# Why is my dog so thin? Fuck you, that's why. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 22, 2012, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232 "2012-08-22T00:43:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/41 "2012-08-22T22:16:25Z")
I’ll just post this and leave this thread; [http://www.purina.com/dog/weight-and-exercise/bodycondition.aspx](http://www.purina.com/dog/weight-and-exercise/bodycondition.aspx) Understanding your Dog’s Body Condition (think of these as a score of 1, a score of 2, etc) > [@](#): > > Too Thin > > 1. Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones and all bony prominences evident from a distance. No discernible body fat. Obvious loss of muscle mass. > > 2. Ribs, lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones easily visible. No palpable fat. Some evidence of other bony prominence. Minimal loss of muscle mass. > > 3. Ribs easily palpated and may be visible with no palpable fat. Tops of lumbar vertebrae visible. Pelvic bones becoming prominent. Obvious waist. Good luck with your dog. I hope you have a long and happy life together. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/42 "2012-08-22T23:08:32Z")
> [@Enkel](#): > > I’ll just post this and leave this thread; [http://www.purina.com/dog/weight-and-exercise/bodycondition.aspx](http://www.purina.com/dog/weight-and-exercise/bodycondition.aspx) > > Understanding your Dog’s Body Condition (think of these as a score of 1, a score of 2, etc) > > Good luck with your dog. I hope you have a long and happy life together. I don’t get this at all. The OP clearly takes care of the animal appropriately. The vet said as much. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/43 "2012-08-22T23:17:32Z")
Yeah? Well, anyone checked _his_ ribs? ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/44 "2012-08-22T23:22:03Z")
I’m sure your dog is beautiful and healthy and I’m glad you two have found each other. I love the look of sight hounds and someday I want a rescue that is a greyhound or similar. so gentle and sweet, besides those legs. you rant all you want, that’s what this forum is for. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/45 "2012-08-23T00:04:44Z")
I guess it’s better than passers-by hating dogs and ignoring dogs that might really be malnourished? Your dog is unusual - it probably just takes a bit of education. Maybe take some dog treats to the park and obsequiously offer them to him while you’re there. > [@Nava](#): > > **Enkel** , the dog is thin because that’s the way those dogs are, it’s not overly thin. It is not a large dog and has no need to gain weight. Your well-intentioned advice is as misplaced as the questions the OP is offended by. > > In Spanish, all those “lean runner” type dogs are called _galgos_; asking why a _galgo_ is thin is like asking why a Saint Bernard is hairy or why a chihuahua is small - “because it says so in the blueprint”. Sight hounds is the term in English. > [@Enkel](#): > > Here is the OPs original link to the Wikipedia page on the dog’s breed: [Pharaoh Hound - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharaoh_Hound) > > Look at the picture provided. Would you describe that dog as having it’s ribs, spine and hip bones showing? I personally would not. If I were to look at that dog, I would not think that it was unhealthy. > > Unless the OP posts a picture of the actual dog in question, I can only go on the OPs statement that the dog’s ribs, hips and spine are prominent. That is a sign of emaciation or some illness. I’m NOT saying the OP starved the dog, but the general public doesn’t know who starved the dog and so they react to what they perceive as a starved dog. Yeah, but when I Wiki “greyhound” there’s a picture of a dog where you can barely see its ribs, and I know it’s normal to be able to see the ribs in a greyhound. People are somewhat used to greyhounds looking underfed - they’re not, but they look it - but they’re not used to it with other breeds. Still, I would also welcome a picture of said dog because, basically, I want to go “aww!” ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/46 "2012-08-23T00:21:03Z")
“He only feeds on human carcasses…and you seem to be the right size for his next meal. Stay right here…I gotta go get some “tools”…” ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/47 "2012-08-23T00:21:58Z")
You should go Vigilante on their ass 😉 ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/48 "2012-08-23T04:38:21Z")
> [@Enkel](#): > > Here is the OPs original link to the Wikipedia page on the dog’s breed: [Pharaoh Hound - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharaoh_Hound) > > Look at the picture provided. Would you describe that dog as having it’s ribs, spine and hip bones showing? I personally would not. If I were to look at that dog, I would not think that it was unhealthy. That’s a show dog, and they are always at least a bit overweight. If you read that link, you’ll see that it speaks of the breed as naturally carrying little body fat. Show dogs ain’t natural. > [@](#): > > Unless the OP posts a picture of the actual dog in question, I can only go on the OPs statement that the dog’s ribs, hips and spine are prominent. That is a sign of emaciation or some illness. It’s not in sighthounds. > [@Enkel](#): > > I’ll just post this and leave this thread; [http://www.purina.com/dog/weight-and-exercise/bodycondition.aspx](http://www.purina.com/dog/weight-and-exercise/bodycondition.aspx) You can’t go by what a dog food company says, since they want you to feed your dog too much. Most “general” dog and cat foods recommend that you feed more than the average pet needs. I don’t think that Purina makes anything other than general care foods. ---
