Just how do you measure?

[JazzysMom]

Exactly where do you measure for height? I know it's the shoulder, I'm not sure I'm hitting right where I am supposed to.

When I measure Keoki I get 18 - 18.5". { Jazz is 15 - 15.5".} Is that correct?

When I weigh him on my bathroom scale I get a 30 lb reading on him!
{Jazz is tyically 21 lbs}

A few people have commented that Keoki seems very large for a Basenji, and he does seem huge next to Jazz, but is his size that uncommon? Am I measuring correctly?

I know he's heavy, but I don't think he is "fat"…. or is he? :rolleyes: Is his weight okay for his height?

I'm trying to show you, but neither dog will cooperate, LOL. It's been so long since they've been in a show ring, and most treats here accompany a sit/stay, so they are really fighting us on the stand thing, LOL.

{and I see the white wall behind us, just above my leg, makes it look like Keoki is tucked up weird. }

Keoki:

Jazz:

[tanza]

That is exactly where to measure.. and he would be considered on the "large" side for a male… but certainly not "huge".... I have seen bigger...gggg

As far as he weight, from the pictures I would guess (and remember I am only seeing the pictures) he would be a bit overweight.. I would think he could stand to lose a lb or so... (and Jazzy too)....

My OJ is 18"+ at show weight was 29lbs... (he need to carry a little extra) but normal weight was 28

[JazzysMom]

Thanks Tanza!

Yes… :o Jazz has had weight issues her whole life, LOL. She's a girl like her human-mama.

Okay, as for weight -- currently the dogs all get Merrick's Turkducken; Jazzy gets 1/2 cup a day, Keoki gets 1 cup a day. That seems so little to try to cut back {although my niece says that her large pit eats 1 cup of food a day and he is extremely active and looks great, so....}.

They could both use more exercise, but right now I can't squeeze any more in.
Plus we are coming into wet weather time and neither of them do much outside besides look miserable.

I can feed them more veggies, etc. so I guess I'll cut back on dog food and toss in more green beans and broccoli {gas!!:eek: } to keep them filled up but not filled out!

[YodelDogs]

Yep, that's exactly how you can measure. If you have a hard time determining the measurement, you can lay something like a small foot long ruler across the withers (top of shoulderblades) so that it sticks out each side of the dog. Hold it level and run your tape measure up and your measurement will be where the two intersect.

[lvoss]

The thing most people leave out is making sure that whatever you are using across the withers is truly level. It can make a big difference in your measurements. When I checked my measurements on 2 of my girls using a wicket with a level, I found I was over estimating their heights by about half an inch.

[sharronhurlbut]

This is very helpful.

[tanza]

@JazzysMom:

Thanks Tanza!

Yes… :o Jazz has had weight issues her whole life, LOL. She's a girl like her human-mama.

Okay, as for weight -- currently the dogs all get Merrick's Turkducken; Jazzy gets 1/2 cup a day, Keoki gets 1 cup a day. That seems so little to try to cut back {although my niece says that her large pit eats 1 cup of food a day and he is extremely active and looks great, so....}.

They could both use more exercise, but right now I can't squeeze any more in.
Plus we are coming into wet weather time and neither of them do much outside besides look miserable.

I can feed them more veggies, etc. so I guess I'll cut back on dog food and toss in more green beans and broccoli {gas!!:eek: } to keep them filled up but not filled out!

You can also use things like rice cakes as a filler, for a very long time, my Maggii ate mostly rice cakes…gggg.... besides veggies.... Keoki now that he is neutered would most likely do better on maybe 3/4 of a cup.... and green beans are not as "gasey" as some of the other veggies... try things like cucumbers... radishes.. (yes, radishes.. took time, but my Maggii and OJ loved them after a time... however they did think that throwing them around the room was fun too)... tomatoes... and you can always switch to senior food (however I have found that you have to supplement with omega 3 for the coats with the less fat)....

[etzbseder]

Jazzysmom, I think your dogs look just fine. Medjai is on the small side and he is about 19.5-20 lbs and 15-15.5" tall.

[PhocoenaGirl]

Jazzysmom, your Keoki looks exactly like my guy. I think Beegin (and Keoki too) look thicker and broader than some of the other b's I've seen on this site. I don't know what that is called in breeder terms. Is there some kind of scale that you measure for that???

Not that your b's don't look super cute though regardless of height. I love the pic where Keoki is getting measured and Jazz is trying to squeeze in behind and get attention too:D

[JazzysMom]

@PhocoenaGirl:

Jazzysmom, your Keoki looks exactly like my guy. I think Beegin (and Keoki too) look thicker and broader than some of the other b's I've seen on this site. I don't know what that is called in breeder terms. Is there some kind of scale that you measure for that???

Not that your b's don't look super cute though regardless of height. I love the pic where Keoki is getting measured and Jazz is trying to squeeze in behind and get attention too:D

LOL, don't kid yourself.. Jazz wasn't squeezing in for attention; she was hoping to get to those cookies! LOL

[tanza]

@PhocoenaGirl:

Jazzysmom, your Keoki looks exactly like my guy. I think Beegin (and Keoki too) look thicker and broader than some of the other b's I've seen on this site. I don't know what that is called in breeder terms. Is there some kind of scale that you measure for that???

Not that your b's don't look super cute though regardless of height. I love the pic where Keoki is getting measured and Jazz is trying to squeeze in behind and get attention too:D

That is just body type (thicker and/or broader)… there is no measurement for that... some B's are just heavier boned then others... that is why it is difficult to just go by lbs for weight....

For looking at a dog for proper weight, you should be able to see a "waist" which is from the end of the ribcage to the beginning of the hip... You should be able to easier feel your dogs ribs and when running you should be able to see a slight the rib outline...

Note on this picture of Crystal you can see the "waist" and a nice tuck up