Obesity is one of the most common health problems in Australian dogs.  If not addressed early on obesity can lead to other serious health complications such as heart failure, osteoarthritis and diabetes.  If your dog is overweight you should be able to tell simply by looking at him, although you should consult with your vet if you are concerned about your pet's health.

When viewed from above, your dog should have a noticeable waist, between the end of the rib cage and the start of the hind quarters. When viewed side-on your dog should have a narrower abdomen than chest, although this will vary from breed to breed.  When you run your hand over your dog's back and sides with light pressure you should be able to feel his spine and rib cage.  If you do think your pet is overweight take him to the vet for a health check and to talk about how you might modify his diet and exercise routine to get him back into a healthy weight range.

Please see the article titled "What should I feed my dog?" for more information about canine nutrition.