Is Ali too big???

[Murp.mm]

Ali has gained 15 pounds over the past year. She is 72 pounds and spayed. The vet says she needs to lose a bit but every time I meet someone with Ali they all say "What a big boxer she is". I just met a new boxer friend today and her boy is 2 1/2 years, not neutered and weights about 70 pounds but looks so much slimmer. She says Ali is so big for a female. She is not getting her off lead run like she used to because my friend has moved. But we do get together on Saturdays and her and Brooke have a 3 mile run off lead. We still walk everyday and I still take her off lead in the woods but it's not the same when she doesn't have a buddy to play with. Do you guys think she is too big for a female.

 

[kayboxer]

I think Ali is beautiful. I had to put Roxy on a "diet" a couple of years ago. It was my fault, too many treats. I was told that you should be able to feel the ribs and feel the backbone fairly easily (but not necessarily see them). That is pretty much what I go by. Roxy weighs about 60 lbs. now, when I put her on the diet she weighed about 65 to 67 lbs. I could tell she felt so much better without the excess weight. It's hard to tell from your pictures what she looks like weight wise, but she sure is a cutie!

 

[gmacleod]

How was her weight before she gained the 15lb? About perfect? Or was she underweight? If she wasn't underweight, then she is now 15lb overweight

Does she have a defined waist and can you see the outline of the last couple of sets of ribs when she's just standing around normally? If you can't, she's overweight. If you can't feel them running your hands over her and actually have to prod to find them, she's even obese.

Another thing you might look at is her height (measured ground to withers). 72lb is what you'd expect from an adult male at the top of the size range for boxers (about 25-26" tall). If she's as tall as that, then 72lb probably isn't a bad weight for her. But if she's shorter - again, a clear signal that she's overweight.

That sounds a little tough - but vets rarely tell people their dogs are overweight when it's only by a little bit. And the photos in your gallery are not of a thin dog. So working on the assumption that 15lb at least is excess, it really would be in her best interests for you to (a) get her more exercise, and (b) feed her less. Really - obesity is a massive health risk for dogs, with links to everything from diabetes to heart disease, liver disease, cancer and immune system problems. Well, all the same things as humans. The difference is that they're not in a position to regulate their own food intake and exercise - we are

 

[Murp.mm]

Kayboxer: Thank you for your kind sentiments. Yes, I think she is gorgeous too but deep down I know she needs to lose some weight. I guess I'm going to have to cut back and find someone who can run their dog in the woods with me. I found a new boxer friend. Her boy is not good off lead and understandably she won't take a chance. We throw ball for them at the park and Ali just wants to catch ball all afternoon. She does get some exercise too. But I know this might sound silly but Ali & her buddy Brooke (pic in my gallery of them running in the snow) ran off lead from the time she was a year old and they are like an inseparatable couple. She just doesn't hit it off with any other dog like him. She gets to see him on Saturdays and they are like a young couple in love, kissing each other's face and just having so much fun. We really do miss him and his mom.

 

[Murp.mm]

gmacleod: Thanks for that info. I am going to measure her now and see how tall she actually is. Her ribs are not defined like they used to be a year ago so I guess it's on a diet and more exercise for Ms. Ali.