Dog Breeding gone wrong a prime example

[ComicDom1]

@JazzysMom:

The fate of dogs like this is not always bad.

I had a dog for many, many years in which no one could identify the breed - though the legs looked bassett-y. She had short, deformed legs, and odd skeletal structure, a loooong body, a big curled tail. long white head, a big head, huge ears…. people literally laughed at her when we walked.
Whatever...she was a magnificent pet and lived 14 wonderful years before succumbing to cancer.
SHOULD she have been bred? I suppose not, in a perfect world. But I sure am glad she was.

I personally thought this Dog was some kind of cross between a PitBull and a Bassett hound. While he or she may be a great dog and live a long time, there is no telling what health or other complications this dog might have as a result of its breeding.

The point I think that Miranda and I feel is getting missed is all the health complications that can arise out of breedings or combinations like this. Possibly its being intentionally over looked, but in light of another post in regard to contemplating breeding designer dogs in this forum, we felt this post was appropriate.

This dog too might live to the age of 14 years as well. If complications arise related to this type of breeding that cause the pet any kind of pain and suffering, then isn't this just another form of cruelty to animals?

Jason

[sharronhurlbut]

Sadly, folks who let their dogs breed or have "oops" because they are not responsible enough to get their pet dogs fixed, don't even think about the fate of the puppies.
As long as they can "get rid of them", ie, free to good homes, they don't give the
pups a second thought…sigh.
I hope the dog is able to live a long life without pain, but does seem unlikely, with the looks of his legs.
Jason, this boy is so ugly, someone will open their heart and give him a good home.
I hope.

[agilebasenji]

Looks like this particular dog has a dwarf gene expressed. It does occur in several breeds, and, like many recessive genes, can pop up unexpectedly. Which isn't to say I condone this sort of breeding.

Here's a few links to dwarfism in dogs:
http://sonic.net/~cdlcruz/dwarfs/dwarf_other_breeds.htm
http://www.dogstuff.info/dwarfism_part_three_lanting.html

[ComicDom1]

@agilebasenji:

Looks like this particular dog has a dwarf gene expressed. It does occur in several breeds, and, like many recessive genes, can pop up unexpectedly. Which isn't to say I condone this sort of breeding.

Here's a few links to dwarfism in dogs:
http://sonic.net/~cdlcruz/dwarfs/dwarf_other_breeds.htm
http://www.dogstuff.info/dwarfism_part_three_lanting.html

Thanks for this information! This guy reminded me of a human dwarf, but I didn't know there was such a thing for dogs! I will check these links out when we get home, always excited to learn new things about dogs.

Miranda

[lvoss]

All Basset Hounds and Dachshunds are dwarves. Here is another article that discusses dwarfism and leg deformities in canines.

http://www.siriusdog.com/article.php?id=461&page=2

[AJs Human]

Where do Corgis fit in? Are they dwarves as well? Just curious. Thanks. :)

[lvoss]

Yes, Corgis are also dwarves.

[nkjvcjs]

This dog reminds me of a post on Dolittler on her puppymill dog Slumdog.

http://www.dolittler.com/2009/10/10/Angular.and.rotational.limb.deformities.Slumdog.has.his.day.in.the.OR…html

I hope that if his deformities are such that he needs this kind of surgery, he will have owners that are in a position to give it to him.

-Nicole

[Quercus]

Nicole, thanks for posting the link to dolittler. I have never seen that site before, and I love it!

[Basenjimamma]

What an amazing site, very cool and uplifting to see that people do care about things gone wrong..this little dog deserves a life too, even though he started out wrong..