[Abby]

It has amazed me how many pictures of overweight dogs I see on this forum, and how many other members say they look just fine. Pet obesity is a terrible problem and I can't imagine it getting better when new members ask the question "Is my dog overweight?" and other members on the forum assure them that their dog's weight looks fine! We're more involved than your average dog owner, so if we don't know what a fit dog looks like- how can we expect other owners to follow?

I looked around, and this is the the best explanation I could find...

Your dog’s weight is healthy, if:

Ribs are felt easily
Tucked abdomen (no sagging stomach)
Waist when viewed from above


Your dog is overweight, if:

Difficult to feel ribs under fat
Sagging stomach (you can grab a handful of fat)
Broad, flat back
No waist

I think it's important that the "ribs and spine are easily felt, but not necessarily seen." and when the dog is moving around outside you should be able to see the ribs a bit.

Last, I'd like to add that in case anyone is looking at show pictures of dogs, breeders and handlers will often put an extra couple of lbs on a dog for the show ring, it's their "show weight" and probably not always a good reference for people looking to "match" for their own dogs. Finally I worked at a pet store, I told most owners I'd meet (with 20lb overweight labs lol) "if you don't think your dog is underweight, he's probably too fat!"

I'd really like it if people could include examples of their fit Dobermans as well!

 

[mangujowa]

Niz is a 2 right now, but I'm always trying to get him at a 3. We overshoot and undershoot a lot.

I don't really have many photos of him at a 2, because he looks so tiny, but here's a shot from the top of Niz at 62 lbs:

Those bumps are his vertebrae.

Niz at a 1, 54 lbs:

Vertebrae, pelvis and ribs all visible.

How I like Niz, 67-70lbs, at a 3:

And yes.... the beagle's entire head is in Niz's mouth.

 

[Adara]

Pictures can also be deceiving. We do agility and I keep Flirt at a 2. These were taken just a few days apart

The sideways tuck up

Doing a good job of annoying her brother, but a different angle:

 

[PennyPup]

Fat labradors peeve me off!

Saying that however, I know my boy is overweight. -__-
He's probably a low 4 or a high 3.. depending on who you ask I suppose.

This is the heaviest he's ever been and although I'm not sure of his exact weight, his tuck up isn't as "up" as it should be. I can still see and feel his ribs without much difficulty, and from above he does have a slight defined waist. He's just got a beer belly is all!

He's now 3 and a bit so all his puppy energy has pretty much gone by. Also, with recently having 2 children I haven't been getting him out as often as he needs. (bad me, bad!)

So for anyone wondering what a dobe with a little bit of chub looks like, this is it LOL
Both shots taken today, second one I took just for this post. (Please excuse the messy baby room!)

 

[PatchworkRobot]

I try to keep Dreizehn at a lower 3, almost borderline 2. He's a little pudgy right now.

This is the only picture I have in which he's not running or jumping or sitting in an unhelpful way. He's only a little fat but he's definitely a 4 on that chart.

 

[maggiemay]

THIS is my obsession.....I look at Reba every day and analyse where her ideal weight should be. I do not want an overweight doberman.

So...her portion for the day is how I think she looks to me....if she is looking thin....then a little extra....if she is looking heavy....a little less.

I don't have a recent photo of her....but she would be a 2+ in my opinion. She is a super active girl with lots of exercise.

Thank you for posting this.....I see so many overweight dogs and their owners just don't have a clue!

 

[StarlightDobe]

This is about the best photo I have of Nexus standing so you can see her body. She is on the small side, but definitely not over or underweight.

 

[MeganUK]

I often think Josie looks fat...but I think it's because her chest is so big. I can feel/see her ribs, but not her hip bones or spine. At the beginning of the year though, she was 79 lbs! I freaked out and got her down to 72lbs. Wyatt went from 103lbs to 92lbs and looks much better.

I don't have any good side pics, but I do have these...
Jo was in her fatter stage here:

Here's what I mean about her huge chest...and I've also never noticed that she was fat on the sides, but that looks like a giant muffin top.

So I guess after my pictures, I will have to cut her food back even more. Her thyroid is normal.

 

[MeadowCat]

Fat labradors peeve me off!

Saying that however, I know my boy is overweight. -__-
He's probably a low 4 or a high 3.. depending on who you ask I suppose.

This is the heaviest he's ever been and although I'm not sure of his exact weight, his tuck up isn't as "up" as it should be. I can still see and feel his ribs without much difficulty, and from above he does have a slight defined waist. He's just got a beer belly is all!

