Underweight?

Recently, I've been able to see Loki's spine a bit. Not massively, just a bit, and I can feel his ribs and see the last two, and he has a very noticeable wait (ie it goes in compared to his chest if that makes sense). None of that really bothers me except being able to see his spine, does this mean he's too thin? I suppose even if he's not, he's on the borderline. I reckon I might up his food a little bit so he puts on just a bit of weight to put my mind at rest. I love seeing other people's dogs in amazing shape, lean and etc., but I think I'm a bit too uncomfortable with it and unused to the idea to let Loki be like that, for now at least. Just not sure if that means he's too thin or not.

If he looks to you like he's lost weight, by all means up his portions a little. If it continues, you might want to have him wormed and possibly checked by the vets.

I like Loki's shape from photos but again it is really hard to tell and you would know best. So if you feel unhappy up it a little bit

I liked it too, but being able to see his spine has put me off a bit, I think he could do with a tiny bit more weight to put my mind at ease

I agree, you know best, if you feel that he's slightly underweight then up his food a little and see how it goes, you can always reduce again

It's easy to change their weight up/down when they are younger so by adding a bit more it'll never do any harm.

Nothing wrong with feeding a bit more. He's young and still growing as well

I think he's looking fab from his pics, up his food a little, a bit of extra weight won't do him any harm he's well exercised so will be fine : D

I think Loki has a very similar build to Moo, I said in another post looks very similar but darker. I think he looks fab

I think he looks great! I've also had the same problem with Ebony, but only when she sits weirdly - other that that she looks great! She's a very funny shaped dog though, and a little bit of extra food after a while really makes a difference too her weight and she gets all frumpy so I think I'll keep her as she is as she's super happy and people say she looks good. From pictures it looks like you've got Lokis weight spot on

Personally I don't mind seeing a cpl of ribs - but not the spine.

Took Tank a few months for me to get him to a comfortable weight, u can now see his muscle either side of the spine.
He still has zero bodyfat though ! Which is why I worry when he won't eat his breakfast !

I think upping Loki's meals will be good, thst way u can gauge when he's looking 'right' for u to feel comfortable xx

I don't like to see the spine, but he's still very young & some dogs go through a really 'spare' stage. If you're happy that he's healthy & lively I wouldn't worry. Give him another couple of months & see how he is then.

You know what I think of Loki .. but yeah as already said, I dont like to see the spine on a staffy either, I think they should have enough muscle coverage running up either side of the spinal cord to hide it personnally

He is still very young, so yeah up his meals a bit or add some more additional protein like oily fish and see how he gets on

Gorgeous dog he is .. have I ever mentioned that

to me no that doesn't sound under weight, on the boys i can see their spine a little and see about 5-6 ribs on them and to me that's a lean healthy dog!

I can see Monte's spine a bit a times too but he is perfect to me. I like a leaner and defined dog myself. Fat is only cute on puppies!

It can be a hard call, i can feel marleys spine but only last rib... While laska i can feel ribs but no spine. In fact im thinking of putting marley on a diet and upping laskas protien intake. Imo the best guide is shape, think it may have been caryll posted up a pic guide a while back that i personally think is perfect. Ill have a dig about and see if i can find it

This is guide i use.

see i don't use them charts as my to are always classed as far to thin by their standards

I keep mine thin by them also. Much better than fat

definitely is agree to that!

Thanks guys. I do love Loki's shape as it is, just not being able to see his spine. I'm jused to seeing fat dogs, so although I don't want Loki to be fat, to see his spine is a bit too uncomfortable for me, so I reckon I'll up his food just so I get rid of that, see if I can find a balance, because not to brag, but he does look lovely . Thanks again for your help