Gretel Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 within the acceptable weight range does not mean it is the right weight for them. As a vet nurse surely you know being overweight is not good for them? What is the point of an "acceptable weight"if its still not acceptable when they are in within that range ?? Maybe they look overweight because they need a haircut ? Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not clipped! <When you say "knowing how to care for their coats" what exactly do you mean. > I mean knowing enough to know they are not clipped! You can't seriously look at yours and think they are how a Cavalier should look if you were going to show it? Have the ears been cut off? It's not that difficult to understand that some are bigger than others so some will weigh more than others. It's all about what is the correct weight for the particular dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumoftwo Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 within the acceptable weight range does not mean it is the right weight for them. As a vet nurse surely you know being overweight is not good for them? What is the point of an "acceptable weight"if its still not acceptable when they are in within that range ?? Maybe they look overweight because they need a haircut ? Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not clipped! <When you say "knowing how to care for their coats" what exactly do you mean. > I mean knowing enough to know they are not clipped! You can't seriously look at yours and think they are how a Cavalier should look if you were going to show it? Have the ears been cut off? It's not that difficult to understand that some are bigger than others so some will weigh more than others. It's all about what is the correct weight for the particular dog. Well Im confused ! I have people telling they need grooming and now youre saying dont clip them ! I have said before Im not in a position to show them and there arent too many good groomers up here that know how to groom a Cavalier ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 within the acceptable weight range does not mean it is the right weight for them. As a vet nurse surely you know being overweight is not good for them? What is the point of an "acceptable weight"if its still not acceptable when they are in within that range ?? Maybe they look overweight because they need a haircut ? because each dog is different, some are bigger, some are smaller, their weight should reflect their actual size. You said they need to lose a kilo or two each. On a dog under 8 kilos that is a lot of excess weight they are carrying. I would get antsy if any of my dogs were overweight even if it was only a kilo and they are much, much bigger. Excess weight can make it harder to get a bitch pregnant or to whelp easily. You have bred dogs before, surely you must know this, it's very basic animal husbandry. A fit, lean animal beats a fat pudgy one hands down in all sorts of ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pebbles Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 (edited) Mumoftwo, there's a lot more to grooming a Cav coat and cutting out the knots if you have any intention of showing her/them. And from a toy group owner I can say Cody is definitely overweight - I've got two here whom I trying to get the weight off so I'm noticing weight first thing. The desired weight range really doesn't give a good guide, there's size, boning etc that comes into it as well. eta - just saw your post about not many groomers in your area - you don't need a groomer just get to know some of the Cavvie people who show and get some tips from them - even the basics will make a difference Edited February 4, 2012 by pebbles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss B Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 (edited) Didn't you used to breed Cockers?? Unregistered I might add....... Yes I did Sway but i took everyones advice on here and learned more about them and became a registered breeder ! I no longer have cocker spaniels by the way. I thought you were an experienced Registered Breeder of American Cockers when you were overseas I don't mean to be rude, but I'm getting more and more confused... Edited February 4, 2012 by Miss B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 within the acceptable weight range does not mean it is the right weight for them. As a vet nurse surely you know being overweight is not good for them? What is the point of an "acceptable weight"if its still not acceptable when they are in within that range ?? Maybe they look overweight because they need a haircut ? Some have bigger bones, so will naturally weigh more. Dogs generally weigh more then bitches, some many be taller but finer in body. Others maybe short and stocky. Find a person who is 5'8 who weights 100kg and a person who is 5'2 who weighs 100kg - the shorter person will look fatter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumoftwo Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 within the acceptable weight range does not mean it is the right weight for them. As a vet nurse surely you know being overweight is not good for them? What is the point of an "acceptable weight"if its still not acceptable when they are in within that range ?? Maybe they look overweight because they need a haircut ? because each dog is different, some are bigger, some are smaller, their weight should reflect their actual size. You said they need to lose a kilo or two each. On a dog under 8 kilos that is a lot of excess weight they are carrying. I would get antsy if any of my dogs were overweight even if it was only a kilo and they are much, much bigger. Excess weight can make it harder to get a bitch pregnant or to whelp easily. You have bred dogs before, surely you must know this, it's very basic animal husbandry. A fit, lean animal beats a fat pudgy one hands down in all sorts of ways. Well maybe I exaggerated a bit by saying "a kilo or two". But I know they have gained weight since I first got them. My vet was happy with their weight and thats the main thing :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Mumoftwo, there's a lot more to grooming a Cav coat and cutting out the knots if you have any intention of showing