What physical assessment criteria help an owner determine appropriate body condition in their White German Shepherd?

Being able to easily feel the ribs beneath a thin layer of fat.

The owner's physical evaluation of body condition is cited as the most valuable nutritional monitoring tool, regardless of the specific diet chosen (raw, kibble, or fresh). To accurately assess if the dog is neither too lean nor too heavy, two primary checkpoints should be utilized. The first involves the tactile check: one should be able to easily locate and feel the ribs when running a hand over the dog’s side, recognizing only a thin layer of fat coverage. The second involves visual assessment from above, where a discernible waist tuck—an indentation where the abdomen narrows behind the ribcage—should be evident. These physical signs indicate proper weight management, which is essential for minimizing joint stress.