Weight loss for border terrier

[birgittestyle]

I have a 6 year old border terrier who needs to lose some weight. He has plenty of exercise (2-3hrs/day) and energy but he seems to retain weight around the middle (I know the feeling). He was on a buffalo kibble and has now moved onto another grain free 'diet' kibble on the recommendation of a border breeder but we don't seem to be getting anywhere. He is probably around 10-11kg and she says he is a big build and sturdy - not one of the smaller BT versions. His portion sizes are the bottom end of the suggested sizes and I feel it is at the point where I can't cut it down anymore or there will be nothing left. Are there any suggestions of what I could switch to so he gets into better condition? V grateful for any advice.

Might be worth a vet check to see if there's a reason he's not losing weight? One of mine survives on a fresh air - eats considerably less than the other one who weighs about 10 kg less than him - it's just the way he is.

Which kibble is he on now? There are lots of "diet" foods available now. James Wellbeloved, Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin and Hills all have foods aimed at dogs that put weight on easily.

Have you done his body condition score? I use that rather than weight for mine. Give him a good feel all over once a week to keep an eye on his weight. If I went by the weight his breed "should" be, he'd be too fat.

If he's genuinely doing three hours of exercise a day and eating the minimum recommended amount of food (and no treats) then I would want to get him checked over by a vet to make sure there's nothing medical going on.

I'd also look at him objectively (try and forget what BT's should look like) and see if he's actually overweight or not. There can be huge variations in size within breeds - my beagle is 19.5kg and bang on where he should be - his brother from the same litter is 5kg heavier and also bang on. He's just a bigger, taller dog.

My border is nearly 5, male and is a solid 11kg. And has been for the last 3 years. I can feel his ribs, like you can if they’re a healthy weight but his waist isn’t the slimmest though not by much. Like maybe one up from ideal. But the vet always says oh he needs to lose weight he’s a heavy border. He is solid and muscular and maybe just a tad on the chunky side but the lowest he’s dropped in the last 3 years is 10.5kg.

his brother is a similar weight 10-11kg and his dad was a larger than average border, not particularly so but just that kinda 10-11kg rather than about 9kg.

mine gets borderline low end of the food average. He’s on canned butchers. And he doesn’t get too many treats, 2-4 biscuits a day when he comes in from the garden. And a piece of that bakers bacon. So not particularly a lot.

i know a lot of borders who are around 10-11kg and none are fat, they’re just solid and sturdy, rather than more lean.

ive read quite a few times in one of the bt groups on fb that the breed standard is a bit off, as many now seem to be larger. And that was from breeders who show and do well, not just a randomer, I know that doesn’t necessarily make them right but they’ve seen and met and had quite a few dogs.

Thank you for the suggestions above. He was checked the first week of the year as we were traveling back from Germany and needed the vet to sign his worming papers. She suggested a German food called WolfsBlut which he is now on but so far no change.
It is reassuring to hear about the breed standard as he doesn't really look fat but more sturdy. There is some waist definition but not much. He was handstripped today and I thought once all that fur had gone he might look trimmer but not really. The groomer, who has two very elegant small BTs, also said he is just a tall solid version of the breed. Having not had to watch a dog's weight before, how long would it take for them to shed weight - it is child speed or menopausal woman speed? I think I'll make an appt to see the vet for a check this end.

The males are more solid than the females. My 18 month old bitch is 7 Kg and like a racing whippet. She is on Millie's wolfheart 70:30 range with lots of natural treats (ears, fish cubes etc). She is actually above what the breed standard says (she is from very good show lines) but I can feel her ribs easily and she has a waist and a tuck. I'd say 3.5 - 4 on the body condition chart. Her vet has a big boy border and says she is absolutely perfect in weight and condition for her size but will get heavier when she builds muscle.

You can bulk out food with veg to make sure he isn't hungry but foods vary so much I'd be speaking to one of the more specialised working food companies (Millies, CSJ, Skinners) and looking at one of their ranges.

Just cut down the amount he is having by 10% regardless of what it says on the pack. If it is good quality food and he is getting all the nutrients he needs he will be fine.

In overweight dogs it may take a while to start to loose the weight (but not as slow as menopausal women!). Go by appearance and not actual weight. He does need a defined waist to be a healthy weight.

Look at the food he is on if it is higher in carbs then maybe consider moving to a higher meat to carb ratio.

Thank you for the supplier recommendations - I will give them a call to discuss. In the meantime I will cut down as suggested and add some veg which he loves anyway. Thank you for everyone's advice, v much appreciated.