Clean Run Magazine - February 2007 - 56

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average Americans, many average dogs are overweight. According to the
American Veterinary Medical Association, 25% of all dogs and cats in the
Western world are obese. Many more are heavier than they should be. Some
veterinarians estimate that up to 75% of the dogs seen in their practices
are overweight. Although the human members of our society are becoming
more obsessed with diet and exercise, their dogs are growing fatter. A
Weighty Subject By Brenna Fender Various health problems are associated
with canine corpulence. Obesity in dogs is defined as an increase in body
fat that causes a dog to be 20% or more over its ideal body weight. Even
in a dog that is not an athlete excess weight can lead to heart problems,
arthritis, diabetes, and respiratory problems. Extra pounds can add to a
dog’s discomfort in his senior years and can shorten his lifespan. For
dogs doing agility, being overweight can exact a huge toll. According to
Christine Zink, veterinarian and author of Peak Performance, Coaching the
Canine Athlete, heavier agility dogs experience more problems. “We see
an exacerbation of existing problems such as hip dysplasia, elbow
dysplasia, and other causes of arthritis. Arthritis is a big deal for
these dogs,” she says. Gail Fisher, founder of All Dogs Gym & Inn,
agrees that excess weight causes challenges in agility: “Overweight
slows a dog’s performance. Plus, these dogs knock bars and have problems
on the A-frame.” Fisher believes that overweight dogs tend to have a
shortened agility career due to shoulder and elbow problems. Monica
Percival, owner of Clean Run Productions, comments: “As the human member
of the team I know the health risks that my being overweight poses to me. I
know that if I run agility all weekend the extra pounds I’m carrying will
mean having a tired and cranky body on Monday. That’s a choice I get to
make. My dogs don’t have the benefit of that knowledge. They love
agility and they’ll run their hearts out no matter what. One of the ways
I can reduce their risk of injury and increase the quality of their lives
and longevity, I hope is to make sure they are at an appropriate weight
and in condition for this sport. Sometimes I think how lucky they are; it
would be a lot easier for me to lose weight if someone else had complete
control over all the food in my world!” Exhibitors who have reduced
their dogs’ excess weight report impressive changes on the agility
course. Marian McGuire of Lubbock, Texas, noticed an improvement in her
Rhodesian Ridgebacks’ performance: “We took between 8% and 10% of 56
the starting body weight off both dogs and have seen a dramatic
improvement in speed and attitude. Both appear to be livelier and less
sluggish.” Katie Strah, an agility enthusiast from Cleveland, Ohio, had
weight problems with her Miniature Pinscher: “I have noticed a huge
difference in her since she has gotten back to her appropriate weight. She
is more willing to run, courses and obstacles are easier for her, and she
truly seems happier in general.” Californian exhibitor Jeff Kogen agrees
that less weight makes for a better agility dog. Before he put his Shetland
Sheepdog on a diet, she couldn’t get Double-Qs on both days of an AKC
trial. He suspected that she was carrying extra pounds. After reducing her
weight from 21 pounds to less than 17 pounds, he could see a difference in
the ring: “When the weight came off the speed and consistency went up.
She has now Double-Qd six times in a row over several weekends and shows a
lot more energy.” Why are so many dogs overweight? Certain breeds seem
predisposed to weight problems. Labradors, Beagles, Basset Hounds,
Dachshunds, and others may be more susceptible to obesity. Some breeds are
kept at a heavier, perhaps unhealthy weight to succeed in the conformation
ring. When these dogs start agility, the extra pounds become a handicap.
While some conformation dogs need to lose as much as 15 pounds to reach a
healthy weight for agility, plenty of overweight dogs are not competing in
the breed ring. They gained extra weight for other reasons. Some owners
can’t resist the sad face that appears on their lap every meal time.
Trainers that use food may add too many high-calorie treats to their
dog’s daily diet without reducing meal portions. Owners may follow the
directions printed on the food bag, which are often incorrect Even for
premium for a particular dog—even in the dog food, the case of high
quality, premium feeding directions on the label dog foods. Many people
fail to often won’t apply adjust food intake after their dog to your dog
stops growing or reduces activity. or will need to Some dogs, like Susan
Smith’s be adjusted. Miniature Dachshund, overfeed Clean Run | February
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Clean Run Magazine - February 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - February 2007
