Over bred dogs and their issues
@OpinionatedLady (5966)
United States
April 5, 2011 1:35pm CST
So I have a heart that is breaking. My Black lab was very over bred and we knew this when she we first went to the vet. They said we would have four years before she would start going down hill. We had 5 then she started having hip issues and going very grey etc. Today though she was playing with the other dog and I had to run out and help her because all of a sudden her hip just gave out and she was lying there like what just happened. I picked her up, (not easy she's big!) and brought her in. I got her in the tub and gave her a bath in hot water and rubbed her back (we used to have to do that with the dog I had growing up) and she's back to normal now but my heart aches. I know she will continue to slid e down hill as she gets older and though it may sound bad she is the best dog we have ever had and I will miss her ever so much more then the others or even the other dog we have now. She's just such a good girl and so good with the kids. I am sure we have a few more good years but this was just an in our face reminder that she has these issues so early in life due to the over breeding.
2 people like this
4 responses
@celticeagle (158958)
• Boise, Idaho
5 Apr 11
Sometimes I think this over breeding is very selfish. It isn't for the animal in most cases. It is for humans. It is so the animal is more what the human wants it to be. I find this very selfish and self serving on the part of the human race. I think it is sad. I always try to see both sides of an issue. THis one I think is pretty one sided.
@celticeagle (158958)
• Boise, Idaho
5 Apr 11
I really don't know anything about the business. If done right I would think there would be some pros. The cons come in, for me, because mostly it is for the people, not for the animal. Few benefits for the animal.
@OpinionatedLady (5966)
• United States
5 Apr 11
When done right I don't think it's too bad just dumb. There are though puppy mills all over the nation that are irresponsibly breeding. They use the same sires on multiple generations so five generations can all have the same sire in a row where the issues come from.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
5 Apr 11
Bless her heart, how sad. U know i was wondering if u could use a rub on her like people use for arthritus if that might not help her. I don't think it would hurt her, do u?
@OpinionatedLady (5966)
• United States
5 Apr 11
Hurt no but get through her fur, not sure. Also do you know any that I wouldn't have to worry about her licking I don't want her to get sick from licking it.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
5 Apr 11
They may make something special for dogs. Ask your vet, maybe he will know. Good luck.
@OpinionatedLady (5966)
• United States
6 Apr 11
I will, we actually have to take the cat for her allergy shot on Friday so I will see then if they have something.
1 person likes this
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
5 Apr 11
I'm afraid that's what happens when you get a purebred dog. The act of creating a purebred creates lots of genetic defects in the breed. Mankinds interference is making a royal mess out of many of them. The smaller breeds often have nervious disorders which cause them to twitch, cocker spaniels have stomach problems, greyhounds are highly susceptable to bone cancer, labs have hip displacia etc...
Everyone should consider just getting a mutt, they're far healthier.
@OpinionatedLady (5966)
• United States
5 Apr 11
I do not believe in buying purebreds personally..ironically we have two. The first the lab was actually thrown out of a car window in front of my husbands job 6 years ago. She has been the nest dog we have ever brought home and that maniac never came back looking for her or anything. The other was given to us. The guy who bought him thought a hunting dog came trained or something and was going to drop him at the SPCA when his brother told my husband I had a coonhound ( I know that is spelled wrong but I apparently can't put the first word it is racist according to Mylot!) mix growing up and loved hims o hubby brought him home too (see a pattern here). He was well bred though no crossed lines and what not and he is very healthy ( I have his breeding papers) unlike our poor girl who has so many issues from a crooked bottom jaw, extra nipples and an artery in her body that should run along her spine but instead runs through her organs. I will never buy a pure breed but I love the ones I have.
