Does my 8-month Doberman puppy look purebred? Is his size normal?

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! The picture quality isn't great but Duke appears a bit think. I think I can see his hip bones. Please look at this ideal body condition chart and aim for a 4-5 body condition score. https://oregonvma.org/files/Purina-Dog-Condition-Chart.pdf I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petcoach! Sometimes this can be difficult to answer. To accurately know your dogs breed it would be based on both of Duke's parents being registered with a legitimate registration organization like the AKC. That is the only way you could prove to someone buying Duke's puppies, if you chose to breed him. Without proof of lineage it is hard. You may have to wait until he is full grown to see how he looks. There are DNA blood tests that can help but personally I think the accuracy isn't the best. You can buy these kits yourself and send in either a blood sample or a cheek swab. https://www.chewy.com/wisdom-panel-30-breed-identification/dp/127224

Hi there. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I think that based on the photos Bruno looks very characteristic of a 5 month old GSD. I am not really sure what you are worried about. I would not be overly concerned about anything related to his looks until he is full grown (about 18 months of age). You absolutely don't want a large breed puppy to grow too fast as that can cause joint abnormalities so be careful of this. He should be eating a large breed puppy food so I hope the Royal Canin you are feeding is this type of diet and not just a general puppy food. If you have specific concerns I suggest you take him to your vet for an exam. Again, I think he looks just fine from the photos. Best wishes.

Hello. Maria looks adorable. Even within a breed, there can be a wide variety of sizes & shapes. As long as she appears to be eating well, is active & has normal eliminations, she is probably fine. For Maria to reach her full potential, make sure you are feeding her the best quality food you can afford, make sure all of her vaccinations are current & administered at the right times, & that she has excellent parasite protection including checks for intestinal worms, fleas, ticks & heartworms ( if appropriate to your area ). Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! At least in the pictures, he looks pretty good. Very handsome dog. These dogs do tend to show their ribs a bit. I think that he could benefit from perhaps gaining a few pounds but not much. In terms of his growth, he has likely reach his growth plateau which is why he has not been growing much lately. If he is otherwise doing well in terms of appetite and activity level, I would not worry much. I do think that it would be best to relay this to your veterinarian who knows his medical/preventative care history so that we ensure that his caloric intake is appropriate for his age and most importantly activity level. This is something that can be easily done and make a difference in terms of him gaining some weight. Again, he is very handsome so congrats as it looks like you have been taking good care of him. Good luck!

Hi and thank you for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It could be her genetics if her mother or father were not as tall or the height issue could be related to a dysfunction of the pituitary gland which controls growth. A blood test at your veterinarian's office can determine if the reason behind the short stature is pituitary related. I hope this helps!

He does look well bred. I would compare his legs to the others in the litter to see if his bones are thicker than theirs, and again compare the coat length and thickness also. It’s awfully early to be able to tell how he will develop. I would visit him weekly to see how he grows. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.