Who ya calling fat?

[LoveLandseers]

Morris is almost 2 years old, and about 29-30inches at the shoulder. We took him by the vet's office to weigh him because he hasn't been too interested in his food lately and we were worried he was losing weight. We've always thought he was a little on the small side for a Newfy but the vet has always said that he had a great body condition.

Anyway, the receptionist took one pet of him and said he was getting fat! We were shocked and now are worried! He was 126lbs today. We still think we can feel his ribs pretty good but I guess she thought there was too much fat overlying them. We feed him 5 cups daily of Holistic select which is right within the feeding guidelines.

Anyway.... not sure how much you can get from a picture, but thoughts would be appreciated! (And he is definitely in need of grooming right now!! He could probably lose 5lbs of fur!)

He only gets ice cream on very special occasions, I promise!!

 

[JackandKelly]

...

 

[LoveLandseers]

I guess you might have to push a little. Maybe he is a little chunky. But yeah it seems like he's proportionately bigger than Lola. I'll probably have to schedule him a checkup to get the vets opinion.

 

[TerriW]

29" and 126 lbs....doesn't sound heavy to me at all. But then I know that it depends upon the dog's frame.

 

[dumainedogs]

It is sometimes hard to judge these guys with all that luscious fur! But, he certainly is handsome!

 

[Pipelineozzy]

Well...you might want to run it by the vet..instead of the receptionist? If he is actually 29 to 30 inches at the shoulder and only 126 lbs...he's not fat..lol. I just had one of my males to the vet last week, he's 29.5 at the withers (by actual measure) and he's right on 150 lbs. The vet, who is experienced with large breeds, sighed and said.."Oh, it's so NICE to see a Newf at appropriate weight..so many of them are so overweight!" Now granted, the boy I have is very heavy boned,( have to use both hands around a front leg below the elbow) but still...I don't believe your dog can be that fat if he's 29-30 at the withers and 25 lbs lighter than my male. Next time ask the vet - they might have a different view of it. I have a 26 inch female that's 124, and she's not overweight.

 

[nowhavethreebears]

I think the saying "I'm not fat, I'm fluffy!" is probably true for a lot of newfs. People look at them and assume they are overweight because of all the luscious fur!
I can't see him being overweight unless he is VERY slight built, and I just don't see that in any of the pics.
Morris is a very handsome boy....
If he's off the feed, though, you can always cut down a half cup or so and see if it makes a difference in whether he seems hungry or not.

 

[newfy]

My Tiki is 2 also, he is 28" & he is a solid 140#, Merlin is 29-30" & he goes about 120 to 125 now, he was thinner 3 months back & the vet wanted him to gain some weight; We also use HS, Merlin is getting 5 to cups daily; Tiki use to get the same, but he is tapering off lately, so I guess he is around 4 cups daily, + snacks; Your newf does not look fat to me, he looks just right.

 

[lapage24]

I personally like to err on the side of thinner. Better too thin than having to carry around the extra weight on her bones. Wish I could say the same for myself. haha

 

[skoorka]

He is GORGEOUS!!!!!!! But it really depends on the pooch. Our guys both weigh 100 lbs as they've got to stay on the skinny side because of Elwood's elbows & Maple's arthritis. He's tall & lean, she's short & stocky). We thought he was svelt until we shaved him for swimming and it was diet time! When we fed holistic select they got 2.5 cups a day, now we're on taste of the wild with the same amt with green beans for bulk, but they get small marrow bones & lots of baby carrots and stuff every day.

 

[2Paws]

Ideal weight is one of those very subjective opinions. One of the people I water train with who is also a vet is always telling me my dogs are too heavy. I think her dogs too thin. But that's just my opinion.

I rely on the feel of my dogs' frames and my own vet's opinion for guidance on ideal weight. If you are concerned, I would ask your vet rather than rely on the receptionist's opinion.

I feed my guys a raw diet so I can't help you with food quantities. I do know you don't have to feed as much with most of the premium kibbles.

Regardless of his weight, Morris looks like a real sweetie! I bet you have lots of fun with him.

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

I would ask your vet. I have my vet check Mila's weight/condition weekly (she goes to daycare at the vets) to make sure she's on target. I get a few lay people here and there that'll comment that Mila seems a bit chubby, but Mila has a TON of coat. Tons and tons and tons of coat. It looks like Morris has quite a bit too, and I think that can be deceiving. Especially since neither of our Newfs are fully mature and still need to finish filling out a bit in the head and legs...

 

[LoveLandseers]

Thanks everyone for your input! I think the receptionist is also a vet tech, but I will probably schedule him a checkup just to put my mind at ease. There were a few unsolicited opinions at the office yesterday- another lady told us that the gentle leader was going to injure his neck! From pictures I've seen it seems like a lot of newf owners use the gentle leader. But that's another topic!

 

[CMDRTED]

I think based on your description that he is proportinate and his weight seems to be within where it should be. I'd get a Vet's Opinion, a receptionist is paid to greet people, and unless she is a graduate of a Vet School, and is under-employeed, than I would rely on a more prefessional opinion.

 

[Tug]

Tug, a Mock Newf (Rott/GSD), is 30" at the shoulders and a slighter build than most Newf's I've seen. He's 133lbs and not overweight. Every dog is different, right?

 

[TerriW]

Hmm..... I think I better post my own thread about my Ben!