Inherited Diseases/disorders In Whippets

[~Annie~]

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Thought I'd put this here as folk breeding whippets for show seem often to be the most knowledgeable about this sort of thing. I bought April Dog's Monthly precisely because I wanted to read Matthew Watkinson's article on where to draw the line re. veterinary treatment, but I found the statement quoted below difficult to apply to whippets. Do we have an "aspect of conformation predisposing [whippets, 19th most popular breed I believe] to a disorder?

"... there are no pedigree dog breeds I know of without an associated inherited disease ... according to a survey by the RVC the 50 most popular breeds of dog share 396 diseases between them, comprising at least one aspect of conformation predisposing each breed to a disorder - on top of genetic diseases relating to inbreeding."

 

[moonlake]

Just seen this. Think you should write to the man and ask him exactly which disease he has in mind for whippets. The breed does have anecdotal evidence of heart disease, eye problems and A-I related disease but I cannot think of any that are due to conformation as specified in the breed standard.

Gay

www.moonlake.co.uk

 

[marshall]

Hello

I agree with Gay Robertson that you should write to the gentleman for a full explanation of his statement. I do wish that some so called experts would not pontificate without giving details of their findings/evidence etc.

Every Tom, Dick and Harry seems to jump on the critical bandwagon since that dreadful Pedigree Dogs Exposed programme which was very flawed, to say the least.

Will await further information with interest.

Thanks

 

[~Annie~]

Just seen this. Think you should write to the man and ask him exactly which disease he has in mind for whippets. The breed does have anecdotal evidence of heart disease, eye problems and A-I related disease but I cannot think of any that are due to conformation as specified in the breed standard.
Gay

www.moonlake.co.uk

Thank you Gay I couldn't think of one either, hence the question. I will do as suggested and contact Matthew Watkinson :thumbsup: Watch this space for his reply!

 

[unicorn]

I can't think of any real whippet problems but I have to say I will never have another boxer after my last two, they had every boxer associated problem you could imagine. That was my main reason for going for whippets really as I had never seen any real issues with them,

 

[Seraphina]

I agree with all above; Whippet standard does not require anything that would make the dog predisposed to problems.

And I am sure that many other breed standards are the same. Then there are some standards that can be possibly misread; like the one of GSD, and "slightly sloping topline with well angulated rear legs" became excuse for the exageration we see today. Even the standards that call for huge exageration do not ask for nose so pushed in that the dog cannot breeze, or eyes so poppy that they fall out.

I have not read the article so I cannot commenty on it, but I hope that all of you who have read it will write to the magazine, and I hope they publish the letters.

 

[jayp]

Just as an interesting thought.... whippets are so lucky that breeders in this country have pretty much kept the breed free from exagerations but I think what he is trying to say is that the standard itself dosnt prevent them only our interpretation of it. Especially as it does state free from exageration

But long neck could easily become too long leaving the dog open to problems,stifles well bent could become so extreme again would leave the dog open to unsoundness later in life, its down to judges and breeders to keep the whippet the sound breed its always been

 

[liza]

I can't think of any real whippet problems but I have to say I will never have another boxer after my last two, they had every boxer associated problem you could imagine. That was my main reason for going for whippets really as I had never seen any real issues with them,

we had boxers in the 70's we never had any problems its only in recent years boxers are having problems they are such a nice breed very good family dogs

and as for whippets they are clear of most inheriteed diseases

 

[maggie217]

Have you had any reply Annie?