Ok so after @JenBainbridge post about Stanley, I got thinking about Rolo's Shape and size. He is a pure showbred dog, with crufts winners etc in his lines. But I think he is a little on the large side at the moment. My OH took this pic, which admittedly isnt the best angle. You can see his tail, shorter legs and sloped chest all scream show. But his back end is not slim as I would like. This was taken today he looks different from each angle. This was taken just over a week ago, and again his back end looks so different He weighs 33.8 and last month weighed 34.2 so has lost a little. Anyone want to chip in? x
I think it is so hard to tell! It looks like Rolo as a really thick coat too, which makes it even harder. How old is he now? So for me, looking at Rolo he looks perfect! A really gorgeous dog. If anything my focus would shift to looking at a bit more muscle, and developing flexibility and good co-ordination to help protect joints and muscles. It doesn't do any harm though, to keep him a half kg or so under his cruising weight.
Thanks @Beanwood His coat is ridiculously thick! layers upon layers haha. Thanks for the input! He has just turned 1. I am switching his food to adult soon too so will need to keep an eye on his body shape with the change! Just nice to have an opinion of someone more experienced than me in this!
My unabashadly unprofessional opinion - he looks perfect. But hey, I'm glad of any reason you have to post new Rolo photos. I think you should try a couple more angles just to be sure.
I have to admit I've thought Rolo looks a bit heavy in some of the pictures you've posted, but it is hard to tell from a photo.
As you probably already know I'm not the best in this department. But ohhhh he's so gorgeous. So so handsome!
So hard to tell! In the first one a touch heavy, in the second just lovely! If you're in doubt ask your vet to put their hands on him and be completely honest with you ps Riley is jealous of his tail!
Thanks Guys i think his chest is holding a lot of weight so when he sits he looks top heavy was hoping he would even out a bit so a few pounds may help, is it harder for them to loose weight from the top end. He has loads of loose skin too like he hasnt grew into it round that area
@Jyssica , I agree Rolo is a lovely looking dog. This whole shape thing is quite tricky. Cassie is just 15 months and I could see all her ribs and she had a very pronounced tuck from the side, but not from the top. The vet says she has to lose a kilo from her lumbar region before spay! Which we have nearly achieved. At our vets we can drop in to see a nurse to monitor weight/shape at any time and they are so helpful, does your vet offer this. It's a free service for us.
Looks fine from above. Show line dogs don't have a hugely defined 'waist' when viewed from the top. From the side he maybe could do with a bit more tuck up, but it is all really best assessed by feeling how much fat is over his ribs. Muscle coverage looks fine to me.
No comment to add on his shape - but, what a lovely thick coat he has! Does he make a mess with shedding?
I find that Harley looks different every week in terms of weight. It's a hard one to tell from different angles. Rolo is very handsome and he looks good to me, especially from above x
A mess is an understatement. I find nests of hair in each corner of my house at least twice a day haha. Its funny tho all of our socks are sprinkled with labrador hair
