Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs I think the point about some working line labs being more sensitive is very valid. Is that why show line labs are used more often as guide dogs; because they have steadier characters, on the whole?
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs Charlie and (gundog) steadiness are largely strangers though! ;D ;D ;D That is definitely my rubbish training though.
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs I don't like to cause offence or controversy but to my mind all the labs pictured are beautiful but would be even more stunning a couple of kgs lighter. I personally like a more pronounced waist, from the side view and the top. But it's each to their own. My dog is a very slim working dog but she also is blessed with a lovely large lab head, unlike some working dogs which do have a narrower face than typical of a prize winning lab. With all things there are good and bad examples of both lines and it boils down to choosing the dog that fits your lifestyle and doing the best you can for its health and training. Mine is definitely a fiery wild red head and I do get pangs of envy when I see several of my friends with their much more level headed show type black labs. Amber loves to retrieve and is mega quick to learn things, good and bad, but this is often hard work as she's a high maintenance, determined, diva that keeps me on my toes. Shes lucky she's so cute some days and today is definitely one of those days.
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs [quote author=A.Causer link=topic=9459.msg142343#msg142343 date=1423336454] I don't like to cause offence or controversy but to my mind all the labs pictured are beautiful but would be even more stunning a couple of kgs lighter. [/quote] I think there are two pictures of dogs on this thread that could be a couple of kgs lighter. But none are vastly overweight. I don't think ManyMills Heron can be said - from that picture - to need to lose weight.
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs Yes I definitely didn't mean any needed to lose more than maybe 2 or 3kgs. It is difficult to judge from photos as always. And like I normlly say this forum is 99% of the time an example of gorgeous dogs and dedicated owners. The real fat lab issues are the ones that walk (or waddle) into my consult room every day at 40-50kg.
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs I really doubt that Heron (5 Field Trial firsts) could be said to have been overweight... Or did you think he was a show line dog so must need to lose a bit?
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs I know he's a dual champ. Harder to judge a waist on a male dog due to certain parts of anatomy and no doubt he is very muscular but think I'd still have him marginally lighter. Although I would never be 100% convinced either way without having laid hands on him and felt his conformation for myself. He is the most correct looking of all the pics on this thread though I think. Like I say it's all personal preference and I'd always lean towards seeing the last rib.
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs okay doke! ;D ;D ;D Glad to hear you might judge the working dog to look ok after all and not need to lose a couple of kgs.
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs I have to say, that if you looked at photos of Casper...(show line) he looks like he could lose a kg or two...however in the flesh it is very obvious that would make him much to light for his build. It is very easy to look at photos, and make a judgement based on that, especially as working labs look so different, being naturally more streamlined. Now I am not suggesting for a second anyone is being judgemental here
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs I'm under no illusions that my lab is a perfect specimen either. She doesn't meet breed standard in many ways particularly her lack of soft mouth!! Plus her tail isn't broad enough. But she's bred for great hips, elbows and temperament. If she wasn't such a loon and I had more patience/training skill she could even live upto her field trial champion pedigree. I think seeing very fat labs every day of the week at work has shifted my view of ideal to the slimmer side.
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs That's ok, Alex, we are only teasing really. If my dog weren't such a loon, he definitely would not be a field trial champion. ;D ;D ;D He'd just be a pet that wasn't a loon...
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs I know it's all just friendly debate. I'd just hate to offend anyone. Mines just a lunatic pet for the foreseeable future. A cushion humping, toy destroying, arm mouthing pest that currently is snoring away across my knee like butter wouldn't melt. Bless, I keep reminding myself the negatives about her go hand in hand with other aspects of her personality which I wouldn't want to change.
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs A.Causer have you stolen my dog? ;D I'm sure that no-one has been offended in the slightest. And I think we'd all agree that it is a sad thing to see a fat dog of any stripe.
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs The labrador best of breed at crufts on Thursday wasn't as wobbly as American counterparts but still a poor representation of our lovely breed!! Wish they'd actually adhere to their 'fit for function' motto.
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs Quite a few years ago my Vet said that I should be able to feel my dogs ribs, but not see them. Is this an over simplification?
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs Let's put Giulietta in context for this discussion...here she is next to last year's winner...
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs No You should be able to see the shadow of your dog's ribs or as your vet said, be able to feel them easily.
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs I like to be able to see the end of Charlie's last rib, however he is standing, and I like to be able to faintly see the outline of all of them when he is turning or sniffing (arching his tummy up).
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs Yes last years was far worse, hopefully next year it will be even better? Rib wise I agree. I like to see the edge of the last one and feel them easily. I describe to clients that it should be like feeling ribs through a cotton sheet not a duvet. When running, stretching, turning I like see most of her ribs. Then also there should be a visible waist from the top and the side, an obvious divide between chest and abdomen.
Re: Update on the slimdoggy blog about overweight show labs That bitch (Loch Mor Giulietta) is still chunky. The only thing preventing her from being as huge as her stablemate, Romeo, is the fact that she is a bitch. I wouldn't see that pic as proof that judges are going for more moderate dogs. Her underlying angles are fine though (shoulder angle, rear legs). In other photos she does seem to have a nice head though from the side in the above pic she looks like she's got a very pronounced (overdone) stop which I'm not a massive fan of as it's associated with a short, domed skull (should be flat).
