Score

 Name

 Description

 1

 Poor

Animal extremely emaciated. Spinous processes, ribs, tailhead, and hooks and pins project prominently. Bone structure of withers, shoulders and neck easily noticeable. No fatty tissues can be felt.

 2

 Very Thin

Animal emaciated. Slight fat covering over base of spinous processes; transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded. Spinous processes, ribs, tailhead and hooks and pins prominent. Withers, shoulders and neck structures faintly discernible. 

 3

 Thin

Fat buildup about halfway on spinous processes; transverse processes cannot be felt. Slight fat cover over ribs. Spinous processes and ribs easily discernible. Tailhead prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be easily identified. Hook bones appear rounded, but easily discernible. Withers, shoulders and neck accentuated. 

 4

 Moderately Thin

Negative crease along back. Faint outline of ribs discernible. Tailhead prominence depends on conformation, fat can be felt around it. Pin bones not discernible. Withers, sholders and neck not obviously thin. 

 5

 Moderate

Back level. Ribs cannot be visually distinguished but can be easily felt. Fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy. Withers appear rounded over spinous processes. Shoulders and neck blend smoothly into body.

 6

 Moderately Fat

May have slight crease down back. Fat over ribs feels fleshy-spongy. Fat around tailhead feels soft. Fat beginning to be deposited along the sides of the withers, behind the shoulder and along the side of the neck.

 7

 Fleshy

May have crease down back. Individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable filling between ribs with fat. Fat around tailhead is soft. Fat deposited along withers, behind shoulders and along the neck.

 8

 Fat

Crease down back. Difficult to feel ribs. Fat around tailhead very soft. Area along withers filled with fat. Area behind shoulder filled with fat. Noticeable thickening of neck. Fat deposited along inner thighs.

 9

 Extremely Fat

Obvious crease down back. Patchy fat appearing over ribs. Bulging fat around tailhead, along withers, behind shoulders and along neck. Fat along inner thighs may rub together. Flank filled with fat.