Ohhhh my gosh, he is soooo cute, and just look at those legs and paws. He's got a lot to grow into. You know it is hard, to ignore, but as long as you know you take care of him, the vet says there is nothing wrong with him, you hold your head up high and let them think whatever they want to think. Or when you hear a snotty comment, turn to them and ask "sooooo what do you suggest?" If they have any suggestions at all, it will most likely be all the tings you have already checked and done, so you telll them, nope... done that and does not help, do you have anyting else to suggest, maybe something my vet. failed to mention!!!!!!!
Personally I dont have any BARF experiences. I feed a dog food called Eagle Pack, it has a nice amount of energy without pushing the protein up, which is so common that if you look for a food with higher energy you automatically get super high protein, and that will only make him grow faster, and that is the last thing you want, both for his joints and he will probably slim down even more then. I like that food and Galahad is great on it, but there are several very good dogfood out there with not too hight protein. There are people on here though, that feed BARF or have had previous experience. we have a BARF thread somewhere, where I think you can find some information.
Good Luck and keep us updated and hey..... lots and lots of pics of that handsome boy of yours
Marit