CONDITION

NECK

WITHERS

SHOULDER

RIBS

LOIN

TAILHEAD

1
POOR

Bone structure easily noticeable

Bone structure easily noticeable

Bone structure easily noticeable

Ribs protruding prominently

Spinous processes projecting prominently

Tailhead, pinbones, and hook bones projecting prominently

2
VERY THIN

Bone structure faintly discernible

Bone structure faintly discernible

Bone structure faintly discernible

Ribs prominent

Slight fat covering over base of spinous processes. Transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded. Spinous processes are prominent

Tailhead prominent

3
THIN

Neck accentuated

Withers accentuated

Shoulder accentuated

Slight fat cover over ribs. Ribs easily discernible

Fat buildup halfway on spinous processes, but easily discernible. Traverse processes cannot be felt

Tailhead prominent but individual vertebrae cannot be visually identified. Hook bones appear rounded, but are still easily discernible. Pin bones not distinguishable.

4
MODERATELY THIN

Neck not obviously thin

Withers not obviously thin

Shoulder not obviously thin

Faint outline of ribs discernible

Negative crease (peaked appearance) along back

Prominence depends on conformation. Fat can be felt. Hook bones not discernible

5
MODERATE

Ideal weight

Neck blends smoothly into body

Withers rounded over spinous processes

Shoulder blends smoothly into body

Ribs cannot be visually distinguished, but can be easily felt

Back is level

Fat around tailhead beginning to feel soft

6
MODERATELY FLESHY

Fat beginning to be deposited

Fat beginning to be deposited

Fat beginning to be deposited

Fat over ribs feels spongy

May have a slight positive crease (a groove) down back

Fat around tailhead feels soft

7
FLESHY

Fat deposited along neck

Fat deposited along withers

Fat deposited behind shoulder

Individual ribs can be felt with pressure, but noticeable fat filling between ribs

May have a positive crease down the back

Fat around tailhead is soft

8
FAT

Noticeable thickening of neck

Area along withers filled with fat

Area behind shoulder filled in flush with body

Difficult to feel ribs

Positive crease down the back

Fat around tailhead very soft

9
EXTREMELY FAT

Bulging fat

Bulging fat

Bulging fat

Patchy fat appearing over ribs

Obvious crease down the back

Bulging fat around tailhead