I don't use dex in the keep or at the end of the keep. I use a lot of water in the feed pan. I maintain the dog at a pound or so over pit weight the first half of the keep and the last three weeks or so on weight when I start work. Like posted before I would not want a dog's show weight to be a weight he has never performed at, or never been allowed to work thru.

I disagree with the boxing analogy. Boxers do not perform at their 'fight weight' and dogs do. The reason they do not perform at that low weight is because they simply can't. Boxers and MMA fighters cut weight to get into a lower weight class. It has nothing to with being at an optimal performing weight. I will agree they can't stay there because it is indeed unhealthy, but cutting to a weight has nothing to do with performance, only making a lower weight class. People then rehydrate to a better weight, and in most cases a healthier weight, and in all cases a weight they can perform better at. Dogs do not have that option. They are pulled to a weight, right or wrong, and the they compete at that weight. For dogs the weight is a million more times important than people. People can fix some things with hydration as where a dog is not allowed that safety net.

With that said, I know a bunch of people who use dex with success. Some that are all against it. That is what makes the dog game competitive. If every one did all the things the same we would all have the same dogs in the same shape and every Saturday night the dogs would fight to a draw. EWO