The compact body-condition chart: one line per score point, the three checkpoints, and the adjustment rule. The illustrated version lives on the visual card.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Score 3 | Ribs/hips/spine visible — underweight, increase 10–15% |
| Score 4 | Ribs easy to feel, slight waist — low-ideal |
| Score 5 | Ideal: ribs under light pressure, hourglass waist, tuck |
| Score 6 | Ribs under firm pressure, waist softening — trim 10% |
| Score 7+ | Waist gone, tuck flat — structured weight program |
Using the chart as a monthly ritual
Score monthly on the same day as portion weighing — the two data points together tell you whether the ration is right before the mirror does. A 6 is a 10% trim; a 7 is a program (our weight-formula review covers the food side).
Special cases
Score puppies weekly (growth curves shift fast — the large-breed file explains why), and score seniors monthly with bloodwork (weight loss at 8+ is a disease flag, not a diet win — our senior file).
FAQ
What BCS score should a healthy dog be?
4–5 of 9: ribs under light pressure, visible waist, present tuck.
Can I score a long-haired dog?
Yes — the checkpoints are all touch-based. Rib-feel and waist-palpation ignore the coat.
Related reading: Visual card · Weight review · Puppy file · Library