So, With Pedigree Dogs ‘Exposed’ is it Time to Get a ‘Designer’ Cross Breed?
Well, over the last week we’ve seen pedigree dogs ‘exposed’ as disease riddled time bombs just waiting to keel over.
Actually, we haven’t seen that at all. When all said and done, the BBC’s excellent documentary highlighted two simple – and KEY – failings
1) Bad breeders are bad breeders regardless of what breed they lay their uncaring hands on
2) Bad breeders are allowed to prosper as the registry that gives them such credence is nowhere near robust enough or even willing to cut loose and distance itself from the bad breeders who are bringing their name into the gutter for ‘fear’ of sending the bad breeders ‘underground’ – the Kennel Club
So with people now considering a so-called ‘designer dog’ even more favourably than before, we ask is it time to abandon pedigrees and move full steam ahead into the era of the designer dog?
No. No it isn’t. Don’t be daft. You’re not daft are you?
The status remains the same. ANY dog you choose to get should be properly researched and some key principles should be followed
Are the parents both health screened?
Is the breeder able to supply you references demonstrating a record of breeding healthy, functional animals?
Is the breed or type of dog you are chosing suitable for your lifestyle?
Do not be misled into buying any dog as a result of clever marketing, such as adverts claiming to offer ‘better than unhealthy pedigree dogs’. You should expect health as a basic principle, but expecting it is one thing, you have to DEMAND it. And demand it by insisting on seeing veterinary approved health scans on both parents. If you are in any doubt at all, walk away.
Don’t buy dogs based on fancy paperwork, fancy names or a flight of fancy on your behalf and you’ll have a better than average chance of getting a happy, healthy animal to live with you for a long time.
And it would be wrong to conclude without mentioning the other major catostrophe you should be looking to avoid – i.e buying from a puppy farm. Puppy farms are evil, cruel and they are NOT the place from where healthy dogs can be expected to be obtained. Avoid them like the plague because if you don’t, there is a real possibility you might just catch it (the plague that is. Yes, they ARE that bad!)
Finally, it is currently national dog adoption month. Why not consider adopting a dog? There are many, many benefits to adopting a dog.
Highly Recommended: What dog owner wouldn’t want a piece of THIS action? – Get FREE dog food!
Related posts:
- Dachshuahuas ‘r’ Here – Plus Other Designer Dogz! Come Get Your Designer Dogs Today – Don’t Delay!
- Designer dogs or just dodgy mutts ?
- Pedigree Dogs Exposed: Are Vets Playing Their Part?
- Designer Dogs – K9 Magazine Quoted in National Press
- Pedigree Health Campaigner Launches Website in Response to Pedigree Dogs Exposed
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Great article, it is so refreshing to find a magazine (in this case K9) who are not afraid to stand up against these establishment types.
Note that RSPCA and SSPCA have put their heads above the parapet, any sign of Dogs Trust or Blue Cross and chums doing likewise?
Without K9 Magazine and similar publications bringing such matters to light and fighting for dogs then nothing would ever change.
Keep up the great work K9 Magazine.
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We have always advocated health before wealth which is how potential new owners should read the purchase of any pup.Lets be honest would you consider buying a car without at least the MOT, ok, so the MOT doesnt mean its actually roadworthy, but its a starting point.The RSPCA is simply a charity that bullies owners and performs illegal entries into the homes of the elderly, the rescuer and on occasion the animal abuser.They do make a balls of things more often than they would like to admit too, but regulated they COULD be beneficial to animals…
If any breeder doesnt vet you then ask why, if a breeder, doesnt allow bonding sessions to assess YOU with a pup, then you need to be careful. If they tell you that their breed doesnt need to be tested , ask why…
NO ONE should ever buy a pup on a whim and they should read everything about the breed BEFORE buying.
Dogs are NOT handbags and they have needs that in many ways outweighs that of a human child, so think before buying and STOP supporting puppy farms just because you are not prepared to wait for a healthy TESTED pet.
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Many people will be swayed into the belief that designer dogs or mixed breeds are a safer option after the BBC expose on Pedigree dogs, but that just isnt true. Its all about genetics whether the dog is purebred is of mixed parentage. Every dog has two sets of genes, one from each parent. A dog needs only one working copy of a gene to be healthy. Even if there is a defective copy of a gene lurking in its chromosomes, the adult dog will be healthy because it got a good copy from its other parent.
But if a breeder mates two dogs that each have a recessive disease-causing gene, the laws of genetics say the pair has a 1 in 4 chance of producing a diseased pup, even though both parents are healthy. In fact, the inherited diseases that afflict dogs usually come from recessive traits. The basic laws of inheritance were formulated by the Austrian monk Gregor Mendel in the 1860s. Although Mendel experimented with peas, his findings are essentially the same for all complex life forms. The laws explain how individuals may function as carriers for a certain trait or disease; that is, they do not display the trait themselves but can pass it on to their offspring. — Mendel’s Law of Segregation: Parental traits do not blend in offspring but remain separate and are controlled by genes that occur in pairs. Dominant genes are always expressed in offspring, while recessive genes are expressed only if they occur in pairs.
