I have a 4 yr old bitch who has always been on the lean side. Constantly hungry - in fact her whole day revolves around food!!!  I started to wonder whether she is in fact underweight and that I should get some more weight on her.

Looking at one of the threads on here about labs, and the different types, she is probably what they describe as a 'Whitmore'. Pointed muzzle, leaner, longer legs.  However, when shes viewed from above, her chest/ribs are wider than her 'waist'.   You can't see her ribs, but you can feel them.  I have increased her food over the last 2 mths to see if she fills out. Whilst she has gained weight, its not on her waist.  If anything shes filled out more around her ribs, and her waist/tummy is the same which has exaggerated her shape.  I'm not sure now whether to continue with the extra food or just accept she is a slim dog.  Also, the last time she went into kennels, she came out slimmer around her chest/ribs to the point where, when viewed from above, her chest and waist were the same width.  Whilst she looked in proportion, I thought she looked underweight.

I guess what I'm asking is should her chest/ribs area be same width as her waist?  I'm tempted to go back to the slimmer, in proportion look but I can't help thinking she looked underweight.    

   

>should her chest/ribs area be same width as her waist?

No!  Her weight sounds ideal, in that you can feel her ribs without difficulty but can't see them, and viewed from above you should be able to see a definite waist between the ribcage and the pelvis. A lack of waist is a sign that the dog is overweight and needs to lose.

Oh ok - thats re-assuring.  Also, when you look at her side-on, she has a sort of 'greyhound' look at the rear. Again this is because she has little 'meat on her' around her waist/rear.  Maybe its because a lot of labs are overweight that she looks different. 

I think you've hit the nail on the head. So many labs - and other breeds as well - are decidedly plump, if not actually obese, so that when you see one the correct weight it actually seems too thin.

I agree with JG.. she sounds as if she is the correct weight..nice waist.. feel ribs but not see them.. this is how it should be...

According to the breed standard all Labs should be similar.. but we all know this is far from how it is.. over the past 50 years or so.. maybe longer.. there has come about at least 6 differing types of Labs.. and if she is the 'Whitmore' type, then I am assuming she has a deep chest rather than the barrel chest... a tucked up tummy, and more slender bone, giving a leaner longer outline...

Please dont compare her to others.. and overfeed her.. she sounds just fine...

as for the 'food' thing.. thats a Lab thing.. whatever they look like... waste disposal units on legs ;)

Kay - you are absolutely spot on about her deep chest and tucked up tummy.  Her chest almost goes to a point and with her tummy tucked up it gives her that lean longer outline.  I've had several people ask if she is a lab, which is a bit annoying!!!

I've done a search on 'whitmore labs' but there isn't much out there. 

You've been really helpful.  At least I know thats how she should be and not to 'fatten her up' into a type she is not genetically designed to be. 

I dont' know how good this site is but it has photos of what the site's owner considers to be the different lab types.

Can't understand why anyone would want that male to put on 9kgs for show when eh looked chunky enough at field trial weight.

Some of those dogs just look obese and/or cumbersome.

I don't know why

I'm refusing to have mine carrying excessive weight.....Molly is around 32kgs (she was around 27kgs before pups, but I now realise that in fact, she should've had more weight on her ) and Izzy is sitting at just over 30kgs ATM, can't imagine either of them being able enjoy running around with too much more, but also, neither would look good with much less weight 

Neither can I. Showing flatcoats they are expected to be in hard condition for showing as well as work.

If you've been feeding her more and she really hasnt put on the desired weight(whether she needs it or not),i would have to ask what food you are feeding.If it doesnt agree with her in any way then she wil not put on the weight,no matter how much you feed her.
What brand,or what type(raw,home made) do you feed? :)

Hi Ktee - sorry for the delay, I've been away with work.  Food is Autarky - been on it since a pup with no probs.  She has put some weight on - its just been around her chest area. Her tummy and waist have remained lean.  This has exaggerated her shape. 

I guess what I'm asking is should her chest/ribs area be same width as her waist?  I'm tempted to go back to the slimmer, in proportion look but I can't help thinking she looked underweight

It may be that you are just used to seeing a lot of overweight dogs. She sounds as though she is just right to me :) The majority of the labradors I see are overweight IMHO and I personally think that a tad on the lean side is far better than being overweight especially in a breed that seems to have a problem with their hips.

I'd be very worried if my dogs waists were same girth as their chests!

Me too!

I'd be very worried if my dogs waists were same girth as their chests

I'd be even more worried if my waist was the same girth as my chest :D 

:D :D :D

And me!  Remy is around a stone overweight at the moment (he's a dobe), and he still has a waist - it's obvious to the point that people don't realise his overweight.

This is such a relief! I didn't understand why our delightful 11month choc lab was so different to our previous black lab. Then I read this, looked up Whitmore labs and saw her image staring back at me!

She is such a bundle of energy; runs like a greyhound and needs more to eat. I haven't got the feeding right yet though. Any ideas on what I should feed her and how often to keep her trim but not underweight?
Thanks,
Wanda.

>I dont' know how good this site is but it has photos of what the site's owner considers to be the different lab types.

I love the 'Type 1' labs on there!

(A really old thread, but still of interest!)

I had a look at that site too and recognised the farm labs of my childhood as those she describes at the Whitmore type

As you say JG this thread is old but interesting - as is the opportunity to see some old names posting :)