Posted on 07/14/2007 6:47:51 AM PDT by mware
Meet the Incredible Hulk of Hounds
By REBECCA CAMBER
Maybe they should call her a whoppet - after all, she's a whopper of a whippet.
This is Wendy, the dog whose appearance is a long way from the usual long, lean and sleek look of her breed.
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She was born with a genetic defect which has left her looking like the Incredible Hulk of Hounds.
While her head, heart, lungs and legs are the size of those of a normal whippet, her gene defect means she is "double muscled".
She weighs 4st4lb - twice as much as she should - and has bulging neck muscles, burly shoulders and haunches like a baboon. And unlike ordinary whippets known for their lithe and narrow frame, this four-year-old pedigree doesn't just have a sixpack stomach, she has a 24-pack.
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Sadly, her mixed-up genes mean she may have a shorter life expectancy than most breeds.
But while she may look oddly menacing, her doting owner Ingrid Hansen claims the giant pooch likes nothing better than clambering up on to your lap to have her back scratched.
"People have referred to her as Arnold Schwarzenegger," she said.
"She's healthy and happy. That's all that counts.
"She doesn't know she's got a genetic defect. She might give you a nasty lick, that's all."
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The whippet, who lives on a farm in Victoria, Canada, has been the subject of an American genetics study. Although the dogs are customarily bred for hunting, racing and showing, Wendy enjoys a slower pace of life.
She spends her days prowling around the fields, chasing other dogs and horses and sleeping on her owner's bed.
This week the Daily Mail reported on another canine phenomenon, 19st10lb Samson.
A cross between a Great Dane and a Newfoundland, the dog from Boston, Lincolnshire, is 37in at the shoulder and stands 6ft5in on his hind legs.
C’mon, now. We all know Barry Bonds been visiting that farm in BC and leaving “gifts” behind for the family hound.
She looks like a bear!!!
Looks like they transplanted a whippets head on to a Massive to me.
Bet it can run like the dickens.
This would give any kitty nightmares...
chasing horses???
hmmm.
Bump to show the kids!
Wow, I’d hate to clean up after that.
What the heck is that?
Looks like some Reuters-styled altered photos!
I think the massive photo was altered in some way.
Had to fix my tag line
That is what I think too. The Massive came in at 275 pounds, so it would not be that big in relation to the horse. I sure would like to see a real photo of that pup though.
Yeap, haven’t had my coffee yet.
Reuters-styled
the “shadows” contrived on the ground prove it....
Ya think?
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