Got Ribs? - Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America

o
Recognizing Proper Body Condition ln
Our Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs
We'fe Big DOg peOple. Most likely, we were attracted to our breed by their impressive size and good looks.
Our breed standard encourages that "bigness" by describing the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog as a "large, powerful, confident
dog of sturdy appearance." And further, "The chest is deep and broad ... Body is full with slight tuck up... The
ioins are broad and strong... The croup is long, broad and smoothly rounded to the tail insertion..." This most cedainly
rs the ideal, and something worth striving for. But by no means does the breed standard encourage obesity!
Is He Substantial or Just Overweight?
We all love our dogs so much; we often look at them through those infamous rose-colored glasses. Our lives are hectic
and busy, and for the most part our good-natured dogs are quite happyjust to relax around the house. Since they don't
tlpically have the demanding nature or frenetic energy of some breeds, it's easy to skimp on the exercise routine. Besides,
he's shiny, healthy, and we ft*e that Rover weighs 130+ pounds, after all!
Therefore, there are some very important questions we need to ask ourselves: Is he szbslan tial? ls she full bodied? Cortld
it be he's just too/at? Is he at his healthiest at 135 pounds, or is that just what makes ze happy? Answer these questions
honestly - it's your responsibility.
As humans we have a1l sorts of emotional, physiological and social reasons for overeating - our dogs don't have that
luxury. They eat what we feed them. We have complete control over their diet (and yes, that includes their occasional
score when counter surfing or raiding garbage) we can cheat on our own diets, but they can't. Ifthey're too heavy, it's
because we're putting more calories and carbohydrates in them than they are expending. Leam how to properly evaluate
your dogs' body condition so you can adjust their diet and exercise appopriately. Look for excess fat over the ribs, along
the back and towards the tail. Ifyou can't be objective, ask someone who will be honest and straightforward to help you.
Better yet, ask your vet.
It has been estimated that over halfofthe dogs in the U.S. are overweight. In speaking with veterinarian Dr. Bob Bussa
of the Mt. Scott Animal Clinic in Portland, Oregon, he speculates even that rlirlber may be low. "Some days I never
write a '5' on my sheet, and that's seeing ten dogs a day." The "5" he's referring to is an ideal "Body Condition Score"
which is based on a scale of l throughg-ascoreof l being emaciated and 9 being extremely obese - and is something
we should all be familiar with. Dr. Bussa aiso states that one of the most frustrating situations involves an owner, on being
told their animal is overweight, just chuckles and says, "Well, I could use to lose a few pounds myself' and gives
Plumpy a loving pat. Invariably, the next time he sees the client, the animal has put on a few more pottnds. Please see the
sidebar entitled "Body Condition Scores" and leam how to evaluate your dog, you may be in for a surprise!
The Yerdict is In - Lean Dogs Live Longer
It's time to take this problem seriously. New clinical studies are showing that overweight dogs carry more "baggage"
than just the extra fat - there are real and serious health issues involved. For instance, obesity is now considered the most
common nutritional disorder in dogs. Excess weight has always been given the nod as a "risk factof' in many canine diseases,
but there hasn't been that much emphasis on its importance otherwise. As frustrating as this was for veterinarians
who had to continually hound their clients to keep their dogs thin, there just wasn't much "hard" evidence to prove its
danger. Recent and ongoing studies are changing that. In a ground breaking 14-year study, researchers at the Pet Nutrition
Research Department of Nestle Purina Pet Care Company in conjunction with several Universities have made some
amazing and downright startling discoveries. The l4-year Purina "Life Span" Study found dogs that consumed 25 percent
fewer calories than their littermates during their lifetimes maintained a lean or ideal body condition, resulting in a
longer median life span. In a nutshell, dogs that were kept lean lived an av erage of 2 years longer than Iheir. peers who
weri allowed to live their lives in an overweight state. Their lesults also suggested restriction in food intake delayed the
onset of chronic disease in these dogs. Further, "diet restriction delayed onset and reduced severity of hip joint os-
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:eoarthritis, thus favorably affecting both duration and quality of life."
i,\-e've all been told that we should keep our puppies lean and trim to
:rinimize stress on their fast-growing joints, and now there's evidence
:hat says we should continue this practice throughout their lifetime. A
:"eoccurring point or statistic in many of the speakers' discussions at
.ne 2001 AKC/CHF NPCCH Conference - whether their area of ex-
:eftise was cancer, orthopedics, genomics, or reproductive health -
,i as the importance and the direct corelation between keeping animals
"iirn and longevity. One speaker put it pretty succinctly when she said,
' One of the most important things we can do for our dogs to reduce
:le risk of disease is to keep them THIN!"
Fatter is Prettier!?
