Is Willow overweight??

[maddy74]

Willows weight goes from 12-12 and half kg. She went up to the top end of 12 when she was on steroids 18 months ago . she always seems leaner in the summer months as she has more off lead exercise. When willow had meningitis the specialist said between 11 and 11 half to 12 Max would be ideal but the last few times we have visited the vet has said her weight is fine.

The reason why I am posting is I sent willows breeder the photos I posted in the 'working cocker' section  and she said she thinks willow is overweight and if she doesn't lose weight she could be facing health issues!!  This has really upset me as I feel we take good care of willow and feed her healthily and give her adequate exercise.

Your thoughts in this matter would be gratefully received. Thank you.

[Patp]

Ggrrr, how can she tell from a photograph???

I think Willow is a lovely, lively very active little girl and you and your vet know best. 

[Sheryl]

Why are you doubting yourself? Let's face it, she has had health issues and they had nothing whatsoever to do with her weight. Kali also moves from 12 to 12.5kg. The vet has always said she looks in great shape. Can you feel her ribs pressing lightly?

I can see a breeder being worried if they see a massively overweight dog but not for a pound or two!

[jennycockerspaniel]

Oh Maddie,  the way you have nursed and got her through the health problems and give her the right food and exercise Photos can be deceiving and if the vet thinks she is fine and you do, please do not let this upset you x

[Redked]

No way? Not a chance would i say she is overweight.....gosh that is a surprise that the breeder said that. I'd listen to vet who has seen her in the flesh xx

[Pearly]

I know you mentioned this to me a few days ago so it must be worrying you -  you've been poorly, Daz has been working and the weather is awful 

Give Wilsy a couple of weeks of normal exercise and I get she's soon back to her regular fighting weight 

Tbh I think it's a bit unfair of your breeder - they are probably comparing Wilsy to working gun dogs and given it's end of season they will be very slender (as Pat and I can verify ) will be interesting to see Willow at the end of her exercise season and before the shooting season starts again and how they compare then 

She's a beautiful dog with bags if energy - I can understand why you would be concerned but please don't be x

[Nicola]

She's very fluffy which makes them look broader and photos, especially front-on, aren't the best way to judge weight. Kilo weight isn't always the best gauge of a dog being overweight either, Caoimhe is 14" tall, 2.5 inches shorter than Ro, but weighs a kilo more than him; she's about 14kg which is heavy for her height but she's solid muscle with next to no body fat, they're both a bit ribby just now having been out working all season. If you can see a clearly defined waist when you look down at them from above and feel the ribs with only light pressure then they're ok. If there's not much of a waist and you have to dig in to feel ribs then they're overweight.

[Helen]

On Sunday 3 lots of people told me Jarv was tubby.

He lost 3 kgs overnight by clipping him and today the same 3 people thought he was fine 

Willow is very fluffy and those poses while lovely pics do not do her any favours at all.  When I looked at the thread my honest first reaction was that she did look fat and I wondered how much of that was fur.

You could always follow jarv's clipping diet - works every time

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

On Sunday 3 people told me Jarv was tubby.

He lost 3 kgs overnight by clipping him and today the same 3 people thought he was fine 

Willow is very fluffy and those poses while lovely pics do not do her any favours at all.  When I looked at the thread my honest first reaction was that she did look fat and I wondered how much of that was fur.

You could always follow jarv's clipping diet - works every time

3.5kg ago, one of the ladies at ringcraft told me Charlie was fat (puppy fluff). Fluff does make people assume your dog is fat. Only you know really, as you can feel her. If you think she's fine then she likely is 

[JamiesGirl]

She doesn't look fat to me! I just thought she was fluffy?

[Toni-UK]

Ive just been and had a look at the photos and while they are cute shots of Willow i am flabbergasted the breeder could make such a remark as you can obviously see how fluffy she is which coupled with the camera angle obscures any body definition anyway.....i really don't see how the breeder could make such a statement and if it were me i would be sending a message to put her straight also quoting what your vet said too.
 

[HBP]

She looks quite wide in the second pic, because of the way she is sat I think, and because of her lovely fluffy chest! You see and feel her every day, you'd know if she was overweight xx

[elaine.e]

I looked at the photos earlier this evening and, like Helen, thought they were lovely photos, had a few seconds of wondering if Willow had put weight on since I last saw photos of her, then decided it was most likely her fluffiness.

I don't see how the breeder can really judge from head on photos. As long as you can see a waist when you look from above (maybe when she's wet given her current fluffiness) and can feel her ribs without prodding then she isn't fat.

As it's clearly upset you maybe you could take a couple of photos of a wet Willow (should be easy enough given tomorrow's weather forecast) and post those to the breeder

[maddy74]

Thank you for your comments.... Her first words were that the photos were nice but she called her "chubby and fluffy" I guess waiting for me to respond. I did say that the vet was happy with her but I don't think she believed me. She then said about health implications if she does not lose weight. I know she only wants what is best for Willow but so do we!!

I will use thinning scissors on her come spring and she will look better. She is very fluffy and when she is wet you can she her going in at the back end. I know she is the heaviest she should be and we are careful. Just hurtful comments I guess when I feel we take good care of willow to include her health and well bring  

[JennyBee]

To me looking at the photos I would say it is just the angle/lots of fluffiness - I have the same thing happen with Brodie at certain angles when she is in need of a clip: if you didn't know better you'd think she was overweight, yet from another angle you can see she's fine.

A thick coat can definitely make them look fatter than they are, I am always surprised when my girl is having a bath as it's the only time you can see just how skinny she is .