It should be absolutely obvious to you and to others if your dog is dramatically heavier than he should be. He will be slow and cumbersome and find it hard to do even everyday things like chase a ball. He would show less and less interest in activities and games, and may become obsessive about food. Extreme boredom can often lead to behavioral traits such as obsessing about food, which in turn leads to obesity. However, it may not be obvious if your dog is simply not in perfect shape. A general 'softness' is a good guide - whereby the muscles on his buttocks for example are soft and pliable. If your dog is getting plenty of exercise (whether that be in regimental walking or simply in play) and he is not eating much more than he should be, then there is little to suppose that your dog will be overweight, out with medical conditions.

 

Weekly Expert Pet Advice
with Dr. James Glover, Resident Expert
taken from Pet Peoples Place