\-ou might be saying to yourself "this doesn't apply to my Swissy, he
:eally isn't obese, and he's just carrying some extra weight." That may
:e true, but it's a slippery slope. I've heard people say they feel they
should keep their dogs on the heavy side in order to have a "reserve"
.n case he does contract some debilitating disease. One of the scariest
"excuses" I've heard was an owner who actually told me he kept his
Jog fat - because that way she was less active, and less likely to get
lurt! Some people even just feel a heavy dog "looks better." But in
:rost cases, the sad reality is they don't even reahze their pet is over-
,,r eight. Our dogs, being big, tend to be able to carry quite a bit of extra
,,r eight before it really stands out. And then there's that mindset that
rhese dogs are supposed to be big. Also, as puppies they grow so fast,
and their caloric needs during that growth phase are so high, we often
tail to reduce their intake appropriately as they reach maturity. The
rrrale that needed 6 cups a day when he was eleven months may only
need 3 cups a day at three years.
-\nd it's not just our beloved family pets that are guilty of indiscernible
n aists and rolling backs. Sadly, it seems there's a general belief that
show dogs need to carry extra pounds in order to win (sort of like the
prize-winning steer at the County Fair). If this is true, and judges are
arvarding overweight dogs over fit ones - mistaking that extra weight
tor the desired "substance" in our breed - then our Judges' Education
Committee has their work cut out for them - as this is a dangerous
trend and an unhealthy presumption. And we're not alone - it's not
iust occurring in our breed! During a question and answer period at the
recent AKC/CHF NPCCH Conference, an attendee talked about her
tu,o "Top 5" Irish Wolfhounds (who obviously do their share of winning)
and said she is constantly told, even by judges , that they arc too
thin, and they'd do much better if they carried more weight. In reality
her dogs are not too thin; she stated they have a body condition score
of 5. Another commented that her Champion Rottweiler was 120 lbs
during his very successful show career, and yet he weighed 100 when
he was competitive in agility. It is undeniable which weight is most
healthy for him.
Medicul Reasons for Weight Gain
There are some medical reasons which contribute to weight gain and
obesity, though rare. Hypothyroidism is the classic disease state that
can lead to obesity in dogs. Others endocrinopathies such as hyperadrenocorticism
(Cushing's disease) have been implicated as underlying
causes in weight gain, as have some neurological anomalies that
Body Condition Scores
Understanding your dog's body condition
Veterinarians use this scoring chart to assess
whether a dog is at his ideal weight -
we shoutd too!
loo lntn
1 Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones and
a[[ bony prominences evident from a distance.
No discernible body fat. Obvious loss
of muscte mass.
2 Ribs, lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones
easily visibte. No palpable fat. Some evidence
of other bony prominence. Minimal
loss of muscle mass"
3 Ribs easi[y palpated and may be visible
with no palpable fat. Tops of lumbar vertebrae
vis'ible. Pelvic bones becoming prominent.
Obvious wist.
ldeal
4 Ribs easity patpable, with minimat fat
covering. Waist easity noted, viewed from
above. Abdominal tuck evident.
5 Ribs patpabte without excess fat covering"
Waist observed behind ribs when
viewed from above. Abdomen tucked up
when viewed.
Too Heavy
6 Ribs patpabte with stight excess fat covering.
Waist is discernible viewed frorn
above but is not orominent. Abdominal
tuck apparent.
7 Ribs patpable with difficutty; heavy fat
cover. Noticeabte fat deposits over lumbar
area and base of tail. Waist absent or
barety visible. Abdominal tuck may be present.
8 Ribs not palpabte under very heavy fat
cover, or patpabte on[y with significant
pressure. Heavy fat deposits over lumbar
area and base of tail. Waist absent. No abdominal
tuck. Obvious abdominal distension
may be present.
9 Massive fat deposits over thorax, spine
and base of tail. Waist and abdorninal tuck
absent. Fat deposits on neck and limbs.
Obvious abdominal distention.
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can cause an increase in appetite (polyphagia). Likewise, some dogs that are treated with corticosteroids for other conditions
can also become polyphagic and therefore become obese. With all that said, it should be remembered that once
these diseases are identified and regulated with supplementation, the root ofthe problem is eliminated, and yet many of
these dogs remain obese - because they continue to be overfed and under exercised.
There has also been a strong correlation cited between spaying and neutering of animals and weight gain - not because
ofany disease state, but because ofa cause-and-effect relationship, i.e. a decreased metabolic rate associated with the
sterilization and the continuation ofthe same food./exercise schedule as before the procedure. The dog's metabolism t}?ically
slows down when the reproductive organs and associated hormonal changes are removed, and yet diet adjustments
often are not made.
Much more often than there being a disease state which leads to obesity, there is obesity which can lead to disease. Excessive
weight has been directly related to:
. lameness and arthritis
. cranial cruciate ruptures (called anterior cruciate ruptures, or ACL in humans)
r diabetes mellitus
I heart disease
l exercise intolerance and overheating
. increased anesthetic and surgical risks
. increased incidence learly onset of cancer
o reduced life span
The dog on the right is in exceltent condition with firm muscle
tone. Waist is defined directty behind ribs. Ribs were easily
palpabte, yet had sufficient covering. Body cond'ition score 5.
