A question about hunting dogs?

[carrie79]

I have a neighbor with two short haired hunting dogs. Dont know for sure the breed. Anyway their ribs stick out. They say this is "healthy" for their kind of dog, but is it really? Are there any hunting dogs that you should be able to see their ribs?

[Moo]

For some breeds, seeing all the ribs is normal.

ie:


In most breeds, I like to see the last rib or the last two. If Kirby was bald, I could see most of his, if not all.

[carrie79]

These are German Shorthairs I think. You can see them all like the one in the photo. I just never saw that before and it looked weird. I know you should be able to feel them.

[SevenSins]

Originally Posted by carrie79

These are German Shorthairs I think. You can see them all like the one in the photo. I just never saw that before and it looked weird. I know you should be able to feel them.

That's because most pet owners are used to seeing fat and/or unconditioned dogs and think a layer of fat and soft, squishy muscle tissue over the dog is normal.

None of these dogs are mine and I realize all but one isn't a GSP. :P




And a dog the average person would be frantically dialing animal control over but is in reality in one of the best, healthy conditions of any dog out there. This one isn't mine either nor is it a gundog at all.

[ProudShadow]

Sounds like a well worked gun dog. I would think thats what it would be used for. Some dogs bodies are just naturally like that and I have to agree with SevenSins on this one, we are maybe to used to seeing dogs on the slightly rounder side (which for some breeds is the standard shape but others a no no).

[Maliraptor]

I can show you pics of my dogs at about that weight- they are also working dogs, though not hunting dogs...

[s_crzy_dg_ldy]

Our german shorthair's ribs stuck out and he ate like a horse. So I'm sure they are well cared for. But they earn their keep.

[Applesmom]

Your neighbors are right. Hunting dogs can lose 1 to 5 pounds on an average days hunt. They can't possibly gain that weight back in one day. As a result, it's next to impossible to keep them at the average pet owners idea of the perfect weight. So difficult that even in the show ring a field dog isn't to be penalized for being shown in field condition.

Look at the muscle tone on the pictured dogs. If a dog had little or no muscle tone and his ribs were showing like that, then it could be a completely different story!

[konadog]

MOST North American dogs boarder on obese (over fed on bad food and under exercised) so fit trim ones look too thin by comparison. Dogs in general (people too) tend to be healthier and live longer if they are a little on the thin side - obesity is the kiss of death. Ya can't tell by looking at our fluffy Kona-dog, but his ribs and muscles would show if he were naked. And our short haired Penny-Lane's ribs show and she get lots of good quality food. Lots of exercise too, but plenty of food