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German Shepherds dying in misery due to intensive breeding
UK Telegraph ^ | July 28, 2017 | Henry Bodkin

Posted on 07/28/2017 3:17:50 AM PDT by C19fan

German Shepherds are living and dying in misery due to intensive breeding for “cosmetic” reasons, a major new report by the Royal Veterinary College has found. A survey of data collected from 430 clinics across the UK reveals arthritis, cancer, aggression and sloping backs are afflicting the breed at higher rates than others due to aggressive selection. Nearly one in two German Shepherds is being put down because they are unable to walk, experts said.

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: dogs; inbreeding
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To: exDemMom

I knew a Boxer breeder who would breed parent to offspring. It’s a common practice amoung people who show dogs.


21 posted on 07/28/2017 6:35:10 AM PDT by neefer (We're walking real proud and we're talking real loud again.)
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To: freedumb2003

Yep, totally agree. I love my Shepherd to be as active, fast, strong and agile as they can be.

These are action dogs, IMO, not runway models, even though they are quite beautiful.


22 posted on 07/28/2017 6:37:10 AM PDT by chris37 (Donald J. Trump, Tom Brady, The Patriots... American Destiny!)
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To: depenzz

AWESOME!

That girl up there is my best friend in the world too.

Better than any human I know, except perhaps for my mom.

My greatest concern is that I also outlive my Shepherd, because she adores me foe some reason that I cannot divine.

I will suffer her death, but I do not want to have her suffer mine.


23 posted on 07/28/2017 6:41:02 AM PDT by chris37 (Donald J. Trump, Tom Brady, The Patriots... American Destiny!)
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To: C19fan

I take one of my dogs to a holistic vet, and I mostly see German Shepherds and Labs. Mine are Cavaliers, a breed that similarly suffers from inbred conditions but not nearly as severe as what happens to German Shepherds.

My adult Cavs (ages 7 & 8) have mild mitral-valve disease, from which they will likely die eventually. One, though, has “chiari malformation” (skull smaller than the brain), but regular acupuncture has kept her from having full blown Syringomyelia (see http://cavalierhealth.org/syringomyelia.htm) and keeps her comfortable and active. It worked so well I started going to an acupuncturist myself, and he saved me from having to get elbow surgery.

My dogs are comfortable and happy, and we buy from a small, fully accredited breeder, so I don’t feel as if we are the problem, although I recognize that buying one of these dogs inherently contributes to it. Our dogs enrich our lives immeasurably, and I can only hope that we do the same for them.


24 posted on 07/28/2017 7:22:35 AM PDT by nicollo (I said no!)
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To: freedumb2003

Need to get rid of backyard breeders in the southern California area. What they are doing is pitiful.

German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County has over 80 available, most originating from backyard breeders.

http://www.gsroc.org/available-dogs/

Coastal and Westside German Shepherd Rescues have similar amount of dogs available. And there are probably another 100 who are adoptable in the area animal shelters.

The good news is that we are seeing fewer dogs with hip dysplasia. The bad news there are a lot of dogs needing care due to owner neglect.


25 posted on 07/28/2017 7:32:06 AM PDT by chrisinoc
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To: exDemMom

Actually, some of the best dogs in the world are inbred (called linebreeding), the same goes for horses. It makes it easier to breed for good characteristics, just have to be sure there isn’t something bad lurking underground.


26 posted on 07/28/2017 7:37:38 AM PDT by nobamanomore
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To: freedumb2003

Most of the working dogs are now Czech or East/West German old stock. The angular back thing makes them look crippled when they run, and eventually they are.

That’s why I have a Malinois now, after my last Czech German Shepherd passed.


27 posted on 07/28/2017 7:40:51 AM PDT by nobamanomore
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To: freedumb2003
>The Americans have RUINED the breed.<

Explain this European bred dog, then. There is sin and crime, but in no way is it all at the hands of our breeders. American bred GSD's do not look like this. This malformation is from European breeders.


28 posted on 07/28/2017 8:12:43 AM PDT by Darnright (If a million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing. Anatole France)
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To: freedumb2003

We have a Sheppard mix who is only 45 lbs. she looks like a Sheppard but does not have the weak rear hips. Health and trouble free at 10. Can’t stand to see the America Sheppard freaks. The AKC is to blame.