**Author:** ![auRa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c4cdca/32.png) [@auRa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auRa)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/49 "2012-08-23T06:15:42Z")
> [@Enkel](#): > > Here is the OPs original link to the Wikipedia page on the dog’s breed: [Pharaoh Hound - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharaoh_Hound) > > Look at the picture provided. Would you describe that dog as having it’s ribs, spine and hip bones showing? I personally would not. If I were to look at that dog, I would not think that it was unhealthy. I know you said you’re not coming back but someone else might still be here: [Here’s](http://www.showlink.fi/karjaa10/kuvat/FCI5_1faaraokoira.jpg) a picture from 2010 of a Pharaoh Hound that won Best in Group in a show in Karjaa. [Here](http://www.eeronsivut.net/kuvia/kisat/molli11_01.html) are photos from a sighthound event from last fall. [This](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_laUG7GGO8s8/TNLoj07WQSI/AAAAAAAAA-k/u3tWnu6p8lY/s1600/greyhound.jpg) is what a conditioned greyhound looks like; [this](http://www.kansastravel.org/05greyhound5.JPG) is already overweight. Not all dog breeds are built the same. Sighthounds are skinny, man. That’s how they roll, that’s how they’re built. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/50 "2012-08-23T08:53:16Z")
> [@Enkel](#): > > Per the OP > So, I don’t think it is the build of the dog’s breed that people are reacting to. It’s to their ignorance of what those dogs look like. A sight hound’s bones show; so do those of marathon runners. Hell, I’m overweight and my ribs and hipbone show! ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/51 "2012-08-23T13:56:49Z")
Way back when, when I took a Veterinary Assistant course I was told that Greyhounds don’t have fat cells. It is impossible for them and other sight hounds to get fat. It’s a problem when they need stitches over a joint because there is no fat under the skin to act as a cushion and the stitches tend to rip out. I doubt that they have _no_ fat cells but the percentage is a lot lower than other breeds. When they are young and in shape muscle fills them out, as they get older and lose muscle tone they can look pretty bad. It’s the nature of the breed. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/52 "2012-08-23T17:39:20Z")
Speaking of the Pit, this is similar to a problem we have with our pit bulls – people judging us based on their expectations. I am somewhat more inclined to forgive anyone who has the dogs’ interest at heart, though, probably because so many pit bulls ARE starved, abused, mistreated, and neglected. Frankly there are enough people mistreating pits that anyone worried about how we treat our girls may simply be playing the odds. Simone, American Pit Bull Terrier, is pretty unmotivated by food. She was starving when she was rescued by my wife’s nephew, but she never developed an intense relationship with food. Most nights she leaves it sitting for a few hours before she gets around to working on it slowly. She’s not bony anymore – in fact, I’m starting to consider increasing her exercise – so she must be getting enough. But she’s got scars on her head – three long seams visible under her thin fur. They’re from surgery for cysts – she had hair growing _under the skin_ there. But sometimes I can see people mentally sizing us up when they meet her: “Pit bull – scars on head – _dogfighting?_” While I hate to be thought ill of, and I get tired of patiently explaining the same issues over and over (“No, she does not kill babies”), I try to remind myself these people would be right to pursue the issue in some cases, and they can’t know if I’m one of those cases until they talk to me. ---
**Author:** ![Sister\_Vigilante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Sister\_Vigilante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sister_Vigilante)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/53 "2012-08-23T18:25:45Z")
I feel the same about Pit Bulls and would rescue one if I weren’t so concerned they’ll ban the breed in my county and I’d have to give it up. [Here is a picture.](http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7651/aladdink.jpg) Pharaohs can get fat; I’ve seen one and it wasn’t pretty. He had a double chin. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/54 "2012-08-23T18:48:53Z")
