Juno stands around 23" at the shoulder the last time I measured her (about a year ago), so she's not a 'small' Labrador, just slim
Tilly's conformation is more like a Show Dog than field. Her dad was an American Field style dog and a Field Trial Champion. Her mom looked more English, Show style, but she was a Master Hunter. Tilly did not get the hunting genes, but she is a great dog.
I always struggle with the Field and Show type descriptions of Labradors in the UK and N.America. I certainly have never seen or heard the same descriptions in France. There you just have a Labrador which, if you are keen, you can have assessed against the breed standard for confirmation once they are 15+ months old. Juno's dad for example has been quite successful in the show ring but has also competed in field trials, as have many of her predecessors.
I sympathise with you... my two came to us ten weeks ago needing to lose weight. One of the girls is more active than her sister, so is losing weight gradually, whereas her sister seems to have plateaued. Have greatly reduced food intake, but hasn't seemed to make any difference... maybe not enough. So have just started them on a raw diet, which they LOVE, and which I hope will have a good effect. Watch this space!
let me know how you get on tilly sometimes has raw food with veg and brown rice only a small portion not sure if shes lost any weight yet though lol
Good news! The girls have lost a bit more weight, so just under 2kg since mid-February, which hopefully is a reasonable rate. To be fair, they're not very active dogs around the house and garden, though I do try to encourage lots of garden games. Varies from day to day how they are on their walks... either a mad and frenetic ten minutes during the walk, or just a ploddy sort of walk, mooching and sniffing, but it definitely looks like we are getting there! Their condition is good and instead of a miniscule amount of kibble in their bowls, they now have a more reasonable amount of raw food, which they eat with far more obvious enjoyment. I'm hoping that we shall reach target weight later this year, but am not rushing it now that I know what seems to be working. I'd definitely recommend!
Good question. The girls came to us quite heavy and not moving that freely, so the first aim was to help them lose steadily, which they now seem to be doing. How far we go will depend on how they look, condition etc, but I'd hope another 2kg at least, though very steadily, so we can hopefully build muscles and stamina. We don't overwalk them, taking the cue from them in terms of length of walk, as their stamina, at least initially, wasn't great. We've noticed an increase in general fitness and activity on the walks, so it feels like it's going well. They're quite stocky girls, so I don't imagine they'll every be lightweight labs. Anna is 32.5kg now and Bella 34.5kg, so they're not fading away!
i think tilly is about 29/30 kg at the moment I think shes lost weight not sure but shes been having longer walks less food and jumbones! shes going for her booster/anal glands next month so we will see she doesnt like getting on the scales i think shes a tad embarrassed
Juno used to have jumbones until I discovered that each large jumbone contains 611 calories and various forms of sugar . She now mainly has dried fish skin or dried sea bass as her chews.
Arthur GR was 29kg last vets check up, she thought that too much, so I am unsure what a good weight for him should be tbh. Like most he is a 'foody' dog snaffles anything he can.
It might be worth going back to ask why she thought Arthur needed to lose weight as he fits well into the adult weight range of 27-36kg. Can you feel his ribs when you glide your hands down his sides, without applying pressure. Does he have a defined waist when viewed from above?
I know I was very surprised when I found out the calories, no to mention the addition of sugar - totally unnecessary. http://www.pedigree.com/Really-Good-Food/jumbone-treats-large.aspx I'm not sure where the Really Good Food bit comes into their web addressing
