Fat Dogs & Hip dysplasia...

I've rather shamelessly poached pretty much all of this from my friend and publisher Craig Koshyk. We shared this on our Facebook feed about a month ago. But after some thought, and rereading the Institute for Canine Biology's article again this morning, it just felt right that we should give the information another plug here on the Dutch Dog Blog. Craig has echoed Carol Beauchat's words and frankly I can't seem to find a better way to put what has been said into better or more effective words. So without further adieu. ​

If there were a way to reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs — not by 10%, or even 25%, but by 50% — would you want in? Well, it looks like there may be a way. It's simple, it's cheap (in fact it saves money) and the data has been out there about it since 2006! Read the article HERE, and suddenly the photo sourced by Craig from a 1826 painting will make total sense.

25% less than ideal...what's that look like? Well, since you have asked. That dog would be between Thin & Ideal, about 75% of the way towards the Ideal dog. With a dog in the Ideal zone, the outline of the ribs should be seen and easily felt. The belly should also have some tuck up when viewed from the side and the waist should be visible when viewed from above. In an underweight dog the ribs & hips are easily seen and felt and mostly likely appear to jut out when viewed from above. 

​The 25% 'lighter' dog will closely resemble the Ideal dog, but feeling for ribs and hips will be a little bit easier, but without any jutting bony protuberances to be seen or for that matter felt. There should be no appearance of muscle loss.

**For more detailed information on Hip Dysplasia in dogs please visit HERE to see what the Institute of Canine Biology has to say.