Best in show but not best shape: a photographic assessment of show dog body condition



Such, ZR and German, AJ ORCID: 0000-0002-3017-7988
(2015) Best in show but not best shape: a photographic assessment of show dog body condition. VETERINARY RECORD, 177 (5). 125-+.

[img] Text
Such - show dog body condition - Vet Rec FINAL ACCEPTED WORD VERSION.pdf - Unspecified

Download (210kB)
[img] Atom XML (admin)
2017-05-13T07:47:14Z.atom - Unspecified

Download (0B)
[img] Atom XML (admin)
2017-05-13T08:48:01Z.atom - Unspecified

Download (0B)
[img] Atom XML (admin)
2017-05-13T09:46:50Z.atom - Unspecified

Download (0B)

Abstract

Previous studies suggest that owners often wrongly perceive overweight dogs to be in normal condition. The body shape of dogs attending shows might influence owners' perceptions, with online images of overweight show winners having a negative effect. This was an observational in silico study of canine body condition. 14 obese-prone breeds and 14 matched non-obese-probe breeds were first selected, and one operator then used an online search engine to identify 40 images, per breed, of dogs that had appeared at a major national UK show (Crufts). After images were anonymised and coded, a second observer subjectively assessed body condition, in a single sitting, using a previously validated method. Of 1120 photographs initially identified, 960 were suitable for assessing body condition, with all unsuitable images being from longhaired breeds. None of the dogs (0 per cent) were underweight, 708 (74 per cent) were in ideal condition and 252 (26 per cent) were overweight. Pugs, basset hounds and Labrador retrievers were most likely to be overweight, while standard poodles, Rhodesian ridgebacks, Hungarian vizslas and Dobermanns were least likely to be overweight. Given the proportion of show dogs from some breeds that are overweight, breed standards should be redefined to be consistent with a dog in optimal body condition.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Animals, Dogs, Humans, Photography, Retrospective Studies, Cross-Sectional Studies, Breeding, Perception, Body Composition, Ownership, Female, Male, Overweight, United Kingdom
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 07 Oct 2015 10:16
Last Modified: 15 Dec 2022 11:41
DOI: 10.1136/vr.103093
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/2029859