Miss Thing (probable Staffy/Whippet X) is now about three years old - approx 12-18 months when rescued so about six months either way possible.  She has recently started changing shape, becoming sleeker and slightly more rounded generally. 

I put this down to greed; have found her snaffling food out of GSD's bowl in recent past but stopped this some weeks ago.  She seemed to lose a bit of podge but has not gone back to her usual tin-ribbed self. 

I feel we should cut down the rations a bit more but OH says this is just her Staffy ancestry asserting itself.  I think it's a bit late for this but said I would consult the oracle before taking action. (OH is a much softer touch than I am so I have to keep my eye on him as well).  She still has a waist and is definitely not fat but I don't want this to be the start a slippery slope.

Any views?

not sure what is meant by staffie heritage?  perhaps you could expand a little?

Well TT, Staffies tend to be thick-set, short-legged and totally different in build to whippets - also much more inclined to put on weight if the dogs round here are anything to go by.  How many fat whippets have I seen: none. How many fat Staffies? How could you tell...sorry, I'm not a Staffy lover.

I'm guessing her ancestry from her build and temperament but of course it is only a guess.  She could be the result of many generations of mixed breeding that just happens to resemble a couple of recognisable breeds. (Although, being from Birmingham she couldn't have avoided some Staffy relatives in the mix believe me.)

Hi Linda,

As you say she still has a waist then you're at least on the right lines :)  Can you feel her ribs, even just those at the end?  It's very hard to tell over the net if a dog, especially a cross of breeds of such different build & type, is correctly "covered" or whether it is carrying a little too much, erm, *condition* LOL.

Good on you for at least trying to assess whether she's starting to tip over towards carrying excess.  If it were me I'd have a good feel of her body to ascertain what, if any areas, seem too "thick".  Then weigh her and monitor her diet (i.e. normal daily food rations but no titbits, treats etc) for a couple of weeks and weigh again to see if she has retained her weight or is losing / gaining.

You're quite right of course in that the body mass of a Staff would be considerably more than a Whippet - both are (or should be) of athletic build but of course the Whippet is comparible to that of a sprinter rather than the Staff who would be more akin to a marathon runner.

HTH, Teri :) 

"the Staff who would be more akin to a marathon runner." 

In that case there aren't any correctly covered staffs where I live :rolleyes:  - they all look like small pigs - no waist and no neck :(  not an attractive look at all :(

I found with our Afghan X terrier ( ) the feel and look of him was more of a guide than the weight.  If he was lean and well muscled and we could feel his ribs easily I was happy.  We were lucky tho, if he was getting too much food he just wouldn't finish his meal.