For example, a dog with a pair of dominant genes for brown color mates with a dog with a pair of recessive genes for golden color: All of the puppies will be brown… …but carry the recessive gene for golden color.
– Mendelian ratio: If two dogs with a Bg combination of genes — each carrying the recessive gene for golden color — were to mate, each puppy has a 1 in 4 chance of receiving the two recessive genes and therefore being golden.
Dogs as a species are very prone to genetic diseases. According to Professor C. B. Chastain of the University of Missouri, “dogs are plagued by the greatest number of documented, naturally occurring genetic disorders of any non-human species.” There are approximately 400 inherited disorders associated with dogs. As long as the breeding population remains large the chances of passing along a genetic disorder are small. This is because the dog blueprint is based on around 30,000 genes.WE see from the growing population of Labradoodles that genetic disease is high as both dogs share a tendency towards similar diseases,There are several minor inherited disorders associated with eyelids. The eyelashes are turned inward in Entropion. In Ectropion, the eyelashes are turned outward. Distichiasis is associated with extra eyelashes. Most of the conditions are easily corrected with minor surgery.
More serious inherited eye disorders in Labradors include cataracts, Retinal Dysplasia, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). Not all eye diseases result in blindness. Surgery is a possible treatment for cataracts. THEN WE LOOK AT WHAT AFFECTS POOD
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Then we look at poodles and say, why would someone consider placing these two breeds together
Poodles are prone to two blood diseases. One involves the destruction of red blood cells, while the other affects the poodles blood-clotting ability. Both can be fatal.
Auto immune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)
A blood disease in which the body’s own immune system destroys red blood cells. This destruction happens when antibodies stick to the red blood cells and the immune system attacks those antibodies. AIHA is a life-threatening disease, because without red blood cells, tissues aren’t able to receive necessary oxygen. It may be triggered by toxins, cancers, drugs, a blood parasite, virus or even vaccinations, but exactly why it happens is not understood.
Symptoms of AIHA include weakness, lethargy, pale gums, unusually dark urine, and yellow-tinged whites of the eye.
Von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD)
A disorder that involves a tendency to bleed easily, is caused by a deficiency in the von Willebrand factor, a protein found in the blood plasma. You should suspect vWD if your dog has excessive and prolonged bleeding after injury or surgery, has visible blood in his urine or is bleeding from the nose or gums.
Often a poodle with vWD has only mild symptoms and can lead very normal lives. You’ll have to be especially careful your poodle doesn’t get injured. Take care when trimming your poodles toenails and inform your groomer about the condition. Poodle-proofing your house by padding any sharp corners and any other hazards can help prevent injury.
Cushing’s Disease
Cushing’s Disease (canine hyperadrenocorticism) is a syndrome in which the body is producing too much cortisone. The cause is most often a small tumor in the pituitary gland, located in the brain. The symptoms of Cushing’s Disease include: excessive consumption of water, increases frequency of urination, a ravenous appetite, hair loss, haircoat changes, and lethargy. Cushing’s Disease typically affects middle-age to older dogs.
Endocrine Diseases
Two serious endocrine problems affect the poodle, one involving the thyroid and one involving the adrenal glands. The endocrine system performs some of the most important function of the dogs body.
Addison’s Disease
A disorder caused by a deficiency in adrenocortical hormones. It occurs in all three poodle sizes but is most commonly seen in Standard females, 4 to 7 years of age. Symptoms include lethargy, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, eating poorly, anorexia and general physical deterioration. Symptoms will worsen under stress.
Left untreated, Addison’s Disease is deadly. But once diagnosed the dog can be treated with daily or monthly medication to replace the hormones that the adrenal glands can’t produce. A poodle that continues to take these hormones can live a long life, though he’ll always be extra sensitive to stress.
Hypothyroidism
Low thyroid function is the most common endocrine problem in dogs. Auto immune thyroiditis, in which the thyroid is destroyed by the body’s immune system, is genetic and is seen in all three varieties of poodles. It can lead to weight gain (without an increase in eating), a coarse, brittle coat that falls out, thickening and discoloration of the skin, lethargy, obesity, mental slowness and irregular heart rhythm.
Hypothyroidism is fairly easily treated with medication that supplies the hormone that the body cannot make. The medication is given twice daily for the rest of the dogs life.
Eye Problems
There are more than twenty eye diseases that the poodle can inherit.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
PRA is a family of, yet different diseases in which the retina gradually deteriorates, eventually causing blindness in all affected dogs. PRA typically shows up as night blindness when the poodle is 3 to 5 years old. His pupils will stay dilated and the eyes will shine. The dog will gradually become completely blind.
If your poodle has PRA, keep lights on for him or use nightlights to help with the night blindness. After his vision is gone, take care not to change th layout of furniture or leave obstacles in his path. If you keep his environment consistent and use toys with bells or squeakers, you may notice little change in your poodle’s demeanor, even after he has lost his sight.
