A weight discussion: how far is too far?

[Sekah]

I used to get people asking me if Cohen was "old" when she was a pup. She was pretty dang skinny as a gangly pup, and I intentionally kept her on the skinny side. Fortunately she's filled in a bit now. But she's really not built like any other Aussie I know. She's long and lean - most Aussies I know are more square and squat. (Of course most I know are pretty overweight, which doesn't help.)

I wonder if the fact that I kept such close tabs on her weight as a pup, and had her spayed at 6 months (whoops!) resulted in her body type, or if it's predominantly genetic. Her sire/dam looked like normal Aussies.

That said, I like how sleek and lean she is.

I wish this photo was in focus.

 

[SpringerLover]

My Bailey is very tall for a female, and especially when you consider her immediate relatives. She was spayed at 14 months old, just after her first heat cycle. Her mom and sisters are incredibly shrimpy, her dad was no giant, but she stands at 1/4" shy of 20". She's a giant!

 

[Whisper]

OT:
I LOVE Cohen! She is so gorgeous. *drools*

Oh, and I meant to say Millie's coat is very deceptive. She's not exactly fluffy, but she has a very thick double coat. When she's wet she looks probably 5 lbs. thinner.

 

[Southpaw]

I used to get people asking me if Cohen was "old" when she was a pup. She was pretty dang skinny as a gangly pup, and I intentionally kept her on the skinny side. Fortunately she's filled in a bit now. But she's really not built like any other Aussie I know. She's long and lean - most Aussies I know are more square and squat. (Of course most I know are pretty overweight, which doesn't help.)

I wonder if the fact that I kept such close tabs on her weight as a pup, and had her spayed at 6 months (whoops!) resulted in her body type, or if it's predominantly genetic. Her sire/dam looked like normal Aussies.

That said, I like how sleek and lean she is.

We have 2 Aussies boarding at work right now that are long and lean. I thought it was unusual for the breed but I like it! They're both adult, intact females.

 

[katielou]

We have 2 Aussies boarding at work right now that are long and lean. I thought it was unusual for the breed but I like it! They're both adult, intact females.

I think Abe is pretty long a lean for an Aussie?

 

[Renee750il]

I think Abe looks wonderfully long and lean.

My O'Reilly was built like that, too -- maybe a touch wider at the shoulders and rounder hips.

 

[katielou]

I think Abe looks wonderfully long and lean.

My O'Reilly was built like that, too -- maybe a touch wider at the shoulders and rounder hips.

I can never get coats and such to fit him. If its long enough its wide enough to fit another dog in with him.

 

[Renee750il]

I can never get coats and such to fit him. If its long enough its wide enough to fit another dog in with him.

I know the feeling. I've got to take some time and sit down and design patterns for Kharma and Tallulah and put all these sewing machines to good use!

 

[katielou]

I know the feeling. I've got to take some time and sit down and design patterns for Kharma and Tallulah and put all these sewing machines to good use!

I got a new one today exactly for that purpose

 

[Sapphire-Light]

I like to feel their ribs, but not see them...unless they're running and turning and the sun is shining at the right angle to make a glint off perhaps a rib or two. But no...I don't like seeing dogs where you can count every rib.

Agree I would add that I don't like to see all the bones of the section were the ribs and spine conects instead of a toned weist , my only excepcion would be sighthounds



For working dogs I found pretty like this ones:

http://www.ferloz.com.mx/modules/xcgal/albums/userpics/normal_FOTO JERRY CHINGON.JPG

http://www.ferloz.com.mx/modules/xcgal/albums/userpics/normal_IMG_2107.JPG

 

[Aleron]

I've read this discussion with a lot of interest. My dogs would probably be considered too skinny by some here but I think they're fine. The Belgians tend to be naturally thin, especially as adolescents. I tried to "fatten up" my first one because people at the training club acted like her weight was a cause for alarm. Turns out, her weight was pretty typical of the breed. Now I don't ever think to fatten them up because I think the weight they naturally stay at is probably ideal for them. Attempts to put weight on them don't tend to work anyway because most of them won't eat more than they need. Ziggy is a different story - he has no appetite off switch But he's kept at a lean weight because IMO that is what is healthiest for him, being an active dog who is already somewhat compromised structurally. It's sad to see all the fat pet Corgis and Doxies, as that extra weight definitely isn't doing their back or legs any favors.

I almost never see dogs IRL that I think are really too thin. Other than old skinny dogs who aren't so much underweight as they are losing muscle and one grooming shop dog who's owner seems to have a mental issue tied into feeding her dog (a Cocker who is kept so thin you can see his spine and ribs through his coat and has no muscle due to being underweight), most dogs I see are chubby, fat or obese. So I guess to me, that Cocker is "too far" because he's obviously not at a weight that is healthy for him. I don't think there's tons of "too skinny" dogs at agility trials or that performance people are obsessed with having "too skinny" dogs either. Many performance dogs are lean just because they are high energy dogs who live very active lifestyles. But such dogs are obviously in good condition - healthy coat, good muscle tone and good energy level. I do sometimes see dogs who are too heavy at trials and really, it's sad to watch those dogs run.

