Would you tell a chazzer if you thought their dogs were too thin or too fat?

[AliciaD]

I was reading through an old thread and a few people were going back and forth about whether or not an ex-chazzers dogs were too thin. Several people had thought so but said they didn't say anything. So it got me curious.

I probably wouldn't say anything but only because I tend to think of other chazzers as being way more experienced and knowledgeable than me. Also I would worry that I would potentially rub someone the wrong way if they maybe said they were working on it in another thread and I didn't see that.

But at the same time I would want someone to tell me because Cameron and Duncan are my first dogs and I feel like I don't mind input or advice because there`s so much I have yet to learn. Canine physique isn't something I know a lot about.

 

[Sekah]

If it was conversational, yeah, probably. I try not to be critical out of the blue. I try...

 

[*blackrose]

I...think I would?

I don't think I'd say anything if I didn't think the dogs health was being compromised (because, let's face it - some people like really lean dogs, some like dogs with a bit more padding, pictures can be misleading, a dog may have a health condition, etc., etc.), but if an animal was grossly underweight or obese...I may ask why.

 

[Linds]

If someone ASKED and I really did think their dog was overweight or underweight I would. If it was just a picture thread or something and the dog is not obviously neglected I probably wouldn't.

That being said, I might chime in if someone else brought it up whether to agree or disagree.

On the flip side, I would like someone to tell me if they thought my dog was too fat or too thin. I might not agree with them but I would like it brought to my attention. Well, I would like to hear from a CHAZZER, random person on the street can keep their mouth shut.

 

[Southpaw]

I said no but I was approaching that from the idea that, I wouldn't just come out and analyze a weight without being prompted. If someone were asking, then sure I'd offer an opinion.

 

[crazedACD]

Was it the Saluki? I think I brought that up... so there is my answer.

I've tried to talk to random dog forum people about their dogs being overweight (not just overweight...dangerously obese) and they get defensive or upset. I've seen people from one forum, complain on others about feeling attacked. Some have been open to the topic but things never change. I try not to bring it up unless asked I guess.

Underweight is tough too. I'm on a FB group for "fit" dogs, there are a lot of members. Just the other day I was talking about how some of these dogs do appear to be "conditioned" but underweight. It's not something I would call any of them out for, I don't think the dogs are in danger.

I won't pretend that my dogs are in tip top condition either, Zoie and Romeo both tend to be a bit over, but they are acceptable to me.

 

[JazzyTheSibe]

It just really depends on the situation.

I wouldn't just say it out of the blue. Even if I think it, I wouldn't say it. I would need to know the situation first. If the dog looks so grossly thin, & they weren't doing anything about it- I'd probably say something. Same goes for a grossly obese dog.

If they asked for there opinion, then there's a chance I would tell what I think.

 

[skittledoo]

I voted yes, but ONLY if it was seriously obvious that it was one way or another. You can't always tell from a simple pic and sometimes you have to be able to put your hands on a dog. I do tend to like my dogs a little on the thinner side and sometimes I think my own dogs are getting fat when other people don't.

 

[Oko]

It would depend on a lot of things. If the dog was a growing skinny puppy, I wouldn't unless it was scary thin. People usually know their dogs are going through a period of being too thin, and are working on it. Feist is a little too thin right now, for example. If I know the person well enough to feel comfortable, if I actually think it's a problem vs. slight pudge or slightly skinny, if the person seems knowledgable about it, and of course, if they're inviting comments or not. Mostly I don't bother because most Chaz people I talk to aren't casual pet owners who don't know what a good body condition is, and they can decide for themselves how to keep their dogs.

 

[Laurelin]

Well a lot of overweight or underweight is hard to tell in photos. I've taken photos of Mia on the same day where in one she looks fat and the other she looks really skinny.

If the dog was obese or emaciated then yeah I might mention it. But slightly overweight or underweight but otherwise well cared for? Yeah no, not a big deal to me.

If someone asks I'll give an opinion.

 

[DJEtzel]

If someone ASKED and I really did think their dog was overweight or underweight I would. If it was just a picture thread or something and the dog is not obviously neglected I probably wouldn't.

That being said, I might chime in if someone else brought it up whether to agree or disagree.

On the flip side, I would like someone to tell me if they thought my dog was too fat or too thin. I might not agree with them but I would like it brought to my attention. Well, I would like to hear from a CHAZZER, random person on the street can keep their mouth shut.

It would depend on a lot of things. If the dog was a growing skinny puppy, I wouldn't unless it was scary thin. People usually know their dogs are going through a period of being too thin, and are working on it. Feist is a little too thin right now, for example. If I know the person well enough to feel comfortable, if I actually think it's a problem vs. slight pudge or slightly skinny, if the person seems knowledgable about it, and of course, if they're inviting comments or not. Mostly I don't bother because most Chaz people I talk to aren't casual pet owners who don't know what a good body condition is, and they can decide for themselves how to keep their dogs.

Mostly, this. ALL OF IT.

If I have a dog on one end of the other, I usually make it pretty obvious I know. Frag is always 3-5 pounds overweight in the winter and I make comments about it a lot as a disclaimer. I was thinking Recon was a little pudgy recently and my fiancé brought it up and confirmed for me everyone else did too! lol. Luckily I had already started cutting his food back and did again.

