When will my Dobe boy start to fill out ?

[iceman]

male dobe's do not "finish" before 2.5-3 years old (usually 3 in my experience) ...the term "finish" is used to define the completion of physical development.
Muscle and bone structure development depend on 2 things....genetics & exercise...BOTH is required.
If the dog has it in his genes and he is exercised well, (while being fed a good diet) then he will naturally develop substance & chest.

 

[CathyNu]

Ok, I need to know what you would term good exercise. I presently feed him 4 cups (2 in the morning and 2 at night) of wellness per day with 1/2 a can of wellness Turkey/Beef/lamb/chicken mixed in with the kibble at both meals .... I walk him 1.5 miles per day in our neighbourhood but am unable to run him, as we firstly don't have large enough fenced in grounds.

 

[iceman]

Ok, I need to know what you would term good exercise..... I walk him 1.5 miles per day in our neighbourhood but am unable to run him, as we firstly don't have large enough fenced in grounds.

Walking is NOT muscle building exercise in my opinion.....3o minutes off leash running can do much better to a dog than 4-5 hours walk...the dog must be off leash to stretch.Swimming is also an excellent muscle building exercise,specially for young dogs (because there is no stress put on joints during swimming)
Good quality food is like fuel to good exercising dog....too much food and not enough exercise will only make a dog fat, not big or muscly..
I always tell people there is NO fixed chart to show how much a dog must eat at what age...food quantity/quality must be regulated according to each individual dog and his/her exercise level.

 

[DoUrden]

Biking is another good way to exercise your dog if running free is not an option. Get yourself a mountain bike and a Springer!

 

[Benchmark-K9]

Absolutely, in apprpriate weather I bike about 5 miles a day with my dogs...

 

[CathyNu]

Ok thanks so much for this very helpful input. Sofar this afternoon, I have run him up and down our long staircase into our basement, and have also "chased" him around our back yard (I managed 15 minutes before he was tired out and went up on the deck and waited for me to bring him back inside - and believe me he has RUN AND STRETCHED - my husband is presently making him run for the frisbee ..... this exercise we will implement every day of his life from now on - and I will chase him out in the back yard at intervals during the day .... Do any of you feed a wet diet, and what would you describe as a good wet diet ....