Life with Ralphie - My Vizsla: August 2014

I read an article on Facebook about signs knowing you are a single dog parent. This article made me laugh, but oh, so true. Some of the signs that I was really able to relate to are:

* 98% of the photos in my IPhone are of Ralphie and Ollie!! Yep, I show everyone my pics, just like someone showing pics of their kids.

* I post photos of Ralphie on Facebook maybe well...a tad too often. But I can't help myself. He's just too cute.

* Singing songs with their name in it. Yes, every morning I sing, "Good morning to Ralphie and Ollie"...they love it! Ralphie rolls on his back for a belly rub as I sing. He loves me singing especially when his name is in the song.

* Yes, my holiday cards will include my boys ... me, Ralphie, and Ollie in our holiday attire. Maybe this year will be the year for pics on Santa's lap. And of course, I dress up Ralphie for Halloween!

* I have separation anxiety when I'm gone too long from my pups. I rush home from work each day...no stops in between. Plus I think of them all day long! Did I mention my desk area has many pics of my pups?

* Ralphie and I have an unspoken agreement about whose side of the bed is whose. Ohhh, he knows my side although he tries to hog my side...LOL

* My guilty pleasure is stretching out on the couch with Ralphie and watching reality shows. Ralphie doesn't judge me, the remotes is all mine, and the shows seem to relax him as well.

* I enjoy every minute with my pups, they never bore me, they entertain me, they make me laugh, they make me smile, the make me happy.

"...some people might say...I'm too reliant on my pups or even a little bit crazy...but I much prefer to be a single, happy dog parent instead of stuck with someone who doesn't understand the unique bond I have with my dogs."

I weighed Ralphie the other day and was shocked. My boy is 70 pounds!!! He's tall at 25.5 inches, but 70 pounds for a V...WOW! I googled and what I found the max weight per the AKC is 66 pounds for a male. Of course he's not a show dog, but I do want a healthy dog. So I turned to my Vizsla Facebook friends to hear their thoughts. I received plenty of feedback, mostly saying Ralphie looks great. But there were a few that made me think..."if there is a dimple above his tail, he may be a tad overweight." Yes, Ralphie has a dimple.

I really do feel I give Ralphie way too many treats each day plus I always share my food with him. My way to show my love, through the tummy. I know I need to cut his treats, but nope I can't stop giving him treats and I'll just share a little of my food...after all he is family. Truly I would like to see him at 66 pounds. So guess what...we're both on a mini-diet to shed just a few pounds.

The following is the Facebook string of comments that I received ... what a great group of people from all over the world!

August 10 at 1:48pm · Tarpon Springs, FL

My Ralphie is 25.5 inches tall and 70 pounds. Is he overweight? Should I be cutting back on his treats?

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Looks good. I've got 2 65 lb boys.

August 10 at 1:49pm · Unlike · 1
No way-looks great

August 10 at 1:50pm · Unlike · 2
My Reddog is about the same. I think he looks great!

August 10 at 1:50pm · Unlike · 1
The weight seems like a lot for his height. For example my 27.25" dobe is 72 lbs. I prefer my dogs lean with a nice waist and visible rib. It's hard to tell from this pic but he does not look obese

August 10 at 1:52pm · Unlike · 3
Looks good and healthy to me!!

August 10 at 1:54pm · Unlike · 1
He looks healthy! If he's happy and able to run around comfortably don't worry about what anyone else says! I have a big boy too but he's fit and healthy!

August 10 at 1:57pm · Unlike · 2
Dear Mom... I did a lot of research by surveying my fellow Vs. It has been decided that you should NOT cut back on my treats. Love, Ralphie

August 10 at 2:00pm · Unlike · 19
He looks great.

August 10 at 2:01pm · Unlike · 1
Since he is at very top of the standard, any taller and he would be over, his weight seems to match as about 65 lbs is the upper range for a 24 " dog.

August 10 at 2:01pm · Unlike · 2
As long as you can see a “waste line" he is fine. Beautiful boy too.

August 10 at 2:02pm · Like · 1
Just like us humans. Weight isn't everything. Have a look at him. The ribs should be easily felt but not seen. Does his movement look light or heavy? Your gut will tell you... My V princess is a compulsive food-thief, but luckily also loooves running....

August 10 at 2:03pm · Unlike · 1
No he,s a big boy and I've seen bigger

August 10 at 2:05pm · Unlike · 1
Very much like my lad, looks good

August 10 at 2:09pm · Like · 1
Looks good!

August 10 at 2:09pm · Like · 1
Certain not obese. Should be able to see a little rib. He's handsome!

August 10 at 2:10pm · Unlike · 1
Looks like mine and he's a fit wild chukar hunter.

August 10 at 2:11pm · Unlike · 1
He looks great and happy to me.

August 10 at 2:13pm · Unlike · 1
Looks fine

August 10 at 2:39pm · Unlike · 2
Our Rocket is 24.5 inches tall & 70lbs. We do a lot of jogging & off leah through the fields. Vet says he's in great shape & not over weight

August 10 at 2:39pm · Unlike · 1
I like them on the leaner side.