Progressive Iris Atrophy
Like PRA, this is a progressive type disease that causes the iris to shrivel and die resulting in blindness.
Juvenile Cataracts
Cataracts that are inherited are called Juvenile Cataracts. Cataracts cause the lens of the eyes to cloud over, blocking light to the retina and affecting the vision. Severe cases lead to blindness.
If you see signs of vision impairment in your poodle ( bumping into things, hesitancy to jump onto or off furniture) or the characteristic bluish white cloudiness over the eye, take him to the veterinarian. If your poodles cataracts are inherited, they might be able to be removed surgically.
A cataract can also occur secondary to another condition, like diabetes, so it’s important to catch them early and address any other related conditions.
Epiphora (Excessive Tearing)
All sizes of Poodles are prone to epiphora. This is often obvious by the stains that are seen starting from the inside corner of the eyes and running down the face. Epiphora can happen on its own or be the result of distichiasis (extra row of eyelashes) or entropion (eyelashes become tucked under the eyelid and irritate the eyeball). If your Poodle suddenly develops this condition, it is best to have him or her checked out by your veterinarian to rule out these disorders, corneal ulcerations or some type of eye trauma. Miniature and Toy Poodles sometimes have an absence of the opening at the lacrimal canal (tear duct). This condition is called nasolacrimal puncta atresia.
Idiopathic Epilepsy
A neurological disorder marked by recurring seizures, abnormal discharges of electrical impulses by nerve cells in the brain. As in humans, it is controlled with drugs. Since these drugs can have long-term side affects, your veterinarian may first monitor your poodle to make sure the seizures are regular and severe enough to warrant treatment.
If your poodle has a seizure that lasts longer than 5 to 10 minutes, or has 3 or more seizures in a single day, seek veterinary help immediately.
Juvenile Renal Disease (JRD)
Chronic kidney failure is typically a disease of older dogs – their kidneys simply wear out. But dogs with JRD lose kidney function very early, often when they are less than a year old. JRD is an inherited condition seen in Standard Poodles. There is no cure – the kidneys will inevitably fail. But the earlier is caught, the more there is that can be done to slow the decline.
Signs of Juvenile Renal Disease include increased thirst, urination, leaking urine and weight loss. Because of increased urination, puppies with JRD are hard to housetrain.
Orthopedic Problems
Problems with your poodles bones can be very painful. Poodles of all sizes are susceptible to hip dysplasia while Miniatures and Toys are also susceptible to Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and patellar luxation.
Hip Dysplasia
A condition in which the head of the femur fits improperly into the hip joint socket, causing pain and lameness. Pain killers and/or surgery are the usual treatments. Being a large dog, the Standard Poodle is more likely to suffer from Hip Dysplasia, though it can affect Miniatures and Toys.
Symptoms include decreased activity, stiffness, lameness, a swaggering gait, muscle wasting in thighs, unwillingness to jump or stand on the hind legs and soreness after lying down. It is important to keep your poodles weight to a healthy low level to help alleviate pressure on the hips.
Legg-Calve-Perthes (LCP)
A painful hip disease in which the cap of the femur bone in the hip suffers a loss of blood supply. This leads to deterioration of the femoral head and eventually it no longer fits properly in the socket. This is painful and the dog becomes lame on that leg. Dogs start showing early symptoms of LCP – limping, favoring one leg, or walking with a strange gait – when they are under a year old. Anti-inflammatory drugs and/or surgery are the usual treatments.
Patella Sub-luxation
Slipped kneecap, a condition in which the patella (located at the joint of the hind leg) slides in and out of the groove where it is normally held in place by ligaments. It can occur in one or both knees and can show up in Toy and Miniature puppies as young as 8 weeks, though the problem can occur later in life. A poodle with luxating patella will stand funny appearing bow-legged. He may cry out because of the pain and straighten his leg in an effort to put it back in place or he may hold it up. He may walk with a hitch in his gait. Depending on the severity of the luxation and the age of the dog, surgery may be required.
Sebaceous Adenitis (SA)
A chronic skin disorder that affects all three sizes of Poodles-most common in the Standard Poodle, resulting in abnormal, inflamed, or absence of, sebaceous glands. Symptoms may include excessive dandruff, scaling, darkened skin, thickened skin, a silvery scaling of the skin, a musty, unpleasant odor, and hair loss. SA can show up when the poodle as young as 18 months or as old as 9 years. Diagnosing SA is done with a skin biopsy. Statistic show that as many as 50 percent of all Standard Poodles are carriers or affected. There is no cure. Therapeutic baths and antibiotics for secondary skin infections are the recommended treatments.
Is it any wonder why rescue shelters have many of these mixed breeds in ….
In essence the simple placing of two purebreds will NOT provide us with a healthy pup, it will however increase the risk of genetic disease that progeny will face due to the inability of breeders to understand how inheritance is passed on….
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