Willie you fat lard, come get some dinner!

[Bulbie]

I've just got a little question. Willie's a standard yorkie. He's pretty big in comparison to some yorkies I've seen. Anyway, whenever he's at the vets he gets weighed, usually comes in at something lile 5kg. Never more than that really. Using a rough conversion, that's a little over 11lbs. He's nice and trim looking, still has a good, clear tuck up, and gets plenty of exercise.

My vet keeps saying he's fat, he's overweight. Every time he goes in he keeps saying he's even fatter than last time. But I know my dog, and I hold him every day, his body shape is not changing, and he feels the same as ever. Willie doesn't eat excessively at all, doesn't get many treats, maybe two to three biscuits a day. I don't feed him from my plate, neither does my partner. But still my vet keeps saying he keeps gaining weight. I figure since Willie is so active, it is probably just muscle weight rather than fat weight?

I've been reading around on here today and seen a few people who think that 7lbs is still a bit small for a yorkie. Willie as I have already said is a little over 11. What's a healthy weight for a yorkie like Willie? Is he at a good weight, or is he really a fat lard like my vet keeps saying? I don't want him to be overweight, but can't think why my vet keeps saying Willie just keeps piling on the weight. I care for Willie to the best of my ability, I would never let his weight get out of control!

[Sunnie]

Originally Posted by Bulbie

I've just got a little question. Willie's a standard yorkie. He's pretty big in comparison to some yorkies I've seen. Anyway, whenever he's at the vets he gets weighed, usually comes in at something lile 5kg. Never more than that really. Using a rough conversion, that's a little over 11lbs. He's nice and trim looking, still has a good, clear tuck up, and gets plenty of exercise.

My vet keeps saying he's fat, he's overweight. Every time he goes in he keeps saying he's even fatter than last time. But I know my dog, and I hold him every day, his body shape is not changing, and he feels the same as ever. Willie doesn't eat excessively at all, doesn't get many treats, maybe two to three biscuits a day. I don't feed him from my plate, neither does my partner. But still my vet keeps saying he keeps gaining weight. I figure since Willie is so active, it is probably just muscle weight rather than fat weight?

I've been reading around on here today and seen a few people who think that 7lbs is still a bit small for a yorkie. Willie as I have already said is a little over 11. What's a healthy weight for a yorkie like Willie? Is he at a good weight, or is he really a fat lard like my vet keeps saying? I don't want him to be overweight, but can't think why my vet keeps saying Willie just keeps piling on the weight. I care for Willie to the best of my ability, I would never let his weight get out of control!

HAS he been gaining weight?? If he still weighs the same 11 lbs he always did, I would ask your vet to explain why he thinks he is gaining weight. But that being said, if he IS overweight, it is best to trim him down. 11 lbs is not overweight if his structure is correct for an 11 lb dog. Now on a short legged, 5 lb frame, 11 lbs would be way over weight. It all depends on thier bone structure. Heck, I have a crockpot yorkie who weighs in at 16 lbs.. and she IS overweight.. she is a mix and she has always been overweight since I have owned her. My vet isn't too worried because she has the bone structure and frame to support it.

[Bulbie]

He's got a good, sturdy frame. I think so anyway. Nice long and strong legs, good body, he's not a small fellow. Good and sturdy, I guess stocky is the word I'd use. He doesn't feel overweight to me. I also weigh myself at home. I first weigh myself and take note of my weight. Then I pick up Willie and weigh us both and take note of the difference. There's no change there at all. Every time I do it (the last time being about half an hour ago) he's always the same. My weight never seems to change either.

Should I try and take a picture of him to let you see?

[JeanieK]

The rule is, you should be able to feel their ribs, easily.

The vet can tell by his records if he is gaining. Since you see him and lift him everyday, you might not notice.

If you have a scale for yourself, you can weigh him with that. First weigh yourself, then hold him and weigh yourself while holding him. Do that once a week and you will be able to see if he is gaining or losing.

On a 10 pound dog, one additional pound is like a 100 pound human gaining 10 pounds.

[Britster]

I would have to see a photo, but it doesn't sound like he's fat to me. Jackson is 15lbs and solid but he is lean and athletic and in good shape.

Here's a good example, http://media.wiley.com/Lux/18/109618.image0.jpg

[Bulbie]

Yeah I weigh him on my scales exactly the way you suggested. He's not putting on, from what I can see on that. I can also feel his ribs easily, I always have been able to.

