Skip to content

Just how do you measure?

Basenji Talk
  • Exactly where do you measure for height? I know it's the shoulder, I'm not sure I'm hitting right where I am supposed to.

    When I measure Keoki I get 18 - 18.5". { Jazz is 15 - 15.5".} Is that correct?

    When I weigh him on my bathroom scale I get a 30 lb reading on him!
    {Jazz is tyically 21 lbs}

    A few people have commented that Keoki seems very large for a Basenji, and he does seem huge next to Jazz, but is his size that uncommon? Am I measuring correctly?

    I know he's heavy, but I don't think he is "fat"…. or is he? :rolleyes: Is his weight okay for his height?

    I'm trying to show you, but neither dog will cooperate, LOL. It's been so long since they've been in a show ring, and most treats here accompany a sit/stay, so they are really fighting us on the stand thing, LOL.

    {and I see the white wall behind us, just above my leg, makes it look like Keoki is tucked up weird. }

    Keoki:

    Jazz:

  • That is exactly where to measure.. and he would be considered on the "large" side for a male… but certainly not "huge".... I have seen bigger...gggg

    As far as he weight, from the pictures I would guess (and remember I am only seeing the pictures) he would be a bit overweight.. I would think he could stand to lose a lb or so... (and Jazzy too)....

    My OJ is 18"+ at show weight was 29lbs... (he need to carry a little extra) but normal weight was 28

  • Thanks Tanza!

    Yes… :o Jazz has had weight issues her whole life, LOL. She's a girl like her human-mama.

    Okay, as for weight -- currently the dogs all get Merrick's Turkducken; Jazzy gets 1/2 cup a day, Keoki gets 1 cup a day. That seems so little to try to cut back {although my niece says that her large pit eats 1 cup of food a day and he is extremely active and looks great, so....}.

    They could both use more exercise, but right now I can't squeeze any more in.
    Plus we are coming into wet weather time and neither of them do much outside besides look miserable.

    I can feed them more veggies, etc. so I guess I'll cut back on dog food and toss in more green beans and broccoli {gas!!:eek: } to keep them filled up but not filled out!

  • Yep, that's exactly how you can measure. If you have a hard time determining the measurement, you can lay something like a small foot long ruler across the withers (top of shoulderblades) so that it sticks out each side of the dog. Hold it level and run your tape measure up and your measurement will be where the two intersect.

  • The thing most people leave out is making sure that whatever you are using across the withers is truly level. It can make a big difference in your measurements. When I checked my measurements on 2 of my girls using a wicket with a level, I found I was over estimating their heights by about half an inch.

  • This is very helpful.

  • @JazzysMom:

    Thanks Tanza!

    Yes… :o Jazz has had weight issues her whole life, LOL. She's a girl like her human-mama.

    Okay, as for weight -- currently the dogs all get Merrick's Turkducken; Jazzy gets 1/2 cup a day, Keoki gets 1 cup a day. That seems so little to try to cut back {although my niece says that her large pit eats 1 cup of food a day and he is extremely active and looks great, so....}.

    They could both use more exercise, but right now I can't squeeze any more in.
    Plus we are coming into wet weather time and neither of them do much outside besides look miserable.

    I can feed them more veggies, etc. so I guess I'll cut back on dog food and toss in more green beans and broccoli {gas!!:eek: } to keep them filled up but not filled out!

    You can also use things like rice cakes as a filler, for a very long time, my Maggii ate mostly rice cakes…gggg.... besides veggies.... Keoki now that he is neutered would most likely do better on maybe 3/4 of a cup.... and green beans are not as "gasey" as some of the other veggies... try things like cucumbers... radishes.. (yes, radishes.. took time, but my Maggii and OJ loved them after a time... however they did think that throwing them around the room was fun too)... tomatoes... and you can always switch to senior food (however I have found that you have to supplement with omega 3 for the coats with the less fat)....

  • Jazzysmom, I think your dogs look just fine. Medjai is on the small side and he is about 19.5-20 lbs and 15-15.5" tall.

  • Jazzysmom, your Keoki looks exactly like my guy. I think Beegin (and Keoki too) look thicker and broader than some of the other b's I've seen on this site. I don't know what that is called in breeder terms. Is there some kind of scale that you measure for that???

    Not that your b's don't look super cute though regardless of height. I love the pic where Keoki is getting measured and Jazz is trying to squeeze in behind and get attention too:D

  • @PhocoenaGirl:

    Jazzysmom, your Keoki looks exactly like my guy. I think Beegin (and Keoki too) look thicker and broader than some of the other b's I've seen on this site. I don't know what that is called in breeder terms. Is there some kind of scale that you measure for that???

