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First, let me say that I am not claiming to know everything about dogs. I just have a great passion for animals, dogs, especially. My knowledge comes from experience. Almost every breed of dog, if not every breed, has some type of dominating, genetic, medical problem. I am only going to discuss a few very prominent problems. There are problems in many breeds about which I know nothing. Call any veterinarian’s office and tell his/her staff you are looking at purchasing a certain breed and ask the staff about the genetic defects of that breed. Most veterinarian staff will know from experience or will get you the information and possibly a referral to a reputable breeder. You can also pick up one of those little books about the breed you are considering at the pet store. They give you information on what to look for in choosing a puppy. Don’t skip the questions to a vet, though.
Demodectic Mange (Red mange) is also very common, especially in puppy-mill puppies. This is a type of mange carried by the mother and passed on to the puppies. Any puppy can have the red mange, but it is genetically carried by the females. As with other types of mange, it starts small, possibly around the eyes, looking like the dog just scraped a little hair off. It spreads and takes diligent bathing and medication to clear the mange. Dogs with red mange should not be bred, especially the females. Neuter and spay the infected and the carriers. A family near me breeds American bulldogs. They have about six breeding pairs. They are covered with red mange. They are treating them medicinally, supposedly, but they continue breeding them in spite of obvious problems.
Hip dysplasia is very common in many large dog breeds, including Labrador and golden retrievers, Great Danes, German shepherds and Saint Bernards. Hip dysplasia is the deterioration of the hip joints and is genetic. If you want a fully active dog and a dog that does not suffer tremendous hip pain, care must be taken with purchasing a large dog. Most quality breeders will have OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) papers on the parents showing they are free of hip dysplasia. This guarantees the parents do not have hip dysplasia, but does not mean they are not carriers of dysplasia. Most quality breeders have their dogs OFA certified as being free of hip dysplasia for generations back. Small, weak hips, which appear disproportionate to the dogs size, is a warning of hip problems. Take heed! This will be a “special needs” dog in the future and the disease is very painful for you and your dog.
Bad teeth not only develop with age and with poor diet, but they more often than not are caused by poor genetics. This is especially apparent in small dogs such as Yorkshire terriers, toy poodles, Chihuahuas and other pocket-size dogs. Bad teeth are not limited to small dogs, though. If you are purchasing a puppy, it is difficult to tell if the teeth are bad. You can look at alignment, but instead, ask to look in the parents’ mouths. Many puppy-mill and parking-lot breeders will not have a puppy’s parents available for viewing. Ask again. If you can’t see parents and papers, pass on this puppy. Chances are the breeder doesn’t know which puppies go with which parents. Bad teeth are not just unsightly, they smell and become candidates for gum disease, root canals, and later on in life, hand feeding.
Skin problems other than mange can be a problem with well-bred dogs if they have allergies. They are much more common and likely in puppies from puppy mills and parking-lot pet shops. Some breeds are just prone to skin problems.
Let’s don’t add genetic skin problems to the problems of just living in South Texas. Skin problems can cause itching, scaling, dull coat, thin coat and bad, bad odor.
Once again, ask to see the parents. This is also a good time to ask to inspect the “kennel.” If you are looking at parking-lot puppies, ask to be allowed to visit the kennel at which the puppy was born before purchasing the puppy. If the breeder acts a little less than enthusiastic, find another puppy.
Disposition is not all about environment. It can be genetically passed down, good or bad. It is very important to interact with the puppy in the presence of other puppies, interact with the puppy alone, and ask to see and visit with the parents.
Many puppy-mill puppies are not socialized. They may be shy and skittish, or they may be out of this world wild. You want a confident, friendly puppy. You want him to come to you. If the parents are docile and well mannered, chances are the puppy will be, also. If the parents are running around using the fence or furniture as part of the racetrack and you want a calm house, you don’t want one of these puppies. Also, look for habits, like nervous chewing or cowering.
I have chosen just a few genetically transferrable medical and behavioral problems to highlight. I, personally, have been bitten by all of the above in my lifetime; after all, the puppy is so cute! I cannot emphasize enough the importance of purchasing the puppy of choice from a quality breeder. Ask your vet for one near you or visit a local show and ask around, or check out a book. There are many breeds available in breed rescues. Go online and Google “breed” rescue. Be careful here. Some of these rescues are rescues for a reason. Some are rescues just because of the nature of the breed that the owner did not understand. Know the type of dogs you are interested in owning, and do the research. Talk to vets, get on the Internet, go to a dog show, watch, and ask questions. Dog people love to talk about their dogs. If you are not looking for a purebred, check you local animal shelter and save a life.
One more word of warning: Although the American Kennel Club has the highest standards of pet registries, most puppy mills will have AKC-registered puppies. AKC is a reputable registry with many good members. Unfortunately, there are some who lack integrity.
Most of you have seen a picture of the “Ugliest Dog in the World.” That dog is an example of many bad genetics coming together in one dog. That is scary, huh? This might also be the case with the “chupacabra.”
Susan Strane is an animal lover and a resident of Victoria.