He eats like a horse and isn't that active. When its not raining or snowing outside he is on a 10ft. Chain due to him running off in the past. And inside the house he is as lazy as ever. My fiancŽ and I have been trying for over a year to put weight on him and have had no success. He is healthy otherwise. (no no worms,etc)

Just like people dogs vary in size. As long as he is healthy there isn't any real problem. Rapid weight gain tends to cause more issues with larger breeds, so him being smaller might mean less chances of his developing hip or joint issues. Force feeding dogs to gain weight only ever ends up in more medical issues.

Aside from feeding a high quality chow and giving him the exercise he needs, there isn't much you can do to force weight gain with out putting him in danger of developing pancreitis or other health issues.

Try... Feeding him twice as much as he usually eats. And do it as a routine... Don't feed him when ever... And a normal dog should have a two meal daily feed with a lab he should be fed 250grm each meal... But try raising it to 350grms but keep an eye on his weight don't let him get unhealthy... This should help you.. . Or you can try chappie... It's tinned meat but works like a treat to help with gaining weight... Id give him 300grm or 350 of chappie with 100grms of biscuit... Let me know how it goes for you... Hari x

I don't think it is wise to over feed your dog. The issues caused from orthopedic problems in obese pets is incredible, rapid or quick gaining weight almost always leads to torn ligiments or other joint issues, and the cost to repair these issues is astronomical. This will also open up doors for diseases like pancreitis and increases the chances of your dog developing cancer and illnesses such as respiratory disorders and osteoarthritis. If your dog does gain extra pounds and becomes overweight, as he ages this will be more difficult to lose, especially if he has damaged ligiments. If your VET says your dog is healthy, go with that!

Before concluding that your dog is underweight try a few simple "tests" to see where he measures up. Running your hands along your dog's ribcage, you should be able to palpate the ribs covered by a thin layer of fat. Looking at your dog from the side, you should be able to see the upward tuck of the abdomen. Viewing your dog from above, there should be a moderate narrowing at the waist just past the ribcage. A quality chow with a good exercise routine will result in a healthy dog.

I fully agree with Aurora_Bell, your dog may be smaller but could be at his prime weight. Feel his ribs. You do not want to feel a "washboard" rub cage , just a slight ripple.

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Originally Posted by Haribo20

Try ... Feeding him twice as much as he usually eats. And do it as a routine ... Don't feed him when ever ... And a normal dog should have a two meal daily feed with a lab he should be fed 250grm each meal ... But try raising it to 350grms but keep an eye on his weight don't let him get unhealthy ... This should help you. ... Or you can try chappie ... It's tinned meat but works like a treat to help with gaining weight ... Id give him 300grm or 350 of chappie with 100grms of biscuit ... Let me know how it goes for you ... Hari x

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Feeding him twice his normal food is dangerous - aside from the whole bloat problem...

My dog just spent several days at the Vet with pancreatitis - which COULD be caused by overfeeding OR feeding a diet too rich in fat.

I don't know how you can state how much food a dog should be given when you don't know its age or size.

I've asked before - you are a dog trainer. Where?

Or the brand of food being fed! With Purina my dogs would need to eat 5 cups with our Holistic it's only 3 each.

I have a full degree in training... And an NVQ2... I trained with gun dogs privetly for two years... And I have now been offered a job with wagtails who provide the government with dogs that are trained for bomb deaposel... Missing peoples units... Drugs... Police dogs etc.. . And Iam now being put through with wagtails for police handler... And for someone my age I think I've accomplished quite a bit... Everyone has there own views and ways... I'm just using what I've been taught and previously done in the past!! Which did help my gun dog (rocky) who had the same problem..!

And also rocky is a 3year old fox tail lab... Who I still own and still use for gun dog compitions... And just so you know he's a show dog not a shooting dog... Which I'd never let him go under weight or over... And what I previously explained about feeding routines did help my rocky

We all do have our own opinions, but we will challenge anything we find that might be harmful or dangerous. We really do take our "jobs" here seriously. We pride ourselves in providing accurate information. If we feel we need to question something, we will not hesitate to do so.

Welcome aboard, with your credentials you will be a great contribution!

Can a sporting dog also be shown? I know people with both but I've never seen them use the same dog for both hunting/sport and show.

And, yes, welcome aboard.

You will find there are often differences of opinion based on education, experience, common sense. We all learn that way.

Yes it can it's a popular sport in Wales and England and we also have people compiting from Italy and Germany... Compitions are help all over the u.k where you bring the dog to compete against other dogs... But it's all about the dogs training... We don't go out and use real kill.. We use dummy's then judge will judge you and your dogs work. The best dog wins.. That's why it's called "show" they judge your dogs health... Strengh.. mind and how he works out on the field... And also he gets entered into crufts for best gun dog same again for his body... Looks and how he works on the field... So far rocky has won his under 14months trail... Against other older dogs... And he's won two field trials... Two months ago and I'm entering him into more.. All you do is apply for gun dog club and they notify you when trials are been taken place... But your dog has to be eye tested first... And his legs... And he has to be registered with Kennel club...

The difference between a show gun dog and shooting gun dog... Is all in the name... The show dog competes with dummies and no guns involved.. . Where the shooting dog is used for working... Where the hunter shoots the bird... And the lab retrieves it and brings it back to the hunter... Which rocky is trained to retriever the bird (but dummie... Not a real bird) it's a sport... But a hobbie too...

Very interesting - very different here in the US (from what I know).