I've been SUPER watchful of Patton, because I like/want a very lean large breed puppy. A few weeks ago at the dog show, he was looking great and I was told by many people not to feed him more. This week he's looking and feeling a little boney, so I assume he's going through a growth spurt and increased his food by a bit.

ANYWAY YEAH.

 

[teacuptiger]

I would ask if the dog is having any health complications, but if the dog's just lean or pudgy... I don't really care. A lot of times, if the dog is having health troubles, the owner already knows and that's taken care of- but sometimes, it takes somebody making a comment for that person to say, "omg, I didn't even notice!" and get the dog to a vet.

Pictures are deceiving, but I think there comes a point where even in pictures... it's obvious the dog is having problems. Even with sighthounds- they are supposed to be lean, but you should still be able to see muscle on them. Even with Roxie, you could never make her fat enough so that her spine isn't sticking out... but she's got muscle.

 

[CrystalGSD]

If someone ASKED and I really did think their dog was overweight or underweight I would. If it was just a picture thread or something and the dog is not obviously neglected I probably wouldn't.

That being said, I might chime in if someone else brought it up whether to agree or disagree.

On the flip side, I would like someone to tell me if they thought my dog was too fat or too thin. I might not agree with them but I would like it brought to my attention. Well, I would like to hear from a CHAZZER, random person on the street can keep their mouth shut.

Basically all of this. I probably would only say something (without being prompted/asked) if they dog looked morbidly obese or emaciated, and the owner wasn't trying to do something about it.

And yes, I would appreciate it if people (from Chaz) would tell me and bring it to my attention if my dog ever is getting too pudgy or too thin.

 

[Fran101]

Far too thin? I would probably say something if it looked neglectful (not a breed or sickness thing)
Too fat doesn't really get me as riled, neither does a touch thin... I wouldn't offer an opinion either way unless asked

Like if the scale was 1-10, as long as the dog in question was from 4-7 on the scale...I wouldn't mention it.

There was an instance of a member with some pits that people really drooled over and I thought they looked like something in an ASPCA commercial for neglect cases but for things like that, where it's opinion/breed/sport specific and the dog SEEMS otherwise healthy? I wouldn't say anything unless asked.

 

[noludoru]

If it was conversational, yeah, probably. I try not to be critical out of the blue. I try...

This. If I think maybe they just don't know their dog is too chubby or skinny, I wont say anything. My dog is chubby and has been a pudgy little dude in most of the pics I post, and I wouldn't mind if someone pointed it out or asked a question about it. If I DIDN'T know it would be nice for someone to make me aware, and if I DO know, it's a legit question coming from a place of concern.

There was an instance of a member with some pits that people really drooled over and I thought they looked like something in an ASPCA commercial for neglect cases but for things like that, where it's opinion/breed/sport specific and the dog SEEMS otherwise healthy? I wouldn't say anything unless asked.

I know the dogs you're speaking of. :rofl1:

Here's my take on it - they're kept very thin, yes, but if they were dangerously thin they wouldn't be able to develop and maintain the insane muscle tone they have. You need a lot of calories to feed those muscles and build more, so I know they're being fed more than the bare minimum it takes to keep the dog alive. Could those dogs gain 2lbs of fat and look just as good? Probably. But their weight isn't hurting them, and I'd rather see a dog that looks like that than a dog with an extra 10-15lbs.

 

[Paviche]

Honestly I probably wouldn't, unless they were specifically asking. It's not my style. I would certainly be thinking it, but bringing it up? Nah.

Maybe if the dog was like... emaciated, and I was wondering about it. I certainly wouldn't bring it up if the dog seemed slightly underweight, or slightly overweight. My dogs have been at both ends of the spectrum there. When I first got Riff, he got way too thin. Right now Rowan is a little chubby, but I'm aware and working on it. I prefer dogs to be in good shape, but if they're a bit too far on either end... well, it's not my dog.

 

[Southpaw]

I also assume that most people on Chaz are aware of their dog's body condition and what is appropriate, and wouldn't feel it's my place to say something unless the person asked.
Happy and Cajun were both lards when I got them, I don't think I ever said in any of my threads "hey guys I know she looks like a sausage, we're working on it," and no one ever commented on their weights... which is FINE and probably preferable because I KNEW they were fat, we were actively working on it... didn't really need or want other people to tell me they were fat, too.

 

[sassafras]

I also assume that most people on Chaz are aware of their dog's body condition and what is appropriate, and wouldn't feel it's my place to say something unless the person asked.

Agree with this. I wouldn't say anything unless someone specifically asked. No need to crap on something like a picture thread.

And honestly, unless a dog is severely underweight or obese, I don't really like making weight assessments based just on a picture anyway. Gotta get my hands on a dog, really.

 

[Dizzy]

I said depends on the chazzer. Honestly I think it would just end badly no matter what though. I've seen it before.

 

[FG167]

Nope.

Unless asked.

Way too much potential for drama otherwise.

However, when Limit was growing, I had someone (nicely) bring up how thin he was. I said yeah, we're trying but he's hard to keep weight on at this age, and that was it. Didn't cross my mind again until now. Was very polite and understanding.