Too thin?

I don't really like weight guidelines because they mostly work for field-bred Labradors and Golden Retrievers, LOL. They DON'T work for sighthounds, naturally "bulky" breeds like Bulldogs/Pekingeses, certain show-bred Labradors and similar breeds, etc. The day Giselle has the "ideal body condition" according to the chart is the day my neighbors are going to call Animal Control on me :p

It 100% depends on your breed. There is no universal weight chart because certain breeds like the Greyhound are *supposed* to have 2-3 ribs and about 4-5 backbones clearly visible. Of course, there are some Greys in which you cannot clearly see these bones, but that is the ideal weight. Point being, your dog looks fine. I don't, however, like to judge dogs from the top because that can be a little misleading. If you look at your dog from the side, you should see a well-defined tuck up, no visible ribs, but when you run your hand across his chest, you should feel the slight bumps of his ribs.

Ok. Here is the only pic of his side that I've taken since he was groomed. In this pic he looks at the perfect weight.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a22/dab_20/sgroom3.jpg

I think that he looks fine! I agree with Giselle, you should feed your dog based upon the breed...

I love Sam! He is just too adorable!:D
Steph, Jes, and Jemi'

neighbours use to complain that we didn't feed our dog. He was just sooo active that he was very muscular & slim. We offered him 3cups in the summer & he would only eat about 2 cups. Every once in awhile he would ask for more & we gave it to him.. but he was still a very slim dog & he was able to out run younger dogs when he was 9.5 & had a sore back.

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Originally Posted by Kfamr

The average person thinks Kiara & Nala are too thin but our vet thinks they are perfect condition. I just took some pictures and they even look incredibly skinny.... they are just right IMO and our vet's opinion.

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Bailey looks almost the same, but his waist is a bit bigger. When I take him out, people think he is underfed and I have even been called cruel! I feed him 6-9 cups of food a day, plus reward treats. He is gaining weight in his bones and muscles, but not in his tummy. :p

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Originally Posted by Giselle

I don't really like weight guidelines because they mostly work for field-bred Labradors

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Yep, and my field-bred Labs look just like the "ideal" weight! :)

Sam looks good to me. :)

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Originally Posted by jesse_3

I love Sam! He is just too adorable!:D
Steph, Jes, and Jemi'

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Thanks Steph!

Thanks for the replies everyone. I too agree that it's based upon the breed. Like a Staffie would look MUCH different then a gray hound, so you kind of have to go on your own opinion.

I think with so many dogs in the world today being overweight we tend to see dogs that are at a perfect weight and think they are skinny becuase we're so used to seeing fat dogs everywhere! :D
How old is Sam?

pitc writes:

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I think with so many dogs in the world today being overweight we tend to see dogs that are at a perfect weight and think they are skinny becuase we're so used to seeing fat dogs everywhere!

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I catch myself doing that, even though I know better. I'd been thinking lately that Gull looks a lil' too thin, but thought Oz looked perfect. They were at the vet yesterday and Gull weighed in around 80 lbs, which is a real good weight for him and Oz at 74 lbs, which is about 4 lbs too heavy.

The images of dogs on Animal Planet starving to death, always get to me, so I know I have a tendency to overcompensate sometimes and then have to reel myself back in, cuz too heavy isn't good either.

Par...

Don't ask me, I'm the owner of a fat Pug! I've been working on the problem though and I think she's finally losing weight. I'm not sure if Morty put on a few. I thought he did but I think it was just his winter coat. Harley and Jimmy are slim and trim and never gain a pound (accept when we first got them, but they both needed it)

I think your pup looks fine, but the pic is a little dark.

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Originally Posted by pitc9

I think with so many dogs in the world today being overweight we tend to see dogs that are at a perfect weight and think they are skinny becuase we're so used to seeing fat dogs everywhere! :D
How old is Sam?

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I completely agree. My mom keeps feeding Sam too much because she thinks he's too skinny. She won't listen to me. Sam is 9 months old.