The dog on the teft is too heavy, note the fat deposits around
hips and base of tait. Losing definition of waistline. Effort
needed to palpate ribs and pelvic structures. Body Condition
score 7
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Recognizing und obtuining the ldeal Body Condition
And sc I ask, have you "got ribs?" As guardians of our
dogs and our breed, we need to educate ourselves on what
proper body condition looks andJbels like. We owe that
much to our dogs. Our breed standard does state, "... the
body is full with slight tuck up." This does not mean that
the abdomen is convex! The body should be full, but it
should be the frame and stmcture that create the size and
depth, not distension and fat build up. Study the Body
Condition Score sidebar,, and compare those ratings, honestly,
to your dog. Can you see a well defined waistline?
Can you rest your hand on his side, and lbel the last two
ribs without effort? Can you locate some pelvic bones
easily? If not, if it takes a spirited rub or a single finger
wiggling around to find a rib, you need to make some
changes.
Assuming your dog is healthy and not suffering from any
of the afore mentioned diseases, he does not necessarily
need a change in diet; probably the most effective weight
loss tool is simply increasing exercise. As with any
change, make it gradually - don'f expect your couch potato
to suddenly be up for a five-mile forced march or a
gallop next to the bicycle on the weekends! Make a realistic
plan that you can stick with for the long mn - you'll
both be better off for it. An old saying goes, "If you're
dog's fat, you're not getting enough exercisel" As is the
case with a person who needs or wants to lose weight, the
best way to go about it is gradually. This is best accomplished
through reducing caloric intake and increasing
physical exertion; in the case of dogs, a decrease of one

:-r two percent oftheir initial weight each week is a safe pace.
3e1ond increasing actMty levels, a decrease in food intake may likely be necessary. When determining how much to
::ed, ifyou're feeding a commercial diet, you should be using manufacturer's feeding recommendations (found on the
: :gs) as an general starting point - not as something set in stone. Tlpically, those recommendations are for much more
::od than the average dog needs. Our Swissies tend to be "easy keepers" in relation to their size; their calorie requirerents
just don't seem to be as high as you'd think.
: -'metimes a change in food will be the key to inciting weight loss. This is a good subject to talk to your vet and breeder
::out and so I won't go into a lot of depth here. They may want you to simply try decreasing the amount of your current
: -'od (and increase exercise, of course !), other times they will have you try a "prescription" or specific weight loss diet,
:rd many times a low-carbohydrate product is more appropriate. Typically the food change is only necessary in severely
:' erweight cases.
: -' show your Swissy how much you love him by spending some extra time playing, take him for a walk. Don't be
::mpted to give him an extra scoop to show your love. Let the "Great" in Greater Swiss refer to his stature and character
- not his girth. I recently spoke with a woman who put it pretty well when she said, "if your dog's too fat, there may be
:ore to love, but there will be less time to love him."
Legina Reese
ISMDCA Health Committee
Glossary
-{KC/CIIF NPCCH (National Parent Club Canine Health) Conference: A biennial conference co-sponsored by
the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation and the Nestle Purina Pet Care Company, where representatives
tuom each breed's Parent Club are invited to leam about the latest in canine health research and discovery with an emphasis
on genomics and funded programs. Please see additional information in the "Health Committee AKC/CIIF
Conference Report" and the President's message in this issue
Body Condition Scores: ratings to determine a dog's overall body condition. Body Condition Score is the BEST indicator
ofan individual dog's caloric needs. Please see sidebar for more information
Ideal Body Condition: physical assessment ofhealth defined as when you can feel and see the outline ofa dog's ribs,
there is a waist when viewed from above and the abdomen is tucked up when viewed ftom the side
Endocrinopathies: literally, diseases ofan endocrine gland. A medical term for a hormone problem
Obesity: obesity in humans is defined as being2jo/o or more over one's ideal weight. In dogs, while there is no set
number, this is a generally accepted figure. More important in identiffing obesity than weight are body condition
scores
Polyphagia: excessive eating/excessive hunger
Risk Facfor: Somethingthat increases one's chances of developing a disease
References:
Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs.
Kealy RD, Lawler DF, Ballam JM, Mantz SL, Biery DN, Greeley EH, Lust G, Segre M, Smith GK, Stowe HD. Pet Nurrition
Research Department, Nestle Purina Pet Care Co, St Louis, MO 63164, USA.
Lifelong diet restriction and radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis of the hip joint in dogs.
Smith GK, Paster ER, Powers MY, Lawler DF, Biery DN, Shofer FS, McKelvie PJ, Kealy RD. Department of Clinical
Studies, School ofVeterinary Medicine, University ofPennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104-6010, USA.
Peggy Root Kustritz, DVM, PhD, DACT, University of Minnesota at the AKC CHF National Parent Club canine
Health conference, in her presentation "Canine Reproduction"
Robert Bussa, DVM, Mt. Scott Animal Hospital, Portland, OR
The Fat Dog Site, http:// www.geocities.com/fatdogsite
Understanding Your Dog's Body Condition, http:// www.purina.com/dogs/health,tsodyCondition.aspx
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