He's now 3 and a bit so all his puppy energy has pretty much gone by. Also, with recently having 2 children I haven't been getting him out as often as he needs. (bad me, bad!)

So for anyone wondering what a dobe with a little bit of chub looks like, this is it LOL
Both shots taken today, second one I took just for this post. (Please excuse the messy baby room!)

Yes, he's heavy, but man, he's handsome! Can't wait to see him down to a better weight.

Can anyone find a good chart that also has the "top down" view? I find that particularly helpful when checking my dogs, but I can't find a good example online.

I agree with Abby. I hope that if Shanoa or Simon are ever looking heavy someone will mention it to me! I'm pretty vigilant about weight, though. It's so hard on them to carry extra weight.

 

[maggiemay]

Fat labradors peeve me off!

Why does it seem that there are more fat labs than any other breed? I swear....every lab I see is overweight!

 

[Jennie ATX]

Why does it seem that there are more fat labs than any other breed? I swear....every lab I see is overweight!

Well they do seem to eat EVERYTHING in sight. :lol: My friend just called me today to tell me her dad's lab had eaten DENTAL FLOSS. And it wasn't even flavored. Yikes!!!

I like to keep Ziggy at a 3 but it is hard - he is closer to a 2 naturally. I don't stress about it (he is a very finicky eater with a sensitive stomach) but I can't show him at his current weight and I wish I could, for some practice in the ring. I'll have to find another puppy to handle I guess.

Ziggy looks like Flirt does at her agility weight. I can see most of his ribs when he's standing still, but they aren't STARKLY visible. Just the outlines.

 

[RedFawnRising]

Thank goodness someone finally had the ballz to start this thread

I often struggle with finding the words to mention this issue--it's kind of like trying to tell a well-liked coworker they have body odor.

 

[tater28115]

Yes, Sasha is overweight! Sasha hovers between 3 and 4, more towards the 4 side. We have been doing alot more excercise now after Logan passed, it was always difficult for me to leave him home alone when I would take the other dogs for a walk, I felt guilty the whole time. Weighed Sasha today and she is down 3 lbs, only have about 10 more lbs to go. She has been hovering around 75 but was down to 72lbs today! She has always been muscular / thick in the rear since she was a puppy and it seems like no matter how much running or walking we do, her butt doesn't change....Kim K has nothing on her! :11doh:

Evidence of the big puppy booty!

Side picture

Down 3 lbs - I can tell a little difference, but we still have a long way to go!

Riley is a healthy weight for his height, I would say he is a 2. Although he did weigh in at 75lbs today, he is very lean. He has a height / weight ratio advantage over Sasha! haha

You can sorta tell the difference in body shapes between the 2 of them in this picture.

Logan used to be very overweight before we got his thyroid under control. He was at 99lbs but after we got his medication regulated he slimmed down!

Logan Before:

Logan after:

 

[DreamValley]

Asha is too young to be fat...

...and she is young enough to keep Gino in a good shape

They eat 2 cups of kibble and 1 1/2 lbs raw food each daily... geezzz... they burn my pocket and keep me fit too

DOBERMANS NEED OFF LEASH FUN!

 

[Dobejazz]

Pete chunky - He was 80#'s when I adopted him out and when he was returned 6 weeks later she already made him fat!!
Pete at a good weight & Toula

Pete is the one play bowing the day he was returned

slimming down a little

I need to weigh him tomorrow and see where he is at and take some new pics

Here is Toula at a good weight for her

 

[Abby]

Thank goodness someone finally had the ballz to start this thread

Thank GOD no one's upset that I have! Let's work to keep the DT dobers in BEAUTIFUL fit condition! They'll play harder and LIVE LONGER when in perfect condition!

 

[Sherryh]

Beautiful pictures...........no fatty dobes in these pictures........

 

[Murreydobe]

I don't have any recent pics of Razzle. I'd say she's right on the cusp between 2 and 3, the last time she was weighed she was 63 lbs.

Connor is a 3. This pic was taken after I put about 3 lbs. on him to show him. He's about 85 lbs.

 

[DreamValley]

Gino is approx. the same weight as Connor. Dogs with good bones are heavier.
My Gino's brothers are over 90lbs and they don't look fat.

 

[EatTheLeash]

Quick question - I have noticed that my girl has never lost the wrinkles at the base of her neck right below where her collar sits. If she is standing attentively they are not there. Looking at a lot of these pictured it appears to be the norm. Is that correct to assume? Other than that, she appears to sit at a three. 10 months under 70 pounds, not sure on current height.