Obese boxer???

Status
Not open for further replies.

busteray

Boxer Pal
I am so embarrassed. Buster had his annual physical today and weighed in at 94 pounds!! I can't believe it. My previous boxer, Sugar Ray, never weighed more than 80 pounds, but that was only for a brief time. I feel like an idiot. Anyway, he is on a weight reduction plan now. I have been walking him twice a day and so the vet said he looks solid rather than flabby. I guess that's a compliment! Honestly though, he doesn't look overweight to me. Maybe that's just the mom in me talking. Has anyone else had this experience??
 

Stephj

Boxer Booster
Some male boxers are just that big without being overweight. It is pretty easy to tell if that is the case. My vet always tells me you should be able to see the last two ribs, as a sort of gage. I wouldn't worry too much. It shouldn't be hard to take the weight off if it really is a problem.
 

tootsie

Banned
Don't feel too bad. I knew a boxer that weighed in at a whopping 110 lbs. After diet and excercise he went down to 92 lbs, and didn't look fat at all. He was all muscle......Just a BIG Boy, that's all!
 

gmacleod

Elusive Moderator
Staff member
Weight alone isn't a real guide to whether or not a dog is obese ;) A boxer is supposed to be 23-25 inches tall and weigh around 65-70lb, but if you happen to have an individual that is substantially taller than the breed standard then that individual would naturally weigh quite a lot more at a "correct" weight.

As mentioned, you should be able to see the last two or three ribs. Note that that is when the dog is just standing normally. If you can only see them when the dog stretches, or have to poke a bit to feel them, then the dog is overweight. If you *never* see them, and can't feel them even with pressure, then that's an obese dog that is being done no favours by an owner that refuses to recognise it.

Excess weight is something that causes a lot of health problems, most especially as a dog starts to age - so if your vet feels he is overweight, then addressing that is very very much in the dog's interests.

Anyway - it is great that you're taking that advice seriously, and starting a weight reduction plan for your guy. Between increased exercise and perhaps a few less calories, I'm sure you'll have him in shape quickly. And it is so much better for his health. Just like people, dogs lose years of life to obesity and it really is in our hands. LOL - you'd be surprised how many owners ignore their vet's advice year after year and insist that their dog is just "solid", whilst simultaneously dreading the lecture they know they'll get when the dog has gained yet more weight... :rolleyes:
 

KellysMom

Boxer Booster
My Kelly is a porker and it is all my fault. When I brought her home last June she seemed very thin and very unhappy. I wanted to make her feel better so I began feeding her great stuff like good quality dog food smothered in table scraps and LOTS of gravy. Oh, she began to feel much better! She couldn't wait until I came home! I walked into my home one day in January and found that my lean beautiful Boxer Kelly turned into a SAUSAGE with a head!!! :) No kidding! I got some help from this website and my vet and she has begun loosing the weight. She's still overweight but you can see she's thinning specially in the face.
I give her veggies for treats and apples. She loves them. No onions! I learned here that they are bad for our babies. When I feel the need to spoil her I make a soup with all the things she likes, sweet potatoes, pears, apples, carrots, potatoes and whatever else I can find that's healthy. I cook it until it's mush then I pour it over her food. She loves it.
 

Austin's Mom

Boxer Insane
My Austin weighs 95 pounds. I know he's overweight, but not obese. I can't see any of his ribs. But I say he's not fat, he's fluffy! :) I walk him mostly every day, but I don't think at his age (7), he's ever going to be a skinny dog.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top