Caucasian Shepherd puppies - photos and weight from 1 to 12 months

Preliminary information

The exterior of Caucasians begins to form immediately after birth - this process lasts a whole year and ends at approximately 12 months.
From 1 to 7 months the most rapid development occurs, so at this stage it is especially important to organize the correct regime and feeding of the Caucasian Shepherd. A well-designed menu implies the presence of all the necessary nutrients, an optimal balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, as well as the quality and variety of food.

In any case, when taking your baby from the breeder, ask what he was fed there - first you will have to adhere to the same scheme and the same diet. You cannot suddenly switch your puppy to a different diet - this can cause severe stress in the body. Only after a month can you begin to gradually change the regime and menu - this will give the baby the opportunity to endure the changes without unnecessary worries and worries.

What to feed a Caucasian Shepherd dog when feeding it naturally

The amount of food and number of feedings should correspond to the age of the dog. Puppies aged 8 to 12 weeks need to be fed 4 times a day, from 3 to 6 months - 3 times a day, from 6 months to 1 year - 2 times a day. For dogs older than one year, it is enough to feed them once a day, but some dog breeders divide the daily amount of food into two times.

It is important not to overfeed dogs, especially during puppyhood. Caucasian Shepherds mature slowly, up to 3-5 years. Therefore, a rapid jump in the development of muscles and skeleton leads to health problems, in particular with the musculoskeletal system. It is important that during the period of growth and maturation of puppies, products contain a small percentage of fat and protein.

The amount of food depends on the size and activity level of the dog, and the composition of the food. With natural feeding, 35-45 grams of food per 1 kg of animal weight is enough, for example, a dog weighing 45 kg needs about 1.5 kg of food per day. As for dry food, you need to focus on the values ​​​​indicated on the packaging in the line of food allowance for large and giant breeds. Sometimes it is necessary to increase the norm by 15-20%. Usually 15 grams per 1 kg of animal weight is enough.

It should be remembered that in the summer, pets, especially on hot days, may lack appetite. This phenomenon is normal, so there is no point in worrying and trying to force feed your dog, especially by offering harmful treats. In winter, the calorie content of food must be increased if the animal lives outside.

The Caucasian Shepherd's diet should include the following products:

1. Meat (900 – 1000 g per day). The meat should be lean. Pork is not given to dogs. You can give offal, but the amount in this case increases by 1.5 times.
2. Sea fish - instead of meat for adult dogs (up to 2 times a week). The fish is boiled and deboned.
3. Porridge: rice, oatmeal, buckwheat.
4. Vegetables: zucchini, beets, carrots.
5. Fruits and berries (except grapes and citrus fruits) - if desired by the dog.
6. Dried fruits.
7. Rye crackers - as a treat.
8. Fermented milk products (kefir, cottage cheese) – low-fat and occasionally.

{banner_rastyajka-2}

{banner_rastyajka-mob-2}

Newborn puppies

At birth, “Caucasian” babies weigh 600-700 g. Already by this indicator, experienced breeders determine the future of the dog: if the baby is born weak, with a lack of weight (up to 500 g), it is unlikely that he will become a huge dog. But puppies that are too large (over 800 g at birth) also cause concern. Perhaps the excess weight is associated with a congenital pathology - the baby should definitely be shown to the veterinarian.

A newborn “Caucasian” is a small fluffy ball. Babies sleep almost all day and move little. They squeak only when there is discomfort: cold, hunger, dampness, pain. However, skin-temperature reflexes and the vestibular apparatus have already been developed. Although the puppies can’t hear or see anything yet, their other senses work perfectly - smell and taste buds.

In the first days, the future formidable defenders are completely helpless - they either sleep or suck their mother's milk. The more active the litter is at this time, the more viable the puppies are. If the milk quality is good, they will add 100-200 g daily in the first month.

Diet

At different stages of its growth, your pet will require different diets:

• Babies eat quite often per month - breeders usually feed them about 5 times a day;
• At 2 months, puppies are gradually transferred to four meals a day;
• At 3 months, they gradually transition from four meals a day to three meals a day;
• 6-8 months – three meals a day;

• Up to a year, the dog is transferred to two meals a day;
• After a year, gradually teach your child to eat once a day - this is how adults eat.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with what to feed your British kitten menu by age

Of course, the weight of a puppy may differ from classical standards - do not forget that this is a living creature that is difficult to squeeze into the framework of indicators and requirements. However, the general trends should still persist - if this is not the case, consult your veterinarian.

Table of height and weight of the Caucasian Shepherd by month

Adult dog diet

The basis of the diet, as a natural predator, is meat and offal. Raw horse meat and beef are optimal. The dog should receive at least 600 grams of meat per day. The diet may contain offal, which is less nutritious than meat, but contains more useful elements, in particular unpeeled tripe, which is given raw.