> [@Sister\_Vigilante](#): > > [Here is a picture.](http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7651/aladdink.jpg) Thats your dog? He looks fine. When people ask why he is thin, tell him you don’t feed him Big Macs, and walk away. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/55 "2012-08-23T19:24:52Z")
> [@Sister\_Vigilante](#): > > [Here is a picture.](http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7651/aladdink.jpg) Oooh, cute! And yes, he looks very well cared for. Certainly got that supermodel svelteness going on, but the sleek skin and muscles look very healthy. I’m inclined to agree with previous posters who suggested that some people are just so used to seeing overweight dogs that naturally thin breeds look emaciated to them. > [@Sailboat](#): > > But sometimes I can see people mentally sizing us up when they meet her: “Pit bull – scars on head – dogfighting?” I have the perfect solution for you! [Hello Kitty pink dog collar](http://www.google.com/search?q=hello+kitty+dog+collar&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=L4E2UKvtIoi10AGt_oGACA&ved=0CDEQsAQ&biw=1168&bih=868) Seriously, any girly-looking accessories on a dog, no matter how big and powerful the breed or rough-looking the individual, work like magic to defuse concerns about the dog’s treatment. People who exploit dogs to promote their badass self-image simply don’t deck the dogs out in pink collars with rhinestones on them. Some people might still wonder if your scarred dog with the rainbow-butterfly-printed leash was abused before you rescued her, but I guarantee you that they will not suspect you of participating in dogfighting activities yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/56 "2012-08-23T23:29:42Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > This guy checks into a hotel, and he asks the bellhop, “Hey, can you hook me up with a woman?” > > “Sure can!” > > “I want the tallest, skinniest whore in the world!” > > “Don’t worry, I know just the girl!” > > A bit later there’s a knock on the door of the guy’s room. There stands a six-foot-three blonde weighing all of 98 pounds. He invites her in. > > “Take your clothes off.” She does. > > “Now, get down on all fours.” She does. > > The guy goes into the bedroom of his suite and comes out leading a Great Dane . . . > > . . . and says, “You see, Fido! That’s exactly what you’re going to look like if you don’t eat your Gravy Train!” I heard this same joke except she goes to his house, lays naked on the bed and he comes in with his two small kids. “See what happens when you don’t eat your vegetables!”. But that doesn’t fit the thread, does it? ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/57 "2012-08-24T01:07:52Z")
> [@Sister\_Vigilante](#): > > I feel the same about Pit Bulls and would rescue one if I weren’t so concerned they’ll ban the breed in my county and I’d have to give it up. > > [Here is a picture.](http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7651/aladdink.jpg) > > Pharaohs can get fat; I’ve seen one and it wasn’t pretty. He had a double chin. That is a gorgeous dog! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2012, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/58 "2012-08-24T03:10:20Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > I’m inclined to agree with previous posters who suggested that some people are just so used to seeing overweight dogs that naturally thin breeds look emaciated to them. Most of the dogs in my family/neighborhood are hairy ones (german shepherds are about as short-haired as that group gets), so my brain’s first reaction to seeing something as short-haired as most sight hounds is “dog. what happened to dog-hair? no-hair breed, silly you!” But, having attended kindergarten, I don’t say it out loud (and if I did, it would be with correct grammar. Probably). ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2012, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/59 "2012-08-24T03:47:30Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > This guy checks into a hotel, and he asks the bellhop, “Hey, can you hook me up with a woman?” > > “Sure can!” > > “I want the tallest, skinniest whore in the world!” > > “Don’t worry, I know just the girl!” > > A bit later there’s a knock on the door of the guy’s room. There stands a six-foot-three blonde weighing all of 98 pounds. He invites her in. > > “Take your clothes off.” She does. > > “Now, get down on all fours.” She does. > > The guy goes into the bedroom of his suite and comes out leading a Great Dane . . . > > . . . and says, “You see, Fido! That’s exactly what you’re going to look like if you don’t eat your Gravy Train!” I can’t believe how much this made me literally LOL. It’s not even a joke really . . . I just . . . I just don’t know. But it made me laugh, and I am ashamed. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2012, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232/60 "2012-08-24T03:53:00Z")
> [@Sister\_Vigilante](#): > > [Here is a picture.](http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7651/aladdink.jpg) I wanna play with the cute doggie!!! (I agree - tell 'em to fuck off. That really is a beautiful dog.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-my-dog-so-thin-fuck-you-thats-why/632232.md?page=4)