Vet tried to fat-shame Hoku
The breeder said this would happen—that a Vet used to seeing Field Labs would, at some point, say that Hoku is "fat."
To be clear: we feed her precisely on her breeder's schedule, her weight gain has been steady (it's actually slowing), she doesn't get scraps or snacks, and she gets lots of good vigorous outside time and inside play daily. She is crated when she accompanies my husband to his job sites, but spends very little time in a crate during the day otherwise. She's not a lazy dog being fed on scraps. She's a very active and muscular puppy fed on ProPlan (adult Sport).
She's solid. I don't deny it. She is also totally in line with the body type of the breeder's lines.
Anyway, the Vet came out and said "You know, she's gaining weight REALLY fast."
I responded that, no, her gain has been very predictable. It was very fast early on (3 lbs a week), then slowed to 2 lbs a week, and is now hovering at or under that.
She: "She's getting big."
I: "She is completely in line with the growth rate of the breeder's dogs. We feed her according to the breeder's recommendations, and we are in touch with her."
She: "I think she's eating too much."
I: "I understand, but she doesn't get snacks, is very active, and we are in constant contact with the breeder."
She: "But has the breeder SEEN her?!?"
...
At that point, I admit sort of becoming annoyed. Yes, she's a solid dog. And YES we obviously don't want her to be overweight. Indeed, we reviewed this afternoon *everything* she's eating, and her activity, and I also emailed (as usual) the breeder. I do know that this breeder's lines are very solid, and I do know that an overweight dog is something to avoid. What annoyed me was not the Vet's concern (or lack of familiarity w/ this breeder's dogs), but the suggestion that we were somehow negligent or didn't take it seriously.
Below is a photo of her from about two weeks ago. She's a little taller and a couple lbs heavier, but her body type is essentially the same. I won't post a photo of one of the breeder's dogs, but frankly they could be sisters (of course, I think Hoku's a bit prettier). I would not want her to become stouter than she is, but frankly, I think she looks great.
Honestly, it was the suggestion of ignorance or negligence that got me.