You can give chicken, but only if the dog is not allergic. But chicken bones, like rabbit bones, should not be present in the diet of a Caucasian Shepherd.

Fish should be regularly included in your pet’s diet as a source of phosphorus. Cheap species of river and sea inhabitants, such as pollock, sprat and hake, if constantly fed to your pet, are harmful to health. Fish can only be served boiled.

You can feed Caucasian Shepherd dogs rice and buckwheat throughout their lives. Porridge is boiled in water for an hour; it is permissible to cook it in meat broth in the winter to increase the calorie content of food.

Cabbage, carrots, pumpkin, zucchini are useful for both people and animals, and greens are added to any type of feed. However, greens do not play a significant role, since they cannot be given in large quantities, and a pinch will not be beneficial. Vegetables should be given raw; when feeding the Caucasian Shepherd, boiled potatoes should be avoided, because...

The Caucasian Shepherd's body digests low-fat fermented baked milk, yogurt, kefir, and cottage cheese well; these products can be given without fear. But you can’t give milk, because the dog’s body loses the ability to digest it over time.

Chicken eggs, boiled or raw, can be given in limited quantities - no more than 5 pieces per week.

Feeding two month old babies

Let's now talk about how to feed a Caucasian Shepherd puppy under three months of age. After weaning and transporting him to a new place of residence, give him the food that he received from the breeder. Then gradually begin to introduce new foods to the menu - if the puppy refuses, there is no need to force him, perhaps it is just stress from separation from his mother.

During this period, feed the dog 5 times a day - then the number of meals will need to be reduced and the volume of portions increased. Before the four-month mark, dry food must be soaked in milk or water.

Porridges need to be boiled thoroughly - this is necessary so that they are better absorbed. It is recommended to cook them in meat broth, and add boiled minced meat or veal, beef or chicken meat cut into small pieces to the finished porridge. The norm up to three months of age is approximately 250-300 g.

The daily menu of a Caucasian of this age is as follows:

• In the morning - dry food soaked in milk, 1/2 a boiled egg and cottage cheese with a spoon of honey;
• Second breakfast - cottage cheese with sour cream or cooked vegetables with meat;
• Lunch – porridge with meat broth, grated vegetables, boiled minced meat or chicken;
• Afternoon snack – milk-based dry food;
• Dinner – small pieces of boiled meat mixed with porridge in vegetable oil, grated boiled vegetables.

We suggest you read: What food to choose for Maine Coons

Housing preparation

You should pick up a puppy at the age of 1.5-2 months from birth. Before buying a puppy, it is very important to prepare a personal equipped space for the dog. This could be a spacious outdoor enclosure where the baby can be active and mobile. Your pet must have a kennel so that he can shelter from adverse weather conditions.

There should not be very high structures in the enclosure.

Until the age of four months, “Caucasians” are contraindicated from jumping and running on stairs due to the high likelihood of deformation of the hind limbs and various diseases of the bones and joints. If the pet will be kept at home, then you should also take care of sufficient space and a ventilation system. Don’t forget about the place for your pet to sleep; it should be comfortable and roomy, because the dog will grow very quickly.

Feeding a Caucasian Shepherd puppy

For the first week after purchasing a puppy, it should be fed with the same food that it received from the breeder. Then variety is gradually introduced into the baby’s diet.

The puppy's morning feeding includes cottage cheese, and for lunch he is given meat food - scraped meat or raw meat thinly cut into small pieces, namely beef. It is permissible to divide the daily amount of meat into several parts and give it in small quantities at each feeding. In the evening, it is advisable to give the puppy vegetables with a very small amount of low-fat kefir or a few drops of vegetable oil.

The diet of a Caucasian Shepherd puppy should include boiled white sea fish, rice or buckwheat, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. New foods should be introduced into the diet gradually, observing the body’s reaction.

With a natural type of nutrition, up to a year, the puppy needs supplements of glucosamine and chondroitin, calcium, vitamin C. When feeding dry food, additional supplements are not needed, because the food is already balanced.

Adaptation

Even before the dog is home, you should take care of the necessary equipment:

• food bowls;
• drinking bowl;
• basic first aid kit for the animal;
• items for hair care (shampoo, comb, brush, etc.);
• toys for the puppy.

From the first days, you need to start accustoming your pet to a new place. Don't forget to repeat your pet's name often so that he gets used to it. It is useful to call your dog by name before meals.

The adaptation period will be much better if, before taking your pet home, you visit him at the nursery a couple of times.

It would be best to get to know and play with the dog a little so that the baby can get used to you. First of all, when the puppy is at home, you should give him something to drink and familiarize him with his surroundings. The dog will act restless at first, this is normal. We need to help the animal adapt and treat this with understanding.

