There will always be very positive and very negative experiences on both sides of the debate. What you hear will depend on whom you ask. You just have to make up your mind and take your lumps if it doesn't come out right. The most pertinent post I remember is from the guy who blames the negligent owner on fat altered dogs. Without endorsing altering bird dogs, I agree with that poster. If you have a fat bird dog, you're feeding him too much or working him too little. Comment?
Funny how this keeps coming up about my dog. She's now 2 yrs old and a 52lb slick, slim Lab that has tons of energy, endurance and desire. Everyone keeps asking me what weight she'll be when she 'grows up'. Personally, I think she's all done growing. I think these that are asking about her weight are used to seeing common backyard Labs that are badly overweight. Even the other friends I have that bought commonly bred Labs, keep their dogs heavier than what I believe is a healthy weight. I consulted my vet many times about her weight (not my vet's weight, she looks pretty good as she is) and I keep a close eye on my dog's muscle/fat ratio. Everyone that I have respect for their dog knowledge tells me heavy weight causes or can lead to all kinds of muscular/skeletal probs. I weigh her regularly also to keep a perspective of what weight matches the visual indicators. I never intend my dog to get that 'mature' Lab fat look. I've seen older well kept hunting and field trials Labs that were lean and agile in their older yrs. That's my goal.