her/them. Peebles the dogs aren't being shown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumoftwo Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 Didn't you used to breed Cockers?? Unregistered I might add....... Yes I did Sway but i took everyones advice on here and learned more about them and became a registered breeder ! I no longer have cocker spaniels by the way. I thought you were an experienced Registered Breeder of American Cockers when you were overseas I don't mean to be rude, but I'm getting more and more confused... Sorry to confuse you Miss B, I did start out with English Cockers at first, then moved overseas and bred American Cockers ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Well maybe I exaggerated a bit by saying "a kilo or two". But I know they have gained weight since I first got them. My vet was happy with their weight and thats the main thing :) I know vets who are happy to recommend Calcium to giant breeds - BIG NO NO !! Vets know dogs, they don't know individual breeds unless they are a specialist in that breed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 (edited) What is the point of an "acceptable weight"if its still not acceptable when they are in within that range ?? 'acceptable weight' means that when the dog is a healthy weight for its individual structure, then it falls within that weight range. A smaller dog might better fit at the lower end of the scale, while a larger one may be at the top. They still, however, have to be a healthy weight for them. A smaller dog that is overweight, but still within the acceptable weight for the breed is still overweight just as a larger dog that is too skinny is still too skinny even if it just comes within the acceptable weight range. You should be able to feel their ribs under a light cover. Like running your fingers over the back of your hand below the knuckles. If you cant do that (you need to feel through the coat to the skin to do it) then they do need to lose some weight. There is a Cavalier Club in NSW. Perhaps they can provide advice and put you in touch with breeders closer to you who can help you learn about grooming a Cav etc? Here is the link: http://www.cavaliersnsw.com/ Edited February 4, 2012 by espinay2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumoftwo Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 Well maybe I exaggerated a bit by saying "a kilo or two". But I know they have gained weight since I first got them. My vet was happy with their weight and thats the main thing :) I know vets who are happy to recommend Calcium to giant breeds - BIG NO NO !! Vets know dogs, they don't know individual breeds unless they are a specialist in that breed. Yes you have a point there Sway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumoftwo Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 As from now these two dogs are on diets !! I know the vet will try and sell me their brand of dog food, but what do breeders use ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Breeders use lots of different things and all will have different opinions. Perhaps pop into the health part of the forum and do some reading there. In the end though the basic premise is the same no matter what you feed. The amount of calories eaten need to be lower than the amount used. Increasing exercise can therefore help as well as well as looking to diet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumoftwo Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 Breeders use lots of different things and all will have different opinions. Perhaps pop into the health part of the forum and do some reading there. In the end though the basic premise is the same no matter what you feed. The amount of calories eaten need to be lower than the amount used. Increasing exercise can therefore help as well as well as looking to diet. Thanks espinay2 they get plenty of exercise ! I will look in the health part to see what other breeders feed them...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretel Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Mumoftwo have you read the breed standard and read books and seen some lovely Cavaliers in the ring? It might be worthwhile for you to come along to the breed specialty in Sydney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumoftwo Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 Mumoftwo have you read the breed standard and read books and seen some lovely Cavaliers in the ring? It might be worthwhile for you to come along to the breed specialty in Sydney. I would love to do that Gretel, I want to know absolutely everything about this gorgeous breed. I have read lots of books but as yet havent had the opportunity to go to any shows Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Okay, I've been out today and popped in to see how things are going here. :) Nice to see everyone playing nicely. :laugh: Mumoftwo, to give you an idea of weight, here is a photo of one of my bitches who by 'breed standard" is overweight, but clearly she isn't. She isn't particularly big either but does have good bone and muscle. You really have to go by what the dog looks like. I think popping along to a Cavalier Specialty is a great idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piper Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 mumoftwo, there are a lot of country shows in NSW. If yuo look at the DogsNSW webpage for their calendar of events you should be able to find something within a reasonable distance of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumoftwo Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share Posted February 4, 2012 Okay, I've been out today and popped in to see how things are going here. :) Nice to see everyone playing nicely. :laugh: Mumoftwo, to give you an idea of weight, here is a photo of one of my bitches who by 'breed standard" is overweight, but clearly she isn't. She isn't particularly big either but does have good bone and muscle. You really have to go by what the dog looks like. I think popping along to a Cavalier Specialty is a great idea. She is beautiful LizT,I will check out when the next country show is thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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