Heidi is a Springer spaniel, she's 16 months old, and she gained weight steadily till she reached 33lbs, then stayed at that weight for about 6 months. the last week or so she's gone up to 35lbs, she still gets the same amount of exercise each day and she has no more food or treats then usual. She's also spayed so I'm aware she may have a tendancy to put on weight easily
My question is, should I cut back a little on her food, or increase her exercise? she's very active any way, or is this just her filling out to her adult weight. She still looks skinny, and I can feel her ribs, but if she's putting on weight I'd rather catch it before it becomes a problem.
I should add she was always petite, so much so people didn't know when they first met her, what she was, we put this down to her coming from a litter of 11 which all survived, but now she's looking more like a Springer, I know this is a question that is almost impossible to answer with out seeing her, but any thoughts would interesting.

Robert

IMO you should give her less of her normal food and keep cutting back until she holds her weight as you wish. Watch the titbits and biscuits.

I took my border terrier to the vets this week for an illness (not serious) and I was shocked that the vet thought he was underweight - he's about 9kg which I think is about 20lb.  He gets 3 small meals a day and treats and stuff and I would have said he was about right but I worry now that he's not getting enough food (he, on the other hand thinks this is a great diagnosis!!).  I think a springer is probably a bit bigger than my dog so I would have thought yours was about the correct weight.  My vet was thinking mine should be at least 25lb or so although she said he was on the very light side of normal.  I don't honestly think you've got a lot to worry about but I think always take the vets advice. 

CG

Bit surprised, Borders normally weight is less than yours weighs bet the vet was trying to sell you some very expensive Hills dog food. Take no notice, in the most part vets do not have a clue about the different breeds and look upon them as some sort of sheep mutant.

I think the breed standard for border terriers says that the ideal weight for a border dog is 13 - 15 1/2 lb (6 - 7kg) and bitches 11 1/2 - 14 lb (5 - 6 kg). It would be worth getting hold of a copy and showing your vet!
:)

Thanks JG!  Vet wasn't really trying to sell me any food or anything (probably felt guilty about the huge amounts of money already extracted!!).  But that is certainly interesting to note.  I have been doing a bit more research on BT's via the net recently so I'm learning as I go along.  I'm pleased you guys think Cops' weight is OK as if I hadn't asked I would have been feeding him more and it's probably a lot harder to take weight off than put it on.

CG

Hi Robert

Muscle weighs heavier than fat and I would have thought that she is still developing.  With my Dobe bitches I would expect them to reach their final adult size and weight at about three years old and the boys a little older.  If you can still feel her ribs I would not worry.

Imagine humans - children change shape as they reach adolescence but men, especially, don't seem to get that mature shoulder development until at least their thirties, unless they work at it - I feel it is the same with dogs

Christine

My sister's Springer weighed 50lbs and he wasn't a big dog (19.5" tall) and never carried any surplus weight, so I'd say your girl could still do with an extra 5-10lbs on her.

Thanks for all your replies, I was a bit worried thatshe might be getting a bit fat, but you've put my mind at rest.
I just measured her and she's 17"at the shoulder, so I suppose thats about right for a bitch

Robert

hello Robert,

35lbs is not much for a 17 inch Springer - I assume she's working type.  I kept, worked and bred  Springers for 26 years and most of mine weighed around 40 to 50lbs.  11 puppies is not untoward for a litter of Springers but I must say, working Springers these days are being bred down in size (not something I like, personally) - so your bitch is probably of 'normal' modern size.

Placing your fingertips on her ribcage, you should be able to slide the skin back and forth over the ribs easily, ribs covered by a thin layer of fat.  She should have a slight 'waist' behind her ribcage when viewed from above, and you should be able to find her hip-bones without too much difficulty (but NOT see them!!).

I always say, if you can't FIND the hip-bones, you're in trouble!