This is such a great shot of what I'd considered a very fit (not to mention enthusiastic) agility dog. I tend to be a fan of Maja Rokavec's performance dog photography

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

I am one saying certain dogs are too skinny and I don't think this photo is of a skinny dog. In motion you can barely see the ribs, no hip cuts, etc. Looks good, I think my ideas of too skinny are far more rational. ;P

 

[Sekah]

I could use some people's opinion on Megatron here:

She's just recently come to live with me last month (when my boyfriend moved in). Previously she had been overfed and under exercised and looked like a little sausage. She's had back problems in the past, so I feel it's important to get her down to a proper weight with a healthy body condition.

So, this photo is after her living with me for a month. She's been put on a higher quality kibble, and I take her out on a daily walk with Cohen. She's made some great improvements already, but I think I'd like to work on her a bit more.

I'm thinking I'd like to see the definition at the end of her rib cage (if not a rib or two), a more defined waist with nice obliques, and improved muscling over her shoulders and hips.

However... I am not hugely familiar with Chihuahuas. Is this a reasonable goal? What more might you do if she were yours?

 

[Dekka]

I personally wouldnt take more fat off that dog Sekah. Small dogs are at a much greater risk if they get sick from lack of resources to begin with. I do think more exercise will give better definition and make her look fantastic.

 

[PitBullLove]

YAY I get to post pictures of Georgia <3

In her prime:

Chubby:

She was older in these pictures and Boxers have such lean muscle. I tried really hard to keep her in shape and she was in wonderful shape the day she died. She was a trooper.

 

[PitBullLove]

I have some pictures on my other computer that would be perfect for comparisons but for now these will have to do. I should make more folders for my Flickr account. I'd need a manual for that LOL I can't figure it out I made collections but they are all still visible in my album so just as hard to navigate through.

Perfect.

Tiny bit too chubby.

I can stand a little chub. For me the exercise schedule should be changed if the dog can't run as fast as other dogs because of his weight LOL. If you can't feel his ribs at all or really have to push to feel them.

 

[workingterriers]

Luckily not all APBT are owned by the same people.

...and luckily not all "pitbull" owners, own actual APBTs!

Out here most dogs are overweight, i get told i'm starving izzie and she doesn't even look that thin.

The majority of the people and dogs in our area are obese. You figure with our nice weather most of the year, they would get out more.

That's why there are so many different types and breeds

I've always found distance runner type physiques somewhat . . . well, they totally turn me off.

Agreed! I actually prefer a crosstrainer type. One that can run with the rest, but can move some weight too.

Canine Caviar Beaver cans are the sh!t for putting weight on dogs. It is literally just calories in a can.

You could also give satin balls a try. I personally add extra beef fat.

See to me while I don't think Sniper looks unhealthy per se, I wouldn't be comfortable keeping a dog that thin. Simply due to the fact the dog has no extra buffer. As BB pointed out, a dog who is that thin can go from fine to on deaths door if they get sick as there are no reserves from which to draw. I think that weight would be fine if you were building up to a big race or something, but not to stay at for long periods of time.

Sniper is at the correct weight for an active dog. He is 14" tall and weighs 15lbs, which is appropriate for a normal, non-shortie Jack.
Since all of my dogs "work" and aren't just house pets, they are kept in shape for their activities. However, my guys physiques are up to them for the most part.
Their daily "conditioning" activities include pretty much just running the property. I also play ball with them 1 or 2 times a day for 15 - 20 minutes. Some of them drag sled, but no more than once a week, and no more than half of their body weight. They flirt pole randomly, maybe once a week or less. They swim a couple of times a month. They also have their normal training activities: flyball, agility, freestyle, rally, obedience, lure coursing, and dock diving; which they have a couple of times a week.
They are all on a raw diet and most are fed higher than normal percentages...my less active, bigger dogs are fed 2.5%, my STBs are fed 3-3.5%, and the JRTs and BC are fed 4-4.5%.

I am one saying certain dogs are too skinny and I don't think this photo is of a skinny dog. In motion you can barely see the ribs, no hip cuts, etc. Looks good, I think my ideas of too skinny are far more rational. ;P

Apparently, we aren't looking at the same dog. I can see probably every one of that dog's ribs! You aren't looking through the coat. This dog does not have a short, tight APBT type of coat. It appears to have more of a smooth BC coat, which hides its conditioning some. This dog looks to be in about the same physical condition as Boom, just with a little less muscle and on a different style frame.
This dog is in beautiful condition for a sport dog

I forgot to mention...my guys also do balance, core and rear end awareness exercises using a bosu, ab ball, balance disk, wobble board, etc.

 

[Dekka]

Just saying in that pic he looks thinner than pretty much any working jack I know. (as in hunting earth dogs) I also don't go by a number or by how much they eat. I have had JRTs that need to eat loads and some that are air ferns. Just because I needed to feed Zo 4 times as much didn't automatically make her at a good weight.

Obviously your dog, your choice. Just to me it doesnt' look healthy and I have never seen a working JRT at trials or in kennels who are supermodel thin. Most are wirey and muscular, not frail looking. Could be his genetics.. but all I have to go on is a pic.

 

[Saeleofu]

YAY I get to post pictures of Georgia <3

Pffft you don't need an excuse for that, if nothing else you can spam my PM box with them :rofl1: She was such a lovely girl <3

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

I totally agree, it is very lucky that not all pit bull people feel the need to only buy papered apbt and it's very lucky they're not all held to the same body type ideal since they vary so much.

Dekka, I should ask my friends who have pest control for hire dogs why they're not so extreme in body type, they work with various hounds and terriers from jrt to welsh to staffs and all sorts of curs which I can barely keep track of. I am very curious now, I'll have to shoot them a couple emails.