your thread properly, so wont answer the question ( do i ever) plus ive never fed burns.....anyways, u know where to find me, come an ask me questions!

Em

can someone who feeds burns puppy food (dry) tell me what it is like physically ? my jack russell puppy refuses to eat large chunks so i was wondering how big it was. also how tasty do dogs seem to find it ? awkward little lily is a fussy arse and is very picky with her food
sarah


ps. she's quite a leggy little girl, will she have enough protein ?

The Mini Bites are small, in fact, too small for my pup much to my dissapointment, He came to me on Beta and I went through the changing over routine only to find the kibble is too small for him and now I am having to change back to Beta till he is old enough to go onto the adult Burns food.