New Rottie mix pup--questions?

[Tinybear]

We decided on the puppy, we got him this weekend. I was told that he was full bred---HA!!!! Maybe one of his parents was Rottie, but thats it. He was a rescue and we did find out until about four days before we got him that he wasn't full-bred! He has the coloring of a Rottie and the feet, but he has a VERY long tail, his hair is too long (not long but longer than a Rottie should have) and its very coarse, he has a longish nose and his face and head isn't nearly big enough. I was very disappointed to say the least! Anyone want to guess what else he may be mixed with? My first Rottie had a tail (which I prefer) but his tail was a nice length, this dogs tail almost reaches the ground!

Also, he is way too skinney, I feed my Mastiff Nutro Max with a homemade mixture of brown rice, hambuger and veggies and sometimes chicken. My Mastiff is in very good health and her weight is good. Should I just feed this pup the same thing or should I add additional ingredients to get his weight up quickly?

Also, the other fear I had is coming true-- my Mastiff is dying to play with him but she is just too big and he rans for cover everytime she tries to play with him! I wish I would've taken that two year old Rottie in Zanesville, but my husband was too afraid to adopt an older Rottie! I feel like we made a big mistake!

[rott60827]

From your description, it sounds like you got a rott/shepherd cross.

[delila]

I have a rottweiler/husky mix. She has a small head and narrow nose, long legs and tail. She is a very beautiful and well temepered dog and would not trade her for gold.

She only weighs 45 lbs at 6 months.

We also have Delila who is a pure rottweiler who is 90+ lbs at 1 year. And then there is Odin who is also a pure rottwieler who weighs 120+ at almost 2 years.

My mixed puppy is also very thin - but this is because she does not have the body build of a rottweiler. I feed her 30 ounces of Canidae a day (3.75 cups).

If the puppy is truely skin and bones do not start off feeding too much - it would not be good for him.

I would put him on a super premium brand (Innova, Canidae, Wellness, California Natural) and follow the feeding instructions on the bag. IF and ONLY IF the dog is not showing much improvement in a couple of weeks - up the amount.

Keep in mind that you do not know what he is mixed with - so do not assume that he should resemble a rottweiler in body.

The size difference between the dogs that you have should not matter. It does not matter in our house. We taught our big dogs to play nice with the puppy and they do.

When we first brought laika home she was 10 lbs, and the big dogs were 90 and 120.

Also - I have found that the mix that I have is the most intelegent and agile dog that I have ever owned and has not been sick a day in her life.

Post a picture for us and maybe we could help you to determine the mix that he is :)

[Tinybear]

This puppy is skinney, I would say at least 10 lbs underweight. I'm not comparing her to my late Rottie, I've owned several different breeds of dogs in my life and I know when a dog is underweight, trust me this pup is. I'll see about getting some of the dogs food brands that you listed and see if he does better.

I'll try to post a picture.