Thinking about these giant dogs and their joints has had me wondering on many occasions if their size is a factor. By that I mean a factor in the prevalence of Joint issues and disease and how severely or not the dog is affected.
It seems obvious that genetics plays a role what with good and excellent joint parents coming from the same, producing dysplastic offspring. But how many joint issues are not genetic and or the genetics would not present on xray or in life, but for the size of the dog? In our case Newfs. I do wonder If breeding them smaller, perhaps just for a time along with best breeding practices when choosing sires and dams would move things closer to eliminating joint issues and disease? Or at least making it uncommon? And not only smaller, but shorter in loin. Yes I know that there are medium and large size dogs that also suffer from joint issues and joint disease. But structure is a factor. Rate of growth is also a factor and the larger the dog, the faster the dog grows to reach its adult size and the heavier they are while still young and vulnerable. I've posted studies on the growth rate factor in the past and how young many dogs are when they present with problems on closer examination. Some just weeks old. Newfs are not only growing tall, but long and heavy, this would present a mechanical problem.
I do wonder if body height and length and rate of growth and heavy bone so young need to be seriously considered in the battle to end or make uncommon joint issues and disease? I also as a side note, wonder if the trend of a low protein diet also figured into the non genetic joint problems? I personally think it did. How much? I would love to hear long time breeders thoughts and experience on the issue of size. Thanks.
It seems obvious that genetics plays a role what with good and excellent joint parents coming from the same, producing dysplastic offspring. But how many joint issues are not genetic and or the genetics would not present on xray or in life, but for the size of the dog? In our case Newfs. I do wonder If breeding them smaller, perhaps just for a time along with best breeding practices when choosing sires and dams would move things closer to eliminating joint issues and disease? Or at least making it uncommon? And not only smaller, but shorter in loin. Yes I know that there are medium and large size dogs that also suffer from joint issues and joint disease. But structure is a factor. Rate of growth is also a factor and the larger the dog, the faster the dog grows to reach its adult size and the heavier they are while still young and vulnerable. I've posted studies on the growth rate factor in the past and how young many dogs are when they present with problems on closer examination. Some just weeks old. Newfs are not only growing tall, but long and heavy, this would present a mechanical problem.
I do wonder if body height and length and rate of growth and heavy bone so young need to be seriously considered in the battle to end or make uncommon joint issues and disease? I also as a side note, wonder if the trend of a low protein diet also figured into the non genetic joint problems? I personally think it did. How much? I would love to hear long time breeders thoughts and experience on the issue of size. Thanks.