I understand the proportional weight thing too, but the vet just keeps saying he's weighing more and more, which is the part I don't get. Surely if he was weighing more and more each time I'd be really starting to notice something by now?

[Roccosmommy]

Your title...definitely a twist on the Napoleon Dynamite line??? (aka "Tina") Too funny...I LOVE that flippin' movie! Regarding your post, Willie is a cutie, but I can't tell from the avatar pic if he's overweight. 11lbs is certainly not excessive if he has the right frame. I would ask for a copy of his records from the vet so you can see for yourself what his weight was each time. If no significant weight gain is noted, I'd grill the vet on exactly what he means by "fat" and ask him to show you on Willie.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Bulbie

Yeah I weigh him on my scales exactly the way you suggested. He's not putting on, from what I can see on that. I can also feel his ribs easily, I always have been able to.

I understand the proportional weight thing too, but the vet just keeps saying he's weighing more and more, which is the part I don't get. Surely if he was weighing more and more each time I'd be really starting to notice something by now?

Well, I'm not understanding. Did the vet actually put him on a scale and has his weights recorded, and he's gaining? How old is he? Dogs can continue to grow into their adult figure sometimes until 2 years old on occasion.

Jackson was 12lbs for a long time. From about 7 months old until a little over a year old, he stayed right at 12.5lbs give or take. He weighed that in December 2009 (when he was 1 year and 2 months old) and then in March 2010, he weighed 16lbs! I had NO idea he had went from 12.5 to 16! I would have never guessed it. He didn't feel or look heavier to me. He still fit in his collars and harnesses, etc. So it can happen. Now, I weighed him a month ago at the vet scale, and he was 15.1lbs. So I don't know if the scales are all different or what. But I think 15lbs is his ideal weight.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by Bulbie

I've been reading around on here today and seen a few people who think that 7lbs is still a bit small for a yorkie.

People on here think that 7lbs is too small for a Yorkie?

That's odd. The breed standard calls for the size to be 7lbs or under....so that's not small.
Of course, we all know that Yorkies are sometimes larger than that. I would not worry so much about the number on the scale with your little one. Of course, you don't want him to be overweight, but there is no "magic number" that you should be trying to achieve with him. So long as he is eating a proper diet and is active.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by Roccosmommy

Your title...definitely a twist on the Napoleon Dynamite line??? (aka "Tina") Too funny...I LOVE that flippin' movie! Regarding your post, Willie is a cutie, but I can't tell from the avatar pic if he's overweight. 11lbs is certainly not excessive if he has the right frame. I would ask for a copy of his records from the vet so you can see for yourself what his weight was each time. If no significant weight gain is noted, I'd grill the vet on exactly what he means by "fat" and ask him to show you on Willie.

Agree. If his tuck up is good, you can easily feel the ribs, then ask for the weight records, and if they don't show weight gain every time you bring him in then challenge the vet on his ascertain your dog is fat.

You are right in that muscle will weigh more than fat. But if your dog has not been gaining weight - then the vet needs to explain to you about the comments.

Call him/her and ask for explaination

[Bulbie]

The vet reckons, or did last time I was in, 3kgs. I think this sounds too small personally. He's not a small dog. And he's very active and boisterous. The vet weighs him every time, and even though I don't see a difference in the weights, I get to watch the weighing, they always say he's getting bigger. The last time he was in he got the woman, his weight read the same as last time but she said he had gained weight, about ten per cent of his body weight! I'm really not getting it, and wondering if I should change vets...

Some pictures I took a few minutes ago are attached. Not sure how useful they will be though, as he refused to sit still. Probably shouldn't have tried to take them next to his small army of tennis balls...

Yup, it Is a twist on Napoleon Dynamite. LOVE that film! It's my favourite. Big Momma's House got the boot when I discovered Napoleon!

[beachdog]

Your dog looks awesome to me. The vet needs to get his eyes checked!

[chachi]

He doesnt look overweight to me

[Roccosmommy]

I don't know, but he looks absolutely perfect as he is based on your pictures - he is absolutely adorable! Also, I'm confused...your first post says 5kg, your latest says 3kg as his weight. Which is it? Or did the vet's office confuse the numbers.

[JeanieK]

He looks great to me.

I guess I would start keeping track of it myself.