<div>Hello all - I am a buppy slave to a gorgeous five month old Baloo. I continue to get comments on how big he is - people who haven't seen him for a week or two are stunned when they see him, and even his breeder, upon seeing his latest photo, commented "WHAT did you do with the puppy I gave you in November?!" At five months, Baloo is nearly 50 lbs and is a tall boy - bear in mind he does not have an ounce of "buppy fat" on him, he's a solid muscle. His paws are enormous - larger than one of his 95 lb Labrador playmates, and according to his breeder, nearly as large as his daddy's.</div>
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<div>Baloo's daddy is a 70 lb muscular dog. Baloo eats a total of four cups of Purina One Large Breed Puppy Formula daily, two in the morning, two in the evening. He gets a standard kitchen tablespoon full of cottage cheese daily for extra protein, and about four cookies spread throughout the day.</div>
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<div>This is my first Basset, and my concern with his growth rate is that it will negatively impact his joints/ back. He's perfectly sound, and like any Basset, would happily eat as much as I'd give him. He plays a LOT, very active buppy that plays happily with dogs twice his size on a nearly daily basis. He also takes his share of power naps.</div>
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<div>Any input is welcome! </div>
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<div>Ahroo to all,</div>
<div>Lisa and Baloo.</div>