Scratchings-and-Sniffings

Posted: 22 Apr 2010 08:14 AM PDT

We've got a pod cast coming up this weekend about dog's nutritional needs based on size and breed. It's a really important topic when it comes to maintaining health and the subject of Ideal Body Condition will come up.

I'm sure Yvonne will link to the chart that illustrates what that is suppose to look like.

I wanted to give you a real life preview first. And of course my example relies on none other than Miles; the wonder dog.

I've made a big deal about feeding him properly during his all important growth phase. Big dogs like Miles are more likely to suffer from developmental bone and joint abnormalities like hip dysplasia and osteochondritis dissicans of the shoulder joint. Both these conditions can be impacted by how and what you feed your large breed puppy.

For more on that read this post from last fall.

So, how can you tell if your dog is in Ideal Body Condition? You could compare to the chart, but why

would you want to do that when we have a real live example named Miles? Take a look at the photo from the side view. Besides his handsomeness you can see the pronounced tummy tuck that indicates ideal body condition.

It's tough to see, but you can almost make out his rib cage. It's easier to see when he's moving but it's really easy to feel his ribs by gently rubbing my hands over his rib cage.