August 10 at 2:45pm · Unlike · 3
He looks healthy!

August 10 at 2:47pm · Unlike · 1
My boy is 66 right now

August 10 at 2:47pm · Unlike · 1
Looks great to me x

August 10 at 2:52pm · Unlike · 1
He looks a tad heavy to me. Look at the base of his tail. Is there a dimple ? If there is, he is overweight.

August 10 at 3:01pm · Unlike · 9
No he looks great.

August 10 at 3:13pm · Unlike · 2
Looks good

August 10 at 3:13pm · Unlike · 1
My male is 67.7

August 10 at 3:14pm · Unlike · 1
Our 2 1/2 yr old is 78 lbs and looks lean. He's just a big boy.

August 10 at 3:17pm · Unlike · 1
Hes perfect for his height and gorgeous

August 10 at 3:26pm · Unlike · 1
He looks perfect! Beautiful Boy!

August 10 at 3:42pm · Unlike · 2
his waist tucks in so id say no. if he is "over weight" its not enough to be significant unless hes a sports dog but from that photo he does not appear to be overweight

August 10 at 3:48pm · Unlike · 1
my boy is tiny. he's going to be 3 in december and he is 47 pounds. people think he's a racing dog because you can see his ribs and he's a muscle butt. I feed him twice a day his food and he shares with my meals when I can and I give food rewards in training so I dont know how hes not fat.

August 10 at 3:50pm · Unlike · 1
He's like our boy, who is usually 65-68 depending on the season. And he's taller than my lab!

August 10 at 4:05pm · Unlike · 2
47 lbs isn't tiny by the way. Our standard is 22-24" so a 47 lb vizsla in that range isn't small.

August 10 at 4:06pm · Unlike · 3
What a cutie, Ralphie looks great!

August 10 at 4:39pm · Unlike · 1
IMO weight should only be an issue if it affects his activity level. My boy Indie hovers around 65 or 68 lbs and he is quite active. He could lose a couple lbs but he seems ok to me. Just go with your gut, you know your pup better than anyone else.

August 10 at 4:59pm · Edited · Unlike · 3
No not at all. He looks great.

August 10 at 5:27pm · Unlike · 1
Incidentally we also have an English Pointer who is tiny. She's very low body fat, runs like the wind, and weighs over 40 pounds. Most dogs her size would weigh 25 to 30. Big running gun dogs have serious muscle mass!

August 10 at 5:31pm · Edited · Unlike · 1
Very fit V and PT. 70 and 40 lbs. respectively.

August 10 at 5:34pm · Unlike · 1
There is no weight/height/perfect chart. All depends on the bone, the actual dog. Not an Iams fiend, but the visual image onhttp://www.petcarerx.com/.../whats-your-dogs-ideal.../564 is a good guide.

Ideal Dog Weight Chart - Determine if Your Dog is a Healthy Weight | PetCareRx
www.petcarerx.com

Did you know that a healthy body weight is a major determining factor in your do...See More

August 10 at 5:44pm · Unlike · 2
He looks perfect! Beautiful boy!

August 10 at 6:13pm · Unlike · 1
Your dog is more plump than mine, but he looks healthy, not to worry.

August 10 at 6:46pm · Unlike · 1
as long as you can see or feel his ribs easily, he is not overweight. He seems to be on the tall side for a Vizsla, so 70 lbs doesn't seem too extreme. If you keep him well exercised and monitor his food, he is well within limits. He looks greta on that one photo.

August 10 at 6:49pm · Unlike · 1
Go to this link for a look at body condition scoring for dogs. A score of 4-6 ( out of 9) is most ideal. http://www.morgantownamc.com/dog-bcs.pml

Weight Management: Dog BCS at Animal Medical Center
www.morgantownamc.com

Animal Medical Center in Morgantown, WV is a full service AAHA accredited veteri...See More

August 10 at 6:54pm · Edited · Unlike · 2
He looks great, no the standard of the breed that is for male 23 inches tall maximum and that is around 50 pounds for males but you are not taking him to a competition so as long as he is proportionate he is fine

August 10 at 7:08pm · Unlike · 1
Nope, he looks perfect.

August 10 at 7:25pm · Unlike · 1
I thought 60lb was the show limit. They are getting bigger. My last was a studly 60lb of muscle and my new dog is a fit 70lb. I met a 90lb that looked OK.

August 11 at 1:21am · Unlike · 3
He looks great

August 11 at 2:45am · Unlike · 1
he looks great, wouldn't worry.

August 11 at 10:07am · Unlike · 1
It depends on how you like him. As long as he is fit and healthy and happy. He looks very handsome.
Archie is leaner and personally would like more weight to him, but he has 3 long (4-5mile) walk/runs a day so has a lot of lean muscle.
If you are not...See More

Yesterday at 3:57am · Edited · Unlike · 2

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