Table 3. Body Condition Score (BCS) Descriptors by Region Sites AB
BCS 1 2
3 4
5 6 7 8
9 Description
Poor (extremely emaciated, no fatty tissue felt)
Very thin (emaciated) Thin
Moderately thin Moderate
Moderately fleshy Fleshy Fat
Extremely fat Crest of Neck Withers Structures discernible C Behind the Shoulder Structures discernible D Over the Ribs Bones prominent E Along the Back
Slight fat covering over vertebrae; bones prominent
F Tailhead Region
Bone structure prominent Bone structure prominent Bone structure prominent Bones project prominently Bones project prominently Bone prominent Structures discernible
Bone prominent
Structures faintly discernible
Not obviously thin
Fat beginning to be deposited
Noticeable fat deposited Prominent crest of neck
Bulging fat
Structures faintly discernible
Not obviously thin Blends smoothly into body Rounded
