Condition score your dog

I have recently been condition scoring my boys using this chart
http://vet.osu.edu/vmc/body-condition-scoring-chart

I would say Harry is moderate, and Cooper is thin/moderate.

I've seen a lot of dogs out and about that I would class as stout.

The majority are in my experience.

I think Axel is thin/moderate. I've seen loads of stout and lots of obese dogs around recently.

Hmm. I think they should have used weight, not condition.
Shamus is a bit overweight but in excellent condition. Little Dog is slim but in poor condition ( getting better by the day, though). Daisy looks plump but under that fluff is actually on the lean side.
Personally I think some dogs, like some people carry more weight than others.

But that is the whole purpose of body conditioning. Weight in isolation means nothing.

I could have two GSDs both could weigh the same, but one would be fat and one would be thin.

This is the problem when people say "it says on the chart that (insert relevant breed) should weigh x" or "it says on the tin/packet/tray that (insert relevant breed/eeight) should eat x amount,"

This, along with insufficient exercise and too many of the wrong sort of titbits is what make some dogs looke more like coffee tables than dogs!

You cannot be in "good" condition if you are overweight!

My understanding of condition is more than the size/weight ratio , its about well being , fitness, shiny coat , healthy teeth and having the right amount and type of food and exercise will make this happen. I cant see its any different with dogs to humans , what you take in and how you use it up or not has an impact on how you look, feel and behave. Is that too much of a simplified view ?

If we`re talking about swimming, coping with cold or outlasting a famine.......
my money`s on the tubbies.

I am with you there............

I think Cain comes out as moderate. He has a really nice tuck, you can easily feel his ribs and has no fat over his spine or round his tail. He does have a waistline from above but it's not quite as slim as the photo, but I will defend him on this as I think it's partly due to the Akita in him (and no, that's not an excuse )

I knew my fat would come in handy one day! Wooo for tubbies! (people that is )