[The effect of a different energy supply of growing Great Danes on body weight and skeletal development. 1. Body weight development and energy requirement].

Abstract

27 Great Danes (from 3 litters) were fed ad lib. (n = 9) or with an energy intake (n = 18) restricted to 80 and 70% of the paired ad lib. group, respectively, and a nearly equalized protein and nutrient supply meeting the current recommendations (8 dogs of the restricted groups were bearing weight loaded [15% of own BW] belts in the scapular region). Dogs were weighed weekly, shoulder height, approximate length of the forearm and foot were recorded in certain intervals. In plasma protein, urea, Ca, P, Cu, Zn, and alkaline phosphatase were determined. Intake of digestible energy (according to the results of digestive trials) was recorded daily.