Feed the Darn Dogs!!!!! - Page 1

I know this questions has probably been asked or even mentioned out of fustration....I have imported dogs from overseas, purchased dogs from other states and why is it that Dog People dont feed the animals....I am not making a blanket statement on all dog people so please do not take it as that.  You go to the local sch club and you see an anorexic (sp) dog with no muscle, and people say he is in competition weight, or he's an athlete.  does a sch dog not need power for the protection, energy for the OB.  No not only that but what about your dog looking its best....Yes I know,,,I dont know anything and I am not a world class trainer,,,then maybe  the people that know, or that are world class trainers can help me understand..Thanx

Where both dogs may appear to be lean, there is a huge difference between a conditioned dog and a underfed dog. The muscle tone is much different, the coat of a well conditioned dog should be shiny and glow. A well conditioned dog should also be Wet(hydrated) if one lifts up the skin between the shoulder blades, when released the skin should snap back into place. If the skin stays up, your dog is dehydrated and unhealthy.

Xeus,

Can you post a picture of what you consider to be an "anorexic" dog vs. one that is in good shape?

I can't tell you how many new GSD people come to my club with a FAT dog, and when I tell them they are flabergasted!  They can't believe that their dog is fat!!?!?

What most people consider as a healthy weight for dogs, is overweight!  One guy came out last Sudnay and his dog was at least 10 pounds over weight, he said well I thought they should weigh around 95 pounds   What the heck do people think all dogs are the same? He was very confused when I told him with the height of his dog, he should be closer to about 85 pounds, which is a nice size for an adult male!

The dog had no waist, and his rubs were burried beneath two inches of fat.  This dog was fat!

My dogs are kept lean, not skinny, but I would much rather have a lean dog than a chubby dog, better for their joints, and stamina, and health all around.

Too bad it's not as easy to take the weight off of people as it is dogs, we'd all be healthier

Xeus - I am like you - love to feed my kids and keep them looking "healthy" but alas the vet does keep me toned down on the feeding.  She very recently showed me a study of weight vs. hip dysplasia and the findings showing some link that is being studied more in depth now.  If the dogs are overweight it puts more stress on the joints.  Her rule of thumb is that she wants to see the last 2 ribs on the dog.  My boy is fed well, best diet of 50%RAW & 50% RC24 twice per day and the difference ends up being in the stamina of the dog if he is overweight.  I need to tone him down about 5 pounds and build his stamina.

Okay, so...I'm getting a little confused.  Is it that you're supposed to "see" the last two ribs or see the outline of the last rib and be able to "feel" the ribs? 

Sorry....just trying to understand. 

My one yr old female is well muscled and "tight" but, you can "see" the outline of the last rib...she looks great, shiney coat, tons of energy, etc.  My 9 month old tends to carry weight way to easy, looks wider (hips and butt and all), can't see any outline of ribs at all but, can feel them easy enough.  Has a bit different coat though.  Just overall a bigger dog and more on the "sluggish" or lazy side.

Thanks for any clarification.  I don't like to see an overweight dog at all and work hard at trying to keep my dogs to their optimum weight for overall health and well-being.

It is a happy middle I believe.  Some take it to the extreme  in either directions. I have one friend that always tells me my dogs are way to skinny.  But my dogs are out working and staying active. Yes, you can see the last rib but you can also see the muscles. I also know people that have thier dogs over wieght  and brag on thier weight!!!! like that means anything (but a over weight unhealthy dog)

My ideal wieght for my dogs

I understand about being able too see the last two ribbs, I agree with keeping the dogs fit yess you are all right on that.  For example I just saw a 15 month old female that weighs 45 pounds.  You can see every ribb, you can feel every bone in her spine, and you know the two hipp bones on the back of the dog also can be seen.  I am not against the dogvs that you can see the chest muscle and see the last two ribbs.......A well conditioned athlete that needs power (protection dog) also needs muscle for the fight. To condition an athlete the right way takes a lot of knowledge, their are a lot of so called trainers who do not have that knowledge.  Thanx for the comments...

EkvonEarnhart.

Your dog looks good to me.. He looks healthy and fit.  He also looks like he would be able to handle the fight, physically..

This is an article that I have posted before off the sardogs website. It has some very good info.

http://www.sardogs.com/health_conditioning.htm