Hi, my dog is an adopted 6 year old Maltese. He was extremely overweight (I'm talking 15lbs to a normal 6-9lbs) and his previous owner held him a lot leading him to become bow legged. I am wondering if this will ever hurt him as he ages or anything I should be concerned with.

Thanks in advance!

What does the Vet say? It's not curable, at any rate. It is more probably a "genetic defect," if it's a defect at all. Did the Vet say this was caused by holding him a lot?

I haven't asked the vet yet. It just seemed to make sense with the lifestyle he lived before

Getting him to a healthy weight is the best thing you can do to protect his joints. When you go have the vet set up a weight loss and exercise plan to help get him to a healthy weight at an appropriate pace.

It's unlikely it was because she held him a lot unless she was doing it 24 hours a day.
His weight may be a factor yes, so a diet is needed immediately.
You can buy special food for overweight dogs from pet stores or make your own so you know exactly what is going in it.

Do you have any photos you could share?
It may just be the structure of the dog, like for example my poodle b*tches legs turn outwards when she stands, it's not a health problem... just an aesthetic fault.

Yes I do. I'm not sure these picture will do justice. His weight is down now. This first picture was taken three months after I got him. This other is from a month ago.

Here they are.

What a cutie! Bow legs and all. :) Congratulations!

Thank you, best thing that has happened to me. Yes it adds character to him. I just want to make sure they won't ever hurt him.

My poodle also has a little bow legs and he has had no problems. When you take him to the vet, he will be able to let you know for sure.

What a cutie! Great face!

Of coarse a vet check is always necessary but to me it just looks like he as a wide front...
His legs don't appear to be actually bowed so it's more the depth of his chest... no problem, just an aesthetic fault in show terms.

He is definitely a heart breaker... so cute!