Breed standard

[fido]

Looking through pembroke breed standard for height being 10-12 inches at withers and length being 40% longer than that from withers to base of tail, we realized that Buddy is rather on the large size. He was measured at the vet's last month as 13 inches from paw to withers and 21 inches from withers to base of where tail would be. His weight was 29.3 lbs. His breeder said he would be on the large size, but will his greater length put him at risk for hip or back problems? He's now 14 months old and in great health. Should we add a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement as a preventative? Just some thoughts...

[Dillydoodle]

Dillon is 12 inches at the withers and about 21 inches long and 30.5 lbs ( 21 months old, almost) and I was told by the vet ( who also breeds and shows corgis) that as long as we keep him at that weight and not allow him to get overweight he would be fine. I have been giving Dillon glucosamine chondroitin since he was about 6 months old, and i recommend using it throughout their lives. Also adding vitamin C to their diet as well helps with proper absorption of the glucosamine so adding that to the diet would be good too. I will be reading this thread carefully to see what other have to say seeing as i am also getting another dog built nearly the same as Dillon, same basic weight, length and height...so i will be very interested ...

Emilie

[glencorgi]

He was measured at the vet's last month as 13 inches from paw to withers and 21 inches from withers to base of where tail would be.

It doesn't sound as if he was measured quite right. To accurately measure, one really needs a wicket.

His weight was 29.3 lbs. His breeder said he would be on the large size, but will his greater length put him at risk for hip or back problems? He's now 14 months old and in great health. Should we add a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement as a preventative? Just some thoughts...

The glucosamine chondrotin supplement won't hurt and a long time Breeder friend was advised her specialist vet to include Vitamin C as a supplement to help with spinal column health.

What is the length of his rib cage in proportion to his loin? Most of the length should be in the ribs, as opposed to the loin.

Now, back length a predictor of back problems ???? Of the immediate family corgis the first one we had go down in the back was a shorter backed Cardigan girl, really cobby in length. My birthday boy Oberon, had a disc problem 3 years ago - he's a short/cobby smaller boy. Jesse the oldest Cardigan is a big boy and long, he had a back injury. Another Cardigan boy we have, shorter backed, also had a disc problem. So with the experiences we've had here, can't say that back length has been a predictor.

Debbie

[fido]

Thanks Emilie and Debbie for your fast responses. What is a good dosage for the G/C and Vitamin C? in tablets crushed in the food?

Debbie, the vet tech did not use a wicket--just a tape measure. In my ignorance, had not heard that term in regards to measuring dogs. Did a quick e search to get more info in this area. Now I know and have seen a wicket and where to measure. Will call the vet in the am and ask if they have a wicket and get Buddy measured accurately soon. Debbie, you continue to be a wealth of information!!! Thank you.

[glencorgi]

I doubt if they are going to have a wicket. You could get a fairly close ballpark with a tape measure or even a yard stick flat against a wall, then take a ruler and place it on top of the withers. Now the crimp in this is - getting your corgi to stand still for this.

I give 500 mg Vitamin C - pick it up in the supplement aisle of Walmart usually. I'm giving about 1,000 mg G/C to my senior guys daily.

Debbie

[Jane Austen]

Debbie,
I was told to use Ester-C. Do you think regular C would do as well?

[glencorgi]

As far as I know Jane, either one is fine.

Debbie

[Dillydoodle]

I dose the Glucosamine according to the bottle based on weight-but i dont buy the pills, i have always bought the granual form ( in part becuase i had a cat that was also on it for many years and I was NOT going to pill her twice a day and so granulas it is! It mixes fast in the little bit of canned food,yogurt and pumpkin in feed and Dillon never complains! I think he gets a teaspoon a day... i will have to check. ( I still would check the actual container becuase different companies might have different strengths). Gus is on 500 mg of Vitamin C a day and that is what i will be giving to Dillon as well... now do people just give the one big dose of it or do they do 250 mg in the am and 250 in the pm? I ask becuase i split the glucosamine dose half and half...

Emilie

[corgimom]

Emilie,

I have been giving Cody the 500 mg in the morning with meal and he has not had any loose stools from it.

[Dillydoodle]

if the vitamin C is being used though to help with absorbtion of the Glucosamine, and with people, you take a mega dose of vitamin c all at once, our body only takes what it can use, and we just eliminate out the rest- is this the same for dogs and should i split it up or give the C with the glucosamine with breakfast meal only ?
Emilie

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Dillydoodle

if the vitamin C is being used though to help with absorbtion of the Glucosamine, and with people, you take a mega dose of vitamin c all at once, our body only takes what it can use, and we just eliminate out the rest- is this the same for dogs and should i split it up or give the C with the glucosamine with breakfast meal only ?

Yes, vitamin c works the same in dogs. Why would your dog need a mega dose?

I give my dogs vitamin c on thier dinner at night. Only once a day. I don't think you need to give it twice a day.

Peggy

[Dillydoodle]

oh ok, well i do feeding twice a day, and i take glucosamine myself and i take two pills , one in the morning and one in the evening, so i just naturally split up Dillon's glucosamine into twice a day dosing, and that is why i was wondering if i should instead of giving one big dose in the morning, give two half doses, one in the morning and one in the evening along with his glucosamine. Not giving mega doses, just splitting a normal days dose into two dosing rather than one ( example instead of giving vitamin C 500 mg once a day, give 250mg twice a day )

Emilie

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Dillydoodle

oh ok, well i do feeding twice a day, and i take glucosamine myself and i take two pills , one in the morning and one in the evening, so i just naturally split up Dillon's glucosamine into twice a day dosing, and that is why i was wondering if i should instead of giving one big dose in the morning, give two half doses, one in the morning and one in the evening along with his glucosamine. Not giving mega doses, just splitting a normal days dose into two dosing rather than one ( example instead of giving vitamin C 500 mg once a day, give 250mg twice a day )

Ok, sounded like you wanted to give a mega dose, and I wasn't sure why.

It doesn't matter, either way, whatever is convienent for you.

I've used glucosomine and MSM on my dogs and again, just added it to thier dinner.

Peggy