29 posted on 07/28/2017 8:44:54 AM PDT by Oldexpat
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To: freedumb2003

There is no normal “respectable” GS line anymore. It is German show lines which created roach backs claiming they make the gait better. BS. Roachbacks are for GALLOPING dogs, greyhounds. Not trotting dogs like shepherds.

American show are overangulated and long-legged, dragging hocks on the ground. But Germans have done alot wrong, too. They are overbuilt, with bear heads, while American have long wimpy noses. They also have massive allergy problems, the Germans. Trust me, I know.

The “working” lines look good but may be overaggressive. My last dog, gorgeous in type but poor in temperament and TERRIBLE in allergies and hips, was 100% German, part show and work. The greatest dog ever? Half of American and German type, probably not the “best” American, either.

I’m looking for BYB farm dogs next time.


30 posted on 07/28/2017 9:18:57 AM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue./Federal-run medical care is as good as state-run DMVs.)
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To: Ouderkirk

GERMAN SHEPHERDS DO NOT HAVE WOLF BLOOD. NEVER DID. MAYBE 5000 years ago.


31 posted on 07/28/2017 9:20:21 AM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue./Federal-run medical care is as good as state-run DMVs.)
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To: kosciusko51

That is typical of German show types, and would not be surprised if English adopted mostly that. It is not American.


32 posted on 07/28/2017 9:25:45 AM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue./Federal-run medical care is as good as state-run DMVs.)
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To: chris37
Here'a aspect corrected version of them in all their glory.

Handsome pair

33 posted on 07/28/2017 9:30:05 AM PDT by Covenantor (Men are ruled...by liars who refuse them news, and by fools who cannot govern. " Chesterton)
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To: Darnright

Thank you. I’m sick of Amer getting all the heat.

German show lines stink. Crappiest conformation I’ve ever seen.


34 posted on 07/28/2017 9:31:11 AM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue./Federal-run medical care is as good as state-run DMVs.)
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To: Covenantor

Thank you!

How did you fix that? I hate having to size down a photo, because I don’t want to put up a giant photo, but then when you adjust it, it never looks right.

I really appreciate your work though, that’s about my favorite photo of all time!


35 posted on 07/28/2017 10:56:21 AM PDT by chris37 (Donald J. Trump, Tom Brady, The Patriots... American Destiny!)
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To: C19fan

The British are inbreeding too......


36 posted on 07/28/2017 11:15:05 AM PDT by minnesota_bound
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To: chris37

http://www.shrinkpictures.com/

I use this site all the time to resize pictures...It gives width choices and automatically does height properly.

I love your dogs!


37 posted on 07/28/2017 11:16:31 AM PDT by MEG33 (SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC***DONATE MONTHLY IF POSSIBLE)
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To: minnesota_bound
The British are inbreeding too......



38 posted on 07/28/2017 11:16:34 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: MEG33

OHHH!! Awesome! Thank you!

In that picture, only Isis is mine. The older girl with the big, pink bow on.

Spirit, the pup, belongs to a good friend. She was just recently acquired, and is hopefully going to be the mate of her other magnificent male Shepherd, Gunner, who is about 9 months old now.

If all goes well, I will be able to adopt one of those pups when that occurs.


39 posted on 07/28/2017 11:26:42 AM PDT by chris37 (Donald J. Trump, Tom Brady, The Patriots... American Destiny!)
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To: chris37
I used "view image" from browser menu...that showed me that the original had correct aspect ration and its size. Copied image url and post as you did, but after the close quotes added width="720" and then closed with right >.

That sets image width, browser sets appropriate height for original aspect ratio. Sometimes view image doesn't indicate size (Android phone) then just paste in reply, preview to see how big image will appear. Too big, make width a smaller std dimension i.e. 640, 720, or what you will. In the same manner you can increase size, but be aware that pixelation can become apparent if increase too large.

40 posted on 07/28/2017 1:17:28 PM PDT by Covenantor (Men are ruled...by liars who refuse them news, and by fools who cannot govern. " Chesterton)
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