COBBERDOGS have a luxurious coat, so it isn't easy to tell by sight what is hiding beneath it.  Is it muscle, fat, or just bones?  Weigh them?  Well we all know that fat weighs less than muscle and that too fat isn't healthy either.
Just to complicate things more, two dogs can be the same height, weigh the same, and yet one can be too fat while the other is too thin.

The Easy Solution?  Learn to tell from feel.
There are key areas on your dog which you can feel to find out if your dog is a healthy weight.

*  you shouldn't be able to feel the bony knobs along the dog's backbone.  But if it feels broad and chubby the dog is too fat
*  pin bones are two bony points, one each side of the top of croup.  You should not be able to feel them.
*  Thighs should not be concave as in the picture.  You should feel a bulge which is flesh cover or muscle.
*  It's Okay to feel the ribs a little, but not the hollows between each one.
*  You should feel firm flesh on the shoulders, and not sharp bony points.

The belly is not an indicator. This dog's belly is round and fat (could indicate worms).

But notice the bony knobs along his spine, and his prominent pin bones.  Thighs are also flat with no fleshy or muscle cover.  These areas can be felt with your hands even if not seen underneath a long or thick coat.

"Rutlands Truly" 
​
Dearly beloved companion to Audrey and Jack Meltzer in Melbourne Australia

Before I became aware of the I.C. gene, I used to call the occasional 'affected' puppy a Flatcoat genetic mutation.

FACT:  I.C. 'affected' dogs look very different to correctly coated Cobberdogs, BUT the many non-coat-related desirable characteristics in the breed are every bit as strong.  In fact many Portugese Water Dog breeders say that their IC puppies have the best conformation of all and the most endearing natures - and these people have been dealing with the issue for a lot longer than we have.

FACT: I have never had a problem finding appreciative loving homes for any I.C. 'affected' puppies I have bred - possibly because I myself am not ashamed of them!  Invariably a close up photo showing their incredibly intuitive and gorgeous eyes will 'speak' to someone.  Not everyone needs a non shed coat, in fact many people love the idea of such an amazing dog but without the coat care! They do shed in varying degrees, but still no where as much as a Labrador.
​However I would not send one to a family which has dog-related allergies or asthma.

As always, I defer to others who know a lot more about certain things than I do.
​
​Ref: Dr Gordon Lark
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biology at University of Utah
 
"Be aware that along with the good news, and of critical importance, is a warning to breeders: Identifying the IC gene in breeding stock is all well and good. Breeding a carrier (or even an IC dog) to a normal is fine and sensible to avoid producing improperly coated dogs.
But, and it’s a big “but,” not using IC carriers in breeding programs is NOT fine. There is lots more research that needs to be done to fully understand how this gene works. We’ve thrown the baby out with the bath water in many previous breeding decisions, let’s learn from those mistakes, not repeat them." 

Ref:  Research scientist Kevin Chase – University Of Utah:

​“This is an important regulatory gene. There are also some 30 other genes in close proximity to it. Removing this variant of the gene from the breeding population would remove a tremendous amount of genetic diversity in the breed. This would be very dangerous”.