Skinny Collie Cross?

Question

We have a nearly 2 year old Border Collie/Labrador cross who can't seem to put any weight on!

He's been wormed and eats well (Bakers' Complete as he has a sensitive stomach and its the only food that suits him) but he is so skinny! I worry people will think we're not feeding him.

He's in very good health and condition so I can't work out why this is. I've always been told that Labradors have the opposite problem - being prone to obesity so unless its his Collie "genes" making him skinny, I'm at a loss to explain it. He is very active but not excessively.

Any suggestions? Anyone else found this with a Border Collie or Border Collie X?

We also have an elderly Jack Russell who's like a little barrel on legs!

You can't see his ribs but you can feel them if you run your hand down his side and his back quarters are bony too but not emaciated.

He gets walks and runs around in the garden. He's a bit of a psychopath actually, bounding with energy and into everything, we're waiting for him to calm down!

Some pics( not very good sorry but you can just about see him!)

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q2/Mrs_Rabbit2007/Picture3a200.jpg

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q2/Mrs_Rabbit2007/Picture010-1.jpg

The last one is about a year old - we had just got him but he was skinny even then! He was about 6 months old when that was taken.

Answer 1

I would suggest having your vet check for thyroid problems.

Answer 2

My collie was very skinny a few weeks ago.She had always been that way. I have 5 other collies that are a good weight. I had tried everything to get some weight on her. I got some advice from the RSPCA & its worked! The secret is to feed little & often.It must be a high quality food.
My collie is now fat & has gained 3kg in 3 weeks.

First of all worm your dog. A good wormer like Drontal or Panacur.

Then go to a pet store & get some Arden Grange (Performance) chicken & rice.Sign up as a breeder to get the cheaper bags that are plain brown. Its around £23 a bag.

Decide by weight how much your dog requires a day & split it into 4 or 5 meals throughout the day.

I had been feeding Arden Grange Adult to no avail but on the advice of the pet store I changed to the Performance. It is very good food for dogs that have sensitive stomaches.Add a handful to your bakers for a few days so your dog gets used to it gradually.A few dessert spoons of live yogurt mixed in the food will stop your dog getting an upset stomach.

Answer 3

dont worry about what other people think! Some dogs just have a high metabolism and stay on the thin side. As long as you cant count his ribs by looking at him, he's fine. You can offer him more kibble than what you've been feeding him if you are not comfortable with his weight.

The little barrel on legs needs less kibble and more exercize LOL.


edited to add.. you want to be able to feel the ribs, but not see them.
here is a good link with some sketches to give you an idea what your dog should look like

http://www.whydoesmypet.com/obesity_dog.html

some people think that the idea weight is too thin! You'd be surprised how many people think overweight and obese is the proper size for their dog.

Answer 4

If he's healthy, and his skin and coat look good I wouldn't worry.

My bel mal to most people around here looks to be skin and bones. Then again most people are used to labs or obese dogs here. She's in perfect health, and at a good weight.

Even I was a little concerned, but the vet said she looked good for her breed.

Unless you can see more than the last 2 or 3 ribs, or his hip bones are very prominant, he's alright.

Ideally you SHOULD be ABLE to feel your dog's ribs easily, if you have a hard time doing this, he could probably serve lose a pound or two.

Cute dog by the way. :)

Answer 5

Your description of you can feel his ribs nd his backbone, is one I give people to determine whether there dog is of proper weight. AS long as his hip bones are not sticking out, I think your dog is proper weight. You WANT to be able to feel his backbone without having to apply pressure. This is a good thing. Border Collies are extremely active. I think he is working off his weight through activity. You could add some fatty supplements, to his diet, I would recommend some of the canned fishes like anchovies, or Salmon Oil. They have
good Omegas, and can also increase appetitie so he may be able to handle eating more. Collies are a thinner breed, as well, so you could be worrying over a breed characterisitic.

Answer 6

If your vet says he is healthy with no worms then don't worry about it. I have a Border Collie/Australian Shepard that would run 24/7 if he could. Just make sure he doesn't have worms. I know you said he's been wormed but when was the last time he was checked. A tapeworm would take every ounce of nutrition and leave him skinny. But if he's healthy and just very active, then just enjoy him!

Answer 7

If he hasn't been neutered, male dogs tend to be leaner. My male toy poodle is 8" tall & only weighs 4lbs 10 oz. I had my vet check him out because like you I was afraid people would think I was starving him. She said that until I have him neutered, he'll remain lean & it's nothing to worry about. And he's from an active breed so he'll burn off more calories. You'll probably see him get stockier when he hits around 5-6 yrs old. As long as he's eating & active, don't worry.

Answer 8

You say he's very active...do you take him for runs, or have him run around the yard with stuff a lot? BC's and Labs are barrels of unlimited energy, so it wouldn't be far off to say he could possibly be burning off all the food :)

As long as you can't see his ribs, I'd say he's all right. Do you have any pictures to show?

Though just to be on the safe side, have a vet check him out.

Answer 9

He looks fine to me.A lot of border collies or collie crosses are on the lean side,and I've seen some working collies that are thinner than yours.He has a beautiful coat and isn't really that thin,IMO.As long as he's lively and eats well,I wouldn't worry.A thin dog is much healthier than a fat one!

Answer 10

If you can't see your dog's ribs but can feel them, then he's the ideal weight! The fact that he looks skinny is because he is quite fine boned for his size - his legs will never put on weight (unlike us!) At 2 years old, he isn't fully mature either.
Don't worry what other people think. A dog is more healthy if it is slightly underweight rather than slightly overweight.

Answer 11

well i have a very old border collie crossed with a whippet, and he has always been skinny, but healthy. i had him when he was between 5 and 8, and he's now about 17 and still going!unless he looks or behaves poorly dont worry too much!