Gold Coast’s fattest dogs to shed weight during Pet Barn’s Biggest Loser Competition

MEET the Gold Coast’s fattest pups. Chopper the staffy was originally entered into Pet Barn’s Biggest Loser Competition as a joke — but then he made the shortlist.

Kylie Paulsen of Arundel is trying to get her dog Chopper, a 25kg eight year old Staffordshire Terrier, to lose weight for the Pets Biggest Loser competition. Picture Glenn Hampson

HE’S supposed to be a working breed, but Braxton can barely walk 10 feet without needing a nap.

The five-year-old Kelpie cross German Shepherd weighed 41.5kg three weeks ago, before managing to lose 2.5kg on a strict diet.

But the porker still needs to shed 10kg on his 88cm waist before landing at his ideal weight of 28kg.

Braxton weighs 40kg, but he's only supposed to weight 28kg. Picture: Storm Bailey

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Owner Storm Bailey said she entered her pudgy pup in Pet Barn’s Biggest Pet Loser Competition when someone suggested he may need to lose a few kilos.

“It’s a journey for his wellbeing,” she said.

Aw, am I a bit porky? Chopper asks. Picture Glenn Hampson

“He used to struggle at night with his breathing as he had problems with his neck.”

She said Braxton had medical conditions, including elbow dysplasia and a ruptured cruciate, which had made it difficult for him to get the right amount of exercise.

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But a vet-controlled diet and not being swayed by his puppy dog eyes would help to keep him on the right track, Ms Bailey said.

It is a similar story for Arundel resident Kylie Paulsen, whose staffy cross dog Chopper, needs to lose five kilograms to maintain his ideal weight.

“I initially entered him as a joke,” she said.

Kylie Paulsen of Arundel is trying to get her dog Chopper, a 25kg eight year old Staffordshire Terrier, to lose weight for the Pets Biggest Loser competition. Picture Glenn Hampson

“But I got the phone call (that he’d made the shortlist). I knew he was overweight but I didn’t know it was that bad, but he was chosen.”

Ms Paulsen said her husband loved to feed Chopper extra snacks and so she had now taken over his feeding to ensure he would shed the weight.

The pair will represent Queensland during the competition, which ends May 27. Winners are announced May 30.