Heavy basenji!
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I have opposite extremes of the spectrum. My little Lexi is a petite 18lb female at age 8. Miles is a HUGE male at 37lbs… I think he's about 10 but since he's a rescue, don't know for sure. He was picked up running in a field starving to death. I think that has something to do with the way he eats now and his opportunistic attitude towards food.
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Wow, so it looks like I should aim for 28 pounds as a maximum.
I am attempting to upload some photos for you to look at. She still doesn't look that overweight to me, looking at these photos. But then I look at the photos in my Basenji book and they do look a bit leaner! I think she might be big boned. Her mother was an average female I think, but her father was quite big around the chest, very male looking. We think she takes after the father in temperament as well (unfortunately, the mother seemed so sweet!)
Thanks for all the advice.
Sheree
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You should be able to see a "waist" if looking down at her.. she should have a "tuck-up" from from the rib cage through the loins (underline). You should be able to feel the ribs lightly under the coat and you should see a "hint" of rib outline when they are gaiting.
Hmm, looking at this comment again, no, I don't think she has a 'tuck up'!
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She looks more muscular to me, pretty powerful shoulders/upper leg area…muscle does weigh more than fat. Hard to tell without actually feeling the dog. Go for a lot of walks/hiking on steep/varied ground etc could cause that.
But hey, what do I know. =)
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Her tail is just like my Zak's. :) Zak was kind of a big boy too at one time weighing as much as 31 pounds. He has been 26 for years now but still looks a little big - but then it could be all his fatty lumps! :D
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I can certainly feel ribs if I rub her firmly along her ribcage, but she doesn't get that much exercise. I had this wonderful vision of taking my dog for lots of walks by myself and with the kids before we got Jessie. But she's turned out to be a real headstrong dog to take walking (just like her dad!). Most of the time she's either pulling ahead or I'm pulling her to keep going. I'm sure she is utterly contemptuous of my walking skills, I just don't get it right! I've tried various methods, none of which have worked, but that's beside the point. I was pretty patchy for a while, but I've reestablished regular walks and I'll just have to put up with her. She does love to chase (along the fence) the motorbikes and dogs that pass by so she runs very fast to do that, but I suspect the weight probably isn't all muscle. I'll probably aim for 28 pounds,and then see how she looks as I go. Any extra weight can't be good for her joints.
Thanks for your comments! -
SNA - my female looks about the same. She was found wandering the streets, starving, and her fur was almost gone from sores on her body. Cami hasn't stopped eating since she came here to live. She can't jump up on the bed and expects me to pick her up, and put her in bed…all the while she is grumbling at me. Cami is now eating away from the others, but isn't happy about it. She weighs 35#. The other Basenji is just the opposite - too skinny and could care less if she eats or not.
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Yes, the extra weight is not good for her joints-or her feet. I find B's have delicate feet as they are meant for running and any extra weight is not good for them, tends to flatten them out as well. If you have to press firmly to feel her ribs she's heavy IMO. You should be able to just run your hand down her side to feel her ribs.