    Not that your b's don't look super cute though regardless of height. I love the pic where Keoki is getting measured and Jazz is trying to squeeze in behind and get attention too:D

    LOL, don't kid yourself.. Jazz wasn't squeezing in for attention; she was hoping to get to those cookies! LOL

  • @PhocoenaGirl:

    Jazzysmom, your Keoki looks exactly like my guy. I think Beegin (and Keoki too) look thicker and broader than some of the other b's I've seen on this site. I don't know what that is called in breeder terms. Is there some kind of scale that you measure for that???

    Not that your b's don't look super cute though regardless of height. I love the pic where Keoki is getting measured and Jazz is trying to squeeze in behind and get attention too:D

    That is just body type (thicker and/or broader)… there is no measurement for that... some B's are just heavier boned then others... that is why it is difficult to just go by lbs for weight....

    For looking at a dog for proper weight, you should be able to see a "waist" which is from the end of the ribcage to the beginning of the hip... You should be able to easier feel your dogs ribs and when running you should be able to see a slight the rib outline...

    Note on this picture of Crystal you can see the "waist" and a nice tuck up

Suggested Topics

  • Just a reminder: I'm a basenji!!!

    Basenji Talk
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    2k Views
    wizardW
    Good job Andrew - maybe you can pull ahead in the count :) Also thanks for the tip too.
  • Just double checking

    Basenji Talk
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    2k Views
    Robin_n_JackR
    I think it was Mirtillo that there was a video of playing with coke bottles…Jack got one down off the counter the other day and I started to let him keep it.....but then I thought better. I don't want him to think that if he gets something off of the counter I will let him keep it. Plus, there are lots of bottles I would rather he not get into (Finlandia, Jack Daniels, Jameson's). I think I will start letting him play with those (empty plastic bottles). They are the cheapest toy ever! Duke- I'm really embarrassed that I got you and Phoenix mixed up- really sorry....things are going well, though, hanks for asking. Jack hasn't been able to come down lately because we have been sanding and painting, and we didn't want for him to a) breathe in nasty fumes and sawdust and things that are bad or b) get a lovely little noseprint in the middle of a freshly painted wall! LOL! Moving day is May 24th. Jack is going to stay at a friend's house, to avoid the trauma of him having to see us move all of his things out of the apartment.
  • Just a dumb question…

    Basenji Talk
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    3k Views
    Ninabeana26N
    @tanza: I am glad that you went to Midge…. I am too actually. I have been so incredibly pleased with Dallas. He is such a great basenji :) Plus I know Midge is there if I have any problems, I was a bit worried in that respect about Dee since it seems she breeds a lot & does it as more of a business.
  • Just started a new job and…

    Basenji Talk
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    4k Views
    T
    i do not recommend that…..i tried that once and my b's were ok and didnt do anything or get into anything for like 3 days after that was horrible i think they get bored but i dont crate mine....they have their own room and they stay there when were gone
  • Just need to vent

    Basenji Talk
    56
    0 Votes
    56 Posts
    17k Views
    QuercusQ
    @jys1011: It's really sad that people can be so ignorant & generalize characteristics over an entire breed…:mad: That being said...can you imagine how owners of pits, rotties, or dobermans feel. I'm sure they get ostracized all the time for having their dogs. However, there is no need for people to be down right rude! If they want to stereotype that's their business but show a little RESPECT & above all some MANNERS! YUCK! I would have purposely said something obnoxious (Oh please lady...I only feed my dog "quality" ingredients lol :D ) but that's just ME :D I can be pretty sarcastic when people offend me on purpose. And nasty remarks against my precious pooches...oooh god help those people!! Ha, ha…love the comment. I have heard comments like the one the OP was faced with...just not that many in one day :( I do feel that more and more dog people are realizing that Basenjis aren't nasty...they are different. But it does baffle me when people need to say such rude things outloud. Maybe we don't have that kind of folks around where we course because Dr.Tracy would kick their tushies! ;)
  • Not Socializing Just Passing By

    Basenji Talk
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    3k Views
    ShannaniganS
    @ChaseandZahrasmom: Let's all just be thankful that B's are small dogs and not 110 Lbs beast! At least we can pick them up and tuck them under an arm and walk away with them while training! LOL! I have to do the same thing with Zahra sometimes. Amen! I was just thinking this earlier today while trying to control my pup…