I think he is too skinny now! Or is he just fit?

[robk]

I see so many people posting "is my pet too skinny?" pictures. I have never seen anyone (that I can think of) post a picture asking "Is my pet over weight?" Why is this?

[wildo]

I think it's because people with overweight dogs don't think they have a problem. In fat America (and I have no room to talk with my fat ass) having an in-shape dog is certainly not the norm. It's confusing to us. We need clarification to make sure we're doing right. Sad but true.

[EDIT]- and that's no slam on ponyfarm! She's a close friend of mine in real life. Point is- dogs are super fat in America. THAT is the normal. Getting a dog to a proper weight is atypical, and people actually do need clarification to make sure they're in the right. I know I had multiple agility instructors help me to know what a good weight for Pimg was. I thought she looked GREAT at 75-78 pounds. Geez. I keep her at 68 to 69 now. It's a significant difference. I would have never known, and I certainly wouldn't have started a thread "is my dog overweight?".

[robk]

I love my dog's gnarly rangy look!

[onyx'girl]

Workin' dawg conformation... Max rocks it !

[ponyfarm]

Originally Posted by wildo

I think it's because people with overweight dogs don't think they have a problem. In fat America (and I have no room to talk with my fat ass) having an in-shape dog is certainly not the norm. It's confusing to us. We need clarification to make sure we're doing right. Sad but true.

[EDIT]- and that's no slam on ponyfarm! She's a close friend of mine in real life. Point is- dogs are super fat in America. THAT is the normal. Getting a dog to a proper weight is atypical, and people actually do need clarification to make sure they're in the right. I know I had multiple agility instructors help me to know what a good weight for Pimg was. I thought she looked GREAT at 75-78 pounds. Geez. I keep her at 68 to 69 now. It's a significant difference. I would have never known, and I certainly wouldn't have started a thread "is my dog overweight?".

Wildo is right! I am having a hard time with "skinny". I equate that with undernourished, wormy etc. Max is none of this, But to the general public that is the perception. I have had several people stop and tell me my dog is too skinny, at dog school too. Of course, my trainer let them know he was fine! Most companion dogs are overwieght and that is what we all get used to seeing.

Max was at 72 pounds this summer, oops! and now he is 67 lbs. I dont think I want him to weigh any less, tho.

Thanks for the compliments everyone ! I feel re-assured that he is looking good!

[Liesje]

Originally Posted by robk

I see so many people posting "is my pet too skinny?" pictures. I have never seen anyone (that I can think of) post a picture asking "Is my pet over weight?" Why is this?

LOL so true. I was at the vet last night and every other animal in the busy waiting room was fat. Fat dachshund, fat westie, fat bichon mix. When checking in, one lady was asked why her dog was there and she said, "oh he has arthritis and it's getting difficult for him to walk...." One sideways glance at the dog and it's pretty obvious it's not really the arthritis that's the problem.... Then when we got in our room we happened to be right next to the scale, and every owner that weighed their dog after us was surprised at their dog's weight. One even had the vet tech do it again.