Oh. Forgot to tell you how awesome it is to have you back, Skotta! I missed you

Very good very good

I'm still with UK. I certainly didn't mean to make you feel put-upon or unduly criticized. Your work here is full of many things, and emotion, it's just that we were making some observations and suggestions.

Your dog is beautiful! Granted, though, weight issues when a dog is old can come from a few factors: genetics, lack of exercise and proper diet (as well as too much food), hormonal or lymphatic issues I think...stuff like that. I guess it's just a case-by-case basis. And yes, you drew this based upon your own experiences with your dog. No harm, no foul. Just a respectful observation: keep in mind that Balto...even the fictional one...is a different dog. It's just that I don't see him, even this fictional wolfdog, as being fat in his old age. Tired? Ragged? Graying? Fading? Definitely. And you're right on the mark with some of that. Well done!

Not say it's a bad drawing at all!
I know dogs tend to look like they've put on weight as they get old.

I think some grey around his muzzle would really help though. Not very visible on the photos of your dog (who's lovely, by the way

I feel the need to defend my intentions in this drawing so I'll just say my thoughts. This is a lot based on my dog since I did not use reference when I drew this since the internet was down.
Here is my dog when she is young: http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g42/skotta02/Skottasmall.png
and this is her today: http://i53.photobucket.com/alb [...] 67314649_2059131_7000077_n.jpg I agree I should have made his fur more grey but I just used the same colors as in the first picture also most of the change you can see in my dogs appearance is that she is fatter now at the age of 15 rather than when she was 3-4. I did draw bags under Balto's eyes but they aren't very noticeable after the coloring. Another dog I knew who also gained weight when he got older had difficulties in walking because of his weight and his age but it was to late for him to diet since he couldn't move much. So this is based on my experience with the dogs in my life their fur was fine and always so soft but I can understand with Balto not having an owner he would get more scruffy. The boat was just thrown in because it was in the first picture but I didn't feel like putting to much effort into it since it wasn't the main focus of the picture, now I wish I did since people notice this drawing more and point out my mistakes.

But like I've said there is a meaning behind what I did it's not just something I threw together in 10 minutes and I thought about his building when I drew it. I stand by my decision and hope you can respect that. I will keep in mind next time I do Balto fan art to use more references.

You know, in retrospect, I'm inclined to agree with UK here. Again, no disrespect either because, as I said earlier, I like the deep, sad meaning implied by this art, and overall I think the character is well-drawn (even though I don't care for the weight thing). But yes, graying in the face, scraggly fur, that certainly would help. Not so sure about "lumps and bumps" ...not all old dogs have those either.

I humbly suggest that maybe tweaking and fine-tuning the design and quality of the boat would also help a lot on this.

Nice work!

If you don't mind my mentioning though, I don't really perceive Balto as "old" in this.
He has no age-specific markers like a grey muzzle or bedraggled looking fur, nor even any old lumps and bumps like old dogs often get.
Without meaning to be rude, I thought it was more like he'd put on weight and the added effort made walking to town difficult for him. ;;

I do like his facial expression though and the shading on him looks lovely.

Saw this on dA earlier. xD
Really nice work! < 3

This looks great Skotta, i personally like the roundness. It shows hes changed over time - and time has passed.
The shading on this is really beautiful also.
Great work!

Whoa balto is round and fat! Thats kind of sad.