Oh, and also, I'm not really used to seeing bigger b's - I've seen a couple, but they are show dogs…so Otis could just have a different body type and bigger bones than what I'm used to seeing. IDK. 
Thanks all, I will take a pic from above and post as soon as I can..later, the pool is calling and my kids are screaming..nice right?
For a dog that eats cinnamon rolls, bacon and butter he looks pretty good. LOL
Just realized that our camera is in my hubby's car so I have to take pics later today..
but yes, doesn't he look good for being a junkie..LOL
I would agree that he looks a bit overweight. There is no "tuckup" (underline) from the ribcage through the loins.
While 8 months is not fully mature, it is usually the age that you should have basic body structure with "waist" and "tuck up"…
Renaultf1 is spot on with her descriptions and I would agree that her pup is a bit to the lean side right now... but you see what we are talking about with the waist.
I feel his ribs easily, right under the skin, but I too thinks he should be a little leaner..
It's all that people food he's stealing! LOL
oh and this morning he "stole/borrowed" half a stick of butter from the counter when I was making pancakes for the kiddos…he did share it though with our other dogs..lol.
I swear it sounds like I am the biggest id--t, but I can not believe how fast and quiet he is when he is in "borrowing mode", I was right there and he still managed to get it, right in front of my eyes..and then he runs..fast to get away..If I catch up with him he will let go of the goods, but only if I am right there.. He even had a chicken by the neck two days ago, not hard, only tight enough to keep it from escaping, but once I got there, screaming like a complete id--t he let go once I had the chicken in my hands.
FYI ,no chickens were harmed during this stunt.
Oh they are sneaky.
I was getting out of bed the other morning and Kananga was over by my nightstand. I turned away for a second, looked back and he was gone. I thought "Did he go under the bed?" because I never saw him run past me.
I look over at the door after looking under the bed and I see him sitting there with a smirk on his face, probably thinking "What are you doing?".
No, 8 mo. definitely isn't adulthood.
I was always told from day 1 of bringing Aaliyah home (from my breeder and from the breeders on here when I posted the question) that I shouldn't let my pup be rolly, polly - they need a little extra weight when they are very young (in case they get sick), but generally you measure their weight the same way - by being able to find the ribs when you feel for them.
But back to the 8 mo. age, Liyah's body is starting to look like an adult now, and her breeder thinks she is the perfect weight for her size, and although she isn't as lean as my adults, she definitely has clear waist definition, clear tuck-up and you can find her ribs easily - but again, Liyah is being shown.
Hopefully Pat, Lisa or Andrea will see this thread and chime in…they know a lot more about it than I do - especially from a breeder standpoint.
If Liyah is anything like Zoni, she may gain a little weight when she comes into season. I've been trying like heck to get the extra weight off of her.
I would not go by weight as to being "too heavy" nor comparing to other Bs.
IMO he is a very heavy-boned dog [i.e., lots of substance] and he could lose a hair of weight, but not too much… and hopefully it would leave his waist. Everywhere lese loose fine to me.
Don't compare him to Aaliyah as she does not have a lot of substance, so you wouldn't want to compare a dog with lots of substance to her. IT is apples and oranges.
If you see a waist from above, he should be fine. If you are going to course him, you'll want to be keeping him a bit more on the lean side, as it isn't fair to run him with extra weight on his body.
To me, and this is kind of subjective…I think he looks a tiny bit heavy for eight months. But he still looks very healthy...not fat or obese...just heavier than I prefer to have my dogs. His dimensions? dementions? are about the same as Querk's...but he is 10 years old and neutered...so I have to monitor his diet closely so he doesn't get any heavier.
I should add, that when Querk gets to 25# I put him on a diet...Hippo, on the other hand, weighs 25# + in great condition
Actually the pics I posted weren't of my pup Aaliyah, they were of my 4yo Ruby - and posted not to compare but to show a waist and tuckup. I don't have any pics of Aaliyah at 8 months that show that. I agree with Kathy and Andrea that it would be better to compare to a dog of similar build and bone.
Hey Andrea, do you have any pics of Querk that you could post?
Hi guys and thanks again for all of your inputs..I have finally taken decent pics, not great but ok..so here they are..
This one was hard to take, he was very busy looking at the chickens in their run, so not the best..
This one is the best of all the ones I took..his attention span is nill when poultry is around..LOL
and this one I am throwing in for good measure..Otis in action..surfing for goodies..
I too think he is a fairly large boned B, but agree that the tuck up could be more defined.
I think he looks good…really shiney! One way that I use to tell with our dogs, is if I can feel a layer of fat on their ribs, then that is too fat. Like, if they feel 'squishy' He may just naturally not have much tuck up..some dogs are like that, even at a good weight.
I don't have any pics of Querk…the are all on my old computer. I will try to get some, and some of Hippo, so you can see the difference. Querk is lightly built, light bone...but tallish. Hippo is tall, heavy boned, and just big all over....hence the name. If they 'looked' the same as far as fat/muscle...there would be a five pound difference in their weights.
A few months ago, around 5-6 months oif age he was really skinny witha avery narrow tuckup, and I thought he was too skinny, but now I feel as if he could loose a few, but not to much. I can feel his ribs easily, but they might be a tad "soft" or squishy.
I contribute his shiny coat to his diet..pre bacon, cinnamon rolls and butter..more his raw diet.
Again, thanks for all y'alls help and in put, as a newbie I value that tremendously..
He is more then likely just a tad too heavy…. I would just watch the weight and see if it changes much if he is not stealing treats himself.... I wouldn't worry too much at his age right now.... certainly no heavier....
"Hey Mom, where's the bacon"?!!
Dan that is so funny…
Otis goes to doggy court.
Judge: "Council, how does your client, Otis plead to the charge of stealing and eating people food"?
Counsel: "Not guilty your honor".
Judge: "OK, a court date will be determined next week and bail will be set at 500 biscuits.
Judge: Oh and counsel?!"
Counsel: "Yes your Honor"?
Judge: Try and keep your client out of the pantry please"!
Counsel: "Yes your honor".