It is recommended to talk to the puppy calmly, without raising your voice, so as not to scare the baby. Most of all, the future owner should have direct contact with the animal. A Caucasian Shepherd puppy should know its owner and not strive to take a leading position.

Feeding from three months to six months

Starting from the age of three months, Caucasians are transferred to four meals a day - sea fish can be gradually introduced into the menu, after first freeing it from fins and bones. Add a spoonful of sunflower oil and finely chopped herbs and boiled vegetables to the porridge. The daily meat requirement is 350 g.

Determine the serving size based on how your student behaves. He should finish eating in 15 minutes - if he stands at the bowl for a long time, choosing tastier pieces, take the food away and give him a smaller portion at the next meal.

Don't forget about raw vegetables and fruits, grated - cabbage, beets, carrots, apples, greens are suitable. In the evening, prepare vegetable salads with kefir or sunflower oil. Dairy ingredients can be offered once a day. After a Caucasian turns six months old, he is retrained to eat two meals a day, the bulk of which consists of meat and offal.

Feeding the Caucasian Shepherd with dry food

Feeding the Caucasian Shepherd is carried out at the same time every day. An adult Caucasian Shepherd is fed 2 times a day.

The serving size for a Caucasian Shepherd depends on the dog's size, fatness and activity.

That is, if your Caucasian Shepherd weighs 60 kg, then it needs approximately 2500 g of food per day. However, keep in mind that these calculations are approximate and may differ for a particular dog.

If you choose dry food for your Caucasian Shepherd, follow the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging. And, of course, it’s worth focusing on premium or super premium products.

Remember that Caucasian Shepherd dogs do not complain of appetite, therefore they are prone to obesity, and this has a harmful effect on the dog’s health. You cannot overfeed them.

To determine whether you are feeding your Caucasian Shepherd correctly, evaluate its appearance. Normally, the dog has a stable weight, the stomach does not protrude, the sides are not sunken, and the first 2–4 ribs can be easily felt.

Whatever you feed your Caucasian Shepherd, fresh, clean water should be available at all times.

You can feed your dog regular foods, preparing them every day (porridge, meat, cottage cheese, vegetables, etc.). You can feed dry food according to the dosage indicated on the package, or you can accustom the dog to a mixed type of feeding - foods with the addition of dry food, or food, and at certain moments (intense rhythm of life, travel, etc.)

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the herd lifestyle - Dinosaurs, evolution

Food products that can be natural food for dogs Meat and meat products. From this series, beef and horse meat are optimal. It is generally accepted that pork should not be given to dogs. However, a Caucasian Shepherd dog kept outdoors during the cold season spends a lot of energy, so some well-cooked pork can be added to the porridge.

In addition, dogs are often fed organ meats. These include tripe, heart, liver, trachea, lips, ears, tails, lung, kidneys, udder, trimmings, head, blood, etc...

By-products are less nutritious than meat, therefore, when feeding them, the volume of meat products increases by 1.5-2 times. Scar is considered the most suitable. The liver, heart, lung, kidneys must be thoroughly boiled to avoid infection with worms. The udder is boiled twice, the first water is drained.

Poultry meat stands out separately. Chicken is a valuable dietary food. It is usually given to sick dogs, often to puppies. Tubular chicken bones should not be given, raw beef bones, and cartilage are allowed to be chewed from time to time, while the dog strengthens and cleans the teeth. Make sure that the volume of bones eaten is not too large, so as not to create difficulties with digestion, leading to intestinal blockages. Boiled bones should not be given.

Dogs are also given meat and bone meal mixed with other foods (up to 100 g per day).

Fish. Fish is a good source of phosphorus. It must be included regularly in the diet. However, the nutritional value of fish is 1.5-2.5 times lower than that of muscle meat. In addition, cheap types of fish (pollock, hake, sprat, perch, etc.) with constant and abundant feeding can cause certain harm to the dog’s health.

Other animal products. It is useful for dogs and puppies to be given chicken eggs, especially during the period of intensive growth of puppies and when dogs are involved in breeding (mating, whelping). They are only given not constantly and in limited quantities - 2-6 pieces per week, the protein is only boiled.

Dogs working outside and in enclosures, especially in the cold season, are given animal fats (lard, butter) in limited quantities.

Commercial food is more convenient because the owner does not need to spend time preparing food and preparing a balanced diet. However, it is important to choose the right food based on your dog's size, age and activity level. When choosing food for Caucasian Shepherd puppies, you should avoid those that contain corn, wheat, which are the main ingredients, as well as soy, preservatives, and flavor enhancers. The best option for the Caucasian Shepherd is dry food with a protein percentage ranging from 23-26%, fat from 12% to 16%.