Food-obsessed Labradors and golden retrievers of all shapes and sizes are being recruited to a study to understand obesity in dogs and how best to prevent or tackle it.

University of Queensland rsearchers are investigating how dogs can be affected by their curvy physiques, with the hope the findings will help keep more pets in fine shape.

“We’re using those breeds because we know they tend to be a bit chubby … they are very food-oriented,” chief investigator Dr Erika Meler said.

A recent study also suggested that Labradors and golden retrievers may have a genetic predisposition to obesity, but researchers will also investigate whether it is just behavioural.

Lisa Gore and her seven-year-old yellow Labrador Willow are three months into the study after signing up to better understand how to keep the dog at a good weight.

Gore previously had another Labrador that was very overweight and found it was a struggle to help the dog lose some kilos.

“I’m very conscious with Willow to keep her at a perfect weight,” she said.

Willow was definitely obsessed with food, Gore said.

“We’ve got another dog and I have to stand there and make sure Willow doesn’t try to eat Tilly’s food as well,” she said.

Canine participants in the study get a specific weight-loss diet and seven months’ worth of the food, while their human companions get a nutritional and exercise plan.

The dogs also wear activity tracker collars, similar to an Apple Watch, that shows how much exercise they do, how much they lick and drinks.

Gore had already noticed Willow’s coat getting shinier and her family has also switched their other dog to the diet, saying they will continue with the food after the study.

“She loves the food but I don’t think she’d care what we fed her,” Gore said.

Meler hoped the findings would raise awareness around obesity for all dogs, helping owners understand the ideal weight for a pup.

“I think it’s not recognised easily by pet owners that their animal is overweight,” she said.

The study will also show the best way to get overweight pups to lose some of their chubbiness.

Researchers want more Queensland Labradors and golden retrievers to join the study but have already seen a fair bit of interest, particularly from some curvier dogs.

“We’ll be really interested if people with normal weight pups can contact us,” Meler said.